Overview
Daniel’s work was over when the story of the world was written. His prophecies would stand until the end. They reveal a succession of events leading down to the time before Christ’s second coming.
But that part of his prophecy related to the last days, Daniel was bidden to close up and seal until “the time of the end” (Daniel 12:4)
The portion of time known as “the time of the end” is as distinctly marked as any other prophetic period. At its beginning people’s oppression was removed. Additionally, civil and religious liberty were standing before the world.
Thus seeing that freedom, the angel Gabriel explained the effects.
Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Daniel 12:4.
And those who were purified and wise will understand (Daniel 12:10), unsealing what Daniel had sealed.
What will you discover?
Find out the answers to the same questions the angel and Daniel asked.
- How long will it be until the end of these wonders (Daniel 12:6)?
- O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things (Daniel 12:8)?
Daniel didn’t understand the answers. And he was advised to continue his life. Many more Scriptures were yet to be given in the future. One example for it is the revelation of Jesus to John.
What he had prophesied will be known at the last days after the time of the end has commenced.
This article covers in depth terms and time periods from Daniel’s prophecy of chapter 12. It gives Bible based evidence, exploring and explaining in detail their significance for life today.
They are given with clarity, showing their spiritual and historical meaning.
Moreover, it underlines their importance for believers in different stages of their journey. Additionally, it clears the confusion that the prophecy is still sealed.
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Table of contents
- Beginning of “The time of the end”
- “A time, times, and a half” period
- The abomination that causes desolation
- Summary of the uncovered prophetic time periods
- Conclusion
Beginning of “The time of the end”
It is clear that Daniel’s whole attention had been centered on the events which Gabriel had related. And when the final triumph of truth was given, Christ himself was near the prophet (Daniel 12:7).
Moreover, the angels of heaven were also listening to the record of events (Daniel 12:6).
Daniel was told that the words are closed up and sealed till “the time of the end” (Daniel 12:9). Then the wise will understand.
So, understanding of the meaning of Daniel’s last prophecy will commence at the time of the end.
Daniel had heard this same period mentioned by Gabriel, and now it was repeated by Christ. But he says, I heard, but I understood not. Daniel 12:8.
The Lord explains that this period begins with the end of another time section. This section is “time, times and a half”.
So, the next step is to find when these 3 ½ prophetic days/years started. Moreover, what are the main characteristics of this time period?
The holy people of God were scattered and persecuted for “time, times and a half”. It was predicted by One clothed in linen (Daniel 12:7). Jesus also speaks about this very time in Matthew 24.
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved. But for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Matthew 24:21, 22.
They were oppressed in such a way as it would seem to have no influence (existence). So, it is only when their persecution ends, the things prophesied (Daniel 12:1-4) can come to completion.
“A time, times, and a half” period
The saints of God were bound for “a time, times, and a half”. It was done by the power which exalteth itself above Jehovah, as described in Daniel 7:25. For example:
And he shall speak great words against the most High. And shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws.
And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
The same saints of the Most High, are represented in a corporate way as the women (church) in Revelation 12. For instance:
And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. Revelation 12:6.
Moreover, the same period of time for the woman in the wilderness is revealed the way Daniel did. Here is the example:
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. Revelation 12:14.
Therefore the expression “a time, and times, and half a time” is the same as “a thousand two hundred and threescore days” (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 12:6, 14).
After applying day to year Bible prophecy principle (Ezekiel 4:4-6), it brings it to:
“A time, and times, and half a time” = 3 ½ days/years = 1260 days/years.
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A starting point for “A time, times, and a half”
This power (the little horn) will persecute the saints of the Most High for 1260 years. It began in 538 AD.
The birth of Christ, the incarnation of God, was a mystery, and is a mystery today. It was met by another mystery – a “mystery of iniquity”. It will deceive if possible the very elect.
The apostle Paul warned the church not to look for the coming of Christ in his time.
That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work. 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 7.
So at Paul’s time, the “mystery of iniquity” was working. But officially the status of the papacy was established in 538 AD. And the period foretold in the prophecy ended in 1798, after 1260 years.
The second coming of Christ can not take place before that time.
Since that time the Word of God has been freely circulated among the people. The prophecies have been studied. Since 1798 the book of Daniel has been unsealed as knowledge of the prophecies has increased.
As this happened, the wonderful truths for the end time have spread from country to country. These truths are preparing the way for the coming of the Son of man.
The abomination that causes desolation
The prophetic periods have puzzled the mind of the prophet Daniel. That they would be more clearly understood, angel Gabriel gave him further explanation.
From the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Daniel 12:11.
It is the year 508 A.D. recognized as the time when the daily sacrifice is taken away. It marks the last contest with paganism. In 508 the Britons accepted Christianity. The “daily” spoken of in Daniel had been taken away.
Thus paganism’s power in Europe had seized. Their conversion and alliance with Rome set the stage for the “man of sin” (Papacy) to rise. It is the year 538 when it was fully established.
The abomination that causes desolation was set, fulfilling the prophecy by displacing the true worship.
Moreover, for 1260 years that power was to suppress and remove the power of God’s Word, truth and His people by hostile acts. (538 + 1260 = 1798).
So from 508 “there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days” until the time of the end – 1798. (508 + 1290 = 1798).
Gabriel continued:
Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. Daniel 12:12.
There is then a blessing pronounced upon those who are living in the year 1843, (508 + 1335 = 1843). For the seal has been removed from the prophecies, and they are understood.
It is true that “many shall be purified and made white and tried,” and that some will not understand.
But that does not disprove the prophecies. For “the wise shall understand.”
In the time when all can understand some will insist that the book of Daniel is still a sealed book.
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Summary on the uncovered prophetic time periods
Daniel was told that the words are closed up and sealed till “the time of the end”. So, the beginning of this time marks the understanding of its meaning.
Oppression was removed from people and civil and religious liberty were granted to them. Under these circumstances knowledge was to increase.
The new beginning was the end of papal supremacy. It lasted “time, times and a half time”, which is equal to 1260 years, (538 + 1260 = 1789). The papacy was dethroned at the French revolution – year 1789 AD.
The time periods:
- “The time of the end” – begins at 1789 AD, marking the unsealing (understanding) time for Daniel’s last days prophecies.
- “Time, times and a half time” = 1260 days/years. Time allotted to the power which should speak great words against the Most High, and wear out His saints.
- 538 AD – full establishment of papal supremacy.
- 538 AD + 1260 days/years = 1789 AD.
- 508 AD + 1290 days/years = 1789 AD – end of papal supremacy.
- 508 AD + 1335 days/years = 1843 AD – blessings of understanding of the last days prophecies.
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Conclusion
The time of the end marks a decisive moment for God’s people and the world’s history. Up to that time only Daniel was bidden to close up and seal the words.
The favorable circumstances after 1798 brought knowledge and understanding. It was mainly due to the free and abundant access to the Word of God.
Thus by 1843 and later, the blessing of understanding was granted to God’s people. They found 1260 years, 1290 years, 1335 years time periods and their starting points – 508 and 538.
So the year 1798 was the termination of the papal supremacy which began at its establishment in 538. It lasted 1260 years as angel Gabriel told Daniel up to 1798.
More about this article
References:
- The Bible: King James Version
- GC88 356 – Ellen G. White Writings
- https://sdapillars.org/media/DailyInBible.pdf
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section.
- What resonated with you most in this article, and why?
- Do you see Daniel’s prophecy as unsealed, regarding the time of the end periods and events?
- Reach out if you need more information on this topic.
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