Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?” The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.” Daniel 12:5-7 (NIV).
Let’s say this now: nobody except God the Father knows when the end of time will occur. The pope doesn’t know. Joel Osteen doesn’t know. The heads of all the denominations in protestant Christendom don’t know. Nobody here on Terra Firma knows; only God the Father, not even His Spirit or His Son. When will it happen? When God the Father wants it to.
Still, these verses illuminate the end of time. In Daniel’s vision, Many people believe that Revelation 10 and 11 explain Daniel 12; see https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/understanding-the-book-of-daniel/daniel-12/ and https://daniel11truth.com/daniel-12.htm for easy to follow interpretations.
In short, Daniel is back at the river, where he stood several chapters before. He sees two ‘men,’ who are likely angels; they are discussing the vision. The man clothed in linen – possibly Jesus – says that the time it will take to fulfill Daniel’s visions, once they are set in motion, will be “a time, times, and half a time.” This means three and a half years. When will that start? Ask God the Father.
Per daniel11truth.com, the “holy people” whose power will be broken are two divine witnesses who will appear at the end of time to speak against Antichrist and his actions. Many people believe these will be Moses and Elijah, brought back to witness for God. Or perhaps Enoch and Elijah (https://www.gotquestions.org/two-witnesses.html). In reality, we don’t know; what’s more, we don’t need to know. They will witness God’s judgment and mercy to an unbelieving world until they are murdered by Antichrist.
What can you or I do about this? Not much, except everything. God creates miracles every day. We’re in the middle of celebrating Christmas, one of the best miracles of all. Jesus came at Christmas so that we might put our faith in Him and live with Him forever. Knowing our lives are secure in Him, it doesn’t really matter what happens at a time that nobody here can predict. Or with an antichrist who’s already going to hell. What matters is Jesus. All eyes on Him. Ask the Father about the rest.
For further reading: Genesis 14:22, Ezekiel 9:2, Luke 21:24, Matthew 24:36, Revelation 10:5-7, Revelation 11:2, Daniel 12:8
Lord Jesus, I believe only in You.
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