Daniel 12 – THE latter days are the latter years or “the time of the end”; and will be the most remarkable of any in the history of our post-diluvian world. They are denominated in Daniel, “a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation to that same time”. This is conceivable when we come to understand what the scriptures testify is then to be accomplished. The Empire symbolised by the political Image is to be broken to pieces, and the fragments ground to powder in the latter days; Gog is to come against the mountains of Israel in the latter days; the twelve tribes are to return to the Holy Land in the latter days; the Star that has arisen out of Jacob, and the sceptre out of Israel, “shall smite the princes of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth; and Israel shall do valiantly” in the latter days (Numbers 24:14-19); “a whirlwind of Yahweh goes forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind; it shall fall grievously on the head of the wicked. The anger of Yahweh shall not return, until he have executed, and have performed the thoughts of his heart; in the latter days, O Israel, ye shall consider it perfectly” (Jeremiah 23:19,20; 30:19-24). The gathering of the peoples shall be to Shiloh in the latter days; and He shall rebuke strong nations afar off, and deliver Israel from the Assyrian in the latter days. In short, the latter days are “the Hour of Judgement” in which many of the dead are to arise, and the full measure of divine indignation shall be made manifest against “Christendom”, which has so long triumphed over God’s righteousness and truth.

JOHN THOMAS, Exposition of Daniel, page 91.

Daniel

12And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. And 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. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.