A Context for the Time Periods of Daniel 12 PART 2: DAN 12:5-13.

A Context for the Time Periods of Daniel 12 PART 2: DAN 12:5-13

Introduction OVERVIEW

Introduction Dan 10-12 divides chiastically into three parts. ◦A: Dan 10 (=10:1-11:1)Introduction ◦B: Dan 11 (=11:2-12:4)Body ◦A’: Dan 12 (=12:5-13)Conclusion

Introduction Dan 11:2a is distinct from both 1 and 2b: Introduction to the prophecy ends “And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede. I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.” (11:1) Frame “And now I will show you the truth.” (11:2a) Body of the prophecy begins “Behold, three more kings shall arise in Persia,...” (112b) Dan 11 Begins 11:2a

Introduction But has an internal frame of its own. ◦A: “And now I will show you the truth.” (11:2a) ◦B: [Prophecy] ◦A’: “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end.” (12:4) The sense is, “I will show you the truth [11:2a].... Now, shut up and seal all those true things I just showed you [12:4].” Dan 11 Ends 12:4

Notes Dan 12 begins with vs. 5 and it also divides chiastically into three parts: ◦A: Dan 12:5-7Time(Time, times, and half a time) ◦B: Dan 12:8-10Understanding ◦A’: Dan 12:11-13Time(1,290 days; 1,335 days) We consider each in turn. Dan 12 Begins 12:5

Daniel 12(A): 5-7

Text of the Passage Daniel 12(A): 5-7

Setting

Daniel 12(A): 5-7 Question

Parallel Usage (12:6) ◦The expression עד מתי ◦Up to what point? (8:13) ◦The word קץ used similarly ◦End of a war (9:26) ◦End of a period of years (11:6, 13, 27) ◦End of a period of days (12:13b) ◦The stem * פלא ◦Astounding destruction (8:24) ◦Astounding boasts (11:36)

Parallel Usage (12:6) ◦The expression עד מתי ◦Up to what point? (8:13) ◦The word קץ used similarly ◦End of a war (9:26) ◦End of a period of years (11:6, 13, 27) ◦End of a period of days (12:13b) ◦The stem * פלא ◦Astounding destruction (8:24) ◦Astounding boasts (11:36) Time

Parallel Usage (12:6) ◦The expression עד מתי ◦Up to what point? (8:13) ◦The word קץ used similarly ◦End of a war (9:26) ◦End of a period of years (11:6, 13, 27) ◦End of a period of days (12:13b) ◦The stem * פלא ◦Astounding destruction (8:24) ◦Astounding boasts (11:36) Evil

Daniel 12(A): 5-7 Answer

Parallel Usage (12:7) ◦The period of “a time, times, and half a time” ◦Period during which an oppressor oppresses (7:25) ◦The word וככלות (* כלה ) (2 Chr 7:1; 20:23; 24:14; 29:29; 31:1; Ezra 9:1). ◦End of a prayer (2 Chr 7:1; 31:1) ◦Finished slaughtering the inhabitants of a city (2 Chr 20:23) ◦Finished a task (2 Chr 24:14; Ezra 9:1) ◦Finished offering a sacrifice (2 Chr 29:29) ◦The word תכלנה (* כלה ) (Gen 41:53; Job 11:20; Lam 4:17) ◦End of a period of years (Gen 41:53) ◦Eyes failed (hope gone) (Job 11:20; Lam 4:17

Parallel Usage (12:7) ◦The period of “a time, times, and half a time” ◦Period during which an oppressor oppresses (7:25) ◦The word וככלות (* כלה ) (2 Chr 7:1; 20:23; 24:14; 29:29; 31:1; Ezra 9:1). ◦End of a prayer (2 Chr 7:1; 31:1) ◦Finished slaughtering the inhabitants of a city (2 Chr 20:23) ◦Finished a task (2 Chr 24:14; Ezra 9:1) ◦Finished offering a sacrifice (2 Chr 29:29) ◦The word תכלנה (* כלה ) (Gen 41:53; Job 11:20; Lam 4:17) ◦End of a period of years (Gen 41:53) ◦Eyes failed (hope gone) (Job 11:20; Lam 4:17 Constraining Evil in Time

Parallel Usage (12:7) ◦The period of “a time, times, and half a time” ◦Period during which an oppressor oppresses (7:25) ◦The word וככלות (* כלה ) (2 Chr 7:1; 20:23; 24:14; 29:29; 31:1; Ezra 9:1). ◦End of a prayer (2 Chr 7:1; 31:1) ◦Finished slaughtering the inhabitants of a city (2 Chr 20:23) ◦Finished a task (2 Chr 24:14; Ezra 9:1) ◦Finished offering a sacrifice (2 Chr 29:29) ◦The word תכלנה (* כלה ) (Gen 41:53; Job 11:20; Lam 4:17) ◦End of a period of years (Gen 41:53) ◦Eyes failed (hope gone) (Job 11:20; Lam 4:17 Time

Notes The themes of time and evil naturally correspond, since evil is not allowed to endure indefinitely. We can see this contrast in vs. 7. God lives forever ◦“And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever” (12:7a) (See also 12:2-3.) The time period (12:7), and the “wonders” (12:6), come to an end ◦“That it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished.” (12:7b)

From Vs. 6: Can פלא Mean “Terrible”? Lamentations 1:9

Can פלא Mean “Terrible”? Her uncleanness was in her skirts; she took no thought of her future; Therefore her fall is terrible [ פלאים ]; she has no comforter. „O Lord, behold my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed!“ (Lam 1:9, ESV)

Can פלא Mean “Terrible”? Her uncleanness was in her skirts; she took no thought of her future; Therefore her fall is terrible [ פלאים ]; she has no conforter. „O Lord, behold my affliction, for the enemy [ אויב ] has triumphed [ הגדיל ]!“ (Lam 1:9, ESV)

Parallel Uses of הגדיל Dan 8 (Little Horn) ◦Out of one of them came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great [ ותגדל - יתר ] toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. (8:9) ◦It grew great [ ותגדל ], even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them. (8:10) ◦It became great [ הגדיל ], even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown. (8:11) ◦By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great [ יגדיל ]. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken – but by no human hand. (8:25)

Parallel Uses of הגדיל Dan 11 (King of the North) ◦And the king shall do as he wills. He shall exalt himself and magnify himself [ יתגדל ] above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He shall prosper till the indignation is accomplished, for what is decreed shall be done. (11:36) ◦He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers, or to the one beloved by women. He shall not pay attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself [ יתגדל ] above all. (11:37)

Parallel Passage 2 Kgs 21:12 ◦“[T]herefore thus says the L ORD, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing upon Jerusalem and Judah such disaster [ רעה ] that the ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle.” ◦In Lam 1:9 the fall of Jerusalem is פלאים ; in 2 Kgs 21:12 it is רעה. Both verses describe the destruction of Jerusalem, so the event in both cases is the same. Are the terms used in the two passages comparable? ◦If so, then פלאים – in context – is not wonderful, but “terrible” (ESV). A literal gloss would be “evil” ( רעה ).

Notes Although in most cases פלא does refer to things that are good or wonderful, this is not always the case. Its meaning must be established by context.

Could פלאות Be a Reference to Vss. 2-3? The wonders of 12:2-3 do not end. ◦“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (12:2) ◦“And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above, and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (12:3) The “wonders” of 12:6 do end. ◦“How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” (12:6)

From Vs. 7: Can ל Mean “After”? Lamentations 1:9

Can ל Mean “After”? Example 1: “After seven days” = “In seven days” ◦Denn nach sieben Tagen [ לימים עוד שבעה ] will ich regnen lassen auf die Erde, vierzig Tage Nächte lang, und will alle Wesen, die ich gemacht habe, vom Erdboden vertilgen. (Gen 7:4, ZB42) ◦For in seven days [ לימים עוד שבעה ] I will send rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and every living thing that I have made I will blot out from the face of the ground. (Gen 7:4, ESV)

Can ל Mean “After”? Example 2: “After seven days” = “Seven days later” ◦And after seven days [ לשבעת הימים ] the waters of the flood came upon the earth. (Gen 7:10, ESV) ◦Seven days later [ לשבעת הימים ] the waters of the flood came on the earth. (Gen 7:10, HCSB)

Notes ל can mean “after” in the sense of “immediately after,” but cannot mean “at any and every subsequent time.” For the latter meaning other constructions must be used. HebrewEnglish

Notes Having said that ל can mean “after,” it is a separate question whether this is the best gloss in 12:7. ◦A majority of English translations use other words in 12:7. ◦The king’s breaking activity in 12:7b does not take place after 1798 – not even right after – but before, which should be allowed to inform our understanding of 12:7a. ◦Throughout the chapter the angel has little or nothing to say about events after the end of the “time, times, and half a time,” or before its beginning. His focus throughout is on what would happen during the period.

Daniel 12(B): 8-10

Text of the Passage Daniel 12(B): 8-10

Daniel 12(B): 8-10 8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome [ אחרית ] of all this be?” 9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end [ עד - עת קץ ]. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.” (12:8-10)

What Does It Mean to “Understand”? “[Y]our investigator has been brought slowly but irresistibly to the conclusion that prophecy has been progressively understood just as fast as history has ful filled it, step by step, down through the passing centuries. And, further, that always at the time of fulfillment of each major epoch and event of prophecy there have been numerous men of eminence and godliness, widely scattered geographically, who have recognized that a fulfillment was taking place before their very eyes. They have sensed where they were on the timetable of prophecy, and have left the record of that recognition. Such is the evidence.” (Edwin LeRoy Froom, Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, 1:15)

Notes The sealing of the scroll was not an arbitrary act on God’s part, but has to do with the fact that people can’t reliably understand events which have not yet occurred and are therefore not part of their experience. Thus, at each point, the question is: How much of the material has undergone the transition from prophetic prediction to historical fact? That’s the part that can be understood at any given time.

Where Should Our Focus Be? When? or What?

Daniel 12(B): 8-10 8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome [ אחרית ] of all this be?” 9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end [ עד - עת קץ ]. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.” (12:8-10) Focus on When

Daniel 12(B): 8-10 8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome [ אחרית ] of all this [ אלה ] be?” 9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words [ הדברים ] are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end [ עד - עת קץ ]. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.” (12:8-10) Focus on What

Daniel 12(B): 8-10 “But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” (12:4) He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.” (12:9-10)

Notes Whatever 12:4 refers to, 12:9 is referring to the same thing. The angel leaves some clues as to his intent in vs. 10. And it isn’t anything in Dan 12, but earlier in Dan 11. (We talked already about 12:2-3., which is part of Dan 11.)

Where Is the Angel’s Focus? Dan 12:10-11 and 11:31-35

8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked [ ואמרה ], “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?” 9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.” (12:8-10) Context

Dan 12:10-11 and 11:31-35 Pröbstle, Dissertation, p. 718 Context

Daniel 12(A’): 11-13

Verses 11-12 Daniel 12(A’)

Daniel 12(A’): 11-12

One Fragment

Daniel 12(A’): 11-12 11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice [ התמיד ] is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. 13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.” (12:11-13) One Fragment

Notes It would be a mistake to develop a timeframe for the passage and then insert התמיד into that timeframe. התמיד must be allowed to inform the timeframe initially. Just as “all this” (12:8) and “the words” (12:9) apply before, rather than after, 1798, the תמיד (12:11) applies before, rather than after, 1844. Thus the reference to the תמיד in 12:11 provides evidence that the timeframe of the passage is prior to 1844.

Discussion THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DAN 12(B)

Placement of Dan 12(B) Daniel 12(A’): 11-12

The Placement of Dan 12(B) A12:5-7Time 3.5 Times (Years) =1,260 Days B12:8-10Understanding Earlier Daniel: No Wicked: No Wise: Yes Later A’12:11-13TIme 1,290 Days 1,335 Days

The Placement of Dan 12(B) Verses 8-10 represent a disruption of the angel’s thought. Two pieces of evidence support this conclusion: ◦1. The angel’s response ◦The angel is courteous, but sets Daniel’s question aside (“Go your way, Daniel”). ◦2. Where the angel resumes ◦He resumes in vs. 11 by introducing two more time periods.

The Placement of Dan 12(B) A12:5-7Time 3.5 Times (Years) =1,260 Days B12:8-10Understanding Earlier Daniel: No Wicked: No Wise: Yes Later A’12:11-13TIme 1,290 Days 1,335 Days

Notes The three times periods in Dan 12 are a matched set which were meant to be studied together with each other and together with any parallels in subsequent prophetic literature (e.g., Rev 11-13).

Years, Months, and Days Daniel 12(A’): 11-12

Years, Months, and Days PeriodYearsMonthsDays 1,260 Dan 7:25; 12:7 Rev 12:4 Rev 11:2; 13:5Rev 11:3; 12:6 One Period

Years, Months, and Days PeriodYearsMonthsDays 1,260 Dan 7:25; 12:7 Rev 12:4 Rev 11:2; 13:5Rev 11:3; 12:6 1,290Dan 12:11 1,335Dan 12:12 Three Periods

Years, Months, and Days Years ◦But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. (Rev 12:14) Months ◦“[B]ut do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.” (Rev 11:2) ◦And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. (Rev 13:5) Days ◦“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” (Rev 11:3) ◦[A]nd the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days. (Rev 12:6)

Notes In Dan 8 and 9 the relationship of special interest is that between evening- mornings (days broken into their parts) and weeks (days gathered into their groups), i.e., the relationship between days and weeks. In Dan 7 and 12 (and Rev 11, 12, and 13) the relationship of special interest is that between months and years.

Chronological Systems: Literal or Symbolic Literal Time v. Symbolic Time

Literal Time In any chronological system based on literal time we will find one or both of the following: ◦1. Variable-length months ◦2. Some form of intercalation This follows from the fundamental disparity between lunar and solar cycles.

Literal Time Intercalation can take a variety of forms. It can involve adding: ◦An extra month every few years (on what was generally a 19 year cycle, with the length of a month depending on actual lunar observation), ◦An extra few days every year (in systems with fixed-length months), ◦An extra day every fourth year (leap year). Adding an extra day every month or two (making month length variable) could be viewed as a process of intercalation.

Symbolic Time A literal-time application of the 1,290 and 1,335 days cannot insightfully capture the artificial symmetries inherent within the time periods, because the same factors that make them comparable make them non-literal: ◦No variation in month length ◦No hint of any form of intercalation

Symbolic Time PeriodEquivalentFraction 3.5 Times (Years)3 Years 6 Months3 1/2 1,290 Days3 Years 7 Months3 1/2 + 1/12 1,335 Days3 Years 8 1/2 Months3 1/2 + 1/12 + 1/12 + 1/24 Symmetries

Connections Among Time Periods Literal Time v. Symbolic Time

Connections Authority ◦And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. (Rev 13:5) ◦“And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” (Rev 11:3) Nourishing ◦But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. (Rev 12:14) ◦[A]nd the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days. (Rev 12:6) Trampling (also Dan 7:25; 12:7) ◦“[B]ut do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.” (Rev 11:2)

Connections ThemeYearsMonthsDays AuthorityDan 7:25Rev 13:5 NourishingRev 12:14Rev 12:6 TramplingDan 12:7Rev 11:2Rev 11:3 First Set of Themes

Connections ThemeYearsMonthsDays OppressorDan 7:25Rev 11:2 Rev 13:5 OppressedDan 12:7 Rev 12:14 Rev 11:3 Rev 12:6 Notice that month symbolism is only used in connection with oppressors and that day symbolism is only used in connection with the oppressed. Second Set of Themes

Connections ThemeYearsMonthsDays OppressorDan 7:25Rev 11:2 Rev 13:5 OppressedDan 12:7 Rev 12:14 Rev 11:3 Rev 12:6 Year symbolism is used both ways: in connection with an oppressor (Dan 7:25) and in connection with the oppressed (Dan 12:7). Second Set of Themes

Connections Linking CategoryLinked Categories Years (oppressor, oppressed) Months (oppressor) Days (oppressed) Year symbolism is used as a linking category joining years to months, years to days, and therefore months to days. Thus it is not inconsistent for Daniel to use year symbolism and day symbolism together in the same chapter (Dan 12:7, 11- 12). Second Set of Themes

Notes The time periods of Dan 12 provide a context for interpreting all of the following: 1. Year symbolism in Dan 7:25; 12:7 and year symbolism in Rev 12:14. 2. Year symbolism in either book and: ◦Month symbolism in Rev 11:2; 13:5 ◦Day symbolism in Rev 11:3; 12:6 3. Year symbolism in Dan 12:7 and day symbolism in Dan 12:11-12.

Verse 13 Dan 12(A’)

Daniel 12(A’): 13 13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.” (12:13)

Summary When the angel says “the end,” what does he mean? Everything he says in Dan 12 pertains in one way or another to the period of a “time, times, and half a time” (12:7). This is also the context in vs. 13. ◦12:5- ◦12:6“How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” (The “wonders” have not yet reached their end.) ◦12:7a A “time, times, and half a time” is a period of time with beginning, duration, and end. ◦12:7bThe king’s breaking activity does not take place after the end of the “time, times, and half a time,” but while the period is unfolding.

Summary ◦12:8- ◦12:9 “Go your way, Daniel,... until the time of the end.” ◦12:10List of key factors active during the “time, times, and half a time,” i.e., prior to 1798.

Summary ◦12:11 “From the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up,...” (See 11:31.) ◦12:12 The people of God “wait and arrive at” the end of a period. ◦12:13 “Go your way till the end [ לקץ ]. And you shall rest [during the days] and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.” (The “days” in question are spelled variously as 3.5 times, 42 months, or1,260 days.) ◦After 1798 the prophecies of Daniel would be widely understood.

Notes ◦The angel’s focus is consistent throughout. There is no deviation. It is not the time after 1798 that primarily occupies him, but the period leading up to 1798, i.e., the period of a “time, times, and half a time” introduced in vs. 7.

Conclusion ADVENTIST HISTORY AND APPLICATION

Adventist History Does transferring time periods into the future constitute time setting? Well, yes and no.

Adventist History “The more frequently a definite time is set for the second advent, and the more widely it is taught, the better it suits the purposes of Satan. After the time has passed, he excites ridicule and contempt of its advocates, and thus casts reproach upon the true time movement of 1843 and 1844. (general principle) “Those who persist in this error will at last fix upon a date too far in the future for the coming of Christ. Thus they will be led to rest in a false security, and many will not be undeceived until it is too late.” (specific prediction) {4SP 290.2}

Adventist History Dates actually set by earlier students of prophecy within the Millerite tradition include: ◦1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1851, 1893 To my knowledge the series stops here, but the prediction in the previous slide remains. So in order to be fulfilled at all it will have to be fulfilled by others – not by those whose speculations are listed above.

Analysis The Dan 12 study group does not say when the second coming will occur and it is true that when Ellen White warns about time setting she only refers to speculations involving a moment of time, so you do not feel that her inspired warnings apply.

Analysis But periods have durations as well as ending points, and the 1,335 days becomes a period during which Christ will not come. Saying this has the same effect as time setting.

Analysis You do not say when the second coming is. Instead you say when it isn’t.

Analysis In the parable the words, “My master is delayed” (Matt 24:47), were not only a descriptive statement about the past (My master was delayed, or has delayed). They included the present (My master is delayed), i.e., He won’t be back for a while. The effect this statement produced in the parable, it will produce now, and this effect is the opposite of the goal you intended your model to have. Once the national Sunday law comes, those who follow you will feel that they have time when they may or may not have time. They will be tempted to let their guard down at the very moment when they most need to be vigilant.

Analysis Whatever your intent, the effect of such teaching is profoundly perverse and has the potential of costing “many” their salvation in precisely the manner described by Ellen White in 4SP 290. This is not a merely academic exercise. You are playing with fire.

A Context for the Time Periods of Daniel 12 PART 2: DAN 12:5-13.

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