SERMON: “Our Trust in God’s Hidden Timeline” (Daniel 12:4–7)
“Our Trust in God’s Hidden
Timeline” (Dan. 12:4–7)
Series: “Daniel:
God’s Sovereign Plans” #35 Text: Daniel
12:4–7
By: Shaun
Marksbury Date: Oct. 4, 2026
Venue: Living Water Baptist Church Occasion: PM Service
Introduction
Scripture is a steadfast guide. As Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp
to my feet and a light to my path.” We
can use the Bible today to teach us about God, moral lines of right and wrong,
practical holiness, and so much more.
Part of that “more” will be in the future, when God provides a guide for
those who will be experiencing the worst distress ever known to man.
We don't always know God's timing for the events in our
lives, but we can trust that He has a calendar that He keeps for His
purposes. In fact, those living in the
tribulation can know specifically how long they must endure their hardships. Just as Daniel 11 provided a map for the
future of the Jewish people in the intertestamental period, Daniel 12 here
provides a simple timeline for God’s people to know how long they must endure
their sorrow. They have a light for
their darkened path.
Last time, we saw that the doctrine of the last things
should be an encouragement to us. We
noted that, though there is a real crisis in the end times, the Lord provides supernatural
protection (v. 1), and the end times will close with the resurrection of those
who lost their lives as well as all the saints (v. 2). We also saw that there is a coming glory in
the kingdom (v. 3). Still, many will want
a comfort for the actual period.
The Lord Himself gives a strong word for those enduring
tribulation, and we’ll see that in two parts this evening. First, we’ll note the Lord’s preserved
provision for the end times (v. 4).
Then, we’ll note the Lord’s powerful promise of the end times (vv. 5–7). Let’s see that there is a plan with the first
point:
First, the Preserved Provision for the End Times (v. 4)
But as for you,
Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many
will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.
Daniel wanted to know what happens to his people in the
end. However, he’s told to do something
instead for his people in the future.
This would include both those who are near to him in time, us, and then those
who are still yet future.
Now, the translation here has Daniel being told to “conceal”
his words. This might remind us of when Daniel was also told to keep them a secret (Dan.
8:26). However, in neither case is
does the word mean concealment, and the Book of Daniel was never kept camouflaged. Rather than a word of concealment, this is a
command for preservation.[1]
This might be better understood with the parallel term “seal
up.” This refers to the ancient near
east practice of impressing a document with “the identifying marks of the parties involved and the recording scribe” so
the text could not be altered.[2] This was used in Jeremiah, as one commentary
notes:
The sealing of Jeremiah’s property deed was not done to “hide” the contents
or to keep them “secret” but to preserve the document. As a matter of fact, Jeremiah performed this
transaction in the presence of his cousin “and of the witnesses who had signed
the deed and of all the Jews sitting in the courtyard of the guard” (Jer
32:12). There also was an “unsealed
copy” of the deed that presumably was open for inspection.”[3]
If Daniel was to seal it,
how would others benefit from it, then?
Typically, this custom of sealing a document included an open copy of the
document that could be examined by others.[4]
Daniel hears that he is to close his scroll and seal it, preserving it
for future readers. He would receive no
further revelation.
It’s interesting that John
hears the opposite, because “the time is near” (Rev 22:10). Even those in the first century were nearer
to the end, and we are, as well. In
fact, much of the Book of Daniel is cited in the New Testament and essential
for understanding the Book of Revelation.[5]
Daniel’s day wasn’t considered the end, which is why he needed
to keep it preserved “until the end of time.”
The reality is that this will not be fully understood until then. Even Daniel states in this chapter that he
doesn’t understand (v. 8). Yet, this
message will be for future believers, when it was needed.[6]
Then, we read something interesting. We see that “many will go back and forth, and
knowledge will increase.” Starting with
that first part, some have described this prophecy as coming true even today
because we have such an explosion in travel technology.[7] However, simple travel isn’t the point of
this prophecy. Rather, it describes a
searching process, going to one point of the house and then the next in an
attempt to locate a missing object.[8] The phrase is used in Scripture to describe a
looking or examination process (2 Chr 16:9; Jer 5:1; Zech 4:10), and it’s used
in Amos 8:12 to describe those who are looking for the Word of the Lord.
Since this must be linked to what Daniel was just told, the
search must be for the preserved prophecy of Scripture. Said another way, people in the tribulation
will be looking for the truth about what is happening to them in the end times
and how long it will be. It may be that
people use modern travel to increase their knowledge, but this verse isn’t
about the ability to travel increasing with time.
And that tells us what kind of increase of knowledge there
will be. Again, some think this has been
partially fulfilled by modern technology.
For instance, the printing press alone made the world smaller, with
printed information being produced faster than ever. With radio, satellites, television, and
internet, we have more access to truth (and untruth) than ever. However, again, this isn’t about the increase
of access to information.
The people in the tribulation will be looking for
information about God’s prophecies.[9] Yes, technology will make that easier, but
this is about the kind of knowledge people are seeking. As one author writes, “Some interpret ‘to and
fro’ to mean running one’s eyes to and fro over the pages of Scripture.”[10] It need not be exactly that, but there is a
searching the Bible truth.
Gaining insight into the Word of God can be a blessing oftentimes,
as this might express knowledge or insight into the Lord and His ways (Isa.
11:9; 29:18, 19; Dan. 11:33). Consider
also those who are “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of
the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7). May those who
locate knowledge about the Lord believe and apply it!
This goes back to the hope that we should see
in the end times. While Daniel and even
we may struggle to understand the particulars of Bible prophecy, there’s coming
a time when it will all make sense. God’s
people — particularly the Jews — will gain a greater understanding of Scripture
during the tribulation.[11]
This is where faith and trust comes in. We don’t know exactly all the details about
God’s hidden plans, whether during the end times or even in our own lives. Yet, we can know that God has a plan, and it’s
perfectly crafted to bring Him glory. It
also preserves, not just His word as we’ve seen, but also His afflicted people
(Psa. 12:6–7).
Not only does God provide, He also promises, bringing us to
the next point:
Second, the Powerful Promise of the End Times (vv. 5–7)
Then I, Daniel,
looked and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the river and
the other on that bank of the river. And
one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river,
“How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” I heard the man dressed in linen, who was
above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward
heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times,
and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy
people, all these events will be completed.
We now come full circle in the vision. In Daniel 10:5, he first sees the man in
linen above the waters of the Tigris (“Hiddekel”),[12]
and that began this weighty journey that ends here. There, we noted that a hand touched Daniel
(v. 10), a hand most likely belonging to one of these angels here. We think it was Gabriel speaking to Daniel
this whole time.
In v. 6, we see that one of
the two angels speaks. This angel is “likely
the interpreting angel (Gabriel), since he has been the spokesman throughout
the vision.”[13] He addresses the figure above the water, who
we previously noted is most likely a Christophany.
You might wonder what it
means that He was “above the water.” While
it might mean “upstream,”[14] the
scene seems to describe a supernatural “hovering.” It’s possible, as one commentator thinks,
that the waters signify “people” (cf. Psa. 29:10; Job 9:8), a picture that
Christ literally fulfills in the flesh as he walked on the water (Matt. 14:25),
so this is a picture of Christ in dominion over the people of earth.[15]
Note what the angel asks,
a question also asked in Dan 8:13. The
angel doesn’t ask for the timing of the beginning but for the ending
of these wonders. (That is a different
perspective than we typically have as students of prophecy.) Daniel doesn’t ask, but thankfully, someone
else did. Angels don’t know what is
going to happen unless the Lord reveals it to them (which is just one reason why
we shouldn’t pray to them), but this evidences that angels care about the
events God’s people must endure.[16]
Indeed, the term for “wonders”
means “astonishing things.” It’s a term
used of the “unheard-of” blasphemies of the Antichrist in 11:36.[17] Remember, v. 1 said that “there will be a
time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that
time,” and the angel wants to know when that will come to an end.
In v. 7, we return to the Christophany. He raises both hands in the air in sign of
His oath. The use of both hands in the
oath went beyond custom, and the swearing by the eternal God solidifies the
truthfulness of the oath.[18] The Lord said He swore for the sake of His
people (Ezek 20:5), and this scene repeats in the tribulation period (Rev
10:5–6).
The timing confuses Daniel.
We read that “it would be for a time, times, and half a time.” This
phrase was used in Dan 7:25 and will appear again in Rev 12:14. This is a reference to “years,” equaling 3 ½
years, the final half of the final “week” of Daniel 9:27.[19] It
is also possible that the Lord is saying He will shorten that time below the 3 ½ years in mercy for the sake of the elect, but we can’t be certain.[20] The
main point is that it will not go beyond
the 3 ½ years.
You might wonder, if the tribulation period is seven
years in length, why the Lord only focuses on the final 3 ½ years. Remember that this is written for Daniel and
his people. As one commentator notes,
Though this final ruler will reign for seven
years, the first half will be a time of comparative peace for Israel. They will be enjoying the benefits of the
covenant this king will make with them (9:27). … But the Antichrist will break
that covenant (Dan. 9:27) near the middle of the 70th ‘seven’ of years. Then the king of the South and the king of the
North will invade Israel (11:40). After
destroying these two armies, this Gentile king (the Antichrist) will move into
Israel, occupy the land, and set up his political and religious headquarters in
Jerusalem (11:41, 45). He will reign in
Jerusalem as king and god and will become the greatest persecutor Israel has
ever known (Rev. 13:5–7).[21]
We’ve already noted that the Antichrist will have the ability
for a time to shatter “the power of the holy
people” (cf. Dan. 8:24; Luke 21:24). That is why a pledge is necessary here. As another commentator notes,
Thus the sovereign Lord of the universe is
promising directly and emphatically that the Antichrist’s horrors (the “time of
distress” of 12:1) perpetrated upon God’s people and the whole world will last
but a brief time — three and a half years. Saints of the tribulation period may count on
the verity of this pledge.[22]
The people of God in this period cannot count on themselves. They will be entirely trusting in the power
of God to deliver them, whether through Michael (Dan. 12:1) or some other
supernatural means.
Conclusion
This may seem like a bleak time. Perhaps this will be part of the purging and
purifying that they will undergo in preparation for the kingdom (v. 10). As one commentary notes, “A breakdown in Israel’s resistance to God (and his
Messiah) may also be implied here.”[23] Whatever the case, they will be saying,
“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 13:35; cf. Zech 12:10–14).
God knows our pains and sorrows. Though we don’t always see it, He has a
planned calendar of events that ensures His people are not tempted beyond what they
are able. He may even, in His mercy,
shorten the days on that calendar (cf. Mark
13:20).[24]
May we trust in His ways.
He has already planned the provision we need and promises to keep to His
righteous schedule.
[1] Stephen R. Miller, Daniel,
The New American Commentary, (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers,
1994), 18:320.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid., 18:320–321.
[4] Dale Ralph Davis, The Message of
Daniel: His Kingdom Cannot Fail, eds. Alec Motyer and Derek
Tidball, The Bible Speaks Today, (Nottingham, England: Inter-Varsity Press,
2013), 164.
[5] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Resolute,
“Be” Commentary Series, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2000), 145–146.
[6] Miller, 18:321.
[7] R. T. Kendall, Understanding
Theology, Volume Three, (Ross-shire, Great Britain: Christian
Focus, 2001), 89.
[8] Miller.
[9] Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne
House, The Nelson Study
Bible: New King James Version, (Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers,
1997), Da 12:4.
[10] Wiersbe, 146.
[11] J. Dwight Pentecost, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,
1985, 1, 1373.
[12] Miller, 18:322.
[13] Ibid.
[14] John D. Barry, Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael
S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R.
Grigoni, and David Bomar, Faithlife Study
Bible, (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Da 12:7.
[15] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s
Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume,
(Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 1461.
[16] Ibid.
[17] Miller, 18:323.
[18] Ibid.
[19] John MacArthur Jr., Ed., The MacArthur Study
Bible, electronic ed., (Nashville, TN: Word Pub., 1997), 1249.
[20] Radmacher, et. al., Da 12:7.
[21] Pentecost.
[22] Miller.
[23] Ibid.
[24] Davis, 165.