Once again we arrive at numbers of days in verse 11 and 12. Remember this is revelation and revelation here is apocalyptic. As always, when there is apocalyptic language, there are many interpretative suggestions. Here are four suggestions for
Da 12:11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice 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.”
(1) The 1,290 days are literal … a supposed period of 3 ½ years. If this be so, then these days add up to 43 months if every month was 30 days … one month too long for 3 ½ years.
(2) It was 43 months between the taking away of the daily sacrifices when Jerusalem was seized and the Roman Army’s appearance (the abomination) … if the days of the month be ignored and one only took the years into consideration … AD 66 The Roman Army’s arrival and AD 70, the removal of the daily sacrifices. Unfortunately for this view, those days add up to 1350.
(3) Many apply these days as literal to the time of Antiochus Epiphanes.
(4) The interpretation that seems best suited is that these days (1290) are symbolic. They refer to the times of Antiochus during Israel’s extreme persecution. The symbolism is a period, measured in exact days, controlled by God. In verse 12 we see this symbolic period lengthened by an additional 45 days making 1,335 days. Once this symbolic period passes, blessings come! So, the full period of 1,335 days is not just the period of Antiochus’ persecution, but the period from then until the end when Jesus returns! 1) The Beatitude in Daniel.
Da 12:12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
For the believers in Daniel’s time, the Early Church and from then to now and up to the end of time, there will be stages of persecution, some taking the shape of mild to medium … yet some epochs will be colored with extreme persecution BECAUSE of Jesus! I don’t refer to the war in the Ukraine of any other war that is based upon political ideologies. The persecution I refer to is because of the Gospel of the Kingdom of Jesus. Perhaps the most notable one in the last few hundred years was that of the Protestant Reformation in Europe and Britain where for the Gospel, many were murdered, some even at the stake where death came through burning. At present there is intense persecution of the Church in countries closed to the Gospel. Communist, Socialist and extreme forms of religious fanaticism dominating the leadership of counties across the world resort to extreme forms of persecution of Christianity. Many are locked away in rat and disease infested prisons whilst others are executed in the most barbaric ways. Milder forms of persecution (although not mild to the recipients) comes in the shape of a spouse’s treatment of the spouse! Normally it is the husband who levels all sorts of emotional ammunition against his wife for being a Christian. She is accused of being unfaithful … taking his money and tithing or giving offerings where this could be used for the house (even when she is a wage earner); unfaithfulness as in adultery; unfaithfulness as in divided emotions because she spends time reading the Bible and praying; etc. At times he resorts to physical abuse. The same could be said of children who become believers. Then, the worst shape of family persecution would be when a family member forsakes the family religion and turns to follow Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior and God! At times the persecution is extremely violent and could be followed by death. The Book of Hebrews was written to a Hebrew believing Church. Some were intentional Christians whilst others were fringe believers. The latter were being persecuted by their Jewish family and friends with the intent that these people leave the Truth of Jesus and return to an obsolete religion … return to what God discarded! Look at what the writer of Hebrews declares under inspiration:
Heb 8:13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
I’m certain you have the picture relating to persecution … and the Divine Messenger says:
Da 12:12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
For most of the Believing Church this would mean … “you are blessed when you persevere through all the trials, remaining faithful to the Lord Jesus, His Word and Gospel, throughout your lifetime … or until Jesus returns, whichever comes first.” One commentator calls this a “Divine Benediction” upon those who endure suffering and persecution and remain true to their Lord Jesus throughout. Matthew 24 starts off with Jesus warning His followers against the “fake Christs” that will appear, seeking to lead the elect astray. He takes what He said to Daniel (Jesus is the Divine Messenger) … and phrases it like this:
Mt 24:13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Later He says:
Mt 24:36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
As the Godman on earth He did not know when that final day would be, only the Father knew that … and because of this He says … that like Noah, two men would be working in the field and one is taken, the other left behind. Two women would be working grinding at the mill … one will be taken and the other left behind. Then He issues a warning:
Mt 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.”
Why keep watch? Because:
Mt 24:44 “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
And when He comes to the faithful He will declare:
Mt 24:46 “It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.”
It is into this context that the Divine messenger says to Daniel:
Dan 12:12 “Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.”
Will this be true of you?
2) Parting words.
Da 12:13 “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.”
Look at the assurance … continue doing as you have been doing … obeying, serving and following the Lord! The “rest” is death and the “rising” is for the resurrection body once Jesus returns. This is the truth for all God’s faithful, intentional servants! My friend, my friend … keep looking to Jesus. May that spiritual compass guide you safely to the harbor of eternal bless. So … go and “Dare to be a Daniel”.
Lord Jesus, what hope, joy, comfort and security we have been covered in Your Blood. Guide us Your beloved people safely Home. Amen.