The Time of the End (or the End of Time)
By Herbert E. Douglass

A Commentary on the Sabbath School Lesson for December 18–24, 2004

Daniel does not close his book with a whimper! The crescendo of chapter after chapter is not only something to behold rhetorically. The grand marshaling of earth-shattering concepts and events grips both historians and theologians. Daniel is not only highlighting in advance great historical epochs when the future of the world hinged on improbable victories or nations or personalities. He lets the resolution of his magnificent prophetic effort focus on what everything in his magisterial sweep finally means—the end of it all.

The great controversy between good and evil, between Christ and his envious competitor, weaves throughout each chapter. The earthly representatives of Christ and Satan emerge as a cartoon is filled in, chapter by chapter. Finally, in the eleventh chapter, the entire cartoon is filled in with living color. The forces are marshaling for the final showdown. The prophetic picture is as current as cable news. Not to see the issues, more plainly than ever, exhibits presuppositions that began with the first chapter of Daniel.

All the political and religious forces that have been frustrating and well-nigh destroying those who represent the royal line of truth finally implode in the end time: "he shall come to his end and no one will help him" (11:45).

This is not a time to play it safe. Not a time to look for some kind of centrist position, which of course has never existed. Not when we are looking at the eternal issues at stake that now focus on us individually.

Daniel pulls back the curtain and shows how Michael, the Leader of Truth and Honor, finally steps in—the Rock of Daniel 2. Not a peaceful time to be alive. Counting 401(k)s no longer offers security. Trust in "further discussion" runs up against "the end." All kinds of "trouble"—politically, militarily, financially, socially. But who survives? "Everyone who is found written in the book" (12:1).

Now the time of tribulation and trouble is reversed. For many centuries, God’s faithful have been ridiculed, persecuted, and murdered. Now, those believers are not delivered to death, but from death.

In context, chapter 12:1–4 and going back through chapter 11 to chapter 10:5 is the Angel Gabriel’s answer and conclusion to Daniel’s plea for understanding the awesome vision of chapters 8 and 9. We are talking about how Jesus ends his high priestly ministry. The books have been investigated (Daniel’s language), his forever people have been made up. He has stood before the universe, presenting those repentant, loyal believers who have permitted the Holy Spirit to impart overcoming power in the face of evil. Satan has been defeated on his own home court by people who have faced him nose to nose.

I thought it very much like our Lord to encourage Daniel: "You have been in the middle of this controversy for a long time; you have seen the horrific future that befalls the representatives of truth and honor; you have committed your life to stand in your place and given me vantage ground. You have faithfully cataloged all that I have given you for my faithful ones who will follow you. But believe me, your scrolls will not be forgotten in some dusty library.

"At the time of the end, your twelve chapters will suddenly burst afresh on this planet and their relevancy will shine as the stars forever. Valiant thinkers throughout the world will suddenly uncover what may have been hidden for centuries. Your book will be unsealed in the end time; many shall run throughout the earth, fresh with the knowledge that your twelve chapters are supremely relevant. So Daniel, my brave and devoted friend, ’go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and you will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.’"

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