Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. Describe the character of the anti-Christ as it is revealed in Daniel 11:36-39 (printed below). Note: Verses 36-45 of Daniel 11 are speaking about a person and describing event that shall occupy a place at the end of history, but they are described in Old Testament terminology. That is to say, people and places familiar to the Old Testament people of God are employed as models to describe future people and places and events.
The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak astonishing things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the indignation has been accomplished, for what has been determined will take place. (37) He will show no reverence for the gods of his fathers, nor will he have a natural desire for women, nor will he reverence any god; for he will magnify himself above all things. (38) Instead of them, he will honor the god of fortresses; a god whom his fathers did not know he will honor with gold and silver and priceless jewels and all sorts of treasures. (39) He will attack the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god, and he will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rule over many people and will distribute lands as a reward. (Daniel 11:36-39)
Verses 36-39 reveal the character of the anti-Christ (and his empire), especially his defiance of God. Verse 36 describes his blasphemous pride: having exalted himself among men, and having successfully magnified himself above the idols of men, he shall foolishly speak against God Himself (note 2 Thessalonians 2:4). Verse 37 describes his unnatural affections: he shall have no loyalty to his ancestral religion; he shall be devoid of all natural human desires and affections (having no desire for women); he shall be devoid of any conventional religious allegiance (he shall not regard any god); he shall make an idol out of himself (magnifying himself above all; note, again, 2 Thessalonians 2:4). Verses 38-39a describes his religion: he shall reverence might and worship power (as seen by his honoring “the god of fortresses;”) but there is a personality, a spirit, a god, that he worships, “a god whom his fathers did not know.” He will be in league with the devil; he shall conquer apparently unconquerable fortifications “with the help of a foreign god” (the devil himself.)
2. How will the anti-Christ and his rule affect the people of God? See Daniel 12:1b (printed below)
There will be a time of trouble such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—shall be delivered. (Daniel 12:1b)
As Daniel 12:1b indicates, such intensely demonic opposition to God and His truth will be the occasion for extremely hard times for the people of God. But, as this verse goes on to assure us, the people of God shall not perish; on the contrary, in God’s appointed time they shall be delivered.
3. What question does Daniel hear the man ask (see Daniel 12:6 printed below) and what answer does he receive (see Daniel 12:7 printed below?) What do you think this means?
One of them asked the man dressed in linen who was standing above the waters of the river, How long will it be before these wonders are fulfilled? (Daniel 12:6)
The man clothed in linen, who was standing above the waters of the river, lifted up his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, It shall be for a time, times, and half a time. When they have finished breaking into pieces the power of the holy people, all these things will be accomplished. (Daniel 12:7)
In verse 6 Daniel hears an angel ask the question that, no doubt, was foremost in his own mind: “How long will it be before these wonders are fulfilled?” (When shall these events come to pass, and when shall they come to an end?) The Lord responds by declaring: “It shall be for a time, times, and half a time” (cp. Daniel 7:25, which defines the reign of the anti-Christ as “a time and times and half a time.”) The point is that this final epitome of rebellion against God must appear, it must advance, and then it shall finally be destroyed (cp. Psalm 92:7). Note that the Lord does not provide any actual date as to the duration or termination of this period of time when the final anti-Christ shall be permitted to reign. The Lord merely answers: these things must happen, and when they have run their course, they will be terminated.
4. What is Daniel told in chapter 12 verses 11-12 (printed below?) What is the lesson being conveyed to us?
From the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. (12) Blessed is the one who waits and comes to the end of the one thousand three hundred and thirty five days. (Daniel 12:11-12)
In verses 11-12 of chapter 12 it is again impressed upon Daniel that the events described in chapter 11:36-39 must be fulfilled and the people of God must persevere to the end. Daniel is told, “Blessed is the one who waits and comes to the end of the one thousand three hundred and thirty five days.” Once again, the numbers are symbolic and the emphasis is on the need for perseverance: there is the need to persevere through the tribulation and persevere until the deliverance, even though the time may seem to be endless (the 1290 days expire but the wait must continue another 45 “days!”)
5. What assurance is given to the people of God in Daniel 12:1-3 and 7 (printed below?)
At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will stand up. There will be a time of trouble such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—shall be delivered. (2) Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake; some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (3) Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the heavens; and those who turn many to righteousness shall shine like the stars forever and ever…(7) The man clothed in linen, who was standing above the waters of the river, lifted up his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, It shall be for a time, times, and half a time. When they have finished breaking into pieces the power of the holy people, all these things will be accomplished. (Daniel 12:1-3,7)
In verse 1c the Lord assures Daniel that at the appointed time his people shall be delivered. In verse 7 the Lord solemnly swears that the time of tribulation shall not extend beyond the designated period, and the deliverance shall come, at which time the redeemed shall be raised to everlasting life (verse 2) and they shall shine like the brightness of the heavens (verse 3).
