“At that time” refers to the “time of Jacob’s trouble”
(Jeremiah 30:4-11). Liberal commentators attempt to place “at
that time” in the period beginning with the death of Antiochus
IV Epiphanes, saying there is no jump from the contemporary
scene to some distant future. As previously demonstrated,
there is nothing contemporary to Antiochus in Daniel 11:36-45.
Moreover, Jesus saw this time as being distant future, even
from His day.
So when you see standing in the holy place “the
abomination that causes desolation”, spoken of through the
prophet Daniel—let the reader understand—then let those
who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the
roof of his house go down to take anything out of the
house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.
How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women
and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take
place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be
great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world
until now— and never to be equaled again (Matthew
24:15-21).
“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects
Israel will arise.” In some way, Michael provides the
protection necessary for the Israelis to flee to the
mountains and desert of Moab and Edom as inferred from
Daniel 11:41 and Revelation 12:13-16.
Two-thirds of those in Israel will die during the
second half of the seventieth seven (Zechariah 13:8).
Evidently, the majority of Israelis will not flee, unlike
the Christians living in Jerusalem around A.D. 70, who
escaped the ravages of Titus. The surviving one-third of
Israel will look on Christ, the One they have pierced, and
God will pour out a spirit of grace and supplication on
them, and all Israel will be saved (Zechariah 12:10-13:1;
Romans 11:26).
Fittingly, Daniel’s last prophetic vision jumps to the
end of the Tribulation.
But at that time your people—everyone whose name is
found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes
who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to
everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting
contempt.
On the one hand, it is likely that Michael, the great
prince and archangel, will be associated with the
resurrection of the Israelites in light of Jude 9. On the
other hand, the dead in Christ will be resurrected, then
those who are alive in Christ will be raptured when the
Lord Himself comes down from heaven, with a loud command,
with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call
of God (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Do the multitudes, rising to everlasting life, include
the Church, OT saints, and Tribulation saints? Yes! Both
the OT and NT saints are in Christ. The whole OT
Tabernacle system pointed to Christ. The OT saints are
saved because their sacrifices, which were offered in
faith, were completed in Christ on the Cross. In other
words, God accepted, as atonement for sin, the blood of
animals until Christ became the once-for-all sacrifice
(Hebrews 7:27). Scripture is crystal-clear that salvation
is in Christ alone.
He is “the stone you builders rejected, which has
become the capstone.” Salvation is found in no one else,
for there is no other name under heaven given to men by
which we must be saved
(Acts 4:11-12).
Thus, everyone (the saints of all ages) whose name is
found written in the book, that is the Lamb’s Book of Life
(Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 21:27), will be (malat, delivered,
saved or preserved).
There are two resurrections according to Jesus: the
first unto everlasting life and the second unto shame and
everlasting contempt.
Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all
who are in their graves will hear his voice and come
out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those
who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John
5:28-29).
The first resurrection has at least two stages: (1)
Church and OT saints and (2) Tribulation saints at the end
of the times of distress. The second resurrection occurs
after Christ’s thousand-year reign on earth, and it is
unto eternal damnation (Revelation 20:4-15). Again, the
name “Daniel” (God is Judge) connects with his prophecy.
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of
the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness,
like the stars forever and ever.
Who are the wise?
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and
knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs
9:10).
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he
who wins souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30).
The separate blessings of brightness and stars
mentioned by Daniel indicate that the resurrected saints
will be rewarded according to what they have done (cf.
Romans 14:10; 1 Corinthians 3:11-14; 2 Corinthians 5:10).
Daniel is like a star; he led two pagan monarchs,
Nebuchadnezzar and Darius the Mede, to righteousness.
What will be Daniel’s reward? His on-the-job training
as Prime Minister of Babylon and Medo-Persia and his
faithful service to God suggests that he might be the
Prime Minister of the everlasting kingdom. He is the most
qualified! In the end, the saints of Israel will be
delivered and rewarded. All’s well that ends well!
