Expert: Marvin Howard - 1/27/2007

Question
Dear Brother Howard,

Could you compare/contrast Daniel 12:4,9 with Revelation 22:10 with regard to the timing of the events spoken of in those two books of prophecy?

Thank you.

Answer
Hi!

Brother Ernie, let's examine both passages, and compare them with yet more. Before we do, you need to know that the context of Daniel 12 is a continuation of chapter 11. With that in mind, consider this verse:

Daniel 11:31, "And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate."

The daily sacrifice went away when Rome invaded the temple before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D 70. Compare that with this verse:

Mark 13:14, "But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, let (him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judea flee to the mountains:"

This cannot refer to the end of time, for fleeing in accordance with Jesus' command would serve no purpose.

2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God."

Daniel 11:36, "And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done."

The biggest abomination to the Jews was a false god being worshipped in their temple. Again, this was the Roman Emperor, and was continued by popery.

With this thought in mind, look at your verse from Revelation, and the verse following:

Revelation 22:10-11, "And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still."

This is comparable with your passage from Daniel:

Daniel 12:4 & 9, "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased...And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end."

The age of acceptable Judaism was over; first in prophecy in Daniel. The age of the church was at hand, or already present in Revelation. Nevertheless, there would remain people who were both just (Christians) and unjust (others); proof that time was not at an end with this prophecy.

Revelation begins with the statement that the things in the book must "shortly come to pass," (1:1) and "the time is at hand," (1:3). The Greek carries the idea that whatever is referenced would begin soon; not be completed soon.

I see these as prophecy of the Roman Emperor and his successor; the pope. Go back to Daniel chapter 2, and study the image. Overlay it with history.

The head of gold was plainly revealed to be Nebuchadnezzar. This gives us a starting point. We know we are dealing with kings and kingdoms both here and in your queried passages. The rest of the image were prophesied kingdoms.

The breast and arms of silver represented the Medo-Persian Empire. The belly and thighs of brass represented the Grecian Empire. The legs of iron represented the Roman Empire. The only successive Empire remaining (in fact the only world Empire) is the Holy Roman Empire; represented by the feet of iron and clay. This would eventually be broken up by the word of Christ as the church came out of hiding from the Dark Ages (Revelation 12:6), which began in 1793. This is when James O'Kelly started the Restoration movement; 1260 years after catholicism declared it had another Lord. This was pope John II. Constantine declared him "Lord of the Church" in 533.

Unlike the Dark Ages prophecy where specific time frames were given, the only thing about time in your prophecy was that the abomination of desolation, when the unshakable kingdom was to be established, would be in the days of the Roman kings. It was not time specific. Nevertheless, it is related.

I have probably given you more to study with this than I answered. I hope I didn't just muddy the waters for you. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

In His Service,
Marvin Howard
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