In the 12th and final chapter of Daniel, a heavenly messenger angel is speaking to Daniel and says, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book (containing the message just delivered to Daniel by this messenger angel), EVEN TO THE TIME OF THE END…” (verse 4). This angel is also emphatic and repeats himself in verse 9, saying to Daniel, “Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed TILL THE TIME OF THE END.” The “words” to which this angel refers begin with verse 2 of Daniel 11. All one need do is read the 45 verses of chapter 11. The reader will find himself, or herself, quickly bogged down in trying to discern just what is being said in these 45 verses and will find that they definitely do appear to be undecipherable at this time.
If the reader possesses some degree of knowledge of ancient history, especially as it relates to Israel and the nations of the ancient world extant in Daniel’s day and age, then that reader will find that a dozen or so of the opening verses of that chapter can be deciphered to a fair degree of accuracy. But the reader will then find that the final dozen or so verses of Daniel 11 are not all that clear. Although a few of these verses will seem comprehensible, most will present a puzzle to the inquirer. And then, if one continues reading into and all the way through the short 13 verses that comprise the 12th and final chapter of Daniel, the reader will find the final three verses of that chapter are also undecipherable at this present time.
In the middle of the 1800’s there were some supposed Bible scholars who thought they understood the prophecies contained in Daniel 11 and 12 and, at that time, declared that it was THEN – in the 1800’s – the time of the end. But they lived out their human life spans and died. Another century passed with more and more Bible “scholars” teaching Jesus Christ’s return was imminent. Still the end had not come. We then entered well into the 21st Century, almost a full quarter of this century having now elapsed. Still the end has not come. For several generations now there have been those who have declared emphatically that THIS is the time of the end. Still with each passing decade more and more such “scholars” finish their life course and die and the end of the age has not come.
I will agree that we ARE living near the close of an age, that Jesus Christ’s return to this planet is much closer now than it was in the 1800’s or 20th Century, but if one reads the book of Revelation as well as Jesus Christ’s Olivet Prophecy (see Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21) with a truly open mind, it should dawn on them that there is much prophecy yet to be fulfilled prior to Christ’s return, especially if one reads carefully both the major and minor prophets. Also, the apostle Paul makes it very clear in 2 Thessalonians, Chapter 2 that two events MUST occur Jesus Christ can return: 1) There must be a great falling away from Christianity first, and 2) The “man of sin” must be revealed as such by his taking up residence in a newly built temple, a literal temple that the prophet Zechariah declares will be standing when Jesus returns. (See Zechariah 14).
There are many books available that were penned by Christian theologians, teachers and preachers and the like, dating back into the 1700’s wherein these writers speak of and expound upon Bible prophecy as it relates to the time of Christ’s Second Coming. Almost every one of them felt certain that Jesus Christ would return during their own lifetime. Yet they all lived out their life spans, some quite lengthy, and died. It seems to be an incurable delusion of the average believer that Jesus will return in his or her own lifetime.
Folks, we’re in for the long haul, so to speak. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself on your deathbed and also find that Jesus Christ has still not returned. Oh, He WILL return, but it might well be to a generation in which this present generation has not one member still living when that blessed event occurs. Think on these things.
Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley