THE TIME OF THE END
THE PROPHET DANIEL WRITES ABOUT 'THE TIME OF THE END' . DURING THIS TIME THE FINAL EVENTS IN THIS WORLD'S HISTORY WILL TAKE PLACE. THESE FINAL EVENTS STRETCH FROM THE TAKING AWAY OF THE DAILY OR LAW OF GOD AND WILL NOT CONCLUDE UNTIL JUST PRIOR TO CHRIST'S SECOND COMING. THE ORDER AND TIMING OF CRITICAL EVENTS DURING THIS TIME PERIOD IS SUMMARISED BY DANIEL AND THEN DETAILED IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION BY JOHN.
Daniel 8:19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.
The prophetic book of Daniel reveals to us when the ‘Time of the End’ begins and ends. The first clue about the ‘Time of the End’ is provided in Daniel chapter 8 when we are informed that the end will take place at an ‘appointed time’.
The word used for the term ‘appointed’ is:
H4150
מוֹעָדָה מֹעֵד מוֹעֵד
mô‛êd mô‛êd mô‛âdâh
mo-ade', mo-ade', mo-aw-daw'
From H3259; properly an appointment, that is, a fixed time or season; specifically a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand): - appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn (-ity), synagogue, (set) time (appointed).
Total KJV occurrences: 223
Throughout Daniel Chapter 11 references are made to the appointed time of the end but we are told that the end is YET to come:
Daniel 11:27 And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.
Daniel 11:35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
But when we reach verse 40 in chapter 11 we are informed that the whirlwind war between the King of the South and King of the North takes place at the ‘time of the end’:
Daniel 11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
What is this appointed time of the end? When does it begin? When does it end?
Is Daniel given this information?
At the end of Gabriel’s explanation of the vision of the ‘latter days’ Daniel asks the question:
Daniel 12:6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
Daniel has been told about events that will take place during the time of the end but has no idea when the time of the end will take place so he asks the obvious question: ‘How long will it be to the end?’ The man clothed in linen who is in fact Jesus Christ declares:
Daniel 12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon thee waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
What is fascinating to notice is that this time period that Daniel is told about is an appointed time. The use of the Hebrew word לְמוֹעֵ֨ד lə-mō-w-‘êḏ helps Daniel realize that this is the ‘time of the end’ or appointed time that he had been told about previously that was YET to take place:
Daniel 12:7 And I heard H8085 (H853) the man H376 clothed H3847 in linen, H906 which H834 was upon H4480 H4605 the waters H4325 of the river, H2975 when he held up H7311 his right hand H3225 and his left hand H8040 unto H413 heaven, H8064 and sware H7650 by him that liveth H2416 for ever H5769 that H3588 it shall be for a time,H4150 times,H4150 and an half;H2677 and when he shall have accomplished H3615 to scatter H5310 the power H3027 of the holy H6944 people, H5971 all H3605 these H428 things shall be finished. H3615
Previously in the book of Daniel a time period described in a similar fashion has been referred to:
(Dan 7:25) And he shall speak H4449 great words H4406 against H6655 the most High ,H5943 and shall wear out H1080 the saints H6922 of the most High, H5946 and think H5452 to change H8133 times H2166 and laws: H1882 and they shall be given H3052 into his hand H3028 until H5705 a time H5732 and times H5732 and the dividing H6387 of time. H5732
The word time used in both passages by Daniel is different. The Daniel 7 reference to a time and times and the dividing of time is not the appointed time of the end. But the reference to the time, times and an half in Daniel 12:7 IS!
A significant rule of thumb to use when understanding Bible prophecies is that one prophecy can assist in interpreting another. The book of Daniel has a partner prophecy and that book is the New Testament of Revelation – aptly named because it is a revealing of end time events that have been already highlighted elsewhere throughout the word of God.
Revelation reveals two time prophecies that mirror the time prophecies also referred to by Daniel.
Revelation 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
The first reference to the time, times and half a time in Revelation is found in chapter 12. God’s church flourished as the disciples of Christ enlightened the world about the precious gift God had given the world – his only begotten son. Satan described as the serpent used the little horn of the papacy during the Dark Ages to ‘wear out the saints of the most high’. Yet despite the flood of persecution and terror that reigned God was able to protect his church and help it survive:
Revelation 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
Revelation 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Papal rule and influence on worldly powers during that time extended for over a thousand years. The expression time, times and half a time in Revelation 12 is further explained later in verse 6:
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
These days represented years. For a lengthy time period God’s truth and church was in the ‘wilderness’ and despite attempts to destroy her she was protected by God.
In Revelation there is another reference to this time period: ’a thousand two hundred and threescore days. It can be found in Revelation 11:
Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
On first examination you would state that this must be the same period as we just referred to in Revelation 12 but we have to look a little more closely:
Revelation 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
In the preceding verse a 42 month period is mentioned. This time period is equivalent to the ‘thousand two hundred and threescore days’ mentioned in the next verse.
The book of Daniel has reference to two time periods that upon first glance appear to be the same:
Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Daniel 12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Daniel’s use of the Hebrew word לְמוֹעֵ֨ד lə-mō-w-‘êḏ in Daniel 12:7 reveals that this time is different from the similar time specification in Daniel 7:25 where a totally different Hebrew reference for time is used.
In the book of Revelation there are also two references to what appears to be the same time period:
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Upon first glance you would have to say these must be the same time periods however the context of each time period must be examined.
In Revelation 12 the woman or church of God has had to go into hiding by fleeing into the wilderness in contrast to the two witnesses of Revelation 11 who are actually prophesying in sackcloth. They are following the command given in Revelation 10:11:
Revelation 10:11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
The time periods mentioned in both chapters are NOT taking place at the same time. In both chapters further time clarification is made to the ‘thousand two hundred and threescore days’ using another time reference.
Revelation 12 contains the following two time references:
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Revelation 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
Revelation 11 contains the following two time references:
Revelation 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
By looking and comparing scripture to scripture there are obvious differences that exist in both Daniel and Revelation when considering the time period of ‘a time, and times, and half a time’ and a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Even though the two time periods in Daniel initially appear the same. The use of לְמוֹעֵ֨ד lə-mō-w-‘êḏ or the appointed time in Daniel 12 fulfils all the appointed ‘time of the end’ references previously made throughout Daniel.
In Revelation John makes a distinction between the two time periods by including another time reference within the same chapter making every effort to show that the time periods are unique. In Revelation 11 the reference to months is a revelation in itself. The ‘day for a year’ principle of interpreting time prophecies has been applied during the time of the Daniel 7 and Revelation 12 time period. A month has NEVER been used in scripture to refer to time prophecy that is founded on the ‘day for a year’ principle. John by using the reference to ‘forty-two months’ in verse 2 and then in the very next verse referring to the ‘thousand two hundred and threescore days’ is informing the reader that these two time periods are taking place at the same time and that time during this prophecy is not symbolic but literal. While the ‘holy city or God’s people (Isaiah 62:11-12) are prophesying in sackcloth the holy city is being trodden under foot by the Gentiles. This is a literal 1260 days or 42 months (A Biblical month is 30 days – Genesis 7:11 and Genesis 8:3,4).
Not only does John give us evidence that these time periods in Revelation are referring to a literal time period of 42 months he connects this time period with the 42 months of Revelation 13:
Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Revelation 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
The similarities between what is taking place during the 42 months of Revelation 11 and Revelation 13 are undeniable:
The prophetic book of Daniel reveals to us when the ‘Time of the End’ begins and ends. The first clue about the ‘Time of the End’ is provided in Daniel chapter 8 when we are informed that the end will take place at an ‘appointed time’.
The word used for the term ‘appointed’ is:
H4150
מוֹעָדָה מֹעֵד מוֹעֵד
mô‛êd mô‛êd mô‛âdâh
mo-ade', mo-ade', mo-aw-daw'
From H3259; properly an appointment, that is, a fixed time or season; specifically a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand): - appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set, solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn (-ity), synagogue, (set) time (appointed).
Total KJV occurrences: 223
Throughout Daniel Chapter 11 references are made to the appointed time of the end but we are told that the end is YET to come:
Daniel 11:27 And both these kings' hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table; but it shall not prosper: for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.
Daniel 11:35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.
But when we reach verse 40 in chapter 11 we are informed that the whirlwind war between the King of the South and King of the North takes place at the ‘time of the end’:
Daniel 11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.
What is this appointed time of the end? When does it begin? When does it end?
Is Daniel given this information?
At the end of Gabriel’s explanation of the vision of the ‘latter days’ Daniel asks the question:
Daniel 12:6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
Daniel has been told about events that will take place during the time of the end but has no idea when the time of the end will take place so he asks the obvious question: ‘How long will it be to the end?’ The man clothed in linen who is in fact Jesus Christ declares:
Daniel 12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon thee waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
What is fascinating to notice is that this time period that Daniel is told about is an appointed time. The use of the Hebrew word לְמוֹעֵ֨ד lə-mō-w-‘êḏ helps Daniel realize that this is the ‘time of the end’ or appointed time that he had been told about previously that was YET to take place:
Daniel 12:7 And I heard H8085 (H853) the man H376 clothed H3847 in linen, H906 which H834 was upon H4480 H4605 the waters H4325 of the river, H2975 when he held up H7311 his right hand H3225 and his left hand H8040 unto H413 heaven, H8064 and sware H7650 by him that liveth H2416 for ever H5769 that H3588 it shall be for a time,H4150 times,H4150 and an half;H2677 and when he shall have accomplished H3615 to scatter H5310 the power H3027 of the holy H6944 people, H5971 all H3605 these H428 things shall be finished. H3615
Previously in the book of Daniel a time period described in a similar fashion has been referred to:
(Dan 7:25) And he shall speak H4449 great words H4406 against H6655 the most High ,H5943 and shall wear out H1080 the saints H6922 of the most High, H5946 and think H5452 to change H8133 times H2166 and laws: H1882 and they shall be given H3052 into his hand H3028 until H5705 a time H5732 and times H5732 and the dividing H6387 of time. H5732
The word time used in both passages by Daniel is different. The Daniel 7 reference to a time and times and the dividing of time is not the appointed time of the end. But the reference to the time, times and an half in Daniel 12:7 IS!
A significant rule of thumb to use when understanding Bible prophecies is that one prophecy can assist in interpreting another. The book of Daniel has a partner prophecy and that book is the New Testament of Revelation – aptly named because it is a revealing of end time events that have been already highlighted elsewhere throughout the word of God.
Revelation reveals two time prophecies that mirror the time prophecies also referred to by Daniel.
Revelation 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
The first reference to the time, times and half a time in Revelation is found in chapter 12. God’s church flourished as the disciples of Christ enlightened the world about the precious gift God had given the world – his only begotten son. Satan described as the serpent used the little horn of the papacy during the Dark Ages to ‘wear out the saints of the most high’. Yet despite the flood of persecution and terror that reigned God was able to protect his church and help it survive:
Revelation 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
Revelation 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Papal rule and influence on worldly powers during that time extended for over a thousand years. The expression time, times and half a time in Revelation 12 is further explained later in verse 6:
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
These days represented years. For a lengthy time period God’s truth and church was in the ‘wilderness’ and despite attempts to destroy her she was protected by God.
In Revelation there is another reference to this time period: ’a thousand two hundred and threescore days. It can be found in Revelation 11:
Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
On first examination you would state that this must be the same period as we just referred to in Revelation 12 but we have to look a little more closely:
Revelation 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
In the preceding verse a 42 month period is mentioned. This time period is equivalent to the ‘thousand two hundred and threescore days’ mentioned in the next verse.
The book of Daniel has reference to two time periods that upon first glance appear to be the same:
Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
Daniel 12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
Daniel’s use of the Hebrew word לְמוֹעֵ֨ד lə-mō-w-‘êḏ in Daniel 12:7 reveals that this time is different from the similar time specification in Daniel 7:25 where a totally different Hebrew reference for time is used.
In the book of Revelation there are also two references to what appears to be the same time period:
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Upon first glance you would have to say these must be the same time periods however the context of each time period must be examined.
In Revelation 12 the woman or church of God has had to go into hiding by fleeing into the wilderness in contrast to the two witnesses of Revelation 11 who are actually prophesying in sackcloth. They are following the command given in Revelation 10:11:
Revelation 10:11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.
The time periods mentioned in both chapters are NOT taking place at the same time. In both chapters further time clarification is made to the ‘thousand two hundred and threescore days’ using another time reference.
Revelation 12 contains the following two time references:
Revelation 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Revelation 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
Revelation 11 contains the following two time references:
Revelation 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Revelation 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
By looking and comparing scripture to scripture there are obvious differences that exist in both Daniel and Revelation when considering the time period of ‘a time, and times, and half a time’ and a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
Even though the two time periods in Daniel initially appear the same. The use of לְמוֹעֵ֨ד lə-mō-w-‘êḏ or the appointed time in Daniel 12 fulfils all the appointed ‘time of the end’ references previously made throughout Daniel.
In Revelation John makes a distinction between the two time periods by including another time reference within the same chapter making every effort to show that the time periods are unique. In Revelation 11 the reference to months is a revelation in itself. The ‘day for a year’ principle of interpreting time prophecies has been applied during the time of the Daniel 7 and Revelation 12 time period. A month has NEVER been used in scripture to refer to time prophecy that is founded on the ‘day for a year’ principle. John by using the reference to ‘forty-two months’ in verse 2 and then in the very next verse referring to the ‘thousand two hundred and threescore days’ is informing the reader that these two time periods are taking place at the same time and that time during this prophecy is not symbolic but literal. While the ‘holy city or God’s people (Isaiah 62:11-12) are prophesying in sackcloth the holy city is being trodden under foot by the Gentiles. This is a literal 1260 days or 42 months (A Biblical month is 30 days – Genesis 7:11 and Genesis 8:3,4).
Not only does John give us evidence that these time periods in Revelation are referring to a literal time period of 42 months he connects this time period with the 42 months of Revelation 13:
Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.
Revelation 13:6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.
The similarities between what is taking place during the 42 months of Revelation 11 and Revelation 13 are undeniable:
This time period of 42 months is the time period which Daniel describes as the appointed time in Daniel 12:6 and during this time period described as the ‘time of the end’ in Daniel 11:40 not only is there a war taking place between the King of the South and the King of the North but after the war in verse 44 it describes the vehemence the King of the North has for God’s people at this time:
Daniel 11:44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
The King of the North in Daniel 11:40 is none other than the beast and dragon power combination brought to our attention in Revelation 13. The tidings out of the East and North are none other than the message of Christ’s imminent return and also disclose that the King of the North is an impostor (See Satan’s Personation of Christ study). These messages enrage Satan who has been received as Christ by the majority of the world and fury is an apt word to describe the anger and animosity Satan has towards God’s witnesses at this time.
The appointed time of the end is a period of one thousand two hundred and threescore literal days or forty two months.
Daniel identifies this literal time period as the appointed ‘time of the end’ or לְמוֹעֵ֨ד lə-mō-w-‘êḏ . This time period has not yet taken place but will begin in the not too distant future.
Addendum
The majority of Adventist believers rely on William Miller's interpretation of 'the time of the end' . This was an application of the 1260 time period in years - which was the time period revealed in Revelation 12 and Daniel 7. It was a valid application at that time. The 1260 time periods in Daniel and Revelation were viewed by the early pioneers as all taking place at the same time - but this is not the case. The reference to the 1260 in Daniel 12 is yet future. Ellen White supported both views as we do. She believed in William Miller's application of the 1260 time period to the past, however she clearly revealed in multiple places within her writings that the 'time of the end' is also YET to take place. Please see her statements in the compilation below referring to the time of the end in the past and overwhelmingly her references to the 'time of the end' which is YET to take place:
| the_time_of_the_end.pdf |
| time_of_the_end_quote_comparison_e_g_white.pdf |