Matthew Henry Commentary Daniel 12:5-13

"Then I, Daniel, looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on the brink of the river on this side, and the other on the brink of the river on that side. And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above 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 a half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but they that are wise shall understand. And from the time that the continual [burnt-offering] shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand and two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and shalt stand in thy lot, at the end of the days." — Daniel 12:5-13 (ASV)

One of the angels asking how long it would be until the end of these wonders, a solemn reply is made that it would be for a time, times, and a half, the period mentioned in Daniel 7:25 and in Revelation. It signifies 1260 prophetic days or years, beginning from the time when the power of the holy people would be scattered. The imposture of Mohammed, and the papal usurpation, began about the same time; and these were a twofold attack upon the church of God.

But all will end well at last. All opposing rule, principality, and power will be put down, and holiness and love will triumph and be honored for eternity. The end, this end, will come. What an amazing prophecy this is, of so many varied events, and extending through so many successive ages, even to the general resurrection! Daniel must comfort himself with the pleasing prospect of his own happiness in death, in judgment, and to eternity.

It is good for us all to think often of leaving this world. That must be our way; but it is our comfort that we will not go until God calls us to another world, and until He is done with us in this world; until He says, Go your way, you have done your work; therefore now, go your way, and leave it to others to take your place. It was a comfort to Daniel, and is a comfort to all the saints, that whatever their lot is in the days of their lives, they will have a happy lot in the end of the days.

And it should be the great care and concern of every one of us to secure this. Then we may well be content with our present lot, and welcome the will of God. Believers are happy at all times; they rest in God by faith now, and a rest is reserved for them in heaven at last.