The Book of Daniel is the go-to book along with Revelation for latter-day prophecy about what is happening in our time. However, among the myriad prophecies is a qualifier that should give the student of prophecy pause. And the prophet repeats this qualifier for emphasis. “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:4). “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” (Daniel 12:9). Before closing out his detailing of end-time prophecies, Daniel did add this concerning those last days prophecies: “…. None of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” (Daniel 12:10). Thus, the angelic messenger giving Daniel those prophecies told him that though they are to be sealed, they will be open and unsealed in the last days for the “wise”. Who are the wise? According to the Bible, those who fear God and keep His commandments.
The questions we have to answer follow. Are we actually living in the last days when Christians should easily understand Daniel’s prophecies? If so, when did the “time of the end” start? Does the bible point to a specific beginning that from that point on Daniel’s prophecies could be understood by the wise as the angel indicated? The answer is yes, and I believe quite clear. I believe our Lord Himself opened Daniel’s book to our understanding. This occurred during His Olivet Discourse when He taught His disciples and us what to watch for in order to discern the time of His second coming. Here’s what He said, “Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place, (let the reader understand) …” (Matthew 24: 15). Here, Jesus is clearly encouraging us to go and read Daniel’s book if we are to fully comprehend what He had just taught. The parenthetical expression “let the reader understand” is obviously related to the angel’s statement to Daniel that in the end times the wise would understand. The words spoken by Jesus for the reader (let understand) (noieo-Gr.) is His permission to use our intellect to comprehend the written words of Daniel. From that point on nearly 2000 years ago the prophecies of book of Daniel have been open to our understanding. Shortly after Jesus said this, roughly 55 days later, He sent the paraclete to help our understanding. “… He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will tell you of things to come.“ (John 16:13).
Yes, we’re living in the final years of the end time. But, according to the writers of the New Testament who all wrote their books during the first century, the last days began in their day following Jesus’s ascension and we are just now nearing culmination. Regardless of what you might have been told, all of the end time prophecies in the bible are understandable including those in Daniel. After all, Jesus Himself proclaimed that the reader of Daniel was to understand. He wouldn’t have said that if the book was still sealed. If you think you can’t understand biblical prophecy, just keep reading and studying. If you seek, you’ll find. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in you, lead you into all truth, and teach you of things to come.
Maranatha, Jim