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Daniel, Daniel Eight, Time of the End, End of Time, Last Days, es qes
Time Period of the End – es qes The amazing prophecies of Daniel are replete with timing statements. From the year of a king’s reign to fascinating numeric periods to words such as “finish,” “end,” “appointed time,” “to complete” or “latter end.” Adding very important clues as to when these apply is the record of specific associated events! These are the keys to God’s prophetic clocks. Prophecy, in fact, is event driven but always in a framework of time. Contextually, these two must remain together or theory and speculation supervene. When Gabriel asked Jesus “How long?” (Daniel The Day of Atonement was a time when, once the he-goat was taken from the camp, holiness came to the sanctuary and the congregation. Daniel 8:14 notes that after 2300 atonement evenings and mornings holiness would be restored; in actual legal language, vindicated or adjudicated. It became apparent that Daniel was confused by what he heard. In language that clearly God’s people needed to hear and study for generations after, Jesus told Gabriel to “make this man understand the vision” ( Gabriel had three instructive paths that he took: (1) he addressed the timing issue of the vision, (2) he hinted on the ram and he-goat’s meaning and (3) then described the little horn’s behavior. Our interest in this study relates to the timing of that vision. There is much confusion relative to this period. The vision was given in the third year of Belshazzar’s reign (8:1). That was the year Babylon fell. But the vision was not for that time but far into the future – when Babylon “had fallen.” (It begins with a ram – a symbolic Medo-Persia). Jesus wants that clarified and made crystal clear. The 2300 period was the foundational statement. All vision issues were to occur at its end and beyond. Time of the End Ram, he-goat and little horn hazon vision Utter End – qes – that period defines an end
[Graph see pdf file]
Gabriel deals first with Daniel’s emotions and then began to speak (8:16-17). “Understand, O son of man, for at the time of the end shall be the vision.” Time (es or eth) of the end (qes or qets) shall be the vision (chazown). The word qes indicates a cut off point of some time period.
Contextually, there would be a cut-off period when the ram, he-goat and the little horn would choreograph these visionary events. A prophetic block of time would be set aside for a theater of conflict. Qes was the word used when God declared: “The end (qes) of all flesh is come before me” (Genesis In a symbolic vision of the end of summer fruit, Amos was told: “The end (qes) has come upon my people Israel” (Amos 8:2). It defined the end of God’s mercy to Israel. It will be clear shortly that Daniel’s “point in time” is a very brief period which ends in the deliverance of God’s people and the special resurrection. Gabriel said to Daniel that the vision of the ram, he-goat and the little horn was for the es qes. Was it to occur at the point the 2300 years ended? Or, was it sometime after that period that can be further refined by either events or other timing clues. At the very end of the 2300 years could, by definition, be a possibility. But Gabriel gave more information to specifically clarify when the es qes would be. Es qes is used five times in Daniel ( This means we must find its meaning within the writings of Daniel’s book. Do the chapters framing this expression have event-driven prophecies with identifiable ends? The answer is intriguing and described in various vision settings through parallel issues that occur at the same point in time. Opinions vary as to what this all means with most expositors being influenced by the invasion of the Selucid King Antiochus Epiphanes IV. It appears that this opinion actually biased the Septuagint translation. This prejudice has been a corrosive “wound” against exciting Biblical truth. Let’s look within Daniel at a few prophetic “ends” that are event driven to see what the vision terminus might refer to.
Danielic Stories that Have an “End”
Nebuchadnezzar’s image is the first key prophecy that has a defined sequence. The metallic parts of the image were described from head to feet (Daniel [Graph see pdf file]
The next stunning exposé relates to Belshazaar’s feast. He was the last king of Babylon. Mocking God by using golden vessels from Solomon’s temple in a night of revelry, he was unaware that Cyrus and his armies were entering the city. The handwriting on the plaster wall above the candlesticks, through Daniel’s interpretation, declared the King’s doom – the end of Babylon. Note the message context: Meni represents the fate of the kingdom (cf. Isaiah 65:11-12) related to the filling of a cup of wine.[5] The kingdom was “numbered.” It had reached God’s endurance. It conveyed that an appointed time of destiny had arrived.[6] Teqel described that the kingdom was coming to its end, specifically his reign. God (implied) had weighed him in divine scales and found his weight was wanting or short. Peres – the Babylonia kingdom is now taken over by the Medes and Persians. Babylon fell – came to its end – by a kingdom from the east. This was presented in an amazing prophecy long before the Babylonian captivity: “The word that the LORD spake against Babylon [and] against the land of the Chaldeans by Jeremiah the prophet…. Because of the wrath of the LORD it shall not be inhabited, but it shall be wholly desolate: every one that goeth by Babylon shall be astonished, and hiss at all her plagues…. Behold, I [am] against thee, [O thou] most proud, saith the Lord GOD of hosts: for thy day is come, the time [that] I will visit thee…. Set ye up a standard in the land, blow the trumpet among the nations, prepare the nations against her, … The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, [and] pangs as of a woman in travail…. the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device [is] against Babylon, to destroy it; because it [is] the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple…. Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this [is] the time of the LORD’S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense…. The voice of them that flee and escape out of the land of Babylon, to declare in Zion the vengeance of the LORD our God, the vengeance of his temple…. And the land shall tremble and sorrow: for every purpose of the LORD shall be performed against Babylon, to make the Not only does Babylon come to an end in Jeremiah’s prophecy, but statements are made that tie directly to the Book of Revelation: “Babylon is fallen” (Revelation 14:8, 18:2). Come out of her “my people” – flee (Revelation 18:4-5). She was proud and arrogant in her rebellion (Revelation 18:7). Segments of the world stand afar off in fear (Revelation Babylon Belshazzar’s Kingdom Apostate Christianity End (Earthly Kingdom) (
Related to Daniel 5 will be Daniel 8. There, something very interesting is portrayed! The kingdom allusions (Medo-Persia and Greece) come suddenly on the scene. Where is the vision of Babylon? It’s not to be found. If Medo-Persia, the ram, the deliverer, is the initial imagery when Daniel “lifted up mine eyes” (8:3), Babylon had fallen already. Suddenly, we are confronted with a question: Is this the time literal Babylon falls or is it when apostate Babylon falls, noted in both Jeremiah and Revelation? We will easily answer that but our study of the “end” of Daniel’s “stories” must be completed. The next key vision is in Daniel 7 with the four surreal beasts, the ten horns, then an emerging little horn. Amidst the imagery of symbolic beasts is a contrast with the Ancient of Days, and the son of Man, divine beings with the saints! The Son of man is depicted as human in form. From highly imaginative creatures comes these real figures, portraying fascinating imagery of hope. Studying books in judicial review (7:9-10), Son of man with kingdom anticipation ( Judicial Review Kingdom Kingdom Given to the Son Given to Saints of Man (Marrage) Kingdom Made Up Saints Begin Review Both Eschaton Related (Revelation 19–21) End End
There is another “end” message in Daniel 7. The little horn is the final earthly “power” in that chapter. During some judgment, the little horn’s power (domain) comes to an end (
Another end is noted by another “little horn” vision in Daniel 8. Out of the four winds (depicted as the one from the north) comes this little horn. It too wars against the saints ( War with Saints Against God Broken Without Little Horn ( Zenith of Sin God’s Wrath Es qes ( Appointed Time (moed) Little Horn’s End Holiness Vindicated (8:14) God’s Church Adjudicated ( Sanctuary Anointed ( Cleansed
The imagery parallels much of Daniel 7. Other differing details are introduced, however. Timing events are noted. It is the time of God’s wrath ( Next we will review the final vision – an important finale – that is in Daniel 11, relating to the “king of the north.” There is an amazing prophetic sequential flow of information in this chapter ending with the deliverance of God’s people and a special resurrection (12:1-2). The chapter 11 and 12 break is inaccurately placed. The message of Gabriel continues through chapter 11 into the fourth verse of chapter 12. Daniel 11 is divided into four segments: Era of Daniel’s writing (vs 1) Key kings/leaders during the 490-year Jewish probation (ending at the birth of Christ) (vss 2-20) First rise of a papal era (vss 21-27) Second rise of a papal era (vss 28-45) Jacob’s Trouble, deliverance, resurrection (12:1-4) It is to the latter and more detailed two noted areas that our “end of time” interest lies. It follows this general event-driven sequence: Papacy re-established in his “land” – church/state with riches Begins travel outside of Rome Open interest in Islamic World Unhappy with growing influence of God’s true people (remnant) Ecumenical interest against God’s law and character Sets aside true Sabbath – by decree, sets up false Sabbath God’s people remain strong but will be persecuted Some of “God’s people” will be shaken out Everything happens at the “appointed time” – a repetitive Danielic message related to Habakkuk and Revelation. Papacy exalts himself above every god/God § It is against women § Its interest in mysticism and spiritualism rises At the time of the end (es qes), conflict between apostate Christianity and Islam will rise – even militarily Middle East will be a focus Unusual global power will be given the papacy (“king of the north”) – even monetarily. The papacy – apostate Christianity – will now be very troubled at the message of the remnant (144,000) Supernatural attempts will be made against God’s people § Papacy will come to its end (Revelation reveals details) Michael stands up (probation closes) – review of books is completed Great Time of Trouble Deliverance of God’s people Special resurrection[8] This dramatic chapter unfolds the final event-driven sequence of world events surrounding and within that amazing “appointed time.” Nearly one hundred years ago expositor White was inspired as to the meaning of this chapter. The information she step by step uncovered in her beautiful work, The Great Controversy (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911), amazingly shows that she penetrated the significance of Daniel 11 (especially verses 36-41). “The prophecy in the eleventh of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Much of the history that has taken place in fulfillment [written in 1904 – Daniel 11:1-27 completed] of this prophecy will be repeated [second rise of the papacy]. In the thirtieth verse a power is spoken of that ‘shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.’ [Verses 31-36, quoted.] [a move against God’s covenantal conditions]. “Scenes similar to those described in these words will take place [future – civil enactments]. We see evidence that Satan is fast obtaining the control of human minds who have not the fear of God before them. Let all read and understand the prophecies of this book.”[9] What “end” comes in Gabriel’s last explanation of Daniel’s prophecies?
Second Rise Papacy Church/State Established Travel Outside of Rome Interest in Islam Appointed Time Begins Daniel 11:31-45 Events Loud Cry Persecution Ecumenical/ Civil Ties Michael Stands Up Great Time of Trouble Deliverance of God’s People Special Resurrection End
Now we have a remarkable series of “ends” that have been given to Daniel – some distinctly associated with the es qes – time of the end. An astonishing picture appears when they are brought together:
The “time of the end” (es qes) linguistically reflects a period of time. Daniel 11, verse 28 on reveals what is included in that “appointed time.” It ends with the deliverance of God’s people and the special resurrection. Contextually, the second coming and God’s kingdom follow.
Deeper Look at the Es Qes
“The vision concerns the time of the end” (NIV). This hahazon (vision) qes (end) es (time) is a direct translation.[10] In This echoes Habakkuk 2:3. This passage is cited in Qumran text (1QpHab7:5-6) – “For there is yet a vision concerning the appointed time. It testifies to the end and it will not deceive.” Qes has an eschatologic connotation. “In the Qumran scrolls the meaning ‘end’ is attested, but most often the reference is to a period of time.”[11] This relates to the “final generation.”[12] Verse 19 adds helpful clues. Daniel is now promised that he will receive help to understand what will be that “future end” – aharit (achariyth). This Hebrew word is instructive. The Jewish people read Numbers 24 and Genesis 49 as classical eschatological text that used this reference. Elsewhere there are specific second advent allusions in Isaiah 2:2, Micah 4:1, Hosea 3:5, Ezekiel 38:16. The Dead Sea Scrolls use this word to point forward to the Messianic age (1QSa1:1; 4QpIsa7.3.22; CD6:11; 4QFlor1:2,12).[13] Gabriel then notes that it will be at the time of wrath. The word zaam usually means “wrath of God” at the eschatological end[14] (Isaiah 26:20; Ezekiel There, qes, a punctular word, represents “cut off” or “extremity” or “edge.” It is at the extremity of time in earth’s history that is being unfolded to Daniel. Riveting this more deeply is another clue that Gabriel introduces. The qes is at “a set moment” or “assigned time” represented by the word moed. Thus, this “appointed time” is also punctular.[15] Daniel will wait for many years to have this clarified more deeply. Chapter 12 defines what that period of time is – 1260 days. That is set within two other event-driven time periods, which all mesh together.
Tying It All Together
The es qes of Daniel 8 and 12 relates to a period of time after the 2300 years. During this time, the second rise of the papacy occurs and comes to its end. That period relates to the three and a half years noted in Daniel 12:7. That period ties directly to Revelation 11:1-2, The es qes links the prophecy ( Es qes is the period of time, the appointed time (moed), immediately before Jesus comes. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||