End of the Age

The disciples asked Jesus what the sign would be for "'the end of the age'" (Mt 24:3). He had previously explained that "'the harvest is the end of the age'" (13:39). He answered it would be "'when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet'" (24:15). Jesus cited Daniel as a prophet which shows that God had predicted the future long ago. In fact, because it was "through Daniel" (:15) it means that Gabriel had proclaimed the message to him and Daniel had recorded it. He related "'on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate'" (Da 9:27). Peter stated "we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention" (2Pe 1:19). He said prophecy came by "men moved by the Holy Spirit" (:21). Daniel received revelations about the distant future, for example when serving Darius he prophesied, "'His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away'" (Da 7:14). He also studied and "observed in the books [Jer 25:11-12; 29:10] the number of years which was revealed as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the desolations of Jerusalem" (Da 9:2). He explained that his approach was to give "my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications" (:3). Another time he was told by God's messenger that "from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words" (10:12). During the encounter Daniel looked up (:5) and "alone saw the vision" (:7). He reported "I retained no strength but I heard the sound of the words" (:8-9). In a previous prophecy he was told "a prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary" (9:26) which would be the Roman general Titus at Jerusalem in 70 AD. In this case he was told "'you are to know and discern'" (:25) and that "'even to the end there will be war'" (:26). "The word of God is . . . able to discern" (Heb 4:12). However, one time he replied "I heard but could not understand" (Da 12:8). Then he was told, "'Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time'" (:9).

In one prophecy Daniel was told "'those who have insight will understand'" (Da 12:10). Peter emphasized to "pay attention" (2Pe 1:19) to the prophetic word. Jesus asked his disciples, "'Have you understood all these things?' They said to Him, 'Yes'" (Mt 13:51). Daniel comprehended as when "a message was revealed to Daniel . . . and the message was true and one of great conflict, but he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision" (Da 10:1). Daniel paid attention. Jesus was sad to recount that, "'If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes'" (Lk 19:42). Passover and Pentecost happened in one day. He continued saying "'the days shall come upon you . . . because you did not recognize the time of your visitation'" (:44). His advice is "'be ready too; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will'" (Mt 24:44). The wise thought about it and "took oil in flasks along with their lamps" (25:4) and because they were ready "'went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut'" (25:10).