At That Time, Daniel 12:1
In Daniel 12:1, “at that time” encompasses a broader time span than being solely the moment of Christ’s return. The basic premise being suggested is that the phrase incorporates a preparatory period commencing with “the time of the end” mentioned in Daniel 11:40. It encompasses the prophetic dates ending the 1260, 1290, and 1335 days. These periods were not only preparatory for the Lord’s return but were for the regathering and establishment of the Jewish homeland.[1]
To begin, the Archangel Michael mentioned by Daniel represents Jesus at his return in 1874. He stood for Israel as their chief protector, guide, and judge. His work was prophesied in Exodus 23:20‑21 as God said of him: “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for My name is in him.”
This discussion links the last five verses of Daniel 11, labeled “the time of the end” (Daniel 11:40), with historical applications. It highlights the time just prior to Christ’s return. The prophetic date pointed to by the 1260 days not only began preparations for the Harvest Message but also laid the foundation for Aliya and the creation of a homeland for the Jews, starting in 1799 with the Napoleonic era. This is beautifully supported by the parallel dispensations, leading to 1878 and the establishment of Petah Tikva, the first Jewish settlement.
“THE TIME OF THE END”: NAPOLEONIC HISTORY
Immediately following chapter 11, the Lord provided a major clue in Daniel 12:1 with the phrase “at that time.” Daniel 11 is a long chronological history leading up to Napoleon. Verses 11:40‑45 (the ending period of chapter 11) refer to the “king of the north” (Napoleon, the emperor of France and most of Europe), and the “king of the south” (the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire). The following displays a remarkable correlation between Daniel’s prophecy and Napoleon, “king of the north.”
- Verse 40: describes Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt with his large French fleet, using the best military tactics and equipment of the day, with which he easily overpowered the Ottoman Mamelukes and took control of Egypt.
- Verse 41: From Egypt, he formed an expedition to the Promised Land (“beautiful land”) along the Mediterranean coast, yet not eastward towards the other nations.
- Verse 42: Napoleon’s efforts in this northern direction were halted at the siege of Acre.
- Verse 43: While he confiscated treasures of Egypt (including archeological items), many regions were sympathetic to the French due to previous Mameluke persecutions.
- Verse 44: But Napoleon had to return to France (the north) to protect a threat to his political position. He succeeded in overthrowing the Revolutionary Government in 1799, thus ending the 1260 years prophetic period and transitioning to a post revolution Napoleonic rule.
- Verse 45: Napoleon had encamped in his large and elegant (by military standards) tent between the Mediterranean Sea and Jerusalem; he ended up isolated and dying lonely on a remote island at the age of 51 after his downfall.
With the establishment of Napoleon’s supreme authority in 1799, the 1260 days prophecy was fulfilled, and the time proceeded to the ending of 1335 days. At the end of the French Revolution, the power of Papacy over European governments evaporated. The Papal power that was once uplifted and sustained by France was also dethroned by it. Persecutions of both Jews and Christians were greatly reduced in Europe, and Napoleon provided much help for the Jews. Wherever he conquered, he broke down ghetto walls and removed Jewish stigmas. Politically, he integrated Jews into society with legal reforms. In April 1799, during his siege of Acre, Napoleon Bonaparte also offered a proclamation offering Palestine as a Jewish homeland under French protection.
Daniel 12:7 states that the end of the 1260 years marked the end of scattering the “power of the holy people.” The saints’ persecution in Revelation 13:7 also ended at the 1260‑year prophetic terminus. This ending was significant to both of God’s people. But the emphasis in the Daniel prophecy is for Daniel’s people, i.e., the Jews. However, the saints can be considered in this context as well, since both were scattered in the wilderness (Revelation 12:14).
The KJV phrase “power of the holy people” is translated by other respected translations as: “the dispersion of the part of the holy people” (Rotherham), “when the dispersion is ended” (Brenton Greek Septuagint). Taking these translations and Daniel’s prayer together, an emphasis is placed on the ending of the Jewish scattering or Diaspora[2] as a fulfillment of the 1260‑year prophecy.
The 1800’s post‑French Revolution, with the Catholic Church’s dissolution of political power, was a very formative, transitional phase for the Kingdom of Heaven. The 1800’s laid the groundwork for worldwide Bible exposure, rich academic material creation, and Br. Russell’s ministry in deeper spiritual understanding. It also laid the seeds for the institutional, cultural, and political dynamics resulting in the current dystopia, during which the “unclean spirits” had engendered the increasingly unstable and sinful society we now experience.
Daniel said that Michael that would “stand up.” In reviewing the Old Testament usage of this phrase, it appears to simply mean be recognized as in favor of, such as in Numbers 9:5, “Stand up, bless Yahweh” (Rotherham), or Ezekiel 44:24, “They shall stand up for justice” (Rotherham). In this sense, the returned Lord is to be both recognized and identified in favor of Israel’s establishment.
“At that time” can be taken as the period between the ending of 1260 and 1335 prophetic years. This time was not only rich in preparation for the Church’s final development but also for the formation of the Jewish homeland. Adding to this, seeds of civil and spiritual destruction were being sown by the “unclean spirits” (Revelation 16:13) and assaults upon “the remnant seed of the woman” (Revelation 12:17), this having occurred after the French Revolution — a beautiful season for the saints also occurred during the sixth stage of the Church. It was a very fruitful and formative time indeed.
— Br. Robert Davis
[1] An editor suggests that Daniel 12:1 does commence with 1874, that “stand up” in Daniel 11 several times refers to a king ascending the throne, and that Jesus took regal authority at his return, as mentioned also in Revelation 11:15 (David Rice).
[2] As used in the Greek Brenton Septuagint: Diaskorpizo (verb, the word in use) emphasizes the action of scattering, while diaspora (noun) focuses on the condition of a group that has been scattered, often retaining connections to their original culture or homeland (Bible Hub Wikipedia).