From
the time that the continual burnt offering shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred ninety days.
Daniel 12:11
Daniel 12 [5.] Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on the river bank on this side, and the other on the river bank on that side. 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? 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 to heaven, and swore by him who lives forever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have finished breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. I heard, but I didn’t understand: then I said, my lord, what shall be the issue of these things? He said, Go your way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
Daniel 12 [10.] 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 those who are wise shall understand. From the time that the continual burnt offering shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred ninety days. Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred thirty-five days. But go you your way until the end; for you shall rest, and shall stand in your lot, at the end of the days.
Meaning:
These are almost the last words of the book of Daniel. Daniel had overheard one angel ask another, “How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?” and had asked for himself, “my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?” (see the Context). He was told to go his way, because the words were sealed until the time of the end. Yet he was given this measure of time, counted from the setting up of “the abomination that makes desolate”, the event Jesus referred to in his warning on the Mount of Olives (Mark 13:14).
- “From the time that the continual burnt offering shall be taken away”
The continual burnt offering was the daily sacrifice offered morning and evening at the temple. Its removal meant that the regular worship of God in his house had been stopped by force. Daniel had already seen this in the previous chapter, where forces “shall take away the continual burnt offering, and they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate” (Daniel 11:31). It was fulfilled when Antiochus IV Epiphanes banned the sacrifices in 167 BC.
- “And the abomination that makes desolate set up”
The abomination was an idolatrous object placed in the temple, which left it “desolate”, defiled and empty of true worship. Under Antiochus it was an altar to Zeus on God’s altar. Jesus warned that Daniel’s words would apply again in his own generation: “But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not… then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Mark 13:14).
- “There shall be one thousand two hundred ninety days”
This is about three and a half years, the same span described a few verses earlier as “a time, times, and a half” (see the Context). Under Antiochus the temple remained desolate for about three years before it was cleansed. Many readers also see in these numbers a pattern for the final time of trouble before the end.
Whatever the precise reckoning, the main point is clear: the time of desolation is measured. It has a beginning and an end set by God. Jesus taught the same truth when he said that the Lord had “shortened the days” for the sake of his chosen ones (Mark 13:20).
- “Blessed is he who waits”
The next verse adds a blessing for the one who waits and reaches “the one thousand three hundred thirty-five days”, a little longer still. Those who endure beyond the time of trouble will see God’s purpose fulfilled. The book closes with a personal promise to Daniel: “you shall rest, and shall stand in your lot, at the end of the days”, a promise of resurrection (Daniel 12:2-3). James writes, “Behold, we call them blessed who endured” (James 5:11).
The Significance of Daniel 12:11
- Suffering has limits
God measures the days of trouble. No persecution lasts one day longer than he allows.
- Patience is blessed
God promises blessing to those who wait for him. Endurance is not wasted.
- God keeps his promises
The prophecies of Daniel were fulfilled in history, which gives believers confidence that his promise of resurrection will be fulfilled too.
Cross-References:
Daniel 11:31: "they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate." The same event in the previous chapter.
Mark 13:14: "But when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not" Jesus refers to Daniel.
James 5:11: "Behold, we call them blessed who endured." The blessing of endurance.
Hebrews 10:36: "For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise." Waiting for the promise.
Conclusion: Daniel 12:11 measures the time of desolation that begins when the daily sacrifice is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up: one thousand two hundred ninety days. Fulfilled first under Antiochus Epiphanes and taken up by Jesus in his warning about Jerusalem, the verse teaches that the days of trouble are numbered by God. Those who wait patiently are blessed, and like Daniel they will rise to receive their lot at the end of the days.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible