Daniel 12:11 - “From the time that the continual burnt offering is taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there will be one thousand two hundred ninety days.

Generated Verse: Daniel 12:11

What does "Daniel 12:11" mean?


Daniel 12:11 is a notoriously difficult verse to interpret, and there's no single, universally accepted explanation. Here's a breakdown of the key phrases and common interpretations:

Key Phrases and Their Meanings (Various Interpretations):

"From the time that the continual burnt offering is taken away..." This refers to the cessation of the regular daily sacrifices in the Jewish Temple.
Historical Perspective (Antiochus Epiphanes): This is often linked to the desecration of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Seleucid Greek ruler, around 167 BCE. Antiochus stopped the daily sacrifices as part of his attempt to Hellenize the Jews.
Future Perspective (End Times): Some interpretations see this as a future event, potentially related to a rebuilt Temple and a future "Antichrist" figure who will stop the sacrifices during the end times.

"...and the abomination that makes desolate set up..." This refers to a sacrilegious act that desecrates the Temple and causes it to be desolate, rendering it unusable for its intended purpose.
Historical Perspective (Antiochus Epiphanes): In the Antiochus scenario, this is often identified as setting up an altar to Zeus in the Temple and/or sacrificing pigs on the altar – acts deeply offensive to Jewish religious law.
Future Perspective (End Times): In the end-times scenario, this could refer to a future Antichrist setting up an idol of himself or committing another sacrilegious act within the Temple, signifying his claim to be God. Matthew 24:15 (Jesus quoting Daniel) links this "abomination of desolation" to a future event.

"...there will be one thousand two hundred ninety days." This is the timeframe that elapses between the taking away of the continual burnt offering and the setting up of the abomination of desolation and the eventual resolution of the situation. It is slightly longer than the 1260 days mentioned in Daniel 7:25 and Revelation 11:3, 12:6, 13:5, which adds to the interpretative difficulties.

Common Interpretations:

1. Historical Fulfillment (Antiochus Epiphanes): This view sees the prophecy as primarily fulfilled in the events surrounding Antiochus IV Epiphanes' persecution of the Jews. The 1290 days are interpreted as the approximate time between the desecration of the Temple and its eventual rededication by the Maccabees. However, the precise timing doesn't align perfectly, leading to various adjustments and debates about the starting and ending points. This view often considers the prophetic nature as "near-term".

2. Future Fulfillment (End Times): This view sees the prophecy as primarily related to events in the end times, specifically the actions of a future Antichrist and the Great Tribulation. The 1290 days are interpreted as a specific period within the Tribulation, perhaps the length of time the Antichrist will control the world and persecute believers. Again, the specific events and timing remain subject to interpretation and are often correlated with other prophecies in Daniel and Revelation. This view often considers the prophetic nature as "far-term."

3. Dual Fulfillment (Both Historical and Future): This view suggests that the prophecy has a partial fulfillment in the events of the Maccabean period but also points towards a more complete fulfillment in the end times. The historical events serve as a type or foreshadowing of the future events.

Challenges in Interpretation:

Symbolic Language: The book of Daniel is highly symbolic, making literal interpretations difficult.
Different Time Periods: There are varying viewpoints on whether the time periods mentioned in Daniel are literal, symbolic, or represent approximate time spans.
Ambiguity of Events: The precise nature of the "abomination that makes desolate" and the events surrounding it are open to interpretation.
Varying Theological Perspectives: Different eschatological views (premillennial, amillennial, postmillennial) influence how people interpret these verses.

In summary, Daniel 12:11 is a complex verse with multiple possible interpretations. Understanding the historical context of the book of Daniel, different eschatological perspectives, and the symbolic nature of the language are crucial for engaging with its meaning. Many commentaries and theological resources delve deeper into this verse and its implications. It's recommended to consult several sources from different viewpoints to form your own informed opinion.

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