Much can be discussed on this topic but I will attempt to fit some of the pieces in the chronological timetable and the events surrounding that chronology.
1. One of the most revealing things about the time is the poor translations that show prejudice influencing the interpretation of the text. Invariably, many are quick to speak of the “end of time.” The New International Version (NIV) reflects this prejudice, also. For example, Daniel 8:17 explains that when Gabriel came near where Daniel stood, Daniel said, “I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.” This refers to the last days and the end of the Jewish era. It is the time of the end of that age, not the time of the end of time. Verse nineteen reads, “He said, “Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end.
Finally, verse twenty-six reads, “The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now.” The time of the end was so far in the future when Daniel receives his revelation that he is told to seal it up. In Daniel 12:4-12, it reads, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream. And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?” And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished. I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.” Daniel and those living in Daniel’s day were not going to see the fulfillment of this in their day but they will rest and will the end comes, they will stand in their allotted place (another hint of the resurrection). We will pick up the identity of the regular burnt offering and the abomination of desolation, later.
2. Revelation 12 describes a war in heaven between Michael and the dragon. When the battle was ended, the dragon and his angels were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Daniel 12 also has Michael coming at the time of the end to deliver God’s people, everyone whose names are written in the book of life. Beginning in verse ten, the text continues, “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers[b] has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath because he knows that his time is short!” He’s actually had a long time to accuse the brethren but the time of the end marks the end of his access to the throne and his short reign on earth before being bound for a thousand years in the Messianic reign with the saints. The dwellers in heaven can rejoice when Satan was cast down, but the earth dwellers will suffer from the wrath of the Dragon. He’s angry, and like a roaring lion, he sends his angels and all the power at his disposal to thwart the purposes of God. Daniel 12:1 reads, “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.” Matthew 24:21 reads, “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.” The “time of the end” would be so bad that if God had not shortened those days, even the elect would not be saved (Matthew 24:22).
After losing access to heaven, his earthly battle was not successful, either. The household of God has conquered Satan by the blood of the Lamb. Saints were sealed which is more of a seal of identity and security. This does not necessarily mean that the saints will not suffer loss and even death, but their glorious reward is a secured victory. Daniel explains, “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above;[a] and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (Dan. 12:2-3). This time to which we refer is the time of the end and it will bring a resurrection (cf. Rev. 11:18; 20:5-6) and a just recompense of reward for the righteous and unrighteous (Matthew 25:31-46; 16:27).