Deeper Reflection
Atwofold answer is given to the climactic question, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” (v.6). First, “these wonders” (Dan 11:29-12:3) will be “for a time, times, and half a time” (v.7) – half of seven times. In Daniel, seven times refer to “a complete period of judgment”, as seen in the “seven periods of time” of God’s judgment on Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 4:25).²³ So, in contrast to the complete period of judgment, the period of God’s people suffering in the unprecedented “time of distress” (Dan 12:1) is “limited, cut short in its length”²⁴ . Behind this half of seven times is God in total sovereign control, who as “a cross-centred God”²⁵ knows and understands the pains and endurance limits of His suffering people.Second, it will be “as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people” (v.7). It is either a “shattering” of the faith of God’s people or their existence by slaughtering them (Dan 11:32-34). Bible scholar, Dale Ralph Davis, makes this sobering note: “This is the hardest misery. This is, eventually, the future of the church.”²⁶ “We will come to the point in history where it appears that darkness has already won the day. It will seem as if the Antichrist is going to continue for ever. It will seem as if the church has been entirely obliterated. For there will no longer be any sign of it.”²⁷ But what is invisible in such times must be most visible in our faith: God’s sovereignty and purpose are behind this – “seeing Him who is unseen” (Heb 11:27).

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²³ Iain M. Duguid, 215 ²⁴ Iain M. Duguid, 215 ²⁵ Dale Ralph Davis, 165 ²⁶ Dale Ralph Davis, 165 ²⁷ Dale Ralph Davis, 165 – citing Stuart Olyott