The Book of Daniel in the Bible contains several passages that are commonly interpreted as describing the End of Times, also known as eschatological events. These passages are found primarily in Daniel chapters 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12. Here are some key elements of how the Book of Daniel describes the End of Times:
- Four Beasts and the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7): In Daniel 7, the prophet has a vision of four beasts rising out of the sea, representing four successive kingdoms or empires. The fourth beast is particularly dreadful and is associated with the emergence of a boastful horn. However, the scene shifts to a heavenly court where the “Ancient of Days” (God) sits in judgment. The boastful horn is destroyed, and one like a “Son of Man” is given dominion over all peoples.
- Prophecies of Kings and Conflicts (Daniel 8, 11): Chapters 8 and 11 contain detailed prophecies concerning future kings and conflicts, particularly involving the Seleucid and Ptolemaic kingdoms. These prophecies include references to a powerful king who exalts himself and defies God, leading to a time of great tribulation and suffering for the people of God.
- The Seventy Weeks (Daniel 9): In Daniel 9, the prophet receives a vision concerning the timing of the End of Times. The famous “seventy weeks” prophecy outlines a period of 490 years, divided into segments related to the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the coming of the Messiah. The final week, often interpreted symbolically as a period of tribulation, is associated with the actions of a future ruler who desecrates the temple and brings about devastation.
- The Time of the End (Daniel 12): Chapter 12 of Daniel concludes with a vision of the “time of the end,” a period of unparalleled distress and tribulation. Michael, the archangel, arises to defend the people of God, and there is a resurrection of the dead, some to everlasting life and others to shame and everlasting contempt. The book ends with Daniel being told to go his way, with the words sealed until the time of the end.
Overall, the Book of Daniel presents a complex and symbolic portrayal of the End of Times, incorporating visions of powerful rulers, cosmic battles, and divine intervention. Interpretations of these prophecies vary among religious traditions and scholars, but they generally convey a message of hope and ultimate victory for the faithful amidst the trials and tribulations of the End Times.
5 Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two men on each side of the river.
6 And one them asked the man in linen robes who was standing now above the river, “How long it be until all these terrors end?”
7 He replied, with both hands lifted to heaven, taking oath by him who lives forever and ever, that they will not end until three and a half years after the power of God’s people has been crushed.
8 I heard what he said but I didn’t under stand what he meant, so I said, Sir, how will this all come out.
9 But he said, Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is not to be understood until the time of the end.
These verses from the Book of Daniel depict a scene where Daniel witnesses a conversation between two figures near a river. One of them questions the man clothed in linen robes, presumably an angelic figure, about the duration of the terrors or calamities that are to come. The response given is that these terrors will persist until three and a half years after the power of God’s people has been shattered.
Daniel expresses his confusion about the meaning of this exchange, seeking further clarification. However, he is told that the understanding of these events is not meant for his current time but will be revealed at the appointed time of the end.
Interpreting these verses, we can understand that they speak to the theme of eschatology, the study of end times or the end of the world. The conversation hints at a period of tribulation or suffering that will precede a definitive resolution. The mention of three and a half years may symbolize a specific duration of time, often associated with prophetic timelines in biblical literature.
Overall, these verses convey the idea of a future time of uncertainty and trial, with the promise of eventual clarity and resolution at the appointed time of the end.
[Intro]
[Instrumental]
[Angelic Voices]
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
[Break]
[Verse 1]
By the river’s edge, Daniel stood,
Watching figures in robes of linen hood.
Questions rise in the misty air,
About the terrors that future will bear.
[Chorus]
Oh, the mysteries of The End,
Where time and fate begin to bend.
Three and a half years, a span untold,
Before the truths of prophecy unfold.
[Break]
[Verse 2]
Angelic whispers, secrets shared,
Of trials to come, of souls laid bare.
Daniel seeks understanding clear,
But the answer lies in the future’s frontier.
[Chorus]
Oh, the mysteries of the end,
Where shadows dance and truths suspend.
A period of tribulation’s reign,
Before the dawn breaks, the end to gain.
[Bridge]
In the midst of darkness, hope prevails,
As prophecy unfurls its veiled tales.
Though confusion reigns, and questions fly,
Faith guides us forward, towards the sky.
Hold your head high
Hold your head high
[Break]
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
[Verse 3]
At the appointed time, all will be known,
The seeds of truth will be sown.
Terrors will cease, and clarity rise,
As the end of days unveils its guise.
[Chorus]
Oh, the mysteries of the end,
Where faith and doubt do blend.
But in the end, the truth will mend,
And the journey to eternity ascend.
[Outro]
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
[End]
[Silence]