Daniel 12:7

And the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, and times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has finally been shattered, all these things will be completed."

Study Bible

And the man clothed in linen
This phrase refers to a heavenly being, often interpreted as an angel or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. Linen garments in biblical times were associated with purity and priestly service, as seen in the attire of the Levitical priests (Exodus 28:42). The linen clothing signifies holiness and divine authority, setting the stage for the solemnity of the message being delivered.

who was above the waters of the river
The positioning of the man above the waters suggests a place of authority and control over chaos, as water often symbolizes in biblical literature. This imagery echoes Genesis 1:2, where the Spirit of God hovers over the waters, indicating divine sovereignty and the power to bring order from disorder.

raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven
Raising both hands is a gesture of solemn oath-taking, emphasizing the seriousness and truthfulness of the declaration. In ancient Near Eastern culture, raising the right hand was a common practice in making oaths, but the raising of both hands underscores the gravity and certainty of the message. This act signifies an appeal to divine authority and truth.

And I heard him swear by Him who lives forever
Swearing by "Him who lives forever" invokes the eternal nature of God, the Alpha and Omega, who transcends time and is the ultimate authority over history. This phrase assures the reader of the reliability and unchanging nature of God's promises, as seen throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 32:40, Revelation 10:6).

saying, 'It will be for a time, times, and half a time.'
This cryptic phrase is often interpreted as a prophetic period, commonly understood as three and a half years. It appears in apocalyptic literature to denote a period of trial and tribulation, as seen in Revelation 12:14. The division of time into "a time, times, and half a time" suggests a divinely appointed period that is limited and under God's control.

When the power of the holy people has been shattered
This phrase indicates a time of severe persecution and suffering for God's people, reminiscent of the trials faced by Israel throughout history. The shattering of their power suggests a breaking point, a moment of apparent defeat that precedes divine intervention and deliverance, as seen in the Exodus narrative and the Babylonian exile.

all these things will be completed
The completion of "all these things" points to the fulfillment of God's prophetic plan. It reassures believers that despite the trials and tribulations, God's purposes will ultimately prevail. This echoes the biblical theme of hope and restoration, as God brings His redemptive work to completion in His perfect timing (Philippians 1:6, Revelation 21:6).

Persons / Places / Events

1. The Man Clothed in Linen
This figure is often interpreted as an angelic being or a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. He is described as being above the waters, symbolizing authority and purity.

2. The Waters of the River
The river is often seen as a symbol of chaos or the nations. The man standing above it signifies dominion over these elements.

3. Raising Hands Toward Heaven
This gesture is a solemn oath, indicating the seriousness and certainty of the message being delivered.

4. Him Who Lives Forever
This refers to God, emphasizing His eternal nature and sovereignty over time and events.

5. Time, Times, and Half a Time
This phrase is a prophetic period often interpreted as three and a half years, symbolizing a period of trial or tribulation.

Teaching Points

Certainty of God's Plan
The raising of hands and the oath signify the absolute certainty of God's prophetic timeline. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty and timing.

Endurance Through Tribulation
The period of "time, times, and half a time" suggests a finite period of suffering. Christians are encouraged to endure, knowing that trials have an end.

God's Sovereignty Over Nations
The man above the waters symbolizes God's control over the chaos of nations. Believers can find peace in God's ultimate authority.

The Shattering of Power
The shattering of the holy people's power indicates that human strength is insufficient. Dependence on God is essential for spiritual victory.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the image of the man clothed in linen above the waters influence your understanding of God's authority over chaos in your life?

2. In what ways can the concept of "time, times, and half a time" encourage you during personal trials or global events?

3. How does the act of raising hands toward heaven as an oath impact your view of the promises found in Scripture?

4. What parallels can you draw between the shattering of the holy people's power and moments in your life where you felt powerless?

5. How can the connections between Daniel 12:7 and other scriptures like Revelation 10:5-7 and Matthew 24:21-22 deepen your understanding of God's prophetic timeline?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Revelation 10:5-7
This passage also describes an angel raising his hand to heaven and swearing by God, indicating the fulfillment of God's mystery.

Daniel 7:25
The phrase "time, times, and half a time" is used here as well, referring to a period of persecution for the saints.

Matthew 24:21-22
Jesus speaks of a time of great tribulation, which can be connected to the period described in Daniel.