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Daniel 12:6 meaning

God sets and knows the times of every end.

“And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, ‘How long will it be until the end of these wonders?’” (v.6). This question occurs in a prophetic vision near the end of the book of Daniel, which was written by Daniel, a Jewish exile who lived during the sixth century BC. Daniel served under several kings, including Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon (reigned 605-562 BC), and later under Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian. Here, the vision takes place near a river, identified earlier in the book as the Tigris (in modern-day Iraq), a significant geographical landmark that marked part of the region under the influence of the Babylonian and Persian empires. The “man dressed in linen” refers to a heavenly being, often understood as an angelic messenger, stationed “above the waters of the river.” This position conveys authority and mystery, highlighting that the answer to the question about the end of these wonders is beyond human knowledge.

“How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” (v.6). In this context, “these wonders” implies the culminating events of God’s plan revealed to Daniel throughout his book. Daniel 12 focuses on end-time prophecies such as the resurrection and the final judgment. This inquiry taps into the deep human desire to know when God’s ultimate redemption and justice will arrive. Elsewhere, Scripture emphasizes that only God knows the precise timing of final events (Matthew 24:36). The angelic figure here, robed in linen, is consistent with other biblical passages depicting heavenly messengers (Ezekiel 9:2), providing assurance that the message originates in the heavenly realm and is trustworthy.

The question reflects Daniel’s ongoing quest for insight on the restoration of God’s people and the conclusion of earthly tribulation. It also points forward to the New Testament revelation of a final victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Despite the longing for a clear timeline, the passage underscores that believers are to live with faith and perseverance, trusting God’s perfect schedule for revealing His plans. The repeated biblical call is to remain faithful until that appointed time of fulfillment.

Daniel 12:6