The angel explains the vision's purpose: 'Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.' The message concerns Israel's future ('thy people') in 'latter days' (אַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים/acharit hayamim)—a prophetic term indicating end times or distant future. The phrase 'for yet the vision is for many days' emphasizes the prophecy's long-range scope—not immediate events but extending far into the future, ultimately to Messiah's time and beyond. This establishes chapter 11's detailed prophecy: it will trace Near Eastern geopolitics from Persian through Hellenistic periods, climaxing in Antiochus Epiphanes (who typifies Antichrist) and ultimately pointing to end-times fulfillment. Reformed eschatology sees Daniel's prophecies having both near and far fulfillment—immediate historical events typologically prefiguring ultimate eschatological realities.
Historical Context
The vision was given c. 536 BC, third year of Cyrus. The 'latter days' prophecy would unfold across centuries: Persian period (c. 536-332 BC), Alexander's conquest (332), Hellenistic division (323), Ptolemaic-Seleucid conflicts (323-64), Antiochus Epiphanes's persecution (167-164), Roman period, and ultimate eschatological fulfillment. The phrase 'for many days' accurately describes this extended timeline. Ancient prophecy often worked typologically: near events (like Antiochus's persecution) typified far events (like Antichrist's persecution). This dual fulfillment pattern appears throughout prophecy (Isaiah's Immanuel sign, Joel's Spirit-pouring, etc.). For exiles returning to Judea, this prophecy provided roadmap for coming centuries while pointing ultimately to Messianic hope.
Questions for Reflection
What does prophecy's 'latter days' focus teach about God's control of history extending to distant future?
How do near historical fulfillments (Antiochus) typologically prefigure far eschatological events (Antichrist)?
Why does God reveal extended future history to His people, and how should this affect our perspective?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The angel explains the vision's purpose: 'Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.' The message concerns Israel's future ('thy people') in 'latter days' (אַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים/acharit hayamim)—a prophetic term indicating end times or distant future. The phrase 'for yet the vision is for many days' emphasizes the prophecy's long-range scope—not immediate events but extending far into the future, ultimately to Messiah's time and beyond. This establishes chapter 11's detailed prophecy: it will trace Near Eastern geopolitics from Persian through Hellenistic periods, climaxing in Antiochus Epiphanes (who typifies Antichrist) and ultimately pointing to end-times fulfillment. Reformed eschatology sees Daniel's prophecies having both near and far fulfillment—immediate historical events typologically prefiguring ultimate eschatological realities.