Daniel 12:6
And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The question reflects ancient Israel's exile experience and longing for deliverance. Daniel lived through Babylonian captivity and witnessed partial return under Cyrus, yet fuller restoration remained future. The question "How long?" captures exile's pain and hope—suffering people crying out for deliverance while trusting divine timing.
This angelic question parallels other biblical instances where heavenly beings inquire about human redemption's timing and nature. Angels don't possess exhaustive knowledge of divine purposes but learn alongside humans as redemptive history unfolds. Their curiosity demonstrates that salvation's mysteries transcend created intelligence, revealing God's wisdom to all creation through Christ's work (Ephesians 3:10).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the angelic question "How long?" validate believers' own cries for deliverance during suffering and persecution?
- What comfort comes from knowing that trials have divinely appointed durations and definite ends, not endless meaningless suffering?
- How does Christ's unique authority to reveal prophetic timing demonstrate His mediatorial role as the key to understanding God's purposes?
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Analysis & Commentary
One angel's question to "the man clothed in linen"—"How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?"—expresses both angelic curiosity and human longing. The phrase "these wonders" refers to the prophetic events described in chapters 10-12, particularly the persecution of God's people and the eventual triumph described in verses 1-4. Even angels desire to understand redemptive history's timeline (1 Peter 1:12), demonstrating that prophetic revelation transcends human interest.
The question "How long?" echoes throughout Scripture as the cry of suffering saints: martyrs under the altar (Revelation 6:10), the psalmist in distress (Psalm 13:1-2), and persecuted believers throughout history. This question expresses faith that trials have a divinely appointed end, not endless meaningless suffering. The angel's inquiry on behalf of suffering humanity demonstrates heaven's concern for persecuted saints and assurance that God has determined exact timeframes for tribulation's duration.
Addressing the question to "the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters" emphasizes Christ's unique authority to reveal divine timing. Neither Daniel nor angels know the appointed times—only the Father and the Son possess this knowledge (Matthew 24:36, Acts 1:7). This scene prefigures Christ's revelation of end-times events to John (Revelation 1:1), demonstrating that Jesus alone holds the keys to prophetic understanding and historical timing.