It comes as a surprise to many believers that the scripture never speaks about the end of time. You may be choking back a chuckle at that very suggestion, but I challenge you to find a scripture which supports it. If you read from the New American Standard Bible you will find one verse that seems to say that:

"But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase." (Daniel 12:4)

That got my attention because my ongoing study suggests that scripture does not speak of "the end of time." My Bible gave a reference to Daniel 8:17 where exactly the same Hebrew phrase is used:

"So he came near to where I was standing, and when he came I was frightened and fell on my face; but he said to me, ‘Son of man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end.’" 

The NASB is my favorite study Bible but it really appears to miss the boat in Daniel 12:4. Inquiring minds want to know why translators use the same phrase by the same author in the same context to mean two different things! Every other translation I own has "time of the end" in both places. One has to wonder what motivates translators to engage in such verbal gymnastics.

I can only surmise in this instance the translators have become commentators. They know that Daniel 12 has to do with the consummation of the age and wish to make a distinction between the end of the Jewish age and what most folks call the end of time.

In fact, Daniel makes no such distinction. He is well aware that the age (aeon) in which he lives will end with the coming of Messiah (Dan. 9:25). That coming was a much anticipated event. Nevertheless, Daniel is told to seal up the book of his vision until the time of the end. It is this same vision John sees in Revelation but he is told not to seal his book because "the time is at hand" (Rev. 22:10).

Was it? Is Revelation wrong? How do we know? One way is to go back to Daniel 12 where we are told when these things will be fulfilled:

"And I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed." (vs. 7 - emphasis mine)

Who were the "holy people" (i.e. the consecrated nation)? Is it possible to understand this as any group but old covenant Israel? When was their power shattered? History (secular, rabbinical, and Christian) tells us that happened in AD 70.

So, when were the events seen by Daniel and revealed by John to take place? "As soon as" Israel fell!

What Daniel saw and did not understand, John sees, understands and records in terms so imminent that to ignore them is to do an injustice to the message he brings.

Perhaps you’ve never read Revelation from that perspective. With that in mind what follows is several of those statements which should get our attention.  I've used italics to emphasize the imminency of these passages. 

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must shortly take place...." (Rev. 1:1)

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near." (Rev. 1:3)

"‘Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth.’" (Rev. 2:16)

"‘Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth. I am coming quickly....’" (Rev. 3:10-11)

"And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, WHO CREATED HEAVEN AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE EARTH AND THE THINGS IN IT, AND THE SEA AND THE THINGS IN IT, that there shall be delay no longer...." (Rev. 9:5-6)

"‘These words are faithful and true’; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must shortly take place. ‘And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.’" (Rev. 22:6-7)

"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done." (Rev. 22:12)

"He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming quickly.'" (Rev. 22:20)

How can we ignore these and numerous other passages in scripture which insist upon fulfillment in that generation? Christ in Revelation 22 says three times in thirteen verses, "I am coming quickly." Did He?

Our answer to this question has serious implications for our theology and our life. It is time for us to read the scripture for ourselves and let it correct us where tradition fails.

"...let God be found true, though every man be found a liar...." (Romans 3:4)

© Copyright 2003 - Jim Wade

Updated 12/08/03