What is the context?
Daniel sees two others standing on opposite banks of the river. One asks the linen-clothed man above the waters how long it will be until the wonders are fulfilled.
The man raises both hands toward heaven and swears by the One who lives forever. The answer is a time, times and half a time, ending when the power of the holy people has been shattered.
The oath gives solemn assurance that the terrible events have an appointed limit. The question about how long is answered by appeal to the living God, whose authority outlasts the powers causing the distress.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Wesley understands the period as three and a half years and identifies the man above the river as Christ. Cambridge connects the period with Antiochus’s persecution. Gaebelein places the chapter’s great distress within a future final tribulation.
The readings differ over the setting and speaker’s identity, while treating the oath as confirmation that God has set the limit.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Revelation 10:1–11 takes up the raised hand and oath by the One who lives forever. Its mighty angel announces that the mystery of God proclaimed to the prophets will be fulfilled.
The shared language connects Daniel’s question about the appointed end with Revelation’s announcement that God’s purpose is moving toward completion. John is then commissioned to prophesy concerning peoples, nations, languages and kings. What God made known through His prophets remains part of the larger testimony He brings to fulfillment.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.