What does Daniel 12:11 mean?

Scripture offers almost no clear, recurring details about the end times. One of the few is the mention of a seven-year period, divided into two parts of three-and-one-half-years each (Daniel 7:25; Revelation 11:2; 12:14; 13:5). In this verse, the celestial being speaking to Daniel (Daniel 10:18–21) gives timelines like those previously mentioned (Daniel 9:24–27). Earlier verses also alluded to an "abomination" and the stoppage of sacrifices in the temple (Daniel 8:13; 11:31). This is typically associated with the midpoint of the seven-year tribulation, beginning the three-and-one-half-year "great tribulation."

Many interpreters believe a powerful leader in the end times will make a treaty with Israel (Daniel 9:27), leading to peace. Halfway through the seven-year agreement, however, that leader will defile the temple and turn on the Jewish people. History showed the infamous Antiochus IV Epiphanes desecrating the altar in Jerusalem, and Jesus indicates this as foreshadowing what will occur in the last days (Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13:14).

The exact meaning of the days given here is not clear. Using the 360-day "prophetic" year, three-and-one-half years is 1,260 days. This verse indicates thirty days more: a "standard" month in the Hebrew calendar. The following verse, as well, offers a different number (Daniel 12:12). It's possible there may be a pause between the two halves of the tribulation as the world transitions from false peace into open tyranny. Another possibility is that the two longer times include periods after the end of the tribulation, during which a returned Jesus Christ will gather and judge all the nations of the world (Ezekiel 20:34–38; Matthew 25:31–46).