It is important to understand the structure of the entire book of Daniel, and necessary to perceive the nature and purpose of the whole book of Daniel, to know what to do with its last chapter. The book of Daniel is the story of the rise and fall of seven empires. The first four empires are described in chapter 2, the fifth in chapter 7, and the last two in chapter 11. Daniel 12, the last chapter, presents the rise and fall of the seventh empire, which occurs in the final actions of earth’s history.

The book of Daniel describes four visions or outlines of the history of this world from Daniel’s day (600 B.C.) to the end of the world. The first vision-outline is found in Daniel, chapter 2. The second vision-outline is in chapter 7. The third vision-outline is in chapter 8 and explained in chapter 9. The fourth vision-outline is in chapter 11, and includes the first four verses of chapter 12. At that point, the book was sealed up.

"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end…" Dan. 12:4.

The last verses of Dan. 12, (5-13) are an "Epilogue," which, according to Webster’s Dictionary, explains "how the work is finished," and presents the rise and fall of the last of the seven empires.

Chapter 12 gives numerical data, in the three timelines, regarding the final events which conclude the great controversy between Christ and Satan in the final crisis.