Daniel12

Daniel 12 foretells a time of unprecedented tribulation, during which Michael will stand for God's people, leading to their deliverance and a general resurrection to either everlasting life or contempt. Daniel is commanded to seal these prophetic words until the time of the end, when knowledge will increase and the wise will understand. Specific timeframes are revealed concerning the cessation of the daily sacrifice and the abomination of desolation. The chapter concludes with a blessing for those who wait and an assurance for Daniel regarding his future lot.
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The Great Tribulation and Resurrection

1
“At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. ​
2
And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. ​
3
Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. ​

The Command to Seal the Vision

4
But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.” ​

Dialogue on the End Times

5
Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. ​
6
One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the fulfillment of these wonders?” ​
7
And the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, and times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has finally been shattered, all these things will be completed.” ​
8
I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?” ​
9
“Go on your way, Daniel,” he replied, “for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. ​
10
Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand. ​
11
And from the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation set up, there will be 1,290 days. ​
12
Blessed is he who waits and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. ​

Daniel's Final Assurance

13
But as for you, go on your way until the end. You will rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.” ​

Study Notes for Daniel 12

Verse 1

Michael, the archangel, acts as the special protector of Israel (cf. Dan 10:13). The 'time of trouble' refers initially to the intense persecution under Antiochus IV Epiphanes, but also anticipates the ultimate eschatological distress preceding the final deliverance. Deliverance is promised only to those whose names are 'written in the book' of life.

Verse 2

This is one of the clearest Old Testament statements on the bodily resurrection of the dead, emphasizing a dual resurrection leading either to eternal life or to eternal condemnation. This concept is foundational to later Jewish and Christian eschatology concerning final judgment.

Verse 3

The 'wise' are those who understand God’s plan (v. 10) and lead others to righteousness through faithfulness during tribulation. This promise of shining 'as the stars' emphasizes the eternal reward and glory reserved for those who serve God faithfully.

Verse 4

Daniel is commanded to 'shut up' and 'seal' the prophecy, indicating that its full understanding is reserved for the future time of the end. The reference to many running to and fro and increased knowledge suggests a period of intense intellectual activity and inquiry regarding these events before they are fully revealed.

Verse 5

Daniel sees the divine figure (the 'man clothed in linen' from 10:5) standing on the river, flanked by two other angelic figures, setting the scene for the crucial discussion about the duration of the prophecy.

Verse 6

The question focuses the remainder of the chapter on the precise timing and duration of the intense persecution and 'wonders' described in the preceding chapters.

Verse 7

The oath, sworn by the Creator, emphasizes the absolute certainty of the prophecy. 'A time, times, and an half' is a symbolic period of 3.5 years, corresponding to the duration of Antiochus's persecution, a period often used symbolically in apocalyptic literature (cf. Rev 12:14).

Verse 8

Daniel admits his confusion regarding the specific details and outcome of the prophecy, prompting him to ask for further clarification, highlighting the mystery inherent in apocalyptic timing.

Verse 9

The instruction to seal the words is repeated. The full meaning of the prophecy is not intended for Daniel’s contemporary understanding but will be revealed when the events themselves begin to unfold.

Verse 10

This verse emphasizes that understanding prophecy is not purely intellectual, but moral and spiritual. Only those who are purified and faithful ('the wise') will grasp the significance of these events, while the wicked remain spiritually blind and unrepentant.

Verse 11

This verse provides a specific duration of 1,290 days (3.5 years plus 30 days) beginning with the cessation of the Temple sacrifices and the setting up of the 'abomination that makes desolate.' This refers to the desecration by Antiochus IV, but its wording anticipates the ultimate desecration mentioned by Jesus (Matt 24:15).

Verse 12

The 1,335 days is 45 days longer than the previous period. This final duration likely marks the end of the purification process and the beginning of the final blessing or Messianic age, signifying reward for those who endure until the very end.

Verse 13

This provides Daniel's personal conclusion and assurance. He is told to continue his life faithfully until death ('go thy way till the end be') and is promised rest, with the ultimate guarantee that he will receive his allotted inheritance ('stand in thy lot') at the final resurrection.

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