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.

The Great Tribulation and Resurrection

1
"When that time comes, Mikha'el, the great prince who champions your people, will stand up; and there will be a time of distress unparalleled between the time they became a nation and that moment. At that time, your people will be delivered, everyone whose name is found written in the book. ​
2
Many of those sleeping in the dust of the earth will awaken, some to everlasting life and some to everlasting shame and abhorrence. ​
3
But those who can discern will shine like the brightness of heaven's dome, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. ​

The Command to Seal the Vision

4
"But you, Dani'el, keep these words secret, and seal up the book until the time of the end. Many will rush here and there as knowledge increases." ​

Dialogue on the End Times

5
Then I, Dani'el, looked; and I saw in front of me two others, one on this bank of the river and the other on its other bank. ​
6
One of them asked the man dressed in linen who was above the water of the river, "How long will these wonders last?" ​
7
The man dressed in linen who was above the water of the river raised his right and left hands toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times and a half, and that it will be when the the power of the holy people is no longer being shattered that all these things will end. ​
8
I heard this, but I couldn't understand what it meant; so I asked, "Lord, what will be the outcome of all this?" ​
9
But he said, "Go your way, Dani'el; for these words are to remain secret and sealed until the time of the end. ​
10
Many will purify, cleanse and refine themselves; but the wicked will keep on acting wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand. But those with discernment will understand. ​
11
From the time the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. ​
12
How blessed will be anyone who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. ​

Daniel's Final Assurance

13
But you, go your way until the end comes. Then you will rest and rise for your reward, at the end of 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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