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
And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. ​
2
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. ​
3
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. ​

The Command to Seal the Vision

4
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. ​

Dialogue on the End Times

5
Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. ​
6
And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? ​
7
And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. ​
8
And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? ​
9
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. ​
10
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. ​
11
And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. ​
12
Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. ​

Daniel's Final Assurance

13
But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot 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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