Daniel12
King James Version · Public Domain
1And 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.
2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3And 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.
4But 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.
5Then 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.
6And 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?
7And 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.
8And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10Many 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.
11And 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.
12Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
13But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Daniel 12.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The conclusion of the vision of the Scriptures of truth. (1-4). The times of the continuance of these events. (5-13).
vv1-4
Michael signifies, "Who is like God," and his name, with the title of "the great Prince," points out the Divine Saviour. Christ stood for the children of our people in their stead as a sacrifice, bore the curse for them, to bear it from them. He stands for them in pleading for them at the throne of grace. And after the destruction of antichrist, the Lord Jesus shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and He shall appear for the complete redemption of all his people. When God works deliverance from persecution for them, it is as life from the dead. When his gospel is preached, many who sleep in the dust, both Jews and Gentiles, shall be awakened by it out of their heathenism of Judaism. And in the end the multitude that sleep in the dust shall awake; many shall arise to life, and many to shame. There is glory reserved for all the saints in the future state, for all that are wise, wise for their souls and eternity. Those who turn many to righteousness, who turn sinners from the errors of their ways, and help to save their souls from death, James 5:20, will share in the glory of those they have helped to heaven, which will add to their own glory.
vv5-13
One of the angels asking how long it should be to the end of these wonders, a solemn reply is made, that it would be for a time, times, and a half, the period mentioned 25, and in the Revelation. It signifies 1260 prophetic days or years, beginning from the time when the power of the holy people should be scattered. The imposture of Mohammed, and the papal usurpation, began about the same time; and these were a twofold attack upon the church of God. But all will end well at last. All opposing rule, principality, and power, shall be put down, and holiness and love will triumph, and be in honour, to eternity. The end, this end, shall come. What an amazing prophecy is this, of so many varied events, and extending through so many successive ages, even to the general resurrection! Daniel must comfort himself with the pleasing prospect of his own happiness in death, in judgment, and to eternity. It is good for us all to think much of going away from this world. That must be our way; but it is our comfort that we shall not go till God calls us to another world, and till he has done with us in this world; till he says, Go thou thy way, thou hast done thy work, therefore now, go thy way, and leave it to others to take thy place. It was a comfort to Daniel, and is a comfort to all the saints, that whatever their lot is in the days of their lives, they shall have a happy lot in the end of the days. And it ought to be the great care and concern of every one of us to secure this. Then we may well be content with our present lot, and welcome the will of God. Believers are happy at all times; they rest in God by faith now, and a rest is reserved for them in heaven at last.
Key Words
עֵת: time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.
עָמַד: to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
מִיכָאֵל: Mikael, the name of an archangel and of nine Israelites
גָּדוֹל: great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
שַׂר: a head person (of any rank or class)
הָיָה: to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
צָרָה: tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); transitively, a female rival:
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
לֹא: not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
Daniel 12Jesus directly echoes Daniel's phrasing concerning a time of tribulation unprecedented in human history.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The angel lifting his hands to heaven and swearing by God mimics this Danielic vision closely.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Establishes the identical prophetic timeframe of 'a time, times, and an half' used of the oppressor.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Jesus explicitly cites Daniel's prophecy regarding the 'abomination of desolation' as a future warning.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the promise of salvation for 'thy people' as the national/elect deliverance of Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jesus teaches the dual resurrection of life and damnation, directly mirroring Daniel 12:2.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Jesus echoes Daniel's promise that the righteous 'shall shine forth as the sun' in the kingdom.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Contrasts the command to Daniel to seal his book with John's command not to seal his.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The earlier mention of the daily sacrifice's removal and the setting up of the desolating abomination.
Supported by JFB
The concept of being delivered by having names registered in God's book of life.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies Michael as the archangel in active spiritual warfare, contrasting with Christological interpretations.
Supported by JFB
Establishes Michael's role as the prince or guardian angel specifically assigned to protect Israel.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Uses identical imagery of sleepers in the dust awaking to describe physical or national resurrection.
Supported by JFB
Links those who are wise ('Maskilim') and instruct many in the face of violent persecution.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Connects the task of turning sinners to righteousness with eternal reward and salvation.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Echoes the divine command to seal up a vision because its fulfillment lies far in the future.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal and thematic parallel of God's remnant being refined, purified, and tested through fire.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the concept of the wise soul-winner who gathers spiritual fruit for eternity.
Supported by JFB
Links to the previous vision of the celestial man clothed in linen standing by the river.
Supported by JFB
The promise of resting from labor and entering a blessed eternal lot in death.
Supported by Matthew Henry