Daniel12
New Living Translation
1“At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.
2Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.
3Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.
4But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”
5Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing on opposite banks of the river.
6One of them asked the man dressed in linen, who was now standing above the river, “How long will it be until these shocking events are over?”
7The man dressed in linen, who was standing above the river, raised both his hands toward heaven and took a solemn oath by the One who lives forever, saying, “It will go on for a time, times, and half a time. When the shattering of the holy people has finally come to an end, all these things will have happened.”
8I heard what he said, but I did not understand what he meant. So I asked, “How will all this finally end, my lord?”
9But he said, “Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is kept secret and sealed until the time of the end.
10Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials. But the wicked will continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will know what it means.
11“From the time the daily sacrifice is stopped and the sacrilegious object that causes desecration is set up to be worshiped, there will be 1,290 days.
12And blessed are those who wait and remain until the end of the 1,335 days!
13“As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.”
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