Daniel 12:1-9

Eternal life or eternal disgrace

1 "At that time, Michael the great leader who guards your people will take his stand. It will be a difficult time—nothing like it has ever happened since nations first appeared. But at that time every one of your people who is found written in the scroll will be rescued.

2 Many of those who sleep in the dusty land will wake up—some to eternal life, others to shame and eternal disgrace.

3 Those skilled in wisdom will shine like the sky. Those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and always.

4 But you, Daniel, must keep these words secret! Seal the scroll until the end time! Many will stray far, but knowledge will increase."

Waiting for the end time

5 I, Daniel, looked and suddenly saw two other figures—one standing on each side of the stream.

6 One said to the man clothed in white linen, who was farther upstream: "When will these astonishing things be over?"

7 I heard the man clothed in white linen, who was farther upstream, swear by the one who lives forever as he raised both hands to heaven: "For one set time, two set times, and half a set time. When the breaking of the holy people's power is over, all these things will be over."

8 I heard it, but I didn't understand it. "My lord," I said, "what will happen after all this?"

9 He said, "Get going now, Daniel, because these words must remain secret and sealed up until the end time.

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Daniel 12:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL 12

This chapter begins with an account of a time of exceeding great trouble to the people of God, who are comforted with the consideration of Michael the great Prince being on their side, and with a promise of deliverance, with the resurrection of the dead, and the glorious state of wise and good men upon that, Da 12:1-3, and Daniel is ordered to shut up and seal the book of the prophecy, until a time when it should be better understood, Da 12:4, next follows a question put by an angel to Christ, and his answer to it, with respect to the time of the fulfilment of those wonderful events, Da 12:5-7. Daniel, not understanding what he heard, asks what would be the end of those things, Da 12:8 in answer to which he is bid to be content with what he knew; no alteration would be among men; things would be neither better nor worse with them, Da 12:9,10, a time is fixed for the accomplishment of all, Da 12:11,12, and it is promised him that he should have rest after death, and rise again, and have his lot and share with the blessed, Da 12:13.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Footnotes 2

[a]. Or earthy soil or dust of the earth
[b]. See 1:4; or The teachers; see 11:33, 35; also in 12:10.