Daniel 12

Daniel 12:1-13 . CONCLUSION OF THE VISION (TENTH THROUGH TWELFTH CHAPTERS) AND EPILOGUE TO THE BOOK.

Compare Daniel 12:4 Daniel 12:13 ; as Daniel 12:6 Daniel 12:7 refer to Daniel 7:25 , that is, to the time of Antichrist, so the subsequent Daniel 12:8-12 treat of the time of Antiochus (compare Daniel 12:11 with Daniel 11:31 ), thus putting together in one summary view the two great periods of distress. The political resurrection of the Jews under the Maccabees is the starting-point of transition to the literal resurrection about to follow the destruction of Antichrist by Christ's coming in glory. The language passes here from the nearer to the more remote event, to which alone it is fully applicable.

1. at that time--typically, towards the close of Antiochus' reign; antitypically, the time when Antichrist is to be destroyed at Christ's coming.
Michael--the guardian angel of Israel ("thy people"), ( Daniel 10:13 ). The transactions on earth affecting God's people have their correspondences in heaven, in the conflict between good and bad angels; so at the last great contest on earth which shall decide the ascendency of Christianity ( Revelation 12:7-10 ). An archangel, not the Lord Jesus; for he is distinguished from "the Lord" in Jude 1:9 .
there shall be--rather, "it shall be."
time of trouble, such as never was--partially applicable to the time of Antiochus, who was the first subverter of the Jews' religion, and persecutor of its professors, which no other world power had done. Fully applicable to the last times of Antichrist, and his persecutions of Israel restored to Palestine. Satan will be allowed to exercise an unhindered, unparalleled energy ( Isaiah 26:20 Isaiah 26:21 , Jeremiah 30:7 , Matthew 24:21 ; compare Daniel 8:24 Daniel 8:25 , 11:36 ).
thy people shall be delivered--( Romans 11:26 ). The same deliverance of Israel as in Zechariah 13:8 Zechariah 13:9 , "the third part . . . brought through the fire . . . refined as silver." The remnant in Israel spared, as not having joined in the Antichristian blasphemy ( Revelation 14:9 Revelation 14:10 ); not to be confounded with those who have confessed Christ before His coming, "the remnant according to the election of grace" ( Romans 11:5 ), part of the Church of the first-born who will share His millennial reign in glorified bodies; the spared remnant ( Isaiah 10:21 ) will only know the Lord Jesus when they see Him, and when the spirit of grace and supplication is poured out on them [TREGELLES].
written in the book--namely, of God's secret purpose, as destined for deliverance ( Psalms 56:8 , 69:28 , Luke 10:20 , Revelation 20:15 , 21:27 ). Metaphor from a muster-roll of citizens ( Nehemiah 7:5 ).