Daniel 12:1-9

1 At that time Michael^[a] the great prince who stands watch over your people will rise up. There will be a time of distress^[b] such as never has occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape.^[c]

2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to eternal life, and some to shame and eternal contempt.^[d]

3 Those who are wise will shine like the bright expanse [of the heavens],^[e] and those who lead many to righteousness,^[f] like the stars forever and ever.

4 "But you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal the book^[g] until the time of the end. Many will roam about,^[h] and knowledge will increase."^[i]

5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others were standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the other.

6 One said to the man dressed in linen,^[j] who was above the waters of the river,^[k] "How long until the end of these extraordinary things?"

7 Then I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river. He raised both his hands^[l] toward heaven and swore by Him who lives eternally that it would be for a time, times, and half [a time].^[m] When the power of the holy people is shattered, all these things will be completed.

8 I heard but did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?"

9 He said, "Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret and sealed until the time of the end.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Dn 10:13,21; Jd 9; Rv 12:7
• [b]. Mt 24:21; Mk 13:19
• [c]. Php 4:3; Rv 20:12; 21:27
• [d]. Isa 66:24
• [e]. Gn 1:6; Ps 19:1
• [f]. Dn 11:33
• [g]. Jr 32:9-12
• [h]. 2 Ch 16:9; Jr 5:1; Am 8:12
• [i]. LXX reads and the earth will be filled with unrighteousness
• [j]. Dn 10:5; 12:7
• [k]. Dn 8:16
• [l]. Lit raised his right and his left
• [m]. Dn 7:25