Daniel 12:5-13

5 Then I looked up and saw two other angels. One was on this side of the Tigris River. And one was on the other side.

6 The man who was dressed in linen was above the waters of the river. One of the angels said to him, "How long will it be before these amazing things come true?"

7 The man raised both hands toward heaven. I heard him take an oath in the name of the One who lives forever. He answered me, "Three and a half years. Then the power of the holy people will be broken at last. And all of those things will come true."

8 I heard what he said. But I didn't understand it. So I asked, "My master, what will come of all of this?"

9 He answered, "Go on your way, Daniel. The scroll is rolled up. It is sealed until the time of the end.

10 Many people will be made pure in the fire. They will be made spotless. But sinful people will continue to be evil. Not one sinful person will understand. But those who are wise will.

11 "The daily sacrifices will be stopped. And the hated thing that destroys will be set up. After that, there will be 1,290 days.

12 Blessed are those who wait for the 1,335 days and reach the end of them.

13 "Daniel, go on your way until the end. Your body will rest in the grave. Then at the end of the days you will rise from the dead. And you will receive what God has appointed for you."

Daniel 12:5-13 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.