Daniel 12:1-6

1 The angel wearing linen clothes said, "At that time the great angel Michael, who guards your people, will appear. Then there will be a time of troubles, the worst since nations first came into existence. When that time comes, all the people of your nation whose names are written in God's book will be saved. ¹

2 Many of those who have already died will live again: some will enjoy eternal life, and some will suffer eternal disgrace. ²

3 The wise leaders will shine with all the brightness of the sky. And those who have taught many people to do what is right will shine like the stars forever." ³

4 He said to me, "And now, Daniel, close the book and put a seal on it until the end of the world. Meanwhile, many people will waste their efforts trying to understand what is happening." ⁴

5 Then I saw two men standing by a river, one on each bank.

6 One of them asked the angel who was standing further upstream, "How long will it be until these amazing events come to an end?"

Daniel 12:1-6 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.

Cross References

• 1. 12.1 aRevelation 12.7; bMatthew 24.21;Mark 13.19;Revelation 7.14; 12.7.
• 2. 12.2Isaiah 26.19; +22Macc 7.9-11, 14; +1Mt 25.46;John 5.29.
• 3. +212.32 Esdras 7.97.
• 4. 12.4Revelation 22.10.