Daniel 12:6-13

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?"
7 The angel raised both hands toward the sky and made a solemn promise in the name of the Eternal God. I heard him say, "It will be three and a half years. When the persecution of God's people ends, all these things will have happened." 1
8 I heard what he said, but I did not understand it. So I asked, "But, sir, how will it all end?"
9 He answered, "You must go now, Daniel, because these words are to be kept secret and hidden until the end comes.
10 Many people will be purified. Those who are wicked will not understand but will go on being wicked; only those who are wise will understand. 2
11 "From the time the daily sacrifices are stopped, that is, from the time of The Awful Horror, 1,290 days will pass. 3
12 Happy are those who remain faithful until 1,335 days are over!
13 "And you, Daniel, be faithful to the end. Then you will die, but you will rise to receive your reward at the end of time."

Daniel 12:6-13 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.

Cross References 3

  • 1. 12.7 aRevelation 10.5; bRevelation 12.14.
  • 2. 12.10Revelation 22.11.
  • 3. 12.11Daniel 9.27; 11.31;Matthew 24.15;Mark 13.14.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. the awful horror: [See 9.27.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.