Daniel 12

1 Forsooth in that time Michael, the great prince, shall rise, that standeth for the sons of thy people. And (a) time (of trouble) shall come, what manner time was not, from that time from which folks began to be, till to that time. And in that time thy people shall be saved, each that is found written in the book of life. (Now at that time Michael, the great angel, shall rise, who standeth guard over thy people. And a time of trouble shall come, what manner time was not, from the time in which nations began to be, until that time. And at that time thy people shall be saved, all those whose names be written in The Book of Life.)

2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of (the) earth, shall awake fully, some into everlasting life, and others into shame, that they see ever[more]. (And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth, shall fully awaken, some to everlasting life, and others to shame, that they shall see, or shall experience, forevermore.)

3 Forsooth they that be taught, [or wise,] shall shine as the shining of the firmament, and they that teach many men to rightfulness, shall shine as stars into everlasting everlastingnesses. (And they who be wise, shall shine like the shining of the firmament, and they who turn many to righteousness, shall shine like the stars into everlasting everlastingness.)

4 But thou, Daniel, close the words, and aseal the book, till to the time ordained; full many men shall pass, and knowing shall be manyfold. (But thou, Daniel, close up the words, and seal the book, until the time ordained; yea, a great many shall live and die, and knowledge shall be manifold.)

5 And I, Daniel, saw, and lo! as twain other men stood; one stood on this side, on the brink of the flood, and another on that side, on the tother part of the flood. (And I, Daniel, saw, and lo! two other men stood there; one stood on this side, on the bank of the river, and the other stood on the other side of the river.)

6 And I said to the man that was clothed in linen clothes, that stood on the waters of the flood, How long shall be (until) the end of these marvels? (And I said to the man who was clothed in linen clothes, who stood on the bank of the river, How long shall it be until the end of all these marvels?)

7 And I heard the man, that was clothed in linen clothes, that stood on the waters of the flood, when he had raised his right hand and left hand to heaven, and had sworn by him that liveth without end, (say,) For into a time, and times, and the half of time. And when the scattering of the hand of the holy people is [ful]filled, all these things shall be (ful)filled. (And I heard the man, who was clothed in linen clothes, who stood on the bank of the river, when he had raised up his right hand and his left hand to heaven/unto the heavens, and had sworn by him who liveth forever, say, For unto a time, and times, and the half of time. And when the scattering of the power of the holy people is finished, or shall cease, then all these things shall be come to an end.)

8 And I heard, and understood not (And I heard, but I did not understand); and I said, My lord, what shall be after these things?

9 And he said, Go thou, Daniel, for the words be closed (up) and asealed, till to the time determined.

10 Many men shall be chosen, and shall be made white, and shall be proved, as (by) fire, and wicked men shall do wickedly, neither all wicked men shall understand (but none of the wicked shall understand); certainly taught men shall understand.

11 And from the time when continual sacrifice is taken away, and abomination is set into discomfort, shall be a thousand days two hundred and ninety. (And from the time when the continual, or the daily, sacrifice is stopped, and the abomination that maketh desolation is set up, shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.)

12 He is blessed that abideth, and cometh fully, to a thousand days three hundred and five and thirty. (He shall be happy, who waiteth for it, and who endureth until one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days be finished, or fulfilled.)

13 But go thou, Daniel, to the time determined; and thou shalt rest, and stand in thy part, in the end of days. (But go thou, Daniel, until the time determined; and thou shalt rest, or shalt die, and then thou shalt stand in thy lot, at the end of days/and then thou shalt receive thy reward, at the end of the age.)

Daniel 12 Commentary

Chapter 12

The conclusion of the vision of the Scriptures of truth. (1-4) The times of the continuance of these events. (5-13)

1-4. Michael signifies, "Who is like God," and his name, with the title of "the great Prince," points out the Divine Saviour. Christ stood for the children of our people in their stead as a sacrifice, bore the curse for them, to bear it from them. He stands for them in pleading for them at the throne of grace. And after the destruction of antichrist, the Lord Jesus shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and He shall appear for the complete redemption of all his people. When God works deliverance from persecution for them, it is as life from the dead. When his gospel is preached, many who sleep in the dust, both Jews and Gentiles, shall be awakened by it out of their heathenism of Judaism. And in the end the multitude that sleep in the dust shall awake; many shall arise to life, and many to shame. There is glory reserved for all the saints in the future state, for all that are wise, wise for their souls and eternity. Those who turn many to righteousness, who turn sinners from the errors of their ways, and help to save their souls from death, ( James 5:20 ) , will share in the glory of those they have helped to heaven, which will add to their own glory.

Verses 5-13 One of the angels asking how long it should be to the end of these wonders, a solemn reply is made, that it would be for a time, times, and a half, the period mentioned ch. 7:25 , and in the Revelation. It signifies 1260 prophetic days or years, beginning from the time when the power of the holy people should be scattered. The imposture of Mohammed, and the papal usurpation, began about the same time; and these were a twofold attack upon the church of God. But all will end well at last. All opposing rule, principality, and power, shall be put down, and holiness and love will triumph, and be in honour, to eternity. The end, this end, shall come. What an amazing prophecy is this, of so many varied events, and extending through so many successive ages, even to the general resurrection! Daniel must comfort himself with the pleasing prospect of his own happiness in death, in judgment, and to eternity. It is good for us all to think much of going away from this world. That must be our way; but it is our comfort that we shall not go till God calls us to another world, and till he has done with us in this world; till he says, Go thou thy way, thou hast done thy work, therefore now, go thy way, and leave it to others to take thy place. It was a comfort to Daniel, and is a comfort to all the saints, that whatever their lot is in the days of their lives, they shall have a happy lot in the end of the days. And it ought to be the great care and concern of every one of us to secure this. Then we may well be content with our present lot, and welcome the will of God. Believers are happy at all times; they rest in God by faith now, and a rest is reserved for them in heaven at last.

Chapter Summary

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.