Daniel Chapter 12
1 "At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. At that time your people will be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book.
2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 Those who are wise will shine as the brightness of the expanse. Those who turn many to righteousness will shine as the stars forever and ever.
4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many will run back and forth, and knowledge will be increased."
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on the river bank on this side, and the other on the river bank on that side.
6 One said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be to the end of these wonders?"
7 I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by him who lives forever that it will be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have finished breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things will be finished.
8 I heard, but I didn't understand. Then I said, "My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?"
9 He said, "Go your way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
10 Many will purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked will do wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand; but those who are wise will understand.
11 "From the time that the continual burnt offering is taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there will be one thousand and two hundred and ninety days.
12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand and three hundred and thirty-five days.
13 "But go your way until the end; for you will rest, and will stand in your inheritance at the end of the days."
Footnotes
Version: World English Bible
- About World English Bible (WEB)
- WEB Glossary
- WEB Web Site (source documents)
- Bible on one web page
- Download WEB (for MS Word)
Audio
To Listen to this Chapter
The mp3 Audio File should start to play in a new Tab. Then return to this Tab to follow the text whilst listening.
Daniel Chapter 12 Guide
The last things are then foretold. Michael, the great prince, would stand up for the children of God's people, and there would ensue a time of trouble such as never had been. Beyond that there would be a resurrection, and the dawning of a new age.
Daniel was charged to shut the book and seal it to the time of the end. He heard the man clothed in linen swear in mystic language by Him that liveth that these things would be for "a time, times, and a half," that the things finally foretold would be fulfilled only when the end of the breaking of the power of the holy people had come.
Filled with a sense of the mystery of the things he had seen and heard, the prophet inquired, "O, my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?" The answer was that the words were shut up and sealed to the time of the end, and he was urged to go his way, that is, to attend to his own duty, and fulfil his own responsibility. Moreover, he was assured that blessing would be granted to those who waited, that he himself would rest, and yet stand in his lot at the end of the days.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Daniel Chapter 12 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The conclusion of the vision of the Scriptures of truth. -- (1-4)
- The times of the continuance of these events. -- (5-13)
Verses 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 Dan. 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.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.