Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Daniel 12
Daniel 12:1"At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book."
This verse introduces Michael as a powerful protector and promises that everyone whose name is found in God's book will be rescued from the coming trouble.Daniel 12:2And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
This is one of the clearest promises of resurrection in the Old Testament, showing that death is not the end but a transition to an eternal state.Daniel 12:3And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
This verse highlights the eternal value of wisdom and the lasting impact of those who help others find the right path in life.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Great Prince and the Time of Trouble
Following the detailed prophecies of earthly kings and wars in chapter 11, the focus shifts to a cosmic scale. Michael, the great prince who protects God's people, stands up to intervene during a time of trouble unlike any other in history. This scene establishes that while earthly powers may rage, there is a heavenly defense prepared for those who belong to God.
The Vision by the River and the Sealed Book
Daniel finds himself by the banks of a river where he sees a man clothed in linen standing above the waters. This figure provides a solemn oath regarding the duration of the final trials, using symbolic timeframes to show that the suffering has a fixed end. Daniel is left with many questions, but he is ultimately told to trust the process and wait for his own future inheritance.
The Final Revelation to Daniel
In Daniel 12:1-13, the prophet receives the final words of his long series of visions while standing by the Tigris River. The scene moves from a promise of future resurrection to a mysterious conversation about the timing of the end, emphasizing that some things are meant to remain hidden until the right moment.
Resurrection and Eternal Reward (Daniel 12:1-3)
1 "At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book."
2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Commentary:
God promises to rescue His people and raise the dead to their final, eternal rewards.
The Sealed Book and the Appointed Time (Daniel 12:4-7)
4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on this bank of the stream and one on that bank of the stream.
6 And someone said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream, "How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?"
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the stream; he raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished.
Commentary:
The vision is preserved for the future, and God sets a firm limit on the duration of suffering.
A Call to Patient Endurance (Daniel 12:8-13)
8 I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “O my lord, what shall 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 shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.
11 And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days.
12 Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days.
13 But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.
Commentary:
Daniel is told to trust God's timing and is promised a personal inheritance in the end.
Eternal Hope and Divine Timing in Daniel 12
The Reality of Resurrection
This chapter reveals that death is not a permanent sleep but a temporary state before a final awakening. It teaches that every person has an eternal destiny, making our choices and our relationship with God in this life incredibly significant.
Divine Protection in Crisis
Even when the world faces its most difficult 'time of trouble,' God's people are not left alone. The presence of Michael the archangel and the mention of the 'book' show that God keeps a careful record of His own and provides supernatural help when it is needed most.
The Value of Spiritual Wisdom
Wisdom in this context is the ability to understand God's truth and lead others toward it. The passage promises that those who use their lives to influence others for good will receive a special, lasting honor in the kingdom of God.
Applying Daniel's Final Vision to Your Life
According to Daniel 12:1, having your name in the book is the key to being delivered during times of trouble. This means entering into a personal relationship with God where you are recognized as His child, giving you a sense of security that the world cannot take away.
When Daniel was confused in Daniel 12:8-9, he was told to 'go his way' and trust God with the secrets. You can apply this by focusing on being faithful in your daily life today, trusting that God has the complicated details of the future fully under His control.
Daniel 12:3 uses this beautiful image to describe people who help others find the right path. It suggests that when you share your faith and help others live rightly, you are doing work that has eternal value and brings a unique kind of beauty to God's kingdom.
God's Final Victory and Our Hope
Daniel 12 reveals that history is moving toward a definite conclusion where God's justice and mercy will finally prevail. Even in times of extreme difficulty, God provides protection for His people and a promise of life beyond the grave. The message is one of ultimate hope: though we may not understand every detail of the timing, we can trust the One who holds the clock and has already written the ending.
What This Means for Us Today
We are invited to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our faithfulness today echoes into forever. Like Daniel, we can find rest in God's promises while we wait for the final fulfillment of His kingdom.
- Are you living for the 'shining stars' of eternity or the temporary lights of today?
- How can you find peace in God's sovereignty when the news around you is troubling?
- Who can you encourage with the hope of God's deliverance this week?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
Provides the detailed historical and prophetic background that leads directly into the final events of chapter 12.
Connections Across Scripture
Jesus discusses the end times and specifically mentions the 'abomination of desolation' found in Daniel.
Offers a parallel New Testament vision of the final judgment, the book of life, and the resurrection.
Discussion Questions
- How does the promise of a future resurrection change the way you view the 'times of trouble' you face in your life right now?
- Why do you think God chooses to keep certain details about the future 'sealed' or hidden from us until the right time?
- In what practical ways can we 'turn many to righteousness' in our modern world, and why is this work so highly valued by God?