Daniel Chapter 12 — The Time of the End
Daniel receives a final vision concerning the end of days, including a great time of trouble and the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
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.
2Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3Those 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.
4But 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.”
5Then 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.
6One 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?”
7I 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.
8I heard, but I didn’t understand. Then I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?”
9He said, “Go your way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
10Many 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 two hundred ninety days.
12Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred 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.”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Daniel 12:2
“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”
This verse provides one of the clearest and most explicit descriptions of the resurrection of the dead in the Old Testament.
Daniel 12:3
“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.”
It highlights the eternal reward and heavenly glory promised to the wise and those who lead others to righteousness.
Daniel 12:13
“But go your way until the end; for you will rest, and will stand in your inheritance at the end of the days.”
This final promise to Daniel offers personal assurance and comfort regarding his future rest and eventual reward.
Chapter Summary
Daniel 12 concludes the prophet's visions with a message about the final time of distress. Michael, the great prince, will arise to protect God's people during an unprecedented period of trouble. The text describes a future resurrection where some awake to everlasting life and others to shame. Daniel is instructed to seal the words of the book until the end time, a period characterized by increased knowledge and travel. The chapter mentions specific durations, such as 1,290 and 1,335 days, related to the removal of the burnt offering and the setting up of the abomination of desolation. Finally, Daniel is told to go his way and rest, with the promise that he will stand in his inheritance at the end of the days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Michael is identified as the 'great prince' who stands for the children of Daniel's people. He arises during a time of unprecedented trouble to deliver everyone whose name is found written in the book.
The text mentions the abomination being set up in conjunction with the removal of the 'continual burnt offering.' It is associated with a specific timeframe of 1,290 days and is part of the final events Daniel is shown.
Daniel was commanded to shut up the words and seal the book until the 'time of the end.' This suggests that the full clarity of the prophecy was intended for a future generation who would see knowledge increase.
Study Note
Daniel 12 contains one of the most explicit references to the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked in the Hebrew Bible.
Related Chapters
Matthew 24
Jesus references the abomination of desolation and a time of great tribulation similar to the descriptions in Daniel 12.
Revelation 20
This chapter provides a New Testament parallel to the final judgment and the resurrection of the dead mentioned by Daniel.
Revelation 22
Unlike Daniel, who is told to seal his book, the author of Revelation is told not to seal his prophecy because the time is near.
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