Summary of Daniel 12
During the End Times, Michael will arise. All of God’s people (whose names are in the Book of Life) will be delivered. Some will go to heaven; others won’t.
Two people appeared. This will happen at a time, times and half a time, when the power of the holy people has been finally broken. Many will be purified but the wicked won’t.
From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
Daniel will receive his inheritance.
BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 8, Day 5: Daniel 12
“My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?” Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
14a) God, the Bible, prayer, other believers
b) Heaven!
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 8, Day 5: Daniel 12
Great read! I had forgotten about this glimpse into the End Times in Daniel! Great stuff!
End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 8, Day 5: Daniel 12
We see Michael, the angel, in many spiritual battles in the Bible (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:21, Jude 1:9, and Revelation 12:7). He is called the archangel (Jude 1:9). Here, we see him as a guardian over the people of Israel.
There will be a great Tribulation (Jesus repeats this here:Matthew 24:21 ) Revelation 12:13-17
Satan has always hated God’s people and thus attacks them perpetually. He knows that God will use them to bring forth the Messiah. But they will be delivered.
There are two resurrections, one for the saved and one for the damned (John 5:29, Revelation 20:4-6, and Revelation 11-15)
God’s people will shine and turn to righteousness.
Daniel is at the riverbank first mentioned in Daniel 10:4. The visions of Daniel 10-12 all took place as Daniel stood at this riverbank.
The other men are believed to be angels (some say Gabriel and Michael).
The time of trouble (The Great Tribulation) would last three and one-half years, as mentioned here:
- Daniel 7:25
- Daniel 9:27
- Daniel 12:7
- Revelation 11:2
- Revelation 11:3
- Revelation 12:6 and 12:14
- Revelation 13:5
Jesus pointed to Daniel’s prophecy of the abomination of desolation as the sign that would mark the immediacy of His return (Matthew 24:15).
No one knows what the relationship is between the time periods mentioned here.
Daniel is told not to worry about the End Times, but to live out his life to the end. Great advice for all of us!
Fun Fact: This is the first biblical reference to the physical resurrection of the righteous and the condemned.
END NOTES SUMMARIZED
The Final Deliverance and Resurrection
The chapter begins with the ultimate intervention: Michael, the great prince who stands guard over Israel, will arise, signaling a time of unparalleled global distress (v. 1). However, the ultimate assurance is given:
- Deliverance of the Faithful (v. 1): Everyone whose name is found written in the book will be delivered from this time of trouble.
- The Resurrection (v. 2): This physical deliverance is followed by a general resurrection where many of those who sleep in the dust will awake, some to everlasting life (the righteous) and others to shame and everlasting contempt (the wicked).
- Reward of the Wise (v. 3): Those who are wise and lead others to righteousness (the Maccabean-era figures who resisted persecution) will shine forever “like the brightness of the expanse.”
Sealing and Time Limits
The remainder of the chapter focuses on the timing and preservation of the prophecy.
- Sealed Until the End (v. 4): Daniel is commanded to seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end, when “knowledge shall increase,” indicating the prophecy would not be fully understood until its fulfillment neared.
- The Time of Distress (v. 7): A heavenly being swears that the period of intense persecution and shattering of the holy people’s power will last for “a time, times, and half a time” (3.5 years, a period often associated with the duration of Antiochus IV’s tyranny and the final tribulation).
- Further Time Segments (v. 11-12): The vision concludes with two mysterious, longer time periods (1,290 days and 1,335 days), emphasizing that the faithful must persevere.
- Daniel’s Personal Promise (v. 13): Daniel is told to “go your way till the end,” assuring him he will rest and ultimately rise to receive his inheritance at the end of the days.
In conclusion, the final vision in Daniel 12 provides a powerful, concise conclusion to the preceding prophecies of warfare and oppression. It ultimately shifts the focus from earthly conflict to divine, eternal resolution.
The central message is one of assured deliverance for the faithful, guaranteed by the arising of Michael during the final time of trouble. The vision culminates not in the fall of a king, but in the resurrection of the dead—the ultimate vindication where the wise receive everlasting life. Although the exact timing is sealed, the final command assures Daniel he will rise to his inheritance at the end of the days, confirming the promised eternal reward for all who endure the refining fire of persecution.
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