Daniel Chapter 12

From The Open Bible Project

12:1 "At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book.

• (a) The angel here notes two things: first that the Church will be in great affliction and trouble at Christ’s coming, and next that God will send his angel to deliver it, whom he here calls Michael, meaning Christ, who is proclaimed by the preaching of the Gospel.

12:2 Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

• (b) Meaning all will rise at the general resurrection, which thing he here names because the faithful should always consider that: for in the earth there will be no sure comfort.

12:3 Those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the expanse; and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.

• (c) Who have kept the true fear of God and his religion.
• (d) He chiefly means the ministers of God’s word, and next all the faithful who instruct the ignorant, and bring them to the true knowledge of God.

12:4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run back and forth, and knowledge shall be increased."

• (e) Even though the most part despise this prophecy, yet make sure you keep it and esteem it as a treasure.
• (f) Until the time that God has appointed for the full revelation of these things: and then many will run to and fro to search for the knowledge of these mysteries, which things they obtain now by the light of the Gospel.

12:5 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.

• (g) Which was the Tigris.

12:6 One said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

12:7 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 shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

• (h) Which was as it were a double oath, and did the more confirm the thing.
• (i) Meaning three and one half years; this period of time is often attributed to 66 A.D. when war and sedition broke out in Palestine. See Josephus.
• (k) When the Temple (power of the holy people) in Jerusalem is completely destroyed then these things will be fulfilled.

12:8 I heard, but I didn't understand: then said I, my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?

12:9 He said, Go your way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.

12:10 Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but those who are wise shall understand.

12:11 From the time that the continual [burnt offering] shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred ninety days.

• (l) From the time that Christ by his sacrifice will take away the sacrifices and ceremonies of the Law.
• (m) Signifying that the time will be long until Christ’s second coming, and yet the children of God ought not to be discouraged, even though it is deferred.

12:12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred thirty-five days.

• (n) In this number he adds a month and a half to the former number, signifying that it is not in man to appoint the time of Christ’s coming, but that they are blessed that patiently wait for his appearing.

12:13 But go you your way until the end; for you shall rest, and shall stand in your lot, at the end of the days.

• (o) The angel warns the Prophet patiently to wait, until the time appointed comes, signifying that he should depart this life, and rise again with the elect, when God had sufficiently humbled and purged his Church.