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“At that time Michael shall arise, the great prince who stands over the children of your people; and there shall be a time of great distress, such as has not been since nations first came into being until that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name is found written in the Book.
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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.
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And the wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars, forever and ever.
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But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall search it, and knowledge shall increase.”
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Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the river and the other on that bank of the river.
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And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river: “How long shall these wondrous things be?”
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Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, raise his right hand and his left hand toward heaven and swear by Him who lives forever: “For a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been shattered, all these things shall be fulfilled!”
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As for me, I heard, but I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?”
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But he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words are hidden and sealed until the time of the end.
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Many shall be purified and made clean and tested, but the wicked shall act wickedly; none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
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From the time the regular sacrifice is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days.
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Blessed is the one who waits and reaches the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
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But you, go your way until the end comes; and you shall rest, and shall rise to receive your portion at the end of the age.”
🌌⏳🕊️ Summary of Daniel 12 – The End Time, the Resurrection, and Hope for the Holy Ones
Daniel 12 is the climax and closing of the great prophetic sequence of Daniel 10–12. This chapter speaks of a time of great distress, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal reward for those who remain faithful. In the upheaval of the end times, God strengthens His people that justice and restoration will come. Though Daniel himself did not see its fulfillment, he is promised a share in the glorious resurrection.
📌 1. Michael Rises & the Great Time of Distress (verse 1)
“Then at that time Michael, the great prince, will arise…”
- Michael, the archangel and protector of God’s people, will act in the time of trouble
- There will be a great time of distress, never before seen since the beginning of the nations
- But… the people written in the book will be saved
🎯 This parallels Revelation 12 and Matthew 24 — great oppression, but God will redeem His own.
📌 2. The Resurrection of the Dead (verses 2–3)
“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake…”
- Two outcomes of the resurrection:
Some to everlasting life
Some to shame and everlasting destruction
- The wise will shine like the brightness of the sky
- Those who lead many to righteousness like the stars
🎯 This is one of the strongest Old Testament texts about bodily resurrection.
📌 3. The Secret Sealed for a Time (verse 4)
“But you, Daniel, shut up the words…”
- Daniel is commanded to keep this prophecy for the end time
- “Many shall search it out, and knowledge shall increase”
🎯 God’s truth will be understood more and more over time, especially as the end draws near.
📌 4. The Angel’s Question about the End (verses 5–7)
“How long until the end of these wondrous things?”
- Answer: “A time, times, and half a time” (3½ years)
- This points to the time of Antichrist’s rule and the oppression of God’s people
🎯 This difficult time is limited — the Lord has set its time and will bring everything to an end.
📌 5. Delayed Fulfillment & Promise to Daniel (verses 8–13)
“Go your way, Daniel, for these words are to remain hidden…”
- Many will be purified and tested
- The wicked will not understand, but the wise will understand
- Two times are mentioned:
1,290 days from the time the sacrifice is stopped
Blessed is the one who endures to 1,335 days
→ Interpretations differ, but the point is: there is blessing for those who endure to the end
“But you, go on until the end. You will rest, and you will rise to receive your portion at the end of the age.” – verse 13
🎯 Daniel is promised resurrection & an eternal inheritance. We too can trust the same if we remain faithful.
📖 Main Teaching
- The world will experience a time of great trouble before the end
- But God protects and saves His people
- There will be a bodily resurrection — eternal life or destruction
- The Lord keeps His secrets until the proper time
- Faithfulness, wisdom, and perseverance are the key in the last days
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“For then there will be great distress…”
→ Jesus refers to Daniel about the time of great trouble.
“All who are in the tombs will hear His voice…”
→ Resurrection to life or judgment — in line with Daniel 12:2
“The dead in Christ will rise first…”
→ The promise of resurrection for God’s people
“I am coming soon, and I bring My reward…”
→ As Daniel was promised his reward, we too are called to remain faithful as we wait for His coming
🎯 Daniel 12 shows that the future of God’s people is full of hope — though a time of trouble comes first, there is victory and everlasting resurrection.
🕊️ “At that time Michael will arise… and your people will be delivered.” – Daniel 12:1
🕊️ “Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life…” – Daniel 12:2
🕊️ “The wise will shine like the brightness of the sky…” – Daniel 12:3
🕊️ “You will rest, and then rise to receive your portion…” – Daniel 12:13
