Daniel chapter 12
Michael will deliver Israel. The book is sealed. Concerning the Great Tribulation.
MICHAEL WILL DELIVER ISRAEL
VERSE 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.
Michael. He is a great angel.
the great prince. He has a special ministry. He focuses on the Jewish people. He stands guard over their nation.
a time of distress. This is what some Christians call the tribulation period.
written in the book. Is your name written in the Book of Life?
VERSE 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.
will awake. The New Testament describes heaven and eternal life. But what does the Old Testament say about life after death? Read more »
VERSE 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.
KJV translation. And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Book of Daniel and from the entire Bible.
Those who are wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. In this sense, are you “wise”?
lead many to righteousness. The Old Testament foresees Gentiles coming to faith in the One God of Israel and bringing gifts to Jerusalem. Here are the key Bible verses about this »
shine as the stars:
2 Esdras 7:97. The sixth order, when it is shown to them how their face will shine like the sun, and how they will be made like the light of the stars, being incorruptible from then on.
THE BOOK IS SEALED
VERSE 4. But 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.”
seal the book. That is, “keep it intact.” Many people assume this phrase means “make it too hard to understand.”
The LORD God seems to want to conceal some aspects of prophecy from us. Why?
Maybe this is how he keeps us interested in these obscure sayings of the prophets. They’re a fascinating puzzle for us. We can’t stop trying to solve the riddle.
the time of the end. Biblical authors use the phrase “in the latter days.” In some cases it means “the present day.” But in other cases, it means “the future” or “The End of Days.” Read more »
CONCERNING THE GREAT TRIBULATION
VERSE 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.
VERSE 6. One 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?”
these wonders. It can also be rendered:
- shocking events (NLT translation), or
- appalling things (NAB translation)
VERSE 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 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.
held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven. This is how many Christians pray.
for a time, times, and a half. How long is that?
VERSE 8. I heard, but I didn’t understand. Then I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?”
I heard, but I didn’t understand. Even Daniel does not understand what he is being told.
VERSE 9. He said, “Go your way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
VERSE 10. Many 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.
VERSE 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.
the abomination that makes desolate. Both the Lord Jesus and the prophet Daniel predict a terrible event called the Abomination of Desolation. Read more »
one thousand two hundred ninety days. That is, 42 months. Or 3.5 years.
Daniel 9:27. He will make a firm covenant with many for one week. In the middle of the week he will cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. On the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, wrath will be poured out on the desolate.”
Daniel 12:11. 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.
Revelation 11:2. Leave out the court which is outside of the temple, and don’t measure it, for it has been given to the nations. They will tread the holy city under foot for forty-two months.
Revelation 11:3. I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”
Revelation 12:14. Two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, so that she might be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
How do we interpret that timespan? Here are three popular theories:
Theory 1. The Final Judgment takes place 30 days after the 1,290-day period of Tribulation.
Theory 2. The 30 days is a staying of the hand of God.
In his great mercy, God delays the final judgment for 30 days, so as to give people more time to repent.
Theory 3. The Abomination of Desolation is announced 30 days prior to when it begins.
VERSE 12. Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred thirty-five days.
one thousand three hundred thirty-five days. This is 45 days more than 1,290.
So the blessing is delayed by 45 days.
What will that blessing be? Here are two popular theories:
Theory 1. The blessing will consist of the 1,000-year Millennium of Jesus Christ’s reign on earth.
Theory 2. The blessing will be that Jesus Christ descends to the earth, to the Mount of Olives, after 45 days in the sky.
VERSE 13. “But go your way until the end; for you will rest, and will stand in your inheritance at the end of the days.”
next chapter »
(Hosea chapter 1)
next chapter »
(Song of the Three Holy Children)
(Deuterocanonical)
DANIEL
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12
Deuterocanonical chapters: Song of the Three Children, 13, 14
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, First Fast, Second Fast
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.