Daniel 12

Daniel 12 foretells a time of unprecedented tribulation, during which Michael will stand for God's people, leading to their deliverance and a general resurrection to either everlasting life or contempt. Daniel is commanded to seal these prophetic words until the time of the end, when knowledge will increase and the wise will understand. Specific timeframes are revealed concerning the cessation of the daily sacrifice and the abomination of desolation. The chapter concludes with a blessing for those who wait and an assurance for Daniel regarding his future lot.

The chapter opens with a prophecy of Michael's intervention during an unparalleled time of trouble, from which God's chosen people, written in the book, will be delivered. This period culminates in a resurrection where some awaken to everlasting life, while others face everlasting shame and contempt. The wise and those who lead many to righteousness are promised to shine brightly. Daniel is commanded to keep these words sealed until the "time of the end," when understanding will increase. A celestial figure, clothed in linen, reveals that these wonders will conclude after "a time, times, and an half," specifically when the power of the holy people is scattered. Daniel's lack of full comprehension is met with the reiteration that these matters are sealed until the appointed time. The prophecy concludes with a distinction between the purified wise who understand and the wicked who remain ignorant, along with specific durations related to the abomination of desolation and a personal promise to Daniel.

Daniel 12 begins with a vision of the archangel Michael arising to defend God's people during an unprecedented era of tribulation, a time of trouble unlike any since the beginning of nations. Despite this distress, those whose names are written in the book will be delivered. The prophecy then shifts to the resurrection of the dead, where many who sleep in the dust will awaken; some will rise to everlasting life, while others will face everlasting shame and contempt. A promise is made that the wise will shine like the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness will glow like the stars eternally. Daniel is then commanded to keep these prophetic words secret and sealed until "the time of the end," a period characterized by increased movement and knowledge. Subsequently, Daniel observes two additional figures, one of whom questions the man clothed in linen, positioned over the river, about the duration of these wonders. The man in linen, raising both hands to heaven, swears by the eternal God that the fulfillment will occur after "a time, times, and an half," specifically when the power of the holy people has been completely scattered. Despite hearing this, Daniel confesses his lack of understanding and seeks further clarification. He is again told to depart, as the words are to remain closed and sealed until the designated "time of the end." The prophecy further states that many will undergo purification, refinement, and testing, while the wicked will persist in their wickedness and fail to comprehend these divine truths. Conversely, the wise are promised understanding. The chapter provides specific chronological markers, indicating that from the cessation of the daily sacrifice and the establishment of the abomination that makes desolate, there will be 1290 days. A blessing is pronounced upon those who wait and reach 1335 days. Finally, Daniel is instructed to go his way, assured that he will rest and stand in his allotted place at the culmination of the days.