The Bible — World English Bible
Daniel 12
In brief
Daniel 12 is the last chapter of the book. It concludes the great vision about the future of God's people: a time of distress like no other, the deliverance of those whose names are written in the book, then the resurrection of some to everlasting life and of others to shame. The wise will shine like the stars. Daniel is told to keep the words sealed until the time of the end, hears periods of days he does not understand, and receives a personal promise: he will rest, then stand up to receive his inheritance.
The chapter in 4 parts
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.
2Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3Those 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.
4But 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.”
5Then 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.
6One 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?”
7I 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.
8I heard, but I didn’t understand. Then I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?”
9He said, “Go your way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end.
10Many 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.
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.
12Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred thirty-five days.
13“But go your way until the end; for you will rest, and will stand in your inheritance at the end of the days.”
Key verses
“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.
The verse announces a time of distress like no other, but also a defender, Michael, and the salvation of those whose names are written in the book. Readers differ on which period is meant, but all read in it a promise of deliverance.
Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
This is one of the clearest texts of the Old Testament on the resurrection of the dead, with two destinies: everlasting life or everlasting shame.
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.
A word of encouragement for those who understand and teach righteousness: their faithfulness has a reward that goes beyond this life.
“But go your way until the end; for you will rest, and will stand in your inheritance at the end of the days.”
After difficult visions, God ends with a personal word to Daniel. The end is not only a timetable, it is a rest and an inheritance received from God.
Bible verses to meditate on
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Frequently asked questions about Daniel 12
What does Daniel 12 say about the resurrection?
Verse 2 announces that many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life and others to shame and everlasting contempt. It is one of the clearest passages of the Old Testament on the resurrection and on a judgment that separates two destinies.
What does it mean to seal the book until the time of the end?
In verse 4, Daniel is to keep the words he received secret and seal the book until the time of the end. The text adds that many will run back and forth and that knowledge will increase. Believers understand this in different ways, but the general sense is that some things will only be fully grasped at the time God chooses.
What do the 1,290 and 1,335 days of Daniel 12 stand for?
Verses 11 and 12 give two periods of days counted from the end of the continual burnt offering and the setting up of the abomination of desolation. Christians differ: some see events of the past, others a timetable of the end times. Daniel himself admits that he does not understand.
Articles quoting Daniel 12
- 20 Bible Verses for Teachers: Encouragement for Classroom and Sunday School
- 20 Bible Verses About Death and the Resurrection
- 1 Timothy 3: Where Have All the Preachers Gone?
- Revelation 5: Why the Slain Lamb Is Worthy
- Matthew 13: Leave the Harvest to the Son of Man
- Return to Your First Works, Rebuild the House of God
World English Bible translation — public domain.