Daniel Chapter 12 – Commentary and Explanation
Alright, we’ve come to the end. Daniel Chapter 12. The final chapter in a book that has taken us on a ride—from fiery furnaces and lion’s dens to angelic encounters and visions that seem almost too wild to wrap your head around. But now we’re here. It’s the conclusion, the wrap-up, the finale. And man… it’s weighty.
You ever read something and feel like time just kinda stops for a moment? That’s what Daniel 12 feels like. It’s a short chapter—just 13 verses—but every line hits with intensity. There’s this feeling that something cosmic is unfolding, and it’s not just about ancient history anymore. It starts to feel personal. Like… this is about us too.
The Big Time of Trouble – Verse 1
"At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time..."
Right off the bat, we’re brought into a moment of chaos. A time of great distress. Michael—the archangel—is mentioned again. We saw him earlier in Chapter 10, wrestling with the spiritual forces over Persia. Here, he's standing up, which seems to mean taking a firm stance, a kind of intervention.
And then we get this prophetic description: “a time of trouble like never before.” Chilling, right? This isn’t just regular human suffering. It’s a singular, unprecedented season of tribulation. Many scholars line this up with what's often called the "Great Tribulation" in other parts of Scripture—especially Revelation.
This moment in Daniel feels eschatological (end-times), not just historical. Yes, Israel had seen a lot of trouble—wars, exiles, persecutions—but this? This is different. Something more final.
But in the middle of that chaos… there’s hope.
"And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book."
There it is—the glimpse of grace. Those whose names are in the book (we’ll get to that in a bit) will be delivered. Not maybe. Not possibly. But will be. Even in the thick of unprecedented hardship, God isn’t absent. He’s watching. He’s acting.
Resurrection Revealed – Verse 2
"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt."
Whoa. Pause right there. This is one of the clearest Old Testament references to the resurrection of the dead. It’s like Daniel suddenly zooms into the very end of the story—the day when graves open and eternity begins.
We’re told some will rise to everlasting life. Others, to shame and everlasting contempt.
So... two destinations. No middle ground. That can feel sobering, even scary, depending on where you stand. But it’s also very real. Eternity is on the table. And what we do in this life echoes into that forever.
It’s interesting how the language here—“sleep in the dust”—feels gentle and poetic, but the stakes are massive. This isn’t just bedtime imagery. This is eternal destiny.
Shining Like Stars – Verse 3
"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever."
This verse gives me chills. Think about it: the wise, those who live faithfully and guide others into truth, will shine like stars. Forever.
This isn’t about fame or applause down here. It’s about divine recognition. Eternal honor. You want a legacy? You want your life to mean something? Be one of these people. Help others find righteousness. Lead them to Christ. That’s the stuff that lasts.
It’s also a reminder that wisdom in the biblical sense isn’t about having a high IQ or winning arguments. It’s about living rightly before God. Fearing Him. Trusting Him. That’s what leads to light.
Sealed Until the End – Verse 4
"But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."
This is fascinating. Daniel is told to seal the vision—not because it’s irrelevant—but because it’s for a future time. There’s a sense that understanding of these prophecies will grow as the end approaches.
And then that phrase—“many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Some see this as a reference to physical travel and technology exploding. Others interpret it as a surge in theological understanding. Maybe both. The point is, things won’t stay the same forever. Truth will become clearer as history unfolds.
Still, isn’t it wild to think Daniel saw glimpses of things that wouldn’t make full sense for thousands of years? That’s how deep God’s Word is. Sometimes He plants seeds that blossom long after the initial audience is gone.
Two Men, a River, and a Question – Verses 5–6
Daniel then sees two other beings—possibly angels—standing on either side of a river. And one of them asks a question that’s probably burning in Daniel’s heart too:
"How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?"
Yes! That’s what we all want to know, right? When is all this going to happen? When will the chaos, the resurrection, the deliverance—when will it all go down?
And then comes the answer…
Time, Times, and Half a Time – Verse 7
"...it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished."
This phrase—"time, times, and half a time"—has sparked so much debate. It likely refers to 3½ years. A “time” being one year, “times” being two, and “half a time” being… well, half a year.
We’ve seen this kind of duration before in Daniel and Revelation. It seems to mark a set period of intense persecution. But notice something deeper—it’s when “the power of the holy people” is shattered that these things finish.
That’s a hard truth. Sometimes God allows the breaking before the blessing. Before the end comes and the victory is won, there's a season of deep hardship. But He doesn’t abandon His people. He sees it. He’s timing it. He limits it.
Daniel’s Honest Confusion – Verse 8
"Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, 'My lord, what shall be the end of these things?'"
Same, Daniel. Same. You’re not alone here. Even after seeing visions, talking with angels, and receiving divine insight, Daniel still doesn’t fully get it.
And you know what? That’s okay. God isn’t demanding that we decode every single symbol or timeline. Sometimes He just wants us to trust Him in the mystery. To live faithfully even when we don’t fully understand the blueprint.
Go Your Way – Verses 9–10
"Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly..."
This is powerful. Daniel is essentially told, “You don’t need all the answers right now. Just keep walking. Keep living.”
God’s got the timeline. He’s got the plan. And yes, things are going to get intense—some people will be refined, others will grow more wicked—but Daniel’s job isn’t to fix all that. His job is to stay faithful.
There’s peace in that, isn’t there? We’re not called to know it all. We’re called to trust the One who does.
The Numbers – Verses 11–12
Okay, now it gets a little number-heavy again.
"And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days."
"Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days."
Alright, let’s unpack this slowly.
We’re given two numbers here: 1,290 days and 1,335 days. That’s 3½ years and a little extra. Scholars have all kinds of theories—are these literal days? Symbolic? Related to Antiochus IV? Or future Antichrist events?
Honestly, I lean toward a future application here—connected to end times tribulation. The daily sacrifice being taken away and the abomination of desolation feels a lot like what Jesus talked about in Matthew 24.
And that second number—1,335 days—it’s just a bit longer. Maybe a time of blessing or restoration after the trial. The important takeaway? There's a finish line. There's a moment when waiting ends and blessing begins.
God sees the whole clock. Even when we’re counting days in confusion, He’s orchestrating everything with divine precision.
The Last Verse – Verse 13
"But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days."
Boom. That’s how it ends. Not with Daniel solving everything, but with a personal promise.
“You shall rest.” That’s God telling Daniel he’ll die in peace. No more visions. No more turmoil. Just rest.
“And will arise.” That’s resurrection hope. Daniel will rise. He’s not forgotten.
“To your inheritance.” That’s so intimate. Daniel has a portion, a reward, a place in God’s kingdom. All those years of faithful living—even when no one else understood—will be honored.
And that last phrase? “At the end of the days.” That’s the grand finale. The moment when all tears are wiped, all wrongs are made right, and eternity begins.
Final Thoughts
Daniel 12 is short but absolutely loaded. It’s mysterious and beautiful. Heavy and hopeful. And if I’m being honest, it feels like a chapter we’re meant to carry with us—not just study once and move on from.
It reminds us that suffering isn’t the end of the story. That God has a plan, even when we don’t understand the details. That faithfulness matters. That resurrection is real. That there’s an inheritance waiting for those who belong to Him.
And maybe, like Daniel, we don’t get all the answers in this life. But we do get this promise: you will rest, you will rise, and you will receive your reward.
So go your way. Live well. Keep the faith.
Because the end… is just the beginning.
Comments