Old Testament · Prophecy

Daniel 12

The End of Days

Those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake — some to everlasting life, some to shame. Seal up the book until the time of the end. Go your way, Daniel.

Berean Standard Bible BSB KJV

1“At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.

2And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.

3Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.

4But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.”

5Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank.

6One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the fulfillment of these wonders?”

7And the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, and times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has finally been shattered, all these things will be completed.”

8I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?”

9“Go on your way, Daniel,” he replied, “for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.

10Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.

11And from the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation set up, there will be 1,290 days.

12Blessed is he who waits and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.

13But as for you, go on your way until the end. You will rest, and then you will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”

Understand This

Daniel 12, explained

What Daniel 12 is saying

Michael arises to deliver God's people through an unprecedented time of tribulation. The dead are raised—some to everlasting life, others to everlasting contempt—in the Old Testament's clearest statement of bodily resurrection. Daniel is told to seal the book until 'the time of the end' and given enigmatic time periods (1,290 and 1,335 days) before being assured he will rise to his allotted inheritance.

The background behind it

The resurrection doctrine here (12:2) represents a theological watershed, providing the most explicit Old Testament affirmation of individual bodily resurrection. This text profoundly influenced Second Temple Judaism, Pharisaic theology, and early Christian eschatology, including Jesus's teaching and Paul's resurrection arguments.

Themes running underneath

The maskilim ('the wise') who taught faithfully in chapter 11 are promised they will 'shine like the brightness of the heavens.' The dual-outcome resurrection establishes ultimate moral accountability, insisting that justice delayed is not justice denied.

Why it still matters

The promise to Daniel—'you will rest and then rise'—speaks to every generation of the faithful who may not see God's purposes fulfilled in their lifetime. Ultimate vindication lies beyond the grave.

This is one chapter. BibleKey does all 1,189.

Tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and follow every cross-reference without losing your place.

Get BibleKey

All 12 chapters of Daniel · Every book of the Bible · Browse by topic

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible — used by permission, Bible Hub.