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.

King James Version BSB KJV

1And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

3And 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.

4But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

5Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.

6And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

7And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

8And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?

9And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

10Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

11And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

12Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

13But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot 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.

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Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.