Daniel 12 Study Notes: Daniel’s Final Vision of Resurrection
Daniel learns that in a time of unequaled trouble Michael will arise and all his people recorded in God’s book will be rescued. Many of the dead will be raised, some to endless life and some to lasting disgrace, while the wise shine forever. Daniel must seal the words and is promised rest and resurrection.
General
What were the final words spoken to Daniel about his own future (Daniel 12:13)?
Answer: He would rest, then rise to receive his portion at the end
The book closes with a personal word to Daniel. He was told to go on his way to the end. He would rest, meaning he would die, and then he would rise to receive his inheritance, the share God had set aside for him, when the days are over (12:13). The resurrection promised to many in 12:2 is here promised to Daniel by name. He had not understood everything he was shown (12:8), but his future was secure. The New Testament speaks of believers who die as having fallen asleep, and promises God will bring them with Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Through Christ’s resurrection believers have an inheritance that can never perish, kept in heaven for them (1 Peter 1:3-4). Those who have died in the Lord are blessed, because they rest from their toil (Revelation 14:13).
- Daniel 12:13 (BSB)“But 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.””Daniel is told he will rest in death and then be raised to receive his allotted share at the last.
- Daniel 12:2 (BSB)“And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.”The same chapter has just promised a resurrection of many who sleep in the dust.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (BSB)“Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.”Those who die in Jesus are described as asleep, and God will bring them with Him.
- 1 Peter 1:3-4 (BSB)“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,”Believers are born again to an inheritance that cannot perish, kept in heaven for them.
- Revelation 14:13 (BSB)“And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.””Those who die in the Lord are called blessed, for they rest from their toil.
Theological
What final promise is given to Daniel himself in Daniel 12:13?
Answer: He would rest, then rise to receive his portion at the end
The book ends with a pastoral word to the prophet himself. Daniel is to go his way to the end; he will rest in death and then rise to his allotted inheritance when the days are complete (12:13). The general resurrection of 12:2 is applied personally: the servant who did not understand all he saw is assured that God will keep him through death and raise him to his portion. The New Testament speaks the same comfort over those asleep in Jesus, whom God will bring along with Him (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14); it grounds the believer’s hope in an imperishable inheritance reserved in heaven through Christ’s resurrection (1 Peter 1:3-4); and it pronounces blessed those who have died in the Lord and rest from their toil (Revelation 14:13). The perseverance of the saints reaches through the grave to the resurrection.
- Daniel 12:13 (BSB)“But 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.””Daniel is told he will rest in death and then be raised to receive his allotted share at the last.
- Daniel 12:2 (BSB)“And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.”The same chapter has just promised a resurrection of many who sleep in the dust.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (BSB)“Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.”Those who die in Jesus are described as asleep, and God will bring them with Him.
- 1 Peter 1:3-4 (BSB)“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,”Believers are born again to an inheritance that cannot perish, kept in heaven for them.
- Revelation 14:13 (BSB)“And I heard a voice from heaven telling me to write, “Blessed are the dead—those who die in the Lord from this moment on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors, for their deeds will follow them.””Those who die in the Lord are called blessed, for they rest from their toil.
General
In the time of unequaled distress, which of Daniel’s people would be delivered (Daniel 12:1)?
Answer: All whose names are recorded in the book
In that day Michael, a great prince who guards Daniel’s people, would arise (12:1). Earlier, Michael had come to help the messenger and was called one of the chief princes (10:13) and the prince of Daniel’s people (10:21). A time of trouble would come unlike anything since nations first began. Yet in that time every one of Daniel’s people whose name was recorded in the book would be rescued (12:1). Their safety did not depend on their own strength or where they lived, but on God’s own record of those who belong to Him. Jesus told His disciples to rejoice not over the spirits that obeyed them but that their names are recorded in heaven (Luke 10:20). The risen Christ promises never to erase the overcomer’s name from His Book of Life (Revelation 3:5), and He says no one can seize His sheep out of His hand (John 10:28). God keeps those He has written down as His own.
- Daniel 12:1 (BSB)““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.”Michael arises in a time of unequaled trouble, and every one of Daniel’s people recorded in the book is rescued.
- Daniel 10:21 (BSB)“But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince.”Michael had earlier been called the prince of Daniel’s people, the one who stood with the messenger.
- Luke 10:20 (BSB)“Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.””Jesus tells His disciples to rejoice not over subdued spirits but over their names being enrolled in heaven.
- Revelation 3:5 (BSB)“Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.”The risen Christ promises that the one who overcomes will never have his name erased from the Book of Life.
- John 10:28 (BSB)“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.”Jesus gives His sheep eternal life, and no one can take them out of His hand.
Theological
According to Daniel 12:1, who among Daniel’s people is delivered in the unparalleled time of distress?
Answer: All whose names are recorded in the book
Michael, a great prince guarding Daniel’s people, earlier called one of the chief princes (10:13) and their prince (10:21), arises at that time, and a distress comes without precedent since nations began (12:1). Yet deliverance is certain for a defined people: everyone enrolled in the book (12:1). Their rescue rests not on their own strength, lineage or location but on God’s having written their names as His own, and the New Testament speaks in the same way of names written by God. Jesus grounds His disciples’ joy in the fact that their names are recorded in heaven (Luke 10:20); the exalted Christ pledges never to blot the overcomer’s name out of His Book of Life (Revelation 3:5); and no one can seize His sheep from His hand (John 10:28). Election and preservation belong together here: those whose names God has written are the ones He delivers, and He keeps them to the end.
- Daniel 12:1 (BSB)““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.”Michael arises in a time of unequaled trouble, and every one of Daniel’s people recorded in the book is rescued.
- Daniel 10:21 (BSB)“But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince.”Michael had earlier been called the prince of Daniel’s people, the one who stood with the messenger.
- Luke 10:20 (BSB)“Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.””Jesus tells His disciples to rejoice not over subdued spirits but over their names being enrolled in heaven.
- Revelation 3:5 (BSB)“Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.”The risen Christ promises that the one who overcomes will never have his name erased from the Book of Life.
- John 10:28 (BSB)“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.”Jesus gives His sheep eternal life, and no one can take them out of His hand.
General
What does Daniel 12:2 say about many who have died and lie in the dust?
Answer: They will rise, some to life forever and some to lasting shame
Daniel 12:2 speaks of death as sleep and promises that many who lie in the ground will wake up. Some will rise to life that never ends, while others will rise to disgrace and contempt that never end (12:2). This is one of the clearest promises in the Old Testament that the dead will be raised bodily, the godly and the ungodly alike, and that each will face a final destiny. Jesus taught the same thing: everyone in the tombs will hear His call and come out, the doers of good to life and the doers of evil to judgment (John 5:28-29). He spoke of two final outcomes, eternal punishment and eternal life (Matthew 25:46). Paul shared the hope that both the godly and the wicked will be raised (Acts 24:15).
- Daniel 12:2 (BSB)“And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.”Many of the dead will be raised, some to unending life and others to unending disgrace.
- John 5:28-29 (BSB)“Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”Jesus says the hour is coming when every one of the dead will be called from the tomb, some raised to life and others to judgment.
- Matthew 25:46 (BSB)“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.””Jesus ends His teaching on the final judgment with two endless outcomes, punishment for some and life for the righteous.
- Acts 24:15 (BSB)“and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.”Paul, on trial before Felix, states his hope in God that both the just and the unjust will rise.
Theological
What does Daniel 12:2 teach concerning many who lie asleep in the dust?
Answer: They will rise, some to life forever and some to lasting shame
Using sleep as a figure for death, the verse foretells a bodily resurrection of many who lie in the earth, with a twofold outcome: some to life everlasting, others to everlasting disgrace and contempt (12:2). Here the Old Testament states plainly the general resurrection and final judgment that the New Testament develops. Christ announces that all in the tombs will hear His call and come forth, to a resurrection of life or a resurrection of judgment (John 5:28-29); He sets eternal punishment and eternal life side by side as equally endless (Matthew 25:46); and Paul affirms that the godly and the wicked will both be raised (Acts 24:15). Both destinies are final and unending.
- Daniel 12:2 (BSB)“And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.”Many of the dead will be raised, some to unending life and others to unending disgrace.
- John 5:28-29 (BSB)“Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”Jesus says the hour is coming when every one of the dead will be called from the tomb, some raised to life and others to judgment.
- Matthew 25:46 (BSB)“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.””Jesus ends His teaching on the final judgment with two endless outcomes, punishment for some and life for the righteous.
- Acts 24:15 (BSB)“and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.”Paul, on trial before Felix, states his hope in God that both the just and the unjust will rise.
General
What does Daniel 12:3 promise the wise and those who guide many to righteousness?
Answer: They will shine with a brightness that lasts forever
The wise here recall the people with insight in chapter 11, who taught many during the time of persecution, even when it cost them (11:33). Daniel 12:3 promises that they will shine as bright as the sky, and those who bring many people to righteousness, a right standing with God and a life that pleases Him, will shine like stars for all time (12:3). Their suffering is not the last word; God will honor them with lasting glory. Jesus used the same picture when He said the righteous will blaze like the sun within their Father’s kingdom (Matthew 13:43). James adds that anyone who brings a sinner back from his wrong path saves that person’s soul from death (James 5:20).
- Daniel 12:3 (BSB)“Then 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.”The wise will be radiant as the sky, and those who bring many to righteousness will shine as stars forever.
- Daniel 11:33 (BSB)“Those with insight will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by sword or flame, or be captured or plundered.”The wise had been described as teaching the many even while suffering.
- Matthew 13:43 (BSB)“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”At the end of the age, Jesus says, the righteous will be radiant as the sun in their Father’s kingdom.
- James 5:20 (BSB)“consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”Turning a sinner back from his wandering rescues that soul from death.
Theological
What future does Daniel 12:3 hold out for the wise and for those who guide many to righteousness?
Answer: They will shine with a brightness that lasts forever
The wise of 12:3 recall the insightful of the persecution, who instructed the many at great personal cost (11:33). Their end is glory: they will gleam like the radiant heavens, while those who turn many to righteousness like stars for all eternity (12:3). The reversal is complete: those who fell for a time are vindicated and glorified, and their faithful witness is crowned by God’s grace. Christ takes up the same image of the righteous shining as the sun within the Father’s kingdom (Matthew 13:43), and James reminds believers that bringing a sinner back from error rescues that soul from death (James 5:20).
- Daniel 12:3 (BSB)“Then 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.”The wise will be radiant as the sky, and those who bring many to righteousness will shine as stars forever.
- Daniel 11:33 (BSB)“Those with insight will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by sword or flame, or be captured or plundered.”The wise had been described as teaching the many even while suffering.
- Matthew 13:43 (BSB)“Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”At the end of the age, Jesus says, the righteous will be radiant as the sun in their Father’s kingdom.
- James 5:20 (BSB)“consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”Turning a sinner back from his wandering rescues that soul from death.
General
True or False: When Daniel asked how all these things would turn out, he was given a full explanation and understood it all (Daniel 12:8-9).
Answer: False
This is false. Daniel was first told to close up the message and keep the book sealed until the end (12:4). Then two others appeared beside the river; one of them asked the man clothed in linen how long it would be before these wonders came to pass. Swearing by the eternal God, he named a time, times, and a half, and said that everything would be finished once the strength of God’s holy people was completely broken (12:5-7). Daniel heard this but could not grasp it, so he asked how it would all end. He was told to go his way, because the words were closed and kept sealed until the end (12:8-9). Many would be cleansed and purified, the wicked would keep on doing evil, and only the wise would understand (12:10). The man also spoke of 1,290 days, counted from when the daily offering is taken away and when the abomination of desolation is set in place, and of a blessing on whoever keeps waiting until the 1,335 days (12:11-12). Some things God keeps hidden for Himself (Deuteronomy 29:29). Even the prophets searched to learn the timing of what they foretold (1 Peter 1:10-12), and Jesus said the times the Father has set are not ours to know (Acts 1:7).
- Daniel 12:4 (BSB)“But 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.””Daniel is told to close and seal the words until the time of the end.
- Daniel 12:8-9 (BSB)“I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?” “Go on your way, Daniel,” he replied, “for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.”Daniel admits he does not understand and asks about the outcome, but is sent on his way because the words remain sealed.
- Daniel 12:11-12 (BSB)“And from the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is he who waits and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.”The man in linen gives the 1,290 days and pronounces a blessing on the one who waits for the 1,335 days.
- Deuteronomy 29:29 (BSB)“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.”Hidden things belong to the LORD, while what He has revealed belongs to His people.
- 1 Peter 1:10-12 (BSB)“Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully, trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.”The prophets searched intently to know the time their Spirit-given messages pointed to.
- Acts 1:7 (BSB)“Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.”Jesus says the dates the Father has set by His own authority are beyond what the disciples are given to know.
Theological
True or False: Daniel received a full answer to his question about how these things would end and understood it completely (Daniel 12:8-9).
Answer: False
This is false. Daniel had been commanded to close up the words and keep the book sealed until the end (12:4). When one of two figures beside the river asked the man clothed in linen how long until these wonders were fulfilled, he took an oath by the eternal God: a time, times, and a half, with everything completed once the might of God’s holy people is broken (12:5-7). Daniel heard without understanding and asked how matters would end, but he was dismissed, for the words were closed and kept sealed until the end (12:8-9). The wise would understand, while the wicked persisted in wickedness (12:10). The man then gave the 1,290 days, counted from the removal of the daily offering and the erecting of the abomination of desolation, and pronounced a blessing on whoever keeps waiting until the 1,335 days (12:11-12). Hidden things remain the LORD’s own (Deuteronomy 29:29); the prophets themselves inquired into the timing of what the Spirit revealed through them (1 Peter 1:10-12); and the times fixed by the Father’s authority are not given to us to know (Acts 1:7).
- Daniel 12:4 (BSB)“But 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.””Daniel is told to close and seal the words until the time of the end.
- Daniel 12:8-9 (BSB)“I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?” “Go on your way, Daniel,” he replied, “for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end.”Daniel admits he does not understand and asks about the outcome, but is sent on his way because the words remain sealed.
- Daniel 12:11-12 (BSB)“And from the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is he who waits and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.”The man in linen gives the 1,290 days and pronounces a blessing on the one who waits for the 1,335 days.
- Deuteronomy 29:29 (BSB)“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.”Hidden things belong to the LORD, while what He has revealed belongs to His people.
- 1 Peter 1:10-12 (BSB)“Concerning this salvation, the prophets who foretold the grace to come to you searched and investigated carefully, trying to determine the time and setting to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, when they foretold the things now announced by those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.”The prophets searched intently to know the time their Spirit-given messages pointed to.
- Acts 1:7 (BSB)“Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.”Jesus says the dates the Father has set by His own authority are beyond what the disciples are given to know.