Bible Commentaries
Daniel 12

Verse 1

Dan 12:1. That is a demonstrative pronoun but does not necessarily refer to any definite time as to exact date. It means that a certain time is referred to and is designated by this pronoun because of the importance of the events to be predicted. The closing events of the preceding chapter bring the date down to a century and a half before Christ. Since those events were directly connected with the bitter experiences of the Jews, it was appropriate to speak of the good things about to be predicted as being for the sake cf thy (Daniel’s) people. However, there were to be some more hardships imposed upon God’s people, only they will be His people belonging to all nations and not the Jews alone. Altogether, the things predicted in this chapter will pertain to the greater part of the Christian Dispensation, even including the general resurrection at the last day. No doubt the prophecy in this verse is still remembering the persecutions of the Jews because of Epiphanes’ wicked treatment of them, and that Michael was an instrument in God’s hands to help them according to Heb 1:13-14, But the passage is not restricted to that subject for the vision passes immediately in the next verse to the events of the resurrection day.

Verse 2

Dan 12:2. Beyond any question, this verse predicts the general resurrection since it includes the two classes of mankind, the good and the evil. In Joh 5:28-29 the Lord Jesus makes the same prediction in virtually the same language. As further evidence that this is a prediction of the general resurrection we have Paul In Act 24:15 mentioning the general resurrection, and says of it that they (the Jews) themselves also allow, or admit. Yet the Jews could not have known of this doctrine but from the prophecy of Daniel. Many of them does not signify that not all will arise. The word many is defined by Strong as “abundant,” and the phrase merely means that a vast number of people will have lived and died by the time of the resurrection day.

Verse 3

Dan 12:3. This verse has been perverted to teach that the saved will have stars in their erowns. That theory is wrong from every standpoint, and entirely misses the things pre-dicted. The saved are said to shine as the stars hut that has nothing to do with their possessing any stars in their crown, for there is not even any mention of crowns.

Verse 4

Dan 12:4. Shut up the words, and seal the booh Indicates that the fulfillment of the predictions would be far in the future. Before they are fulfilled knowledge shall be increased. This refers to the general diffusion of the light of truth to be sent out through the kingdom of Christ, and predicted also in Isa 11:9.

Verse 5

Dan 12:5. The prophet next sees a vision of things to take place in the Gospel age, or at least things that will be a part of its blessings. The Lord often uses rivers and other streams figuratively to represent His blessings upon the righteous. However, at the present time Daniel is still by the river where he received his last message from heaven. Now there is a person on each side of the river prepared to give some information in the hearing of the prophet.

Verse 6

Dan 12:6. One of the men spoke to the man clothed in linen (Dan 10:5) and asked how long it would be to the end of these wonders. The answer that will be given Indicates the question pertained to a period in the far- off future that would be similar in principle to that previously predicted to come In the nearer future on the Jews.

Verse 7

Dan 12:7. The answer came in figurative language, that it was to be after a time, times and a half. This is the same symbolic prediction that is made in Dan 7:25 and means the "dark ages” of 1260 years. The figure is explained at that place which the reader should see. Scatter the power of the holy people refers to the persecutions of Christians by Rome during the dark ages.

Verse 8

Dan 12:8. Daniel saw the men and heard them speak, but he was concerned because he did not understand the answer to the question.

Verse 9

Dan 12:9. The spokesman rather put Daniel off with an indefinite reply for the same reason as expressed in verse •4 where be was told to seal the book because the fulfillment was to be in the long future.

Verse 10

Dan 12:10. While the man or angel would cot go into all the details of the things predicted, yet Daniel was given some further information as to what would happen in the course of the "dark ages." Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried by the per-secutions of the dark ages. None of the wicked shall understand refers to the blindness of the Roman clergy, and the same is predicted by Paul in 2Th 2:11.

Verse 11

Dan 12:11. Daily sacrifices and abom-ination. that maketh desolate are used figuratively or comparatively. The terms are those used of the corruption of the sacrifice by Epiphanes, but they are used to denote the time when the dark ages would start, because at that time the pure worship would be polluted by Rome. The prophet was told it would be 1290 days, while the period of the dark ages was 1260 (years). But it took some time before the work got a good start, so the addition of 30 (years) is allowed in this figurative prophecy.

Verse 12

Dan 12:12. When the work of Luther and his co-laborers got well underway, the clergy of Rome and leaders of the temporal dominions of the State that formed the union known as Babylon the Great, began to see what it was all about and began to persecute the reformers. For some time they were subjected to bitter experiences, comparable with the ones suffered by the Maccabees, and the distress was so great that some yielded and gave up the struggle. There were others, though, who waited and came through until the battle of the Reformation was won, which the passage sets at the end of 1335 days (years), and a blessing is promised to those who endured to that time. Of course the number of years indicated is only approximate, but it gives the general idea of the great epoch.

Verse 13

Dan 12:13. The vision is ended and Daniel is dismissed to go on his way. He has faithfully and patiently given attention to the address of man or angel. Thou shalt rest is a blessing pronounced upon him in view of his righteous life. He has been an exile from the land of his fathers since the beginning of the great captivity and it is now the third year since that period ended. Stand in thy lot. The first word means to be established and the last means fortune or destiny. The promise means that when the last great day cornea fend of the days), Daniel will be among those who will be able to join with the faithful of all ages in sharing the blessings of Him whose faithful servant lie lias been while living on the earth.