Daniel Chapter 12 Commentary

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Daniel Chapter 12

Based on the American Standard Version of 1901 Concise PRESENTATION NOTES
by Charles Dailey
(Black underlined words match words in the Bible text.)

It is (chapter 12) a part, or a continuation of the general prophecy or vision which was commenced in Dan 10, and which embraces the whole of the eleventh chapter. On every account, and for every reason, the division should have been at the close of the fourth verse of this chapter, and the first four verses should have been attached to the previous portion. That the beginning of this chapter is a continuation of the address of the angel to Daniel, is plain from a mere glance. The address ends at Dan 12:4; and then commences a colloquy between two angels who appear in the vision, designed to cast further light on what had been said. It will contribute to a right understanding of this chapter to remember, that it is a part of the one vision or prophecy which was commenced in Dan 10, and that the whole three chapters (Dan 10; 11; 12) should be read together. If Dan 11, therefore, refers to the historical events connected with the reign of Antiochus, and the troubles under him, it would seem to be plain that this does also, and that the angel meant to designate the time when these troubles would close, and the indications by which it might be known that they were about to come to an end. (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)

1) And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who 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. – The discussion has been about the times of Antiochus Epiphanes. To suddenly make this the end of all time does violence to the context.
- Michael was the angel-prince assigned to Israel.
- Since there was a nation. The language is similar to that of Jesus in Matthew 24:21-23 and probably points to the same event: the Destruction of Jerusalem.
- Those whose names were written in the book of life were saved from Jerusalem's gruesome devastation.

2) And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. – (Some see many as multitude.) This points to a final resurrection and solution to the injustice of the times under discussion. The language is like that of Jesus in John 5:28-29 where he speaks of the resurrection of the body at the end of time. This is the only reference to everlasting life in the Old Testament Scriptures.

3) And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. – The wise in the context relates back to 11:33 where the same Hebrew word appears. The prophecy points to the teachers of godliness during the hard times and teachers of the Way after the Lord arrived here.

4) But 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. – The Message: 'This is a confidential report, Daniel, for your eyes and ears only. Keep it secret. Put the book under lock and key until the end. In the interim there is going to be a lot of frantic running around, trying to figure out what's going on.'
- Seal may be used in the sense of confirm, as we seal a deed or other important documents.
- This is the end of Gabriel's prophecy. But some questions remain.

5) Then I, Daniel, looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on the brink of the river on this side, and the other on the brink of the river on that side. – This was important information from Gabriel and two other angels came to investigate and raise questions. Some verses show that angels do not know everything. Matthew 24:36; 1 Peter 1:12. They are not omniscient.

6) And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? – The prophecy needed a time frame, and the visiting angel was not bashful. He asked when these troubles would end and when victory would be realized.

7) And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above 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 a half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished. – If raising the right hand is a symbol of taking an oath, then raising both hands must a symbol of an even stronger oath.
- The angel is swearing by the very person of God.
- The time frame is usually understood as three and one-half years.
- Paul Butler believes that from the time Antiochus removed the daily sacrifices from the temple until its cleansing under Judas Maccabeus was about 3½ years.

8) And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things? – Maybe the angel understood, but Daniel certainly did not. He asked for a clarification.

9) And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end. – We take this in the sense that no more information will be forthcoming. Heaven has revealed all that it planned to and there is no use inquiring further. The original words are here in the Daniel document, so the statement can't apply to them. We are not aware of this book being sealed.

10) Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but they that are wise shall understand. – The purifying idea is matched in Titus 2:14. This is a description of becoming a Christian.
- The white (garment) is also a way of describing believers. Revelation 3:5.

11) And from the time that the continual burnt-offering shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand and two hundred and ninety days. – Our analysis seems on track. From the time of closing off the regular sacrifices at the temple will begin a period of 1,290 days.

12) Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. – There is a period of 1,335 days. See the charts on the next page.

13) But go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and shalt stand in thy lot, at the end of the days. – The Message: "And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it's all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward."

Daniel Chapter 12
Based on the American Standard Version of 1901	*Concise PRESENTATION NOTES* by Charles Dailey (Black underlined words match words in the Bible text.)
	It is (chapter 12) a part, or a continuation of the general prophecy or vision which was commenced in Dan 10, and which embraces the whole of the eleventh chapter. On every account, and for every reason, the division should have been at the close of the fourth verse of this chapter, and the first four verses should have been attached to the previous portion. That the beginning of this chapter is a continuation of the address of the angel to Daniel, is plain from a mere glance. The address ends at Dan 12:4; and then commences a colloquy between two angels who appear in the vision, designed to cast further light on what had been said. It will contribute to a right understanding of this chapter to remember, that it is a part of the one vision or prophecy which was commenced in Dan 10, and that the whole three chapters (Dan 10; 11; 12) should be read together. If Dan 11, therefore, refers to the historical events connected with the reign of Antiochus, and the troubles under him, it would seem to be plain that this does also, and that the angel meant to designate the time when these troubles would close, and the indications by which it might be known that they were about to come to an end. (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)
1) And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who 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.	– The discussion has been about the times of Antiochus Epiphanes. To suddenly make this the end of all time does violence to the context. - Michael was the angel-prince assigned to Israel. - Since there was a nation. The language is similar to that of Jesus in Matthew 24:21-23 and probably points to the same event: the Destruction of Jerusalem. - Those whose names were written in the book of life were saved from Jerusalem's gruesome devastation.
2) And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.	– (Some see many as multitude.) This points to a final resurrection and solution to the injustice of the times under discussion. The language is like that of Jesus in John 5:28-29 where he speaks of the resurrection of the body at the end of time. This is the only reference to everlasting life in the Old Testament Scriptures.
3) And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.	– The wise in the context relates back to 11:33 where the same Hebrew word appears. The prophecy points to the teachers of godliness during the hard times and teachers of the Way after the Lord arrived here.
4) But 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.	– The Message: 'This is a confidential report, Daniel, for your eyes and ears only. Keep it secret. Put the book under lock and key until the end. In the interim there is going to be a lot of frantic running around, trying to figure out what's going on.' - Seal may be used in the sense of confirm, as we seal a deed or other important documents. - This is the end of Gabriel's prophecy. But some questions remain.

5) Then I, Daniel, looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on the brink of the river on this side, and the other on the brink of the river on that side.	– This was important information from Gabriel and two other angels came to investigate and raise questions. Some verses show that angels do not know everything. Matthew 24:36; 1 Peter 1:12. They are not omniscient.
6) And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?	– The prophecy needed a time frame, and the visiting angel was not bashful. He asked when these troubles would end and when victory would be realized.
7) And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above 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 a half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.	– If raising the right hand is a symbol of taking an oath, then raising both hands must a symbol of an even stronger oath. - The angel is swearing by the very person of God. - The time frame is usually understood as three and one-half years. - Paul Butler believes that from the time Antiochus removed the daily sacrifices from the temple until its cleansing under Judas Maccabeus was about 3½ years.
8) And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?	– Maybe the angel understood, but Daniel certainly did not. He asked for a clarification.
9) And he said, Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are shut up and sealed till the time of the end.	– We take this in the sense that no more information will be forthcoming. Heaven has revealed all that it planned to and there is no use inquiring further. The original words are here in the Daniel document, so the statement can't apply to them. We are not aware of this book being sealed.
10) Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand; but they that are wise shall understand.	– The purifying idea is matched in Titus 2:14. This is a description of becoming a Christian. - The white (garment) is also a way of describing believers. Revelation 3:5.
11) And from the time that the continual burnt-offering shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand and two hundred and ninety days.	– Our analysis seems on track. From the time of closing off the regular sacrifices at the temple will begin a period of 1,290 days.
12) Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.	– There is a period of 1,335 days. See the charts on the next page.
13) But go thou thy way till the end be; for thou shalt rest, and shalt stand in thy lot, at the end of the days.	– The Message: "And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it's all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward."