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Chapter 12

“At that time there shall arise
    Michael, the great prince,
    the guardian of your people.
Then there will be a period
    that will be unsurpassed in distress
    since nations first came into existence.
At that time your own people will be spared,
    everyone whose names are found written in the book.
“Many of those shall awake
    who sleep in the dust of the earth.
Some shall gain everlasting life;
    others will earn shame and everlasting disgrace.
However, the wise will shine
    like the brightness of the heavens,
and those who lead many to righteousness
    will be as bright as the stars forever and ever.
As for you, Daniel,
    keep these words secret,
    and seal the book until the time of the end.
Many shall fall away,
    and evils shall increase.”

Daniel’s Final Revelation.[a] I, Daniel, then looked and saw two others standing, one on the bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was upstream, “How long shall it be until these incredible events take place?”

The man robed in linen who was upstream raised both his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, “It will be for a year, for two years, and half a year, and then all these things will cease when the power of the destroyer of the holy people will come to an end.”

I heard what was said but I did not understand, so I asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of all these things?” He replied, “Go on your way, Daniel, for these words are to be kept secret and remain sealed until the end time.

10 “Many shall be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked will persist in their evil ways. 11 From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the appalling abomination is set up, one thousand two hundred and ninety days will elapse.

12 “Blessed is the man who perseveres and attains one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 13 But you, go on your way and rest. Then you will rise for your reward at the end of the ages.”

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 12:5 The author predicts that the trial will last three and a half years. This approximate time corresponds to the half week of the great prophecy (Dan 9:27); it will subsequently become the symbolic duration of all persecution. The image of the sealed book hints that they will not be understood until the events are fulfilled. In the Book of Revelation (Rev 6) the seals are opened by the Lamb, that is, the risen Jesus, in whom history gets its meaning. Destined to comfort martyrs, the final numbers (vv. 11-12) are possibly witnesses of a hope that is disappointed several times before it is finally fulfilled: the recompense is near.

12 At that time
Michael(A) the great prince
who stands watch over your people will rise up.
There will be a time of distress(B)
such as never has occurred(C)
since nations came into being until that time.(D)
But at that time all your people
who are found written in the book(E) will escape.(F)
Many of those who sleep in the dust(G)
of the earth will awake,
some to eternal life,(H)
and some to shame and eternal contempt.(I)
Those who are wise will shine
like the bright expanse of the heavens,(J)
and those who lead many to righteousness,(K)
like the stars forever and ever.

“But you, Daniel, keep these words secret(L) and seal the book(M) until the time of the end.(N) Many will roam about,(O) and knowledge will increase.”[a]

Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others were standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the other. One of them said to the man dressed in linen,(P) who was above the waters of the river,(Q) “How long until the end(R) of these extraordinary things?” Then I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river. He raised both his hands[b](S) toward heaven and swore by Him who lives eternally(T) that it would be for a time, times, and half a time.(U) When the power of the holy people is shattered, all these things will be completed.

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

He said, “Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are secret(W) and sealed until the time of the end.(X) 10 Many will be purified,(Y) cleansed, and refined,(Z) but the wicked will act wickedly;(AA) none of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.(AB) 11 From the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation(AC) is set up,(AD) there will be 1,290 days. 12 The one who waits(AE) for and reaches 1,335 days is blessed. 13 But as for you, go on your way to the end;[c] you will rest, then rise(AF) to your destiny at the end of the days.”

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 12:4 LXX reads and the earth will be filled with unrighteousness
  2. Daniel 12:7 Lit raised his right and his left
  3. Daniel 12:13 LXX omits to the end

Prophecy of the End Time

12 “At that time Michael shall stand up,
The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;
(A)And there shall be a time of trouble,
Such as never was since there was a nation,
Even to that time.
And at that time your people (B)shall be delivered,
Every one who is found (C)written in the book.
And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
(D)Some to everlasting life,
Some to shame (E)and everlasting [a]contempt.
Those who are wise shall (F)shine
Like the brightness of the firmament,
(G)And those who turn many to righteousness
(H)Like the stars forever and ever.

“But you, Daniel, (I)shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall (J)run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that (K)riverbank. And one said to the man clothed in (L)linen, who was above the waters of the river, (M)“How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?

Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he (N)held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him (O)who lives forever, (P)that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; (Q)and when the power of (R)the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.

Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?

And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 (S)Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, (T)but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but (U)the wise shall understand.

11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.

13 “But you, go your way till the end; (V)for you shall rest, (W)and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”

Footnotes

  1. Daniel 12:2 Lit. abhorrence