The End Times

12 “At that time Michael,^(A) the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress^(B) such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book^(C)—will be delivered.^{(D) 2} Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake:^(E) some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.^{(F) 3} Those who are wise^[a](G) will shine^(H) like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness,^(I) like the stars for ever and ever.^{(J) 4} But you, Daniel, roll up and seal^(K) the words of the scroll until the time of the end.^(L) Many will go here and there^(M) to increase knowledge.”

The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer

8 When he opened the seventh seal,^(A) there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

² And I saw the seven angels^(B) who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.^(C)

³ Another angel,^(D) who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people,^(E) on the golden altar^(F) in front of the throne. ⁴ The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God^(G) from the angel’s hand. ⁵ Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar,^(H) and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder,^(I) rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.^(J)

The Trumpets

⁶ Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets^(K) prepared to sound them.