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The Time of the End

12 “At that time Michael, the archangel[a] who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”

Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing on opposite banks of the river. One of them asked the man dressed in linen, who was now standing above the river, “How long will it be until these shocking events are over?”

The man dressed in linen, who was standing above the river, raised both his hands toward heaven and took a solemn oath by the One who lives forever, saying, “It will go on for a time, times, and half a time. When the shattering of the holy people has finally come to an end, all these things will have happened.”

I heard what he said, but I did not understand what he meant. So I asked, “How will all this finally end, my lord?”

But he said, “Go now, Daniel, for what I have said is kept secret and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined by these trials. But the wicked will continue in their wickedness, and none of them will understand. Only those who are wise will know what it means.

11 “From the time the daily sacrifice is stopped and the sacrilegious object that causes desecration[b] is set up to be worshiped, there will be 1,290 days. 12 And blessed are those who wait and remain until the end of the 1,335 days!

13 “As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.”

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Footnotes

  1. 12:1 Hebrew the great prince.
  2. 12:11 Hebrew the abomination of desolation.

The End Times

12 “‘At that time, Michael[a] will arise, the great prince who will stand up on behalf of your people, and a time of trouble will come like there has never been since nations began until that time. Also at that time, your people will be delivered—everyone who will have been written in the book. Many of those who are sleeping in the dust of the earth will awaken—some to life everlasting, and some to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Those who manifest wisdom will shine like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine[b] like the stars for ever and ever. Now as for you, Daniel, roll up your scroll and seal your words until the time of the end. Many will rush around, while knowledge increases.’”

The Vision of the Two Speakers

“Then while I, Daniel, continued watching, suddenly two others stood there, one on this side of the river bank and one on the other side. One asked the man dressed in linen clothes, who was standing[c] above the waters of the river, ‘How long until the fulfillment of the wonders?’

“I heard the man dressed in linen clothes, who was standing[d] above the waters of the river as he lifted his right and left hands to heaven and swore by the one who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and a half. When the shattering of the power of the holy people has occurred, all these things will conclude.”

Daniel’s Unanswered Question

“I heard, but I didn’t understand. So I asked, ‘Sir,[e] what happens next?’

“He answered, ‘Go on your way, Daniel, because these matters[f] are wrapped up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, cleansed, and refined, though the wicked will continue to act wickedly, and none of the wicked will understand. Nevertheless, the insightful[g] will understand. 11 There will be[h] 1,290 days from the time the regular burnt offering[i] is rescinded and the destructive desolation established. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres and attains to the 1,335 days. 13 Now as for you, keep on going until the end—you’ll rest and then rise to receive your reward at the end of the age.’”[j]

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Footnotes

  1. Daniel 12:1 Or time, the One who is like God; i.e. the Messiah
  2. Daniel 12:3 The Heb. lacks will shine
  3. Daniel 12:6 The Heb. lacks standing
  4. Daniel 12:7 The Heb. lacks standing
  5. Daniel 12:8 Lit. My lord
  6. Daniel 12:9 Or words
  7. Daniel 12:10 Or wise
  8. Daniel 12:11 The Heb. lacks There will be
  9. Daniel 12:11 Or sacrifice
  10. Daniel 12:13 Lit. days