Daniel 12:5-13

5 Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank.
6 One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?”
7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, times and half a time.[a] When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.”
8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?”
9 He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end.
10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.
11 “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.
12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”

Daniel 12:5-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL 12

This chapter begins with an account of a time of exceeding great trouble to the people of God, who are comforted with the consideration of Michael the great Prince being on their side, and with a promise of deliverance, with the resurrection of the dead, and the glorious state of wise and good men upon that, Da 12:1-3, and Daniel is ordered to shut up and seal the book of the prophecy, until a time when it should be better understood, Da 12:4, next follows a question put by an angel to Christ, and his answer to it, with respect to the time of the fulfilment of those wonderful events, Da 12:5-7. Daniel, not understanding what he heard, asks what would be the end of those things, Da 12:8 in answer to which he is bid to be content with what he knew; no alteration would be among men; things would be neither better nor worse with them, Da 12:9,10, a time is fixed for the accomplishment of all, Da 12:11,12, and it is promised him that he should have rest after death, and rise again, and have his lot and share with the blessed, Da 12:13.

Cross References 22

  • 1. Daniel 10:4
  • 2. S Ezekiel 9:2
  • 3. Daniel 8:13
  • 4. S Genesis 14:22
  • 5. S Daniel 6:26; Revelation 10:5-6
  • 6. S Daniel 7:25; S Revelation 11:2
  • 7. S Daniel 8:24
  • 8. Luke 21:24; Revelation 10:7
  • 9. S Isaiah 29:11
  • 10. S ver 4
  • 11. S Isaiah 1:25; S Daniel 11:35
  • 12. S Isaiah 32:7; Revelation 22:11
  • 13. Hosea 14:9
  • 14. S Exodus 29:38
  • 15. S Daniel 8:11; S Daniel 9:27; Matthew 24:15*; Mark 13:14*
  • 16. Revelation 11:2
  • 17. S Isaiah 30:18
  • 18. S Ezekiel 4:5-6; Daniel 8:14
  • 19. S ver 4
  • 20. Isaiah 57:2
  • 21. Psalms 16:5; Revelation 14:13
  • 22. Matthew 10:22; James 1:12

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "a year, two years and half a year"
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