1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which 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.
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.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
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.
5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon 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 an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
The twelfth chapter of the book of Daniel in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a prophetic narrative that concludes the visions and prophecies of Daniel. This chapter primarily revolves around the themes of the end times, resurrection, and the final judgement. It offers a glimpse into the future, specifically the time of unparalleled distress, the deliverance of God’s people, and the ultimate resurrection of the dead. The chapter provides a profound understanding of God's divine plan for humanity and the world, emphasizing the inevitability of God's justice and the eternal reward or punishment that awaits every individual based on their deeds.
Chapter 12 begins with a prophecy about the 'time of the end.' The Archangel Michael, who is described as the great prince who protects God's people, will arise. This period will be a time of unparalleled distress, with the world experiencing great tribulations. However, this prophecy also carries a message of hope. Despite the profound suffering, Daniel 12:1 assures God's people of their deliverance. Everyone found written in the book of life will be rescued. This indicates God's unwavering commitment to protect His faithful servants, even in the face of extreme adversity.
One of the most significant themes in this chapter is the resurrection of the dead. Daniel 12:2 prophesies that many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and others to shame and everlasting contempt. This is one of the clearest biblical references to the resurrection and the afterlife. The verse not only affirms the reality of life after death, but it also emphasizes the eternal consequences of one's actions in this life. It underscores the biblical principle of divine justice, where the righteous will be rewarded with eternal life, and the wicked will face eternal punishment.
Daniel 12:3 further develops the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. The 'wise' are described as those who will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. This metaphor of shining stars is used to depict the glory and honor that await the faithful and wise in God's kingdom. On the other hand, the wicked who turn others away from righteousness will face disgrace and eternal torment. This powerful imagery serves as a stark reminder of the profound spiritual implications of our actions and decisions in this life.
In Daniel 12:4, Daniel is instructed to seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. This suggests that the prophecies contained in the book of Daniel are not meant to be fully understood until the end times. The sealing of the words symbolizes the divine mystery surrounding God's plans and the future. It underscores the fact that God's ways are beyond human comprehension, and His plans will only be fully revealed in His own time.
Despite the sealing of the words, Daniel 12:8-10 reveals that the wise will understand the prophecies, while the wicked will not. This suggests that spiritual discernment and wisdom are crucial in understanding God's Word and His plans. The chapter further explains that the wicked will continue in their wickedness, oblivious to the divine truth. However, the wise will be purified, made spotless, and refined. This purification process is necessary for the wise to gain understanding and be prepared for the end times.
The final verses of Daniel 12 contain specific time prophecies. Daniel 12:11-12 mentions a time period of 1,290 days and 1,335 days. These prophecies have been subject to various interpretations throughout history. However, the exact meaning of these time periods remains a mystery, serving as a reminder of the complexity and depth of biblical prophecy. While these prophecies have sparked much debate, the central message remains clear: God's people need to persevere and remain faithful, for they will be rewarded in the end.
In conclusion, Daniel chapter 12 serves as a prophetic roadmap for the end times, providing insights into the resurrection, the final judgement, and the fate of the righteous and the wicked. It underscores the eternal impact of our choices and actions in this life, emphasizing the importance of wisdom, righteousness, and faithfulness to God. Despite the uncertainties and tribulations of the end times, the chapter assures God's people of their ultimate deliverance and reward. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, His divine plan for humanity, and His unfailing justice.
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