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Daniel 12

13 verses

TL;DR

Daniel 12 describes a future time of great tribulation, judgment, and the vindication of the righteous, with Michael standing as protector and the sealing of prophetic words until the end.

Summary

The chapter opens with Michael, the great prince, rising to defend God's people during an unprecedented period of trouble, promising deliverance to those whose names are written in the book. Many sleepers of the earth will awaken, some to eternal life and others to eternal contempt, while the wise will shine and guide many to righteousness. Daniel is instructed to seal the prophetic book until the end of days, as many will seek knowledge. He witnesses two figures on opposite banks of a river, and a clothed man answers questions about the duration of these wonders, saying it will last for a time, times, and an half, and will finish when the power of the holy people is scattered. Daniel asks about the end, but is told the words are sealed. The chapter ends with a promise that the righteous will be purified and the wicked will not understand; from the removal of the daily sacrifice to the setting up of the abomination, a period of 1,290 days will pass, and those who wait will reach 1,335 days before the end of days.

Outline
  1. Michael’s defense and promise of deliverance
  2. Prophetic vision of resurrection and judgment
  3. Sealing of the book and finality of the vision
  4. Period of 1,290 days and the faithful’s endurance
Themes
Judgment and redemptionSealing of prophetic truthFaithful endurance
Keywords
Michaelsealingtribulationjudgmentrighteousnesswitness
People
DanielMichael
Places
bank of the riverthe end of the days
Things
the bookeverlasting lifeeverlasting contemptthe abominationthe daily sacrificetime, times, and an half
Key Verses
  • Daniel 12:2: It declares the ultimate outcomes for the righteous and the wicked.
  • Daniel 12:7: It specifies the duration of the prophetic events.
  • Daniel 12:10: It emphasizes the purification of the righteous and the ignorance of the wicked.
Questions
  • What is the significance of the ‘time, times, and an half’ mentioned in verse 7?
  • How does the sealing of the prophetic words affect the believer’s understanding of prophecy?
  • In what ways does the passage describe the nature of ultimate judgment?
  • What does Daniel’s instruction to 'shut up the words' suggest about the role of prophetic disclosure?
  • How does the theme of endurance manifest in the final verses?
Sentiment

neutral
The text is prophetic and solemn, reflecting divine judgment and hope for the faithful.