Tyndale Open Study NotesDaniel 12

This final vision spans from 536 BC to a future when Daniel will rise from the dead and receive his inheritance. All earthly kingdoms will be destroyed. The eternal kingdom of the Son of Man will arise. God's people will finally be rescued, and death, the ultimate enemy, will be defeated.

The messenger shared a broad overview of history. It started with Persia, continued through the fall of Greece, and covered the rise and fall of a wicked king or several kings (Daniel 11:21–45). It concluded with the final resurrection and victory of God's people.

In the end times, God will save his people and defeat all enemies, including death.

• Michael was the angel who protected Israel (see Daniel 10:13, 21; Revelation 2:1, 8, 12).

• the book: This might be the Book of Truth (Daniel 10:21; see 7:10).

• will be delivered: All past rescues of God's people in Daniel (for example, Daniel 3:28; 6:27) hinted at and now lead to the resurrection from the dead (12:2–3).

Everlasting life is entirely free from shame or disgrace (compare Genesis 2:25; 3:7).

• Wise people know their God (compare Daniel 1:4, 17; 8:25; 9:22, 25; 11:32–35; 12:10).

• To shine is a common metaphor for life, purity, righteousness, and glory.

Daniel had to keep the prophecy a secret (compare Daniel 7:28; 8:26). God would reveal it at the right time, at the end.

• The river was the Tigris River (Daniel 10:4).

• Two others confirmed God's promises (see Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 19:15).

• a time, and times, and half a time: God sets times for everything as he controls earthly and heavenly events (see study note on Daniel 7:24–25).

• The breaking of the holy people was part of God's plan to purify them (Daniel 12:10).

• God did not reveal exactly how and when everything would end. Daniel would not witness the end (Daniel 12:13); his task was to live his life with faith.

• purified, made spotless, and refined: God would use violent and terrifying times to improve the moral and religious character of his people (compare Daniel 11:35).

• Being wise means understanding God's ways and living by them. The wicked will not understand or change their ways, even if someone explains the vision to them.

• the abomination of desolation: See Daniel 8:13–14, 23–26; 11:29–35. See also study note on Daniel 9:27.

• God's people must wait and stay faithful when the end times come.

• 1,290 days … 1,335 days: Some interpreters think these numbers relate to events during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Others believe they are symbolic.

  The number 1,290 equals 43 lunar months of 30 days each, which is about three and a half years in the solar calendar. This might represent the final half of the last “set of seven” (Daniel 9:27).

  The number 1,335 might mean an extra 45 days of waiting until the end. Those who endure the entire time, and then some, will see God act for his people.

Daniel died before the end times, but he knew he would rise again. The end times refer to when even the dead rise (Daniel 12:1–3) and God's everlasting kingdom is established.