Daniel 12 Daniel's Vision of the Ram and the Goat

1 The End Times
“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.

2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.

3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

4 But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

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. 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 closed 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.”

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Understanding the Key Messages in
Daniel 12: Insights and Explanation

In this chapter, Daniel has a vision of a ram and a goat. The ram represents the Medo-Persian Empire, while the goat represents the Greek Empire. Daniel is given insight into future events, including the rise of a powerful and ruthless king. Despite these troubling prophecies, Daniel finds comfort in knowing that God is ultimately in control.

Notes

This chapter contains important prophecies about the rise and fall of empires, highlighting God's sovereignty and control over human history.

Analysis of Daniel Chapter 12

Daniel Chapter 12 is a profound and evocative chapter, concluding the extraordinary visionary experiences of the prophet Daniel. This chapter is pivotal for several reasons, including its apocalyptic nature and its predictions of the end times, the resurrection, and ultimate judgment. It is also a chapter that ties together themes of divine justice, the suffering of God’s people, and the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Context and Structure

Daniel Chapter 12 can be divided into three main sections:

The time of distress and resurrection (verses 1-3)
The sealing of the prophecy (verses 4-9)
The final instructions and promise (verses 10-13)

This chapter serves as a unifying conclusion to the intense and symbolically rich visions that Daniel has experienced in previous chapters. It connects the fate of the Jewish people with a broader eschatological (related to end times) context, offering hope and assurance to the faithful.

The Time of Distress and Resurrection (Verses 1-3)

Verse 1 begins with the mention of “Michael, the great prince who protects your people.” Michael is identified as an archangel, a powerful figure who stands as a guardian of the Jewish nation. This implies that there are spiritual forces at work, advocating and intervening on behalf of God’s people.

“There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then.” This statement echoes the broader biblical theme of tribulation preceding ultimate redemption. This distress is often interpreted as a period of severe persecution, possibly linked to apocalyptic expectations present throughout scripture (e.g., the Great Tribulation in the Book of Revelation).

“But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.” The reference to “the book” suggests a heavenly record of the faithful, reminiscent of the “Book of Life” in Revelation. It underscores the idea of divine predestination and assurance of salvation for those who remain true to their faith.

Verses 2 and 3 introduce the concept of resurrection, a belief that is critically important in Jewish and Christian eschatologies. “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” This dichotomy articulates the final judgment where the righteous are rewarded and the wicked punished. The imagery of awakening from the dust aligns with ancient beliefs about Sheol, the abode of the dead from which the faithful will be resurrected.

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” This verse highlights the eternal glory awaiting the righteous. Wisdom here is equated with righteousness and moral discernment, emphasizing that true enlightenment comes from living in accordance with divine will.

The Sealing of the Prophecy (Verses 4-9)

In verse 4, Daniel is instructed to “shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” Sealing the book implies that the full understanding of these visions will be reserved for a later time, suggesting that divine truths may be progressively revealed. The increase in knowledge likely signifies a future period where human understanding, including spiritual insight, will expand dramatically.

The subsequent verses (5-9) depict a heavenly dialogue involving two other figures besides Daniel, asking about the duration of these end-time wonders. A man clothed in linen, likely an angelic figure, raises both hands to heaven and swears by Him who lives forever, indicating a solemn declaration and certain fulfillment of the prophecy.

“It will be for a time, times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.” This enigmatic phrase, “a time, times, and half a time,” is subject to various interpretations. It is often understood as a period of three and a half years, symbolically representing a truncated period of trial and suffering for the holy people. The “breaking” of the holy people’s power may suggest a final period of intense persecution before ultimate deliverance.

The Final Instructions and Promises (Verses 10-13)

Verse 10 states, “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.” This verse reinforces a theme of moral separation and purification. The righteous undergo a process of refinement, becoming purer, whereas the wicked persist in their ways, incapable of comprehending divine wisdom.

In verses 11 and 12, specific periods are mentioned: “From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.” These time frames are highly symbolic and have been interpreted in various ways, often seen as markers of significant eschatological events. The abominations and cessation of sacrifices suggest a period of intense desecration and spiritual trial, yet there is a blessing for those who endure beyond these trying times, implying a reward for perseverance and faithfulness.

Finally, verse 13 offers personal reassurance to Daniel: “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.” This closing promise assures Daniel of his own resurrection and inheritance in God’s eternal kingdom. It personalizes the eschatological hope, making the broader apocalyptic visions relatable to individual faith journeys.

Theological Implications

Daniel Chapter 12 is rich in theological implications, addressing ultimate questions of justice, resurrection, and divine sovereignty. Key themes include:

Divine Protection and Providence: The presence of Michael and divine interventions underscore the assurance that God’s people are not abandoned in their trials.
Judgment and Resurrection: The chapter affirms the belief in bodily resurrection and final judgment, offering hope for eternal life to the faithful and righteous.
Moral Purification: The concept of being purified and refined highlights the importance of personal holiness and moral integrity in the eschatological context.
Eschatological Timing: The specific periods mentioned, though cryptic, emphasize God’s sovereignty over history and the fulfillment of His divine plan in precise, predetermined times.

Overall, Daniel Chapter 12 serves as a profound conclusion to the prophetic book, offering hope, reassurance, and a call to perseverance for the faithful. It encapsulates key eschatological themes, providing a vision of ultimate justice and redemption that resonates with the broader biblical narrative.