121 "Now at that time Michael , the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people , will arise . And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time ; and at that time your people , everyone who is found written in the book , will be rescued . 2 " Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake , these to everlasting life , but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt . 3 "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven , and those who lead the many to righteousness , like the stars forever and ever . 4 "But as for you, Daniel , conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time ; many will go back and forth , and knowledge will increase ."
5 Then I, Daniel , looked and behold , two others were standing , one on this bank of the river and the other on that bank of the river . 6 And one said to the man dressed in linen , who was above e the waters of the river , " How long e will it be until the end of these wonders ?" 7 I heard the man dressed in linen , who was above e the waters of the river , as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven , and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time , times , and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people , all these events will be completed . 8 As for me, I heard but could not understand ; so I said , "My lord , what will be the outcome of these events?" 9 He said , "Go your way, Daniel , for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time . 10 " Many will be purged , purified and refined , but the wicked will act wickedly ; and none e of the wicked will understand , but those who have insight will understand . 11 "From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 e e days . 12 "How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 e e e e days ! 13 "But as for you, go your way to the end ; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 12:1-14
Commentary on Daniel 12:1-4
(Read Daniel 12:1-4)
Michael signifies, "Who is like God," and his name, with the title of "the great Prince," points out the Divine Saviour. Christ stood for the children of our people in their stead as a sacrifice, bore the curse for them, to bear it from them. He stands for them in pleading for them at the throne of grace. And after the destruction of antichrist, the Lord Jesus shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and He shall appear for the complete redemption of all his people. When God works deliverance from persecution for them, it is as life from the dead. When his gospel is preached, many who sleep in the dust, both Jews and Gentiles, shall be awakened by it out of their heathenism of Judaism. And in the end the multitude that sleep in the dust shall awake; many shall arise to life, and many to shame. There is glory reserved for all the saints in the future state, for all that are wise, wise for their souls and eternity. Those who turn many to righteousness, who turn sinners from the errors of their ways, and help to save their souls from death, James 5:20, will share in the glory of those they have helped to heaven, which will add to their own glory.
Commentary on Daniel 12:5-13
(Read Daniel 12:5-13)
One of the angels asking how long it should be to the end of these wonders, a solemn reply is made, that it would be for a time, times, and a half, the period mentioned 25, and in the Revelation. It signifies 1260 prophetic days or years, beginning from the time when the power of the holy people should be scattered. The imposture of Mohammed, and the papal usurpation, began about the same time; and these were a twofold attack upon the church of God. But all will end well at last. All opposing rule, principality, and power, shall be put down, and holiness and love will triumph, and be in honour, to eternity. The end, this end, shall come. What an amazing prophecy is this, of so many varied events, and extending through so many successive ages, even to the general resurrection! Daniel must comfort himself with the pleasing prospect of his own happiness in death, in judgment, and to eternity. It is good for us all to think much of going away from this world. That must be our way; but it is our comfort that we shall not go till God calls us to another world, and till he has done with us in this world; till he says, Go thou thy way, thou hast done thy work, therefore now, go thy way, and leave it to others to take thy place. It was a comfort to Daniel, and is a comfort to all the saints, that whatever their lot is in the days of their lives, they shall have a happy lot in the end of the days. And it ought to be the great care and concern of every one of us to secure this. Then we may well be content with our present lot, and welcome the will of God. Believers are happy at all times; they rest in God by faith now, and a rest is reserved for them in heaven at last.