The Time of the End
Study note
Michael is the archangel who protects Israel. The time of trouble described here is the worst the world will ever see. The promise of resurrection in verse 2 is one of the clearest Old Testament statements about life after death. Those who are wise and lead others to righteousness will shine like stars forever. Daniel is told to seal the book because these events are far in the future.
1 "When that time arrives, Michael — the mighty angel who watches over your people — will stand up. It will be the worst time of trouble the world has ever seen since nations began. But everyone whose name is recorded in God's book will be rescued." 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 "Many people who are sleeping in their graves will wake up. Some will rise to live forever, and others will rise to face everlasting shame and disgrace." 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 "Those who lived wisely will shine as bright as the sky above. Those who showed others the right path will blaze like stars forever and ever." 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 Daniel, lock these words away and seal this book shut until the final days. Many people will rush around searching for answers, and knowledge will explode." 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.
How Long Until the End?
Study note
Two angels stand on opposite banks of a river, and a glorious figure above the waters swears that the time of trouble will last for a time, times, and half a time (three and a half years). Daniel does not fully understand the answer. He is told that the words are sealed until the end times. The wicked will not understand, but the wise will. Daniel is assured that he will rest in death and then rise to receive his reward at the end of the days.
5 Then I looked and saw two other figures standing there — one on each bank of the river. 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 One of them called up to the man in linen clothes who was hovering above the river. "How much longer before these stunning events reach their conclusion?" he asked. 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 The man dressed in linen raised both hands toward the sky and swore a solemn oath by the God who lives forever: "It will take a time, times, and half a time. Once the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all of these things will wrap up." 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 I heard what he said but could not grasp it. "My lord," I asked, "how will all of this turn out in the end?" And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 "Go and live your life, Daniel," he replied. "These words are locked away and sealed until the final days." And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 "Many people will be purified, refined, and made clean through these trials. But wicked people will keep right on being wicked. The wicked will never understand what is happening, but the wise will." 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 "From the day the daily sacrifices are stopped and the awful thing that causes ruin is set up, 1,290 days will pass." 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 "How fortunate is the person who holds on and makes it all the way to the 1,335th day!" Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.
13 "As for you, Daniel, keep going until your life ends. You will rest in your grave, and then at the very end of days, you will stand up again to receive everything God has promised you." But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.