Delivered at the End: Hope and Promise in Daniel’s Final Vision

Daniel Series # 12

Daniel 12

“At that time, Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. ² Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. ³ Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. ⁴ But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and the book sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be running back and forth, and evil shall increase.”

⁵ Then I, Daniel, looked, and two others appeared, one standing on this bank of the stream and one on the other. ⁶ One of them said to the man clothed in linen, who was upstream, “How long shall it be until the end of these wonders?” ⁷ The man clothed in linen, who was upstream, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven. And I heard him swear by the one who lives forever that it would be for a time, two times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end, all these things would be accomplished. ⁸ I heard but could not understand, so I said, “My lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” ⁹ He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are to remain secret and sealed until the time of the end. ¹⁰ Many shall be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked shall continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. ¹¹ From the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the desolating sacrilege is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred ninety days. ¹² Happy are those who persevere and attain the thousand three hundred thirty-five days. ¹³ But you, go your way, and rest; you shall rise for your reward at the end of the days.”

The concluding chapter of the book of Daniel centers on the prophetic revelations regarding the end times. In Daniel 10:13-14, an angel conveys to Daniel the challenge faced in delivering this message: “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me twenty-one days. So, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia and have come to help you understand what is to happen to your people at the end of days. For there is a further vision for those days.” (NRSV)

Daniel 11 outlines a detailed prophecy concerning events from the Medo-Persian Empire to the end times. Notably, verse 40 refers to a climactic “time of the end” wherein “the king of the South” will engage in conflict with “the king of the North,” who will then invade the “Beautiful Land”—the Holy Land—and subdue many surrounding nations (Daniel 11:41).

Continuing in Daniel 12, the angel elaborates on this message, stating, “At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time, your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book.” (Daniel 12:1). This “time of anguish” aligns with the prophetic words of Jeremiah, who lamented, “Alas! that day is so great there is none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob, yet he shall be rescued from it.” (Jeremiah 30:7).

This yet-to-be-fulfilled prophecy will primarily impact a time even farther in the future than those Daniel has seen thus far. Jesus Himself referenced this tumultuous period in His Olivet Discourse, indicating, “For at that time there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no one would be saved, but for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.” (Matthew 24:21-22). Christian theologians can only conclude that Jesus is referencing Daniel, who in turn is referencing the coming of Christ on the final day. 

The Bible teaches that no one knows the exact day or hour of Jesus Christ’s return, as stated in Matthew 24:36. However, it does provide vague clues that imply Christ’s return is imminent. Matthew 24:33 says, “When you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.” In the lead-up to this significant event, Jesus warned His disciples—and us today—about various occurrences that would characterize this period. These include religious deception, wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes.

In accord with the testimony of Scripture, these afflictions are not random nor without purpose; our Lord calls them “the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:8), signaling that such tribulations will escalate both in scope and severity as the day of Christ’s return draws near. In this, believers are reminded to remain watchful, trusting in God’s sovereign plan as it unfolds through history. Additionally, Jesus outlined specific signs to be vigilant for: the rise of false prophets who will deceive many (verse 5), the persecution and killing of many of God’s followers (verse 9), and a general increase in lawlessness (verse 12). Despite these tragic developments, it is emphasized that the gospel of the kingdom will be preached throughout the world as a testimony to all nations before the end comes (verse 14).

Jesus tells us that the gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the end times. This is the good news that Jesus is going to return to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. This is the message Jesus preached when He lived on earth as a human, and it remains the message that preachers, ministers, pastors, priests, and elders preach every Sunday.

Mark documents this, writing: “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the good news of God and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.’” (Mark 1:14-15)

After the first century, those who taught and believed the gospel of the Kingdom were severely persecuted. Many gave their lives for their adherence to Christ’s teaching.

The concept of resurrection is central to biblical teaching, particularly as articulated in the Book of Daniel. The angel communicated to Daniel that many who have died shall awaken, with some destined for eternal life and others facing everlasting shame (Daniel 12:2). This awakening pertains to the divine act of resurrection, wherein God restores the dead to life. It is revealed that “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3).

Paul believed that this prophecy would come quickly. He taught the concept of the first resurrection, where individuals would be transformed into spiritual beings as they rise to meet Christ in the air upon His return (1 Thessalonians 4:15-16; 1 Corinthians 15:50-52). At that significant moment, God’s faithful who remain alive will also transform and ascend to meet the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Those who are transformed into immortal beings during the first resurrection will reign with Christ for a thousand years. Scripture proclaims, “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:6).

How do we conclude that Daniel 12 refers to the future?

Verse 4 of Daniel 12 then reads: “But you, Daniel, keep the words secret and the book sealed until the time of the end. Many shall be running back and forth, and evil shall increase.” This means that Daniel’s prophecies would not be fully understood until the end times, prior to Christ’s return. Previously, Daniel had told King Nebuchadnezzar, “There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries” (Daniel 2:28). The end time, as described in Daniel 12:4, is characterized by a period when “Many shall be running back and forth, and evil shall increase.” “Evil” can also be translated as knowledge.

Over the last century, the rate of accumulation of new knowledge has increased exponentially. World-changing inventions, such as groundbreaking medications, the atomic bomb, organ transplants, travel to the moon, and the Internet, have seemingly arrived almost simultaneously. Not all of this knowledge has been used for the betterment of humankind. The atomic bomb was considered by its inventors to be a mistake. The realization of the weapon's destructive power, and concerns for the future, led many to advocate for disarmament and international control of nuclear weapons. So, now many believe the meaning of the book of Daniel is becoming clearer!

The wise shall understand

Although Daniel apparently understood part of what he was inspired to write (Daniel 10:14), he was curious to know the outcome. “So, I said, my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” He said, ‘Go your way, Daniel, for the words are to remain secret and sealed until the time of the end.’” (Daniel 12:8-9). Then the angel continued, telling Daniel that the wise will understand. But first, there will be a time of desolation. Many have theorized what it will be or when it will occur. This is all done in vain. God will reveal the end when God is ready, and not before. Being the first one to see or understand is not a prize to be one. To Daniel and to God, this is not a game. It is about the salvation of God’s people.

Daniel prophesied the deliverance of God’s people in the end times.

As these prophesied events begin to unfold, God’s people need to remember that Daniel was also told that the people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book” (Daniel 12:1). In the broadest sense, the return of Christ will bring deliverance not only to the Jewish people, but also to the people of God (who are now of all nationalities and backgrounds) and the whole world. Yet when we specifically consider what will happen to the people of God, the Bible has some important explanations and advice.

Regarding people who have their names “written in the book,” this phrase seems to be referring to the “Book of Life”—a document containing the names of God’s faithful people (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27; 22:19). A careful study of the passages speaking of the “Book of Life” reveals that those whose names will be included in this book will be obedient to the instructions found in the Bible (especially note Revelation 3:5 and 20:12).

God said to Church members in Philadelphia, “Because you have kept my word of endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.” (Revelation 3:10).

The excellent news!

The prophecy in Daniel 12 is not only about a future “time of anguish” that will occur at the end of this “present evil age” (Daniel 12:1; Galatians 1:4). It is also about people being “delivered,” which is the most fantastic news in the Bible! In fact, this is what the entire book of Daniel has been building up to. God is God, Sovereign of the universe, creator, protector, redeemer, and ever-present in our lives. Daniel spent his entire life in service to God, exiled from his home. Yet, he led his people both literally in action and in spirit. The scripture writers, especially Paul in the New Testament, tell us Jesus Christ is going to return and establish the Kingdom of God. As Daniel had explained to King Nebuchadnezzar, this Kingdom will eventually fall and “the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed.” (Daniel 2:44)

Daniel 12 is the final promise to Daniel that his people will complete the rebuilding of the Temple and the wall in Jerusalem. It is also a promise to us that God is with us still, the Holy Spirit is protecting those who believe, and Christ will come on a day like the Son of Man on a rolling cloud, and everyone who is in Him will be raised and be with Him forever. Amen.

Bibliography

Calvin John Calvin: Institutes of the Christian Religion [Book] / ed. McNeill, John T. / trans. Battles Ford Lewis. - Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1960. - Vol. I: II: pp. 197-237.

Calvin John Comm on Daniel (V2) [Online] // ccel.org / ed. Pantinga Harry. - Calvin University, 1993-2020. - August 10, 2025. - https://ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom25/calcom25.i.html.

Meeks Wayne A. [et al.] The Harper Collins Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version with the Apocryphal and Deuterocanonical Books // NRSV Bible. - New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1993.

NRSVue // Holy Bible w/ With Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament.. - Washington, D.C.: Zondervan, 2021. - Vol. Updated Edition. - National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.