What does Daniel 12:13 Mean?

Study Notes

days
i.e. of the 1260,1290, and 1335 days.

Verse Meaning

The Lord then dismissed the aged prophet. He was to go his way to the end. The Lord may have had the end of Daniel"s life in mind, or He may have meant that he should continue with his affairs, including dying, until the end of the age would come. The first option seems preferable since the Lord appears to have been viewing Daniel"s life in sequence. First he would rest, in death, then he would rise again (cf. Daniel 12:2), and then he would receive his reward from God (cf. Daniel 12:3). His resurrection and recognition would occur at the end of the age, namely, at the end of the times of the Gentiles. [source][source]

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Thus this great book closes with a reminder that the present age of Gentile domination is not all that God has in store for humankind. There is another age coming, beyond the present one, in which Jesus Christ will reign in righteousness and holiness on the earth (cf. Isaiah 11:9; Zechariah 9:10). Christians should look forward to the beginning of this Messianic age and pray for its coming ( Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:2). [source][source]

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Whereas this book would have encouraged the Jews of Daniel"s day, it has become increasingly encouraging to God"s people as history has unfolded. Today we can see, as never before, how God has fulfilled His predictions exactly in the past. This gives us great confidence as we anticipate His faithfulness to those promises that still remain unfulfilled. [source][source]

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Context Summary

Michael was the guardian spirit of the Jewish people. When the time of trouble has reached its climax, whether in national or individual life, help is near.

The hope of resurrection, of the life beyond the darkness of their times, animated the hearts of the Chosen People. In the same way the Apostle Paul refers to it, 1 Corinthians 15:58. The national resurrection of Israel is without doubt included but the resurrection at the last, when that of the just shall precede that of the unjust by the millennium, is clearly the topic of these wonderful words. Daniel's prophecies were to be sealed, because their entire fulfillment was not to take place for many days. Three and a half probably stands for three and a half prophetic years, which, on the year-day system, gives 1260 days or years, and is therefore equivalent to the forty-two months of Revelation 11:2; Revelation 13:5. This is the time of the world-power, half the perfect number seven. The supremacy of the Gentile kingdoms is 2,500 years, of which the latter half has nearly expired, and the Chosen People will not much longer be scattered. It is an interesting fact that, calculated on the lunar measure, these concluding dates have-according to the calculations of the late Dr. Grattan Guinness-just expired. Let us go our way, watch and pray, and at last stand in our lot. [source]

Chapter Summary: Daniel 12

¹  Michael shall deliver Israel from their troubles
⁵  Daniel is informed of the times