Part four: the dead will rise to life

1Michael, the chief of the angels, is the protector of your people, and he will come at a time of terrible suffering, the worst in all of history. And your people who have their names written in The Book12.1 The Book: Either the book with the names of God's people in it or the book with the record of the good and evil that people have done. will be protected.12.1: a Rev 12.7; b Mt 24.21; Mk 13.19; Rev 7.14; 12.7. 2Many of those who lie dead in the ground will rise from death. Some of them will be given eternal life, and others will receive nothing but eternal shame and disgrace.12.2: Is 26.19; Mt 25.46; Jn 5.29. 3Everyone who has been wise will shine as bright as the sky above, and everyone who has led others to please God will shine like the stars.

4Daniel, I now command you to keep the message of this book secret until the end of time, even though many people will go everywhere, searching for the knowledge to be found in it.12.4 even though…in it: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.12.4: Rev 22.10.

The end of time

5Daniel wrote:

I looked around and saw two other people—one on this side of the river and one on the other side. 6The angel who had spoken to me was dressed in linen and was standing upstream from them.12.6 angel…upstream from them: See 10.4-6. So one of the two beside the river asked him, “How long before these amazing things happen?”

7The angel then raised both hands towards heaven and said, “In the name of the God who lives for ever, I solemnly promise that it will be a time, two times, and half a time.12.7 a time, two times, and half a time: Or “a year, two years, and half a year”, that is, about 1260 days. Everything will be over, when the suffering of God's holy people comes to an end.”12.7: a Rev 10.5; b Rev 12.14.

8I heard what the angel said, but I didn't understand. So I asked, “Sir, how will it all end?”

The angel in my vision then replied:

9Daniel, go about your business, because the meaning of this message will remain secret until the end of time. 10Many people will have their hearts and lives made pure and clean, but those who are evil will keep on being evil and never understand. Only the wise will understand.12.10: Rev 22.11. 11There will be one thousand two hundred and ninety days from the time that the daily sacrifices are stopped, until someone sets up the “Horrible Thing” that causes destruction.12.11: Dn 9.27; 11.31; Mt 24.15; Mk 13.14. 12God will bless everyone who patiently waits until one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days have gone by.

13So, Daniel, be faithful until the end! You will rest, and at the end of time, you will rise from death to receive your reward.