From Daniel 10-12
Daniel 11 is a large chapter depicting the wars between various kingdoms. Daniel 12 wraps it up with an interesting prophecy. Do you think death is the end?
This post is part of my bible in a year series.
Passage and Comments
1 “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. (Da 12.1)
Reading this passage suggests it is talking about the end of Judah’s time under foreign rule and slavery. But the reference to people whose names are found ‘written in the book’ suggests something a bit more significant. Those whose names are written in the book are assured of eternal life (Ps 69.28).
2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Da 12.2)
This confirms it. This is one of the passages in the Old Testament that actually predicts the bodily resurrection of the righteous. There are two groups of people. Some who will have eternal life, the others everlasting shame and contempt. Which suggests the second group will be ashamed for a time, but held in contempt by the righteous for all time.
3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. (Da 12.3)
What do you think it means to ‘turn many to righteousness’? ‘Righteousness’ in the scriptures usually denotes righteous behaviour.
4 But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Da 12.4)
Daniel has been predicting the end times where there will be a resurrection of the dead.
Story of Israel
This doesn’t happen from Daniel’s time in exile, right up to the time of Jesus. Judah is returned to the promised land, but they are under control of various kingdoms. The last are the Greeks and then the Romans. But they still remembered these prophecies and tried to determine when the events they predicted would occur.
Story of Jesus
Paul says of the Jews in Acts;
14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. (Acts 24.14-16)
The Jews continued to hope there would be a resurrection from the dead. It really strange then that after Jesus was crucified by the Jews in Jerusalem they did not believe Jesus rose from the dead in accordance with their scriptural hope. Jesus was the first to be raised with a ‘spiritual’ body (1 Cor 15). The resurrection and judgement of all others is still to come when Jesus returns.
Copyright © Joshua Washington and thescripturesays, 2014. All Rights Reserved.
