Daniel 12

Daniel 12

Pentecost - No doubt when the revelation contained in chapter 12 was given Daniel, he was concerned about his people’s destiny. Now at the conclusion of this vision, the angel consoled Daniel by revealing two facts (vv. 1–3). First, the people of Israel (your people; cf. 9:24; 10:14) will be delivered by the intervention of Michael the angelic prince (cf. 10:13, 21), who is Israel’s defender. In the Great Tribulation Satan will attempt to exterminate every descendant of Abraham (see comments on Rev. 12:15). This will be a time of great unprecedented distress for Israel (cf. Matt. 24:21). Satan’s attack against the people of the kingdom will be part of his effort to prevent the return and reign of Christ. (See The Bible Knowledge Commentary) The Jewish writer Judah J Slotki (not a believer in Messiah) has an interesting comment on Daniel 12 noting that it "is generally taken by Jewish authorities to refer to the remote future which will herald the advent of the Messianic era." (Daniel - Ezra - Nehemiah Hebrew Text & English Translation) Michael (note) the great prince - As used in Daniel 10-12, prince refers to an angelic being, in this case Michael (one of three named angels - others are Gabriel and Satan) the angel who is "assigned" to Israel. Who stands guard over the sons of your people - Your people is not the church (see related study Israel of God) but Israel and thus as noted Michael is the "archangel" (Jude 1:9) over Israel and his role is to guard Israel. Michael… will arise - Comparing Scripture with Scripture, this event would correlate well with the apostle John's description of the "last great invisible heavenly war" in Revelation 12… And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. (Re 12:7-note, Re 12:8-note, Re 12:9-note) Related Resources: Israel of God What is replacement theology / supersessionism? What is spiritual Israel? What is New Israel? There will be - This identifies this as a future event. It is an event which has no historical counterpart. CRUCIAL TIME PHRASE: A TIME OF DISTRESS A time of distress (See table of parallel descriptions) - This is another description of the Great Tribulation which was described by Jesus in similar terms stating that… for then (When? "when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" Mt 24:15-note) there will be a Great Tribulation (thlipsis), such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall. (Mt 24:21-note) This time of great distress is unique in the history of the world (such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time) and is especially directed toward Israel (although clearly anyone alive in this time will be impacted).