Daniel 12:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days.

NIV: Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.

NASB: Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days!

CSB: Happy is the one who waits for and reaches 1,335 days.

NLT: And blessed are those who wait and remain until the end of the 1,335 days!

KJV: Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

NKJV: Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.

Scripture often suggests a two-part, seven-year period in the end times (Daniel 7:25; 9:27; Revelation 11:2; 12:14; 13:5). As Daniel receives his final words from a celestial being (Daniel 10:18–21), two similar numbers are given. However, neither precisely matches three-and-one-half years. The angel who speaks offers no further information; in fact, he is in the process of telling Daniel to go back to daily life (Daniel 12:9, 13).

The prior verse (Daniel 12:11) mentioned 1,290 days. This is thirty days longer than forty-two "prophetic" months of thirty days each. The number here is another forty-five days beyond that. Because there is almost no context, we can only speculate as to what the additional time spans imply. It's possible that the two halves of the seven-year tribulation may be interrupted during the time when the temple is being defiled (Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13:14). Or the extra days may be the time Jesus is judging nations after His return (Ezekiel 20:30–38; Matthew 25:31–46; Revelation 19:11–15).

The angel's message reinforces the biblical theme of persevering (Matthew 24:13). Jesus provided many parables about the need to be ever-ready for His return (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18), even though we don't know all the details (Matthew 24:44–47; 25:10–12; 14–19).

Daniel 12:5–13 completes the final prophecy given to Daniel. He sees two additional beings and hears a question about the timing of the predicted events. Daniel does not fully understand the answer and asks for clarity. Instead of more answers, he is told to return to his life. After another reference to days and times, the message ends, as does Daniel's writing.

The angelic being who has been giving Daniel insight into the future (Daniel 10:18–21) provides a few last remarks. These reiterate ideas such as resurrection, eternal fate, and salvation. Daniel asks for more clarity, but the angel simply tells him to care for the prophecies which have been given. He tells Daniel to go back to his life, reassuring him that he will experience resurrection and restoration after his death.

Daniel has been receiving information from an angelic being who appeared near the Tigris River (Daniel 10:4–6). The prophecies covered several centuries of events which were themselves centuries in Daniel's future (Daniel 11). As did prior chapters (Daniel 7—9), these interlock with other prophetic Scriptures. This chapter ends Daniel's text, leaving later prophets to record more details about the end times.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.