Daniel 12:13 - Printer Friendly

What does Daniel 12:13 mean?

ESV: But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”

NIV: As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.'

NASB: But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will rest and rise for your allotted portion at the end of the age.'

CSB: But as for you, go on your way to the end; you will rest, and then you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance at the end of the days."

NLT: As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days, you will rise again to receive the inheritance set aside for you.'

KJV: But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

NKJV: “But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”

Verse Commentary:

Although Daniel had asked for more enlightenment (Daniel 12:8), the angelic messenger (Daniel 10:18–21) has instructed him to go back to his daily life (Daniel 12:9). What has already been given is all the information that will be provided. Daniel would not live to see most of his prophecies fulfilled, as those events came centuries later and some are still to come. Prophets who came after Daniel add details to our understanding of the end times; these include Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Joel. We should act on whatever information is available (Matthew 7:7–8), but we need not obsess over it. Rather, our responsibility is to live as God has called us to (John 15:1–17) and be ready at every moment for the return of the Lord (Matthew 24:44–47; 25:10–12; 14–19).

Daniel's dismissal is not unkind, however. The angel lets Daniel know that he will experience resurrection. The Hebrew words for "rest" and "stand" here most literally imply moving down and rising up, respectively. Like all men, Daniel would die (Hebrews 9:27). Yet because of his faith in God (Daniel 1:8; 6:5), he could expect restoration in eternity (Daniel 9:23; 10:11, 19; 12:2). He could expect a warm welcome, to His lord's approval (Matthew 25:23).

The angel's encouraging remark here is brief, but it foreshadows a similar sentiment from the apostle Paul. In 1 Thessalonians, he also gave insight into events of the end times, specifically meant to reassure those who place their faith in Christ:

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:14–18).

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.

Chapter Summary:

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.

Chapter Context:

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.

Accessed 5/6/2024 2:47:07 AM