Daniel 12

“‘That’s when Michael, the great angel-prince, champion of your people, will step in. It will be a time of trouble, the worst trouble the world has ever seen. But your people will be saved from the trouble, every last one found written in the Book. Many who have been long dead and buried will wake up, some to eternal life, others to eternal shame.

“At that time Michael will appear. He is the great prince of the angels. He guards your people. There will be a time of terrible suffering. Things will be worse than at any time since nations began. But at that time of suffering your people will be saved. Their names are written in the book of life.

Many people who lie dead in their graves will wake up. Some will rise up to life that will never end. Others will rise up to shame that will never end.

“‘Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewn night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever.

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the sky. Those who lead many others to do what is right will be like the stars for ever and ever.

“‘This is a confidential report, Daniel, for your eyes and ears only. Keep it secret. Put the book under lock and key until the end. In the interim there is going to be a lot of frantic running around, trying to figure out what’s going on.’

But I want you to roll up this scroll, Daniel. Seal it until the time of the end. Many people will go here and there to increase their knowledge.”

“As I, Daniel, took all this in, two figures appeared, one standing on this bank of the river and one on the other bank. One of them asked a third man who was dressed in linen and who straddled the river, ‘How long is this astonishing story to go on?’

Then I looked up and saw two other angels. One was on this side of the Tigris River. And one was on the other side.

The man who was dressed in linen was above the waters of the river. One of the angels spoke to him. He asked, “How long will it be before these amazing things come true?”

“The man dressed in linen, who straddled the river, raised both hands to the skies. I heard him solemnly swear by the Eternal One that it would be a time, two times, and half a time, that when the oppressor of the holy people was brought down the story would be complete.

The man raised both hands toward heaven. I heard him make a promise in the name of the God who lives forever. He answered me, “Three and a half years. Then the power of the holy people will finally be broken. And all these things will come true.”

“I heard all this plainly enough, but I didn’t understand it. So I asked, ‘Master, can you explain this to me?’

I heard what he said. But I didn’t understand it. So I asked, “My master, what will come of all this?”

“‘Go on about your business, Daniel,’ he said. ‘The message is confidential and under lock and key until the end, until things are about to be wrapped up. The populace will be washed clean and made like new. But the wicked will just keep on being wicked, without a clue about what is happening. Those who live wisely and well will understand what’s going on.’

He answered, “Go on your way, Daniel. The scroll is rolled up. It is sealed until the time of the end.

Many people will be made pure in the fire. They will be made spotless. But sinful people will continue to be evil. Not one sinful person will understand. But those who are wise will.

“From the time that the daily worship is banished from the Temple and the obscene desecration is set up in its place, there will be 1,290 days.

“The daily sacrifices will be stopped. And the hated thing that destroys will be set up. After that, there will be 1,290 days.

“Blessed are those who patiently make it through the 1,335 days.

Blessed are those who wait for the 1,335 days and reach the end of them.

“And you? Go about your business without fretting or worrying. Relax. When it’s all over, you will be on your feet to receive your reward.”

“Daniel, go on your way until the end. Your body will rest in the grave. Then at the end of the days you will rise from the dead. And you will receive what God has appointed for you.”