12:1 And at that a time shall Michael stand up, the great
prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and
there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since
there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that
time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be
found written in the book.
(a) The angel here notes two things: first that the Church
will be in great affliction and trouble at Christ's
coming, and next that God will send his angel to
deliver it, whom he here calls Michael, meaning Christ,
who is proclaimed by the preaching of the Gospel.
12:2 And many b of them that sleep in the dust of the earth
shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame
[and] everlasting contempt.
(b) Meaning all will rise at the general resurrection,
which thing he here names because the faithful should
always consider that: for in the earth there will be no
sure comfort.
12:3 And they that be c wise shall shine as the brightness of
the firmament; and they that d turn many to righteousness
as the stars for ever and ever.
(c) Who have kept the true fear of God and his religion.
(d) He chiefly means the ministers of God's word, and next
all the faithful who instruct the ignorant, and bring
them to the true knowledge of God.
12:4 But thou, O Daniel, e shut up the words, and seal the
book, f [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to
and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
(e) Even though the most part despise this prophecy, yet
make sure you keep it and esteem it as a treasure.
(f) Until the time that God has appointed for the full
revelation of these things: and then many will run to
and fro to search for the knowledge of these mysteries,
which things they obtain now by the light of the
Gospel.
12:5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two,
the one on this side of the bank of the g river, and the
other on that side of the bank of the river.
(g) Which was the Tigris.
12:7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which [was] upon the
waters of the river, when he held up his h right hand and
his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for
ever that [it shall be] for a i time, times, and an half;
and when he shall have accomplished k to scatter the
power of the holy people, all these [things] shall be
finished.
(h) Which was as it were a double oath, and did the more
confirm the thing.
(i) Meaning, a long time, a longer time, and at length a
short time: signifying that their troubles would have
an end.
(k) When the Church will be scattered and diminished in
such a way as it will seem to have no power.
12:11 And from the time [that] the l daily [sacrifice] shall
be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate
set up, [there m shall be] a thousand two hundred and
ninety days.
(l) From the time that Christ by his sacrifice will take
away the sacrifices and ceremonies of the Law.
(m) Signifying that the time will be long until Christ's
second coming, and yet the children of God ought not
to be discouraged, even though it is deferred.
12:12 Blessed [is] he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand
three hundred and n five and thirty days.
(n) In this number he adds a month and a half to the
former number, signifying that it is not in man to
appoint the time of Christ's coming, but that they are
blessed that patiently wait for his appearing.
12:13 But go o thou thy way till the end [be]: for thou shalt
rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
(o) The angel warns the Prophet patiently to wait, until
the time appointed comes, signifying that he should
depart this life, and rise again with the elect, when
God had sufficiently humbled and purged his Church.
