Daniel 12:1-13

Daniel 12

We have in this chapter:

I. The hope of the suffering saint. "Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." The doctrine of the resurrection of the dead is here for the first time broadly asserted, and that in such a way as to connect it with retribution, and make it an encouragement to fidelity under trial.

II. We have here, secondly, the reward of the working saint. "They that are wise shall shine," etc. Among the nations of the earth decorations and honours are given to those who have done the greatest work of destruction. But in the kingdom of Christ it is far otherwise. The places of preeminence under Him are assigned to those who have been likest Him in the holiness of their characters, in the self-sacrifice of their lives, and in the hallowing and ennobling influence which they have shed around them.

III. We have here the rest of the waiting saint. "Go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." Do not disquiet yourself about the future. Leave that in God's hands. You shall rest in Him during the remainder of your life on earth, and when that shall end, you shall rest with Him.

W. M. Taylor, Daniel the Beloved,p. 232.

References: Daniel 12:4. A. Mursell, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxv., p. 40; H. W. Beecher, Ibid.;J. F. Stevenson, Ibid.,vol. ii., p. 307; H. W. Beecher, Ibid.,vol. xxix., p. 291.Daniel 12:9. C. Wordsworth, Old Testament Outlines,p. 262.