The last chapter focuses on the great tribulation, a time of trouble such as never been seen before (see Matthew 24:21-22) – Michael the archangel is mentioned here and he would arise to defend God’s people, indicating that the tribulation is not just physical sufferings but spiritual warfare is also involved. Those whose names are in the book of life shall be delivered (does not imply no suffering or physical death) – they would be kept for everlasting life in the midst of the tribulation as they continue to be faithful to God despite the spiritual and physical pressures.

It is interesting that here in Daniel 12, the resurrection is indicated – those who die in the Lord, particularly in the great tribulation, shall arise to everlasting life whilst those who die, denying the Lord, shall arise to shame and eternal condemnation. The subject of resurrection is hardly mentioned in the OT; yet here in Daniel the subject is mentioned in some details.

A mighty angel raises both hands into heaven as he attests to the solemnity, importance and truth of this revelation to Daniel – it would surely come to pass!
Revelation 7:1-17: John the Apostle was shown a great multitude from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages praising God – and when John asked who these are – the answer is that these are the ones coming out of the great tribulation, victorious in the Lord. This may indicate that it is not only physical Israel that will go through the great tribulation but that peoples from every nation and language will be involved and given the choice to choose God or the false trinity – those who are victorious would be from many tribes and nations although many from such contexts would also follow Antichrist to his doom. We cannot afford to be dogmatic here as John the Apostle was writing in the apocalytic genre.

Daniel wanted to know the outcome of all that was revealed – he could not understand. He was told to go his way, for the words and revelation are sealed until the time of the end; Daniel was to rest and take his stand in his allotted place at the end of the days.

But the parting message to Daniel is that the wicked will continue their evil ways and would not understand, whereas the wise among God’s people who purify themselves shall understand. This will culminate in the final battle at Armageddon where the destiny of many would be decided.

Daniel was to carefully preserve his writings but all their meaning would not be revealed to him until the glorious day when he would stand alongside the righteous awaiting his inheritance (verses 4,9,13). For believers today, we have the privilege of hindsight on this side of the Cross and we may understand a little bit more than the saints in the Old Testament.

Even then, as believers today, we also may not understand all the details of the revelation; but we can be sure that God is absolutely sovereign and His plans would all come to pass, and nothing can impede or stop what He has ordained. No ruler or king is above His sovereignty; not even the negative spiritual forces can prevent what He has determined.

When Christ comes again, we shall find that in a moment, the whole cosmos, glorious as it is in so many ways in its present form, has been remade into yet greater glory. There will be new heavens and new earth – it will be a wholly new order of things, and the word perfection will be the only word that will describe it. There will indeed be fulfilment and completion of what God has already started.

Believers, who already have been changed inside to be like the Master, will be given bodies to match; there would be the perfect expressions of the new persons we are in Christ and we would be taken from this world to glory!

Surely, our hope is a glorious hope! Surely, it is going to be worth it all!