The Promise of Hope in the Book of Daniel - Daniel 12

The book of Daniel is a prophetic work that vividly and inspiringly reveals the conflict between good and evil, the challenges that God's people would face throughout history, and the certainty that, in the end, God will triumph over His enemies. The book begins with the invasion of Judah by King Nebuchadnezzar, who takes captives to Babylon, and ends with the promise of liberation for God's people in the "time of the end." This "time of the end" is the period described in Daniel 12, culminating in the resurrection of the righteous, the judgment, and the intervention of Michael, the divine Prince, who comes to deliver His people. This text is a source of great hope for all who believe in God's sovereignty and the certainty of His final victory.

The Journey of Daniel and His Friends: Faithfulness and Wisdom in Exile

The story of Daniel and his friends is an example of faithfulness to God in a hostile and challenging environment. Taken as prisoners to Babylon, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (better known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) faced enormous pressure to conform to Babylonian culture. Despite this, they chose to maintain their faithfulness to God, refusing to defile themselves with the king's food and wine (Daniel 1:8). Their faithfulness was not only an expression of devotion to God but also a demonstration of unparalleled wisdom. In critical moments, God granted them wisdom to interpret dreams and visions, such as Nebuchadnezzar's vision of the statue representing the empires of history (Daniel 2) and the dream Daniel had about the four beasts symbolizing future kingdoms (Daniel 7). The wisdom of Daniel and his friends was not merely a gift for solving problems but also a testimony to God's power in a pagan world.

Today, the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends serves as an example for Christians living in an increasingly secular and hostile world. Just as Daniel and his friends remained faithful to God in a difficult context, the faithful of the "time of the end" are also called to remain steadfast, demonstrating wisdom and understanding amid trials and tribulations. Daniel 12:1 describes a "time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation," but just as Daniel and his friends were protected by God, the faithful today will also have the promise of His protection and care.

Michael: The Divine Prince Who Intervenes for His People

One of the most impressive and powerful figures in the book of Daniel is Michael, the celestial Prince. In Daniel 12:1, we read that Michael "will arise" to deliver God's people in the time of the end. This moment of intervention is described as a "time of trouble," when evil seems to dominate, but Michael, as the celestial leader, will protect the faithful of God.

Michael is, in fact, a manifestation of Jesus Christ. The name "Michael" means "Who is like God?" and, as we saw in Daniel 10, He is the celestial representative of God's people. He is also described at other points in the book of Daniel, such as the "Son of Man" (Daniel 7), the "Prince of the Host" (Daniel 8), and the "Anointed One, the Prince" (Daniel 9). Michael's intervention occurs at a crucial moment, after the fall of the papacy in 1798, when the world would witness the end of a period of religious oppression and the beginning of a new phase in the history of God's people.

When He arises, Michael not only assumes a military role but also a judicial one. He is the heavenly advocate who intercedes for God's people in the heavenly court. Just as a king raises an army to protect and conquer, Michael rises to ensure God's final victory over the enemies of His people. This concept of judgment is fundamental in Daniel 12:1, as it is from the heavenly judgment that the salvation of the faithful will be guaranteed. This reminds us that the struggle we face in the world is, in fact, part of a cosmic battle, where God, through His Son, Michael, ensures the ultimate victory.

The Book of Life: The Heavenly Record of Human Actions

In Daniel 12, we also find the idea that, at the moment of Michael's intervention, the faithful will have their names inscribed in the "book." This book is not merely a record of human actions but a testimony of who belongs to God. The Bible mentions two types of heavenly books: the book of life, which contains the names of the faithful, and the books of records, which document the actions of all human beings. Those who belong to God have their names written in the book of life, and their actions are redeemed in judgment.

This concept of the "book of life" is profoundly important, as it reminds us that, although our actions are recorded, God's grace offers forgiveness and transformation. Those who surrender their lives to Christ can trust that their sins are blotted out, and they are considered righteous before God. This heavenly record, far from being an invasion of privacy, is an expression of God's justice, revealing to the universe who belongs to Him and has the right to His protection.

The Resurrection: The Promise of Victory over Death

Daniel 12:2 makes the most explicit reference to resurrection in the Old Testament: "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life." This promise of resurrection is fundamental to Christian hope. It reminds us that, although death is the natural end of human life, it is not the final word for the faithful. Death is a defeated enemy, and with the resurrection, God brings into existence a new reality of eternal life.

The metaphor of "sleep" is significant, as it indicates that the dead are unconscious until the resurrection. This reflects the indivisible unity of the human being, composed of body, mind, and spirit. Death, therefore, is not a state of conscious existence but a pause until the moment God calls His faithful to eternal life. The resurrection is, therefore, the reversal of the consequence of sin, which brought death into the world, but also the victory over it, as the Apostle Paul declared: "Death has been swallowed up in victory" (1 Corinthians 15:54).

The Sealed Book: Knowledge Increasing in the Time of the End

In Daniel 12:4, the angel instructs Daniel to seal the book until the "time of the end." This "time of the end" corresponds to the period after 1798, when the book of Daniel began to be unveiled and its content more fully revealed. The renewed interest in Daniel's prophecies, especially during the Millerite movement in the 19th century, brought a new understanding of the Scriptures and proclaimed the imminence of Christ's return.

The "time of the end" is, therefore, a period of increasing knowledge and understanding of biblical prophecies, culminating in the announcement of the second coming of Christ. The book of Daniel, which had been hidden for centuries, was finally opened, and its message proclaimed to the world as preparation for the great event of Jesus' return.

From Death to Eternal Life

In the end, Daniel's message is clear: human history is marked by challenges, tribulations, and suffering, but God, through His Son Michael, guarantees the final victory. Although God's people will face great anguish, such as has never been seen, God will raise His people, just as Michael rises, to protect and deliver them. The promise of resurrection, the record in the book of life, and the certainty of final victory over death are sources of hope and comfort for all the faithful. Just as Daniel and his friends shone as witnesses of God in Babylon, so too will the faithful of the time of the end shine like stars, living forever in the presence of God.