Daniel 12

Daniel 12:1

AT that time] When Antiochus going to warre against Parthia, leaveth Lysias behinde him, to have rooted out the Jewes; then Michael, that is, he who is in the form of God, &c. Phil. 2. 6. even the Angel of the Covenant, shall stand in the Jews defence.

Michael] See Daniel 10:13. 21. Joshua 5:14-15. and the name is in Jude, vers. 9. and Revelation 13:7.

which standeth] Who is their protector against all their enemies, Genesis 48:16. Psalms 54:7.

thy people] The term of Daniels people in this place must needs mean the Jews; and here their troubles for true religion, not the heathen Christians affliction must be understood.

a time of trouble] It is evident that the holy Jews nation was never tormented for true religion, through their whole state, but under Antiochus Epiphanes; therefore the Angel spake here of those dayes: And this one speech might have kept Daniel in his true meaning, that we should not draw men beyond Christ, for these troublous stories, before we draw them to him.

thy people shall be delivered] The pronouncing of the Jews salvation in troubles, and suffering persecution, maketh the cause yet plainer, and every argument here should be reckoned of high price, especially the end of afflictions, that they bring us unto salvation; through which afflictions all must go who will live godly in Christ, as they are chosen of eternity unto this state.

book] This term of Book from Moses, Exodus 32:32. and Book of life, Psalms 69:28. Philippians 4:3. Revelation 3:5. and Revelation 13:8. and Revelation 20:15. all these are chained with references of the latter unto the former; and that of Moses is expounded in the verse following, with open, clear and proper naming of the resurrection; in Moses properly never named, but taught by strong consequences.

Daniel 12:2

many of them] The Angel proceeds to describe or foretell the restitution of Gods people, after the troubles mentioned verse 1. which thing might also typifie the last resurrection, at which time shall be the full accomplishment of Christs Kingdom.

that sleep] A Scripture term, to signifie the immortality of the soul after the death of the body; with a certain assurednesse of the resurrection; the better resurrection, Hebrews 11:35. many to life, and many to damnation. John 5:28-29.

in the dust] Genesis 3:19. and 2. 7.

shall awake] Isaiah 26:19.

some to everlasting life] Matthew 25:46. John 5:29.

some to shame] See Isaiah 66:24. Romans 9:21.

Daniel 12:3

they that be wise] Or, they that be teachers. The true beleevers, who in this life are inlightned by the holy Spirit in faith, shall enjoy the light of glory in the kingdom of heaven. Here the Angel was to name in trouble, for the more stay of the people, the wise Counsellors and keepers of the pople in the holy Covenant; as Mattathias and Judas Maccabeus, Eleazar the old man and valiant Martyr, with others, pointed at in Daniel 11:33. 35.

shall shine] With the naming of life eternall, he toucheth the glory of it, which is here laid before our eyes in shining terms, a taste whereof Daniel felt in the glory of the Angel Gabriel, that came to him now.

and they that turne many to righteousnesse] Heb. and they that justifie the many. That is, that by their teaching the truth, bring the excellent ones or elect of God to true faith, which onely justifieth, and sanctifies in newnesse of life. See 1 Timoth. 4. 16. James 5:19-20.

as the starres] See 1 Corinthians 15:41. Our Lord translateth this sentence thus, Then the just shall shine as the Sunne, in the kingdome of their Father: Matthew 13:43.

Daniel 12:4

But thou, O Daniel] Chap. 8. 26.

shut up the words] The use and clear understanding of this prophecie is not for this present time, Vers. 9. but for the time of the fulfilling thereof, ordained by God. The like command was given, Chap. 8. 26. where Elam, and Madai, and Javan were named: here, though they be not named, they are so plainly described, that any learned heathen would tell rightly what kingdoms must be meant.

many shall runne to and fro] That the Prophet should not sorrow for closing such profitable matter, he is comforted, that when these matters break out, many will search further to abound in knowledge, as the Jews in the Maccabees are testified to have done; and by the event, and his Spirit will give full knowledge of these things, which are obscurely foretold. See Isaiah 29:18. Jeremiah 23:20.

Daniel 12:5

there stood other two] The greatnesse of these matters here is set forth by the Angels attendance and desire to look into them, (as 1 Pet. 1. 12.) likewise the certainty by the number of witnesses, two, yea, three in all, as among men the law holdeth that proof sufficient, Deuteronomy 17:6. That certainty must needs import plainnesse in the matter.

bank] Heb. lip.

of the river] That is, Tigris, of which see Notes on Chap. 10. 4.

Daniel 12:6

one said to the man clothed in linen] Whereof see Chap. 10. 5. namely, Christ the revealer of secrets, and of him the Angel asked the like question before, Chap. 8. 13.

which was upon the waters of the river] Or, which was from above. See Daniel 8:16.

wonders] Of these admirable predictions, and strong accidents, which shall befall the Church.

Daniel 12:7

clothed in linen] The attire here, and the whole persons description, Chap. 10. 5. sheweth a sacrificer holy, and higher then the heavens.

the waters of the river] The gesture of standing upon the waters, importeth that of the Psalms 93:4. that how as God calmeth the waters, so h calmeth the waves of nations; and this vision answereth unto Jobs speech, that God walketh upon the high waves of the Seas. The metaphors and visions of the Scripture have a clear resemblance of that which is taught for mens affairs.

he held up his right hand] Revelation 10:5.

sware by him that liveth for ever] The gesture and oath calleth into Daniels minde Deuteronomy 32:39-43. The words of Moses begin their execution in this place, and hold on unto the full calling of the heathen.

that it shall be for a time] The summe of the matter here containeth two things; the rage of Gods enemies, and the punishment: the rage is for three years and an half. So the terme time, by Synecdoche is taken, Daniel 4:16. and Greeks commonly at this day, call an year a time, and three years three times; see Daniel 7:25.

an half] Or, part.

when he shall have accomplished] When Antiochus shall have brought the people to extremity, God shall miraculously relieve them.

Daniel 12:8

I understood not] The secret of these times, distinguished in that manner: Daniel having heard of affliction for three years and an half, in generall terms, having no note from what speciall mark the time should begin, was to confesse that he understood not. These matters were to be spoken in such sort, that untill the age of their execution, the particulars should not be evident. The triall of the faithfull required that, else they would for a time have withdrawn themselves.

Daniel 12:9

Go thy way, Daniel] Be contented, and forbear demanding any further concerning these things, the knowledge whereof is reserved to it proper time, and belongs neither to thee, nor to the age wherein thou livest. Vers. 13.

closed up] Vers. 4.

Daniel 12:10

Many shall be purified] By the aforesaid persecutions. Chap. 11. 35.

the wicked shall do wickedly] See Daniel 11:32. 1Ma 1:11-12; 1Ma 1:45; 1Ma 1:55.

wicked shall understand] The profane Apostates will not attend to these prophesies, neither shall draw any benefit of instruction, or consolation from them.

the wise shall understand] Of which see Chap 11. 33, 35. for these particulars are but a commoration upon them, and no new State matters. Moses laid down what nation should be the holy people till Christ came; and all other families should strive against that. The Prophets were to be but Commenters upon him, to lead unto Christ, and not beyond him; and they might terme no one nation holy but Israel; and they were to shew how all the ancient nations of Babels dispersion would be busie with Israel. The wise will understand it to be so.

Daniel 12:11

from the time] Till Gods service be re-established in his Temple, and it be purged from all idolatry. 1 Maccab.

the daily sacrifice] Chap. 8. 11.

the abomination] Heb. to set up the abomination, &c. Chap. 11. 31.

maketh desolate] Or, astonisheth.

a thousand two hundred and ninety dayes] Which are the three years and an half, mentioned vers. 7. with thirteen dayes over, comprehended in the foresaid round number, or added to imply some singular terme of some accident not specified in Scripture.

Daniel 12:12

to the thousand] In this number are five and fourty dayes more then in the former, & it is like that they were from the re-establishment of Gods service unto Antiochus his plague, 1 Mac. 6. 8 9. of which he died, after he had languished many dayes, 1 Mac. 6. 16. whereby the people were freed from his tyrannie: in the 149. of the Seleucidae. 1 Mac. 6. 16.

Daniel 12:13

go thou thy way] The Lord concludeth, that Daniel should look for no more revelations all his life time, but rest in these and continue contented with his rare lot, preparing himself to finish peacefully the course of his life, during which he should be freed from these calamities, as vers. 9. and maintained in that great honour which he did then possesse. Chap. 6. 28.

for thou] Or, and thou.