What Was Revealed to Daniel About the End

Bible Reading and Prayer

We have come to the end of Daniel

Would say I hope for another chance to come back and go deeper - but I really hope for the Lord’s return.

When you finish a good story, you don’t just close the book and forget it. You reflect on the journey — the characters, the lessons, the ending.

Over these 14 weeks we’ve followed Daniel from a teenager taken captive in Babylon to an old man still standing faithful at the end of his life.

We’ve seen him refuse the king’s food, pray in defiance of a decree, face lions, and receive visions of empires.

Today we close the book of Daniel, and we see how God wants His people to live while waiting for the end.

The last words Daniel hears are not about beasts and empires, but about rest, resurrection, and reward.

Overview of Daniel 12

Great trouble is coming (v.1).

God delivers His people (v.1).

Resurrection is certain (vv.2–3).

Prophecy is sealed until the end (vv.4–9).

The wise are refined, the wicked remain blind (v.10).

Daniel is promised rest, resurrection, and reward (vv.11–13).

Sermon Introduction

My view of the end wasn’t shaped by Daniel at first. It was shaped by Judgment Day plays I saw in church, Southern Gospel songs about heaven, DC Talk lyrics about eternity, and a painting on the church wall of the rapture—people rising, others left behind.

That painting unsettled me. I wondered: “Will I be ready?”

Daniel doesn’t see the rapture of the church—that’s revealed later to Paul. What Daniel does see is the resurrection at the end of Israel’s great trouble, and the final separation of the righteous and the wicked. Both truths fit together in God’s big prophetic timeline.

Illustrate with 3 slides

1. Daniel knew that God’s people will be delivered (v.1).

Daniel 12:1 “1 And at that 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. Trouble will come like never before.

“A time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.” (v.1) → This is the Great Tribulation, also called “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7).

Israel has known many troubles: Assyrian invasion, Babylonian exile, Antiochus Epiphanes, Rome’s destruction, medieval pogroms, the Holocaust.

Yet Jesus (Matt. 24:21) says this coming trouble will be the worst in Israel’s history.

B. God’s defender will rise.

Michael the archangel “stands watch over the sons of your people.”

Michael is the opposite of Satan (Jude 1:9; Rev. 12:7)—a spiritual guardian for Israel.

This shows heaven’s active involvement in history: God protects His covenant people.

C. Deliverance is certain for those in the Book.

The promise is not for every ethnic Jew, but for “every one found written in the book.”

Israel’s current rejection of Jesus is temporary, not final.

God will never break His promise to Abraham (Gen. 17:7).

D. The Book of Life secures our salvation.

What is it?

Revelation 20:15 — If a name is not found in the Book of Life, that person is cast into the lake of fire.

It is the record of all who are saved, those redeemed by the blood of Christ.

Also called the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev. 13:8; 21:27).

How do we know our name is there?

By salvation: repent of sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 4:3; Rev. 3:5).

Once your name is written, it is never erased (John 10:28–30; Rom. 8:37–39).

Believers have eternal security—God keeps His promises.

What about confusing verses?

Psalm 69:28; Exodus 32:32–33 refer to the “book of the living” (physical life), not eternal life.

Revelation 3:5 is a promise, not a threat—Jesus assures His people He will never blot them out.

SLIDE: Invitation to celebration not confusing. Luke 10:20 “20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

This is something worth sining about “There’s a New Name Written Down in Glory” “I Know My Name Is There” “Is My Name Written There?” “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder”

I was once a sinner, but I came Pardon to receive from my Lord. This was freely given, and I found That He always kept His word.

Refrain: There’s a new name written down in glory, And it’s mine, oh yes, it’s mine! And the white-robed angels sing the story, “A sinner has come home.” For there’s a new name written down in glory, And it’s mine, oh yes, it’s mine! With my sins forgiven I am bound for Heaven, Never more to roam.

Summary: God keeps good records. The Book of Life is His eternal roll of the redeemed, written by the Lamb’s blood, secure forever.

Transition: But even those who die in that trouble are not lost—because Daniel next sees the resurrection.

2. Daniel knew that everyone will be raised to face eternity (vv.2–3).

Daniel 12:2–3 “2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

A. Resurrection is certain.

“Many that sleep… shall awake.” Death is temporary.

Some interpret this as national resurrection, but the plain sense is bodily resurrection.

Scripture consistently promises bodily resurrection (Job 19:25–26; Isa. 26:19).

B. Eternity has only two destinations.

Some to everlasting life—joy, reward, and kingdom entrance.

Some to everlasting contempt—eternal shame, never-ending punishment.

No “middle ground.” Every person faces eternal joy or judgment.

C. Eternal reward awaits the wise.

“They that be wise shall shine… and those who turn many to righteousness as the stars.”

The wise will shine with restored glory.

Jesus echoes Daniel: “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matt. 13:43).

This is not metaphorical glow — it’s the restoration of Adam’s lost glory (cf. Rom. 8:18).

Pastor beau covered this fascinating truth in our 1 Peter Series

The wise already shine in this world.

Paul deliberately picks up Daniel’s imagery: “You shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15).

The resurrection will make it permanent, but we are called to reflect that light even now.

Leading others to righteousness is eternal fruit.

Daniel’s words point to evangelism and discipleship: those who help others walk in God’s truth will sparkle with eternal significance.

Proverbs 11:30: “He that winneth souls is wise.”

Faithful witness in trials has eternal honor.

Jewish tradition linked this verse to the martyrs under Antiochus Epiphanes (2 Maccabees 7).

Those who suffer yet remain faithful shine brightest — their reward is eternal.

Evangelism, discipleship, and faithful endurance in suffering carry eternal weight. What seems small or costly now will one day radiate like the stars in God’s kingdom..

D. The Resurrection of the Dead (SLIDE)

Two Destinies Revealed

Daniel summarizes the two outcomes: everlasting life or everlasting contempt.

Everyone will be raised, but not all share the same destiny (John 5:29).

The First Resurrection — The Just

Called the “resurrection of life” (John 5:29) and the “resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:14).

Begins with Christ, the “first fruits” (1 Cor. 15:20).

Includes: a. The dead in Christ at the rapture (1 Thess. 4:16). b. The martyrs and OT saints at the end of the Tribulation (Rev. 20:4; Dan. 12:2).

Revelation 20:6: “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection… on such the second death hath no power.”

The Second Resurrection — The Unjust

Called the “resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29).

Happens after the Millennium (Rev. 20:5, 12–13).

All unbelievers stand before the Great White Throne and are cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14–15).

Summary: The first resurrection is joy for the saved—raised to reign with Christ. The second resurrection is terror for the lost—raised for judgment and the second death.

E. Why do our bodies matter if we’re already in heaven?

If we die and our soul is immediately “with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8; Phil 1:23), then why wait for a resurrection of the body? Why do our bodies matter if we’re already in heaven?

Because God created us as embodied beings

From the beginning, humans were created body and soul (Gen 2:7).

Death is unnatural — it tears apart what God joined together.

The resurrection reunites what death separated, restoring us to the wholeness God intended.

“Man is not a soul alone, nor a body alone, but the union of the two.”

The resurrection undoes the curse of death.

Because salvation is not just spiritual but physical

Jesus didn’t just save our souls — He redeemed our whole being.

Romans 8:23 says we “wait eagerly for…the redemption of our bodies.”

Christ rose bodily from the dead (Luke 24:39), and our resurrection bodies will be patterned after His (Phil 3:20–21).

To leave us as “disembodied spirits” forever would mean sin and death still had the last word over our bodies.

Resurrection proves Christ has conquered death fully.

Because God is making a new creation, not an escape hatch

Revelation 21–22 describes a new heaven and new earth, not just “souls in the clouds.”

We won’t spend eternity as spirits floating around, but as embodied people living in a renewed world.

Just like creation itself will be redeemed (Rom 8:21), so will our bodies.

Our bodies matter because God’s plan is not evacuation, but restoration.

Because the resurrection body is glorified for eternity

Paul describes the transformation in 1 Corinthians 15:42–44 “42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”

Perishable → Imperishable

Dishonor → Glory

Weakness → Power

Natural → Spiritual (not immaterial, but Spirit-filled)

The resurrection body is fitted for eternal life in God’s presence.

It will be like Christ’s risen body — physical (able to eat, touch, recognize), yet glorious and immortal.

Our bodies matter because they are the vessels of God’s glory forever.

Because the body will share in eternal reward or judgment

Daniel 12:2 and John 5:28–29 both teach that both the righteous and the wicked are raised.

Believers are raised to everlasting life; unbelievers to judgment.

This shows that what we did in the body matters, and justice will be complete.

Resurrection bodies ensure that eternity involves the whole person

Summary: Daniel knew death is not the end. Every person will be raised—some to eternal joy, others to eternal judgment.

Transition: If all will be raised, the question is—what happens in the meantime? God tells Daniel that much is sealed until the end, but His sovereignty remains.

3. Daniel knew that God holds the future, even when details remain sealed (v.4–9).

Daniel 12:4–9 (KJV)

4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.

6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?

7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?

9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

A. God’s revelation is sealed until the end.

Daniel told: “Shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end.”

Sealing = preserving and authenticating.

These truths will be fully clear only at the time God appoints.

B. Humanity will search for answers.

“Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

Could mean searching Scripture, or broadly—explosion of knowledge at the end.

Today’s interest in prophecy points to living near the “time of the end.”

“Daniel’s words about people running ‘to and fro’ and knowledge increasing (Dan. 12:4) go far beyond faster travel. It speaks of an explosion of knowledge. In our day, AI shows us that knowledge, more than wealth, is the real source of power, reminding us we are living nearer the time of the end.”

C. God’s sovereignty is enough when details aren’t clear.

Daniel says, “I understood not.” (v.8).

God says, “Go thy way.” Trust Me.

Faith rests not in knowing all details but in knowing God.

Transition: God didn’t answer all of Daniel’s questions, but He did explain how trials would refine His people and expose the wicked.

4. Daniel knew that trials refine the righteous but blind the wicked (v.10).

Daniel 12:10 “10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.”

A. Trials purify God’s people.

Trials are refining fires, not punishments.

Suffering produces endurance and purity (cf. 1 Pet. 1:6–7).

Only possible after Christ’s finished work on the cross.

B. The wise learn through suffering.

“The wise shall understand.”

The righteous interpret suffering through faith.

Trials teach them to see eternity clearly.

History shows that persecution sharpened the faith of God’s people—the church often grew stronger underground than above ground.

C. God separates the righteous and the wicked.

“None of the wicked shall understand.”

The same event purifies the believer but blinds the unbeliever.

Like Pharaoh in the plagues, the wicked grow harder while God’s people grow holier.

In the end, the separation is eternal.

D. The Tribulation is consistently portrayed as a time of testing. (SLIDES)

Revelation 3:10 “10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

For the righteous → it purifies faith like fire purifies gold.

For the wicked → it blinds, hardens, and exposes rebellion.

In the end → it leads to the eternal separation Daniel saw (12:2).

Transition: Refinement isn’t the last word. God promises rest, resurrection, and reward to His faithful servant Daniel.

5. Daniel knew that rest, resurrection, and reward await the faithful (vv.11–13).

Daniel 12:11–13 (KJV)

11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

A. God’s timetable is precise.

1,290 days from abomination to consummation.

1,335 days = blessing to those who endure.

Likely: Jesus’ return (1,260 days), kingdom installation (1,290), nations judged (1,335).

B. God promises rest in death.

“Thou shalt rest.” Daniel will die in peace.

For the believer, death is rest. Revelation 14:13 “13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”

Death is not defeat but release. The only true RIP will be a believer.

C. God guarantees eternal reward.

“Thou shalt stand in thy lot at the end of the days.”

“Lot” = inheritance portion—Daniel’s eternal reward.

Our inheritance in Christ is just as secure. 1 Peter 1:4 “4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,”

Conclusion

What do we do with all this? God told Daniel: “Go thy way till the end.”

That rapture painting I stared at as a child asked me: “Will I be ready?”

Daniel knew the answer: readiness is not avoiding trouble, but being in the Book of Life.

God delivers His people.

Everyone will be raised.

God holds the future.

Trials refine the righteous.

Eternal rest and reward await the faithful.

Invitation to the Unjust:

Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? If so, you are secure forever.

Invitation to the Just

Daniel 12:3 “3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

God’s people shine brightest when they live wisely and lead others to righteousness while waiting for the end.