Scripture to Read: Daniel 12:1–4
Daniel 12:1 happened in the same era as the events in Daniel 11:36–45. The angel Michael is often associated with spiritual battles (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:21, Jude 1:9, and Revelation 12:7). Michael is appointed by God to stand watch over Israel. The “time of distress” in Daniel 12:1 refers to the time of persecution that Israel and the rest of the world will face during what we know as “The Great Tribulation.” This is also called the time of Jacob’s trouble in Jeremiah 30:7 ‘Alas! for that day is great, there is none like it; And it is the time of Jacob’s distress, but he will be saved from it. This tribulation will be worse than Israel has ever seen. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 24:21, ”For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.” Revelation 12:13–17 tells us what makes this time so terrible. But God also promises deliverance for those who are found written in the book. There are two resurrections, one for the saved and one for the lost (John 5:29, Revelation 20:4–6). In Daniel 12:3, those who have surrendered to Christ as Lord are wise and they will shine. But this may also reference the 144,000 evangelists from Israel’s twelve tribes during the Tribulation (Revelation 7). Daniel was told to shut up the words to be kept safe until needed. Daniel’s prophecy becomes more important closer to the end.
Challenge & Application
• We know “The Great Tribulation” is still to come, but until that time, what are we as believers to be doing and why?
• What does it tell you about God’s love, grace, and mercy toward Israel, knowing that many from the twelve tribes of Israel will come to know Christ as Savior and Lord during the Tribulation?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!