Catholic Commentary on Daniel 12

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)

The Resurrection of the Dead

Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people, everyone whose name is found written in the book, will be delivered. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. Daniel is told to close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. The man clothed in linen swears by the one who lives forever: it will be for a time, times and half a time. Daniel asks: what will the outcome of all this be? He is told: go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.

The Catechism identifies Daniel 12:2-3 as the clearest affirmation of the resurrection of the dead in the Old Testament: the dead will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt (CCC 992).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars for ever and ever. The ministry that brings others to righteousness has a permanent starlike glory. Whatever is done to lead a single person toward God is written in the stars. It will shine in the new creation. Lead many to righteousness. The stars are being lit by the names of those you bring.

Prayer

Lord God, let us shine like the brightness of the heavens and lead many to righteousness like the stars for ever and ever. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

12
The End Times
(Revelation 1:1-3)
1 “At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people-everyone whose name is found written in the book-will be delivered.
 
2 And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt.* 12:2 See John 5:29 and Revelation 11:18. 3 Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens,† 12:3 Or expanse or firmament; see also Genesis 1:6-8. and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.‡ 12:3 See Matthew 13:43.
 
4 But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.”
 
5 Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. 6 One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the fulfillment of these wonders?”
 
7 And the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, and times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has finally been shattered, all these things will be completed.”
 
8 I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?”
 
9 “Go on your way, Daniel,” he replied, “for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.
 
11 And from the time the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is he who waits and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.
 
13 But as for you, go on your way until the end. You will rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”

*12:2 12:2 See John 5:29 and Revelation 11:18.

†12:3 12:3 Or expanse or firmament; see also Genesis 1:6-8.

‡12:3 12:3 See Matthew 13:43.

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