Daniel 12:8
I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?"
I heard
The Hebrew word for "heard" is שָׁמַע (shama), which implies not just the act of hearing but also listening with attention and intention. In the context of Daniel, this signifies his active engagement with the divine message. Daniel, a prophet deeply committed to God, is portrayed as one who is attentive to God's revelations, emphasizing the importance of being spiritually attuned to God's voice.

but I did not understand
The Hebrew root for "understand" is בִּין (bin), which means to discern or perceive. Despite Daniel's prophetic insight and wisdom, there are mysteries of God that remain beyond human comprehension. This highlights the theme of divine mystery and the limitations of human understanding, reminding believers that God's ways and plans are often beyond our grasp, requiring faith and trust in His sovereign will.

So I asked
The act of asking, from the Hebrew שָׁאַל (sha'al), indicates a seeking of knowledge or clarification. Daniel's inquiry reflects a humble and teachable spirit, demonstrating that even the most faithful servants of God seek further understanding. This encourages believers to approach God with their questions, trusting that He welcomes our pursuit of deeper insight into His purposes.

My lord
The term "lord" here is translated from the Hebrew אֲדֹנִי (adoni), a respectful address often used for superiors or divine beings. Daniel's use of this term shows his reverence and recognition of the authority of the heavenly messenger. It serves as a reminder of the proper posture of humility and respect when approaching God or His messengers.

what will the outcome of these things be?
The phrase "outcome of these things" refers to the culmination or final result of the prophetic visions Daniel has received. The Hebrew word for "outcome" is אַחֲרִית (acharit), which can mean end or future. Daniel's question underscores the human desire to understand the future and the fulfillment of God's promises. It reflects a longing for assurance and clarity about God's ultimate plan for His people, encouraging believers to trust in God's perfect timing and His ultimate victory over evil.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Daniel
A prophet and a key figure in the Old Testament, known for his faithfulness to God and his ability to interpret dreams and visions. In this verse, Daniel is seeking understanding of the visions he has received.

2. The Angelic Messenger
Although not named in this specific verse, the context of Daniel 12 involves an angelic figure who delivers God's message to Daniel. This messenger provides insight into the end times.

3. The Vision of the End Times
The broader context of Daniel 12 involves prophetic visions concerning the end times, including the resurrection and final judgment.
Teaching Points
Seeking Understanding from God
Like Daniel, believers should seek understanding from God when faced with complex or confusing situations. This involves prayer, study, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

Humility in Knowledge
Daniel's admission of not understanding reminds us of the importance of humility. We must acknowledge our limitations and be open to learning from God and others.

The Role of Prophecy
Prophecy serves to prepare and encourage believers, not to satisfy curiosity. It should lead to a deeper trust in God's sovereignty and plan.

Patience in Revelation
God's timing in revealing understanding is perfect. We must be patient and trust that He will provide clarity when it is needed.

Faith in Uncertainty
Even when we do not understand all the details, we can have faith that God is in control and His purposes will be fulfilled.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Daniel's response to the vision in Daniel 12:8 demonstrate a model for seeking understanding from God in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of trusting in God's timing for revelation and understanding, as seen in Daniel's experience?

3. How does the theme of humility in seeking knowledge, as demonstrated by Daniel, challenge our approach to learning and understanding Scripture?

4. What connections can you draw between Daniel's visions and the prophecies found in the book of Revelation, and how do they impact your view of the end times?

5. How can we cultivate a faith that remains strong even when we do not have all the answers, as exemplified by Daniel's trust in God's ultimate plan?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Daniel 8:27
Daniel's previous experiences of being overwhelmed and seeking understanding of visions, highlighting his human limitations and dependence on divine revelation.

Revelation 1:1-3
The theme of seeking understanding of prophetic visions is echoed in the New Testament, where John receives revelation about the end times.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Encourages believers to trust in the Lord and not rely solely on their own understanding, which aligns with Daniel's approach to seeking divine insight.
Searching into the Deep Things of GodDaniel 12:8
The Aspect of the TimesT. M'Crie D.D.Daniel 12:8
The Reservations of GodJoseph Parker, D.D.Daniel 12:8
The Great ConsummationJoseph A. Seiss, D. D.Daniel 12:1-13
Precept and PromiseH.T. Robjohns Daniel 12:4-13
Certainty Among Many UncertaintiesJ.D. Davies Daniel 12:5-13
The Epilogue to the VisionWilliam M. Taylor, D. D.Daniel 12:5-13
People
Daniel, Michael
Places
Tigris River
Topics
Clear, Didn't, Ears, Events, Issue, Latter, O, Outcome, Sense, Understand, Understood
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Daniel 12:8

     5135   blindness, spiritual

Daniel 12:8-13

     4112   angels, messengers

Library
April 5. "Many Shall be Purified and Made White and Tried" (Dan. xii. 10).
"Many shall be purified and made white and tried" (Dan. xii. 10). This is the promise for the Lord's coming. It is more than purity. It is to be made white, lustrous, or bright. To be purified is to have the sin burned out; to be made white is to have the glory of the Lord burned in. The one is cleansing, the other is illumination and glorification. The Lord has both for us, but in order for us to have both, we must be put into the fire to be tried, and to be led into difficult and peculiar places
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

A New Years Message
'But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.'--DANIEL xii. 13. Daniel had been receiving partial insight into the future by the visions recorded in previous chapters. He sought for clearer knowledge, and was told that the book of the future was sealed and closed, so that no further enlightenment was possible for him. But duty was clear, whatever might be dark; and there were some things in the future certain, whatever might be problematic.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Glory of the Doctors and Confessors.
Let us now turn our eyes to another bright throng. It is composed of the Doctors and Confessors of the Church. These too, as well as the martyrs, enjoy the high honors of haven. Here we meet again the Apostles, who were filled with the Holy Ghost, and instructed the infant Church in all truth. There, too, are their worthy successors in the ministry--such men as St. John Chrysostom, St. Augustine, St. Gregory, St. Thomas, and a multitude of others--whose vast intellects were stored with the knowledge
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven

The Recovery and Revival of the Blessed Hope Itself.
In Daniel 12:4, 9, 10 we read--"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. ** And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the Time of the End. 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." [9] As we shall yet seek to show this prophecy is a composite one
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return

The Dry Bones and the Spirit of Life
1. The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 2. And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. 3. And He said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, Thou knowest. 4. Again He said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5. Thus
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

How to Preach the Gospel.
Text.--He that winneth souls is wise.--Proverbs xi. 30. ONE of the last remarks in my last lecture, was this, that the text ascribes conversion to men. Winning souls is converting men. This evening I design to show, I. That several passages of Scripture ascribe conversion to men. II. That this is consistent with other passages which ascribe conversion to God. III. I purpose to discuss several further particulars which are deemed important, in regard to the preaching of the Gospel, and which show
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion

The Golden Calf
'And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. 2. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. 3. And all the people brake off the golden
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Sanctions of Moral Law, Natural and Governmental.
In the discussion of this subject, I shall show-- I. What constitute the sanctions of law. 1. The sanctions of law are the motives to obedience, the natural and the governmental consequences or results of obedience and of disobedience. 2. They are remuneratory, that is, they promise reward to obedience. 3. They are vindicatory, that is, they threaten the disobedient with punishment. 4. They are natural, that is, happiness is to some extent naturally connected with, and the necessary consequence of,
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Of Certain Temptations of Satan. Instructions Relating Thereto.
1. I have thought it right to speak of certain temptations I have observed to which beginners are liable--some of them I have had myself--and to give some advice about certain things which to me seem necessary. In the beginning, then, we should strive to be cheerful and unconstrained; for there are people who think it is all over with devotion if they relax themselves ever so little. It is right to be afraid of self; so that, having no confidence in ourselves, much or little, we may not place ourselves
Teresa of Avila—The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus

Watching the Horizon
"Thy Kingdom Come." "Thou art coming! We are waiting With a hope that cannot fail; Asking not the day or hour, Resting on Thy word of power, Anchored safe within the veil. Time appointed may be long, But the vision must be sure: Certainty shall make us strong, Joyful patience must endure. "O the joy to see Thee reigning, Thee, my own beloved Lord! Every tongue Thy name confessing, Worship, honour, glory, blessing, Brought to Thee with glad accord! Thee, my Master and my Friend, Vindicated and enthroned!
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

Appendix xix. On Eternal Punishment, According to the Rabbis and the New Testament
THE Parables of the Ten Virgins' and of the Unfaithful Servant' close with a Discourse on the Last Things,' the final Judgment, and the fate of those Christ's Righ Hand and at His Left (St. Matt. xxv. 31-46). This final Judgment by our Lord forms a fundamental article in the Creed of the Church. It is the Christ Who comes, accompanied by the Angelic Host, and sits down on the throne of His Glory, when all nations are gathered before Him. Then the final separation is made, and joy or sorrow awarded
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Christ's Exaltation
'Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name, &c.' Phil 2:2. We have before spoken of Christ's humiliation; we shall now speak of his exaltation. Before you saw the Sun of Righteousness in the eclipse; now you shall see it coming out of the eclipse, and shining in its full glory. Wherefore God has highly exalted him;' super exaltavit, Ambrose. Above all exaltation.' Q-28: WHEREIN CONSISTS CHRIST'S EXALTATION? A: In his rising from the dead, his ascending into
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Order of Thought which Surrounded the Development of Jesus.
As the cooled earth no longer permits us to understand the phenomena of primitive creation, because the fire which penetrated it is extinct, so deliberate explanations have always appeared somewhat insufficient when applying our timid methods of induction to the revolutions of the creative epochs which have decided the fate of humanity. Jesus lived at one of those times when the game of public life is freely played, and when the stake of human activity is increased a hundredfold. Every great part,
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

Death by Adam, Life by Christ
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. F rom Mr. Handel's acknowledged abilities as a composer, and particularly from what I have heard of his great taste and success in adapting the style of his music to the subject, I judge, that this passage afforded him a fair occasion of displaying his genius and powers. Two ideas, vastly important in themselves, are here represented in the strongest light,
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
(Revelation, Chapters vi.-viii.) "God Almighty! King of nations! earth Thy footstool, heaven Thy throne! Thine the greatness, power, and glory, Thine the kingdom, Lord, alone! Life and death are in Thy keeping, and Thy will ordaineth all: From the armies of Thy heavens to an unseen insect's fall. "Reigning, guiding, all-commanding, ruling myriad worlds of light; Now exalting, now abasing, none can stay Thy hand of might! Working all things by Thy power, by the counsel of Thy will. Thou art God!
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

The Third Day in Passion-Week - the Last Controversies and Discourses - the Sadducees and the Resurrection - the Scribe and the Great Commandment - Question
THE last day in the Temple was not to pass without other temptations' than that of the Priests when they questioned His authority, or of the Pharisees when they cunningly sought to entangle Him in His speech. Indeed, Christ had on this occasion taken a different position; He had claimed supreme authority, and thus challenged the leaders of Israel. For this reason, and because at the last we expect assaults from all His enemies, we are prepared for the controversies of that day. We remember that,
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Purity and Peace in the Present Lord
PHILIPPIANS iv. 1-9 Euodia and Syntyche--Conditions to unanimity--Great uses of small occasions--Connexion to the paragraphs--The fortress and the sentinel--A golden chain of truths--Joy in the Lord--Yieldingness--Prayer in everything--Activities of a heart at rest Ver. 1. +So, my brethren beloved and longed for+, missed indeed, at this long distance from you, +my joy and crown+ of victory (stephanos), +thus+, as having such certainties and such aims, with such a Saviour, and looking for such
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

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