Daniel 12:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

But you, Daniel, take your rest until the appointed time, remaining calm regardless of what befalls your people. You will stand up in your moment at the conclusion of the age; not after seventy days, when Christ the Son of God is crucified, but at the end of the days. At His glorious return from heaven, the Son of God will resurrect you alongside all those who have passed away.

But you, Daniel, proceed to the end, rest, and rise to claim your inheritance at the appointed time. Theodotion rendered it this way: And you shall go, and rest, and shall rise in your order at the end of days. These expressions indicate that the entire prophecy is closely aligned with the forthcoming resurrection of the dead, at which point the prophet will also be resurrected. Porphyry’s attempts to interpret what pertains to Antichrist through the figure of Antiochus are futile. His complexities have been thoroughly addressed, as mentioned, by Eusebius of Caesarea, Apollinarius of Laodicea, and partly by the esteemed martyr Methodius. Those interested in understanding this can find it detailed in their writings. Until now, we have examined Daniel in the Hebrew version; the remainder of the text, leading to the conclusion of the book, is translated from Theodotion's edition.

The angel instructs you to go and "rest." It is time for you to embrace the conclusion of your earthly life. There are still days remaining to fulfill that conclusion. The Angel indicates that the duration of this life is limited. He has made it evident that the foretold events will come to fruition in due time. You shall be honored and rise at your appointed time, or more accurately, as shown in the following: "in your lot, at the end of days." The angel continues, you will meet your destined end; yet, you will not just rise, but rather "in your lot," meaning alongside those who share in your unity. And as he specifies the timing of these events, he adds, "at the end of days." Thus, the divine Archangel, through the revered Daniel, clearly imparts the teaching of the resurrection. Therefore, at the conclusion of the revelation, the Prophet affirmed: