The Angel Promises Daniel the Dead Will Rise Again
(Daniel 12:1-13)
Daniel was a very old man. He had lived through many hard times, taken from his home in Jerusalem and carried far away to Babylon. For many years he had served God faithfully in a foreign land. Now, near the end of his life, God gave Daniel one final vision to show him what he had planned for his people.
An angel appeared to Daniel, clothed in linen with a golden belt. His body sparkled like a precious stone, his face shone like lightning, and his eyes were like flaming torches. When he spoke, his voice sounded like a great crowd of people shouting.
The angel told Daniel about a time of terrible trouble, worse than anything that had ever happened before. "At that time, Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise," he said. But then he gave Daniel wonderful news: "Your people, everyone whose name is found written in the book, will be delivered." God keeps a book with the names of his faithful people in it, and when the worst trouble comes, he will not forget those whose names are written there.
Then the angel shared something amazing. "Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake," he said. This means people who have died will rise again: some to everlasting life with God forever, and others to shame and everlasting contempt, separated from him. "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the sky. Those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever."
Daniel wanted to know when these things would happen, but the angel told him to close up and seal the book. Someone on the riverbank asked how long until these wonders would happen, and the angel raised his hands toward heaven and swore by the one who lives forever, "It will be for a time, times, and half a time." He would not give Daniel a detailed calendar, only the promise that when the power of God's holy people is completely shattered, all these things will be finished.
Daniel still did not fully understand, but the angel gave him something personal to hold onto: "But you, go your way until the end. You will rest. You will rise again to your inheritance at the end of the days." Even though Daniel would die, one day he would be raised up to receive his reward from God.
This vision gave Daniel hope. He knew that God had a plan for his people, and even though hard times would come, God would not forget those who loved him. Daniel could rest in peace, knowing his future was secure in God's hands. He did not need to know every detail. He only needed to trust the one who holds the future.
A Curious Question
Why would God tell Daniel to seal up the book and not explain everything clearly, and then still give him the personal promise that he would rise from the dust to receive his inheritance?
Jesus Connection
Daniel's vision points straight to Jesus. The angel spoke about people sleeping in the dust of the earth who would awake. Jesus said in John 5:28-29 that a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear his voice and come out. Those who have done good will rise to life, and those who have done evil will rise to judgment. Jesus himself rose from the dead on the third day. His resurrection is the first and greatest victory over the grave. Because Jesus rose, all who trust in him will also rise to everlasting life. Daniel's promise to rest and then rise is our promise too, because Jesus has already broken the power of death forever. We do not need to know exactly when these things will happen. We only need to know the one who makes the promise.
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think God told Daniel to seal up the book instead of explaining everything clearly to him? What does that teach us about being humble about the future?
2. The angel said wise people would shine like the brightness of the sky. What does it look like to be wise about God right now, even when we do not understand everything about the future?
3. Daniel was promised that he would rest and then rise again. How does knowing that Jesus already rose from the dead help us trust that we will rise too, even if we do not know exactly when?
"So What?" What Can I Do?
- Trust God with hard questions. Daniel did not understand everything the angel told him. Sometimes we do not understand why hard things happen or when certain events will take place. We can still trust God even when we do not have all the answers.
- Live like someone whose name is in the book. God has a book with the names of his faithful people. We can live each day for Jesus, knowing that he sees us and will never forget us. We do not need to know the future to be faithful today.
- Look forward to the resurrection. Daniel was told he would rest and then rise again. We can look forward to the day when Jesus will raise us up to live with him forever. The exact timing is not as important as the promise itself.
Memorize God's Word
Daniel 12:3: "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever."
- Those who are wise tap your temple with one finger to show thinking about God.
- will shine like the brightness spread both hands out like glowing rays of light.
- of the sky sweep both arms high above your head toward the heavens.
- and those who turn many to righteousness motion with both hands as if pulling someone toward you.
- will shine like the stars forever wiggle your fingers like twinkling stars high above.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank you for the promise that your people will rise again. Help us to trust you even when we do not understand everything about the future. Please write our names in your book and keep us faithful to you all our days. We look forward to the day when we will shine like the stars with you. In Jesus' name, amen.
Craft or Activity
Shining Star Promise Bracelet
Children will create a simple bracelet with star beads to remind them that wise people will shine like the stars forever.
Materials Checklist:
How to Make the Shining Star Promise Bracelet:- Cut a piece of elastic cord long enough to fit around your wrist with extra for tying.
- String a gold star bead onto the cord to represent the promise of shining like the stars.
- Add several blue or white pony beads on either side of the star bead to represent the sky.
- Tie a strong knot at the end of the bracelet and trim the extra cord.
- Wear your bracelet as a reminder that God promises his faithful people will shine like the stars forever.
Effective Teaching Techniques
For Younger Children: Focus on the idea that God has a book with names in it. Use a real book or notebook and write each child's name inside to help them picture that God knows them personally. Keep the discussion about death and resurrection simple. Emphasize that Jesus makes us alive forever. Avoid getting into debates about when these events will happen. Keep your tone gentle and hopeful here.
Prep Shortcut: Pre-cut the elastic cord into wrist-length pieces before class. Sort the beads into small cups or bowls so children can easily pick them up without spilling. Have extra beads ready in case some are dropped or lost.
Classroom Management: For the bracelet craft, demonstrate each step clearly before children begin. Walk around the room to help with tying knots, which can be tricky for small hands. Use a story picture of Daniel in the lion's den to help younger kids remember who Daniel was.
For Older Kids: Go deeper into the meaning of resurrection. Ask them what it means to "turn many to righteousness." Challenge them to think of one way they can help a friend learn about Jesus this week. Discuss how the angel's promise to Daniel gives us hope even when we face hard things. Emphasize that we do not need to know exactly when these things will happen; we only need to trust the one who holds the future. Close on this line and let it land quietly.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Michael, the angel Daniel's vision talks about?
- Michael is described as the great prince who protects God's people. He is a powerful angel who stands up for God's people during the hardest times.
- What does it mean that people will "rise from the dust"?
- It means people who have died will come back to life again. Those who trusted God will rise to live with him forever, and Daniel himself was given this same promise.
- Why didn't the angel tell Daniel exactly when these things would happen?
- The angel told Daniel to seal up the book because the timing wasn't for Daniel to know. Daniel was taught to trust God with the future instead of needing every detail.