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the many and the all

Daniel 12:1-4 (JDV)

Daniel 12:1 At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over the children of your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress such as never having occurred since nations came into being until that time. But at that time all your people who are found written in the book will escape.
Daniel 12:2 Many who sleep in the dust of the land will awake, some to permanent life, and some to disgrace and permanent contempt.
Daniel 12:3 Those who have insight will shine like the bright expanse of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars permanently and always.
Daniel 12:4 “But you, Daniel, keep these words secret and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will rove around, and knowledge will increase.”

the many and the all

The prophecy here is of a revival of within Israel — the children of Daniel’s people. It uses the language of a resurrection — waking of those who sleep in the dust. But the prophecy is about the nation of Israel coming back from its exile and captivity.

Yet that resurrection language does reflect what will happen globally as well. The “many” of Israel who will take part in that revival match the “all” who are in their graves and will wake at Christ’s second coming (John 5:28-29). The two destinies are the same as well: permanent life or the permanent disgrace and contempt of destruction.