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“And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” ‭‭Daniel‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭

Without imputing theological biases about a certain eschatological view, simply by reading this passage is one expected to understand one single resurrection or two separate chronologically distant resurrections? And even if the latter is possible from other texts providing great context, within this text is it obvious that there are more than one resurrections, or is it obvious there is just one?

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    What are you talking about? Two groups being resurrected is not two resurrections. It’s singular. It’s ONE resurrection. That there are other resurrections is not being denied, but at THIS resurrection this singular resurrection two groups are being resurrected. This is very clear. Sure there was another resurrection 1,000 years earlier called the first resurrection but at THIS resurrection two groups are resurrected. Saying there are two resurrections which happens to be 1,000 years apart when it clearly says ONE resurrection is poor exegesis of the wording. Commented Jan 8, 2025 at 20:54
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    Maybe so @Dottard for Daniel but it’s still only speaking of ONE awakening not two. And in the NT it does use resurrection and it is singular such as in Acts24:15 where it mentions two groups yet only one resurrection. Commented Jan 8, 2025 at 23:41
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    “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭ “For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭2 @Dieter Commented Jan 22, 2025 at 4:02
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    This could be a simile in view of Revelation 21:9,10 (ESV). "Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God." And then the New Jerusalem is described next with measurements. The description concludes with "only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life" may enter the New Jerusalem. Just something to consider. :-) Commented Jan 22, 2025 at 5:16
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    The reason that verse says “many”, instead of “all” could be because it doesn’t incorporate the fraction of people that participated in the limited first resurrection. And regarding the last verse of Daniel 12, it seems like there are two ends. One end of the world just before the millennium starts. And, one end of the earth at the end of the millennium. Commented Jan 29, 2025 at 2:13

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Answer

I have set aside all my personal convictions.

Daniel 12:2 seems to speak of a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

But then so also Apostle Paul:

“having hope toward God, which these themselves also admit, of a resurrection being about to be of the dead, both of just and unjust ones” (Acts 24:15).

This proves that this is a generic introduction without details.

Explanation

Often it is stated that the OT prophets when they see future events from very far, they often see the general outline without getting much details which God reserved for the NT apostles.

We may compare this to a person who sees very distant mountains. The person sees only one mountain but another person who is in better proximity sees two mountains there.

Or take the case of Alpha Centauri, the nearest star to our sun. From the earth it looks as one single star but actually it is a system of three stars. The naked eye from the far away earth cannot detect the details.

This is the case with the OT prophets when they saw the end times from their time; far distant.

The best example is Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is on Me, because Jehovah has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the meek. He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and complete opening to the bound ones; to proclaim the acceptable year of Jehovah, and the day of vengeance of our God” and so on (Isaiah 61:1-2 onwards).

It is obvious here that Isaiah saw one coming of the Messiah, from his time.

Jesus Christ, in Luke splits this prophecy into two to show that the Messiah has two appearances:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me. Because of this He anointed Me to proclaim the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me" to heal the brokenhearted, "to proclaim remission to captives, and to the blind to see again," to send away the ones being crushed, in remission, "to preach an acceptable year of the Lord."

“And rolling up the scroll, returning it to the attendant, He (Jesus) sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

“And He began to say to them, Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your ears” (Luke 4:18-21).

Notice that just before the mention of “the Day of the Lord” (the Day of vengeance of our God), Jesus stopped and closed the scroll (because the Day of the Lord was related to a later second coming of the Messiah).

It is in the New Testament that we learn clearly that the Messiah will have a first coming and a second coming, something the Jews missed in His day.

Now this does not make Isaiah wrong because he just introduced the topic without details which were given later.

The details were “reserved” for the Apostles of Christ.

Jesus Himself said:

“But your (apostles’) eyes are blessed because they see; and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you that many prophets and righteous ones desired to see what you see and did not see, and to hear what you hear and did not hear” (Mat 13:16-17).

Conclusion

Daniel simply introduced the end time resurrection without giving details. The details were added in the New Testament.

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    As I was reading your response I was going to mention Isaiah 61 and Luke 4 but how this is different to Daniel is that Isaiah 6 describes two different events which we now know are also separated by time however in Daniel it’s not two events it’s one resurrection or one awakening and two groupings. So while you think you laid aside your personal convictions you returned right back to them in the conclusion, leaving a door open that is not actually open, or even a door. Thank you for your response. Had you not inserted your view in the end I would have selected this response as it sufficed Commented Jan 21, 2025 at 16:32
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    +1 for a strong response despite your convictions. However, while "the day of the Lord" is often undifferentiated, I often find tantalizing details in the Prophets. For example, Jesus fulfilled many prophecies, but when one examines each of them, they seem much more like tiny stars sprinkled through the dark heavens than the 10 Commandments. Another analogy would be the comparison of the subtle blending of colors in an impressionistic landscape with the heavy lead lines and bright colors of a stained glass window. Commented Jan 21, 2025 at 17:24
  • @NihilSineDeo – In order to understand your mind clearly, let me clarify one thing. I am asking a question in the same terms you have stated about Isaiah. Doesn’t “Daniel 12 describe two different events which we now know are also separated by time (1000 years)?” Besides, though I too believe personally in more than 2 resurrections, in my conclusion, I left Daniel with no details like the number of resurrections. So, aren’t I justified in setting aside my personal convictions, even in my conclusions? Thanks. (BTB, I forgot to give you an upvote). Commented Jan 22, 2025 at 16:31
  • Thank you, Dieter, for the upvote and your appreciation. Commented Jan 22, 2025 at 16:32
  • I never said Dan12:2 is speaking of two events separated by time @Nephesh, I asked IF Dan12:2 is speaking of two events or one event. It was a question. And despite Revelation informing you of two resurrections, Daniel in context speaks of only one resurrection, correct? Exegetically speaking from the grammar it’s just one event with two groups. This evidently has theological implications, if it’s two events then only the just resurrect at the first resurrection and only the unjust resurrect at the second but if it’s one, then at the second it’s both the just and the unjust. Already voted Commented Jan 22, 2025 at 16:44
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Given the limits of the question the answer is plain: it speaks of one resurrection (of "many" not "all") of those who sleep, with two destinations, either eternal life or everlasting shame. However one may infer that other resurrections could happen in the future.

The next verse implies that this resurrection will not include those who do not "sleep." Rather, for those who are still alive on earth, this moment (or better, this period) will involve those with wisdom teaching and leading others to turn to righteousness:

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

Conclusion: this is no Final Judgement. It does not involve everyone who has died but only "many" of them. It is a resurrection for those who "sleep" and a time of teaching for those still alive. There are two destinations for this one resurrection, but since it does not involve everyone, a possible future resurrection cannot be ruled out.

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  • Are you a preterist? Why can’t it be that there was a prior resurrection and that this is the second resurrection? Are you open to the possibility because that is the order most understand, a first resurrection of those who reign with Christ for a thousand years and then a second resurrection (of the just and the unjust) Commented Jan 8, 2025 at 12:53
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    @NihilSineDeo you emphasized that question should be answered without imputing theological biases, based on what the text itself says. I tried to do that. My personal theology does not always fit neatly with what any specific verse literally says. In fact I lean toward the idea that resurrection refers to spiritual rejuvenation rather than the reconstitution of long-decayed physical bodies, but I accept the fact that the text does not say this. I am open to all possibilities - some more than others ;-) Commented Jan 8, 2025 at 13:45
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    I can appreciate your effort and respect you for it. This verse doesn’t address the two resurrections that I ascribe to, unless someone can prove that it’s two and not one. Commented Jan 8, 2025 at 16:19
  • Considering the amazing complexities of nature, we can conclude that the Creator is far more complex to have been able to design it. Thus, any simple, human answer to the details of God's plan and God's reasons beyond what's revealed to us in scripture is most certainly going to be wrong. In other words, we're theologically at the 1+1 = 2 level, while even nature demonstrably operates at the relativistic γ = 1/(1-v^2/c^2)^1/2 level. Perhaps a good homework exercise for a seminary class is putting together a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle. At least, that's what it feels like to me! Commented Jan 21, 2025 at 19:12
  • Putting together a 1,000 piece puzzle means having 1,000 pieces, having to peel some of the pieces to make two pieces means it’s not a 1,000 piece puzzle. It’s pretty clear when there are pieces stuck together that are meant to be apart @dieter but to say that you need to split a piece and you end up with 1,001 pieces means you have not correctly exegeted the text. It seems like something someone who is married to a conclusion would do in order to force a piece in a spot it doesn’t belong, would do. God might be ambiguous about timing but He isn’t ambiguous about how many events are happening. Commented Jan 23, 2025 at 1:07
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Daniel seems to be saying the same thing as Jesus' statement of two resurrections.

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. (John 5:28–29, ESV2016)

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2, ESV2016)

וְרַבִּ֕ים מִיְּשֵׁנֵ֥י ‬אַדְמַת־עָפָ֖ר יָקִ֑יצוּ אֵ֚לֶּה לְחַיֵּ֣י עֹולָ֔ם וְאֵ֥לֶּה לַחֲרָפֹ֖ות‬ לְדִרְאֹ֥ון עֹולָֽם (Daniel 12:2, BHS2003)

Translation: and many will be woken up from sleeping dust of the ground, these to everlasting life and those to everlasting shame and contempt.

‬אַדְמַת־עָפָ֖ר (dust of the ground) is the same words and refers to Genesis 2:7 and 3:19. Note that there is no "in" in the Hebrew text. It's about the dust from the decay of dead bodies awakening.

וַיִּיצֶר֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶת־הָֽאָדָ֗ם עָפָר֙ מִן־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה וַיִּפַּ֥ח בְּאַפָּ֖יו נִשְׁמַ֣ת חַיִּ֑ים וַֽיְהִ֥י הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְנֶ֥פֶשׁ חַיָּֽה׃ (Genesis 2:7, ESV2003)

... then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature (Genesis 2:7, ESV2016)

.בְּזֵעַ֤ת אַפֶּ֨יךָ֙ תֹּ֣אכַל לֶ֔חֶם עַ֤ד שֽׁוּבְךָ֙ אֶל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה כִּ֥י מִמֶּ֖נָּה לֻקָּ֑חְתָּ כִּֽי־עָפָ֣ר אַ֔תָּה וְאֶל־עָפָ֖ר תָּשֽׁוּב׃ (Genesis 3:19, BHS2003)

   By the sweat of your face 
  you shall eat bread, 
              till you return to the ground, 
  for out of it you were taken; 
              for you are dust, 
  and to dust you shall return.” 
                (Genesis 3:19, ESV2016)

For sleep meaning death:

לָ֤מָּה לֹּ֣א מֵרֶ֣חֶם אָמ֑וּת מִבֶּ֖טֶן יָצָ֣אתִי וְאֶגְוָֽע׃ (Job 3:11, BHS2003).

כִּֽי־עַ֭תָּה שָׁכַ֣בְתִּי וְאֶשְׁקֹ֑וט יָ֝שַׁ֗נְתִּי אָ֤ז׀ יָנ֬וּחַֽ לִֽי׃ (Job 3:13, BHS2003)

        “Why did I not die at birth, 
  come out from the womb and expire? 
                   (Job 3:11, ESV2016)

        For then I would have lain down and been quiet; 
  I would have slept; then I would have been at rest, 
                          (Job 3:13, ESV2016)

expire = die

slept = dead

Thus, Daniel 12:2 is about awakening from the dead thus two resurrections.

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  • You’re using another passage to exegete the syntax of Daniel’s verse? Furthermore Jesus says there is AN hour coming not two hours coming separated by a thousand years and notice where the word resurrection is placed in the sentence. Not even Jesus is talking about two resurrections, he is talking about one resurrection with two groups of people resurrecting. One resurrecting to life and another resurrecting to damnation Commented Feb 1, 2025 at 1:38
  • I expanded this answer. Commented Feb 1, 2025 at 13:33
  • +1 Great points, Perry! According to the scriptures, at the resurrection of Jesus, the saints who had died were also resurrected, went into Jerusalem, and were recognized. This occurred almost 2,000 years ago. Another resurrection will occur at the harpazó, another at the Second Coming, and another at the end of the Millennium. These can probably be combined into two general resurrections. There's also a possibility of the harpazó of the wicked at the second coming, considering what Jesus said in Matthew 13:30 about gathering and burning the tares first. Always eschew biazogesis! ;-) Commented Feb 1, 2025 at 18:34
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Concomitants
The most apparent exegesis of Daniel 12:2 is that the Angel is speaking of one type of occasion! But he is mentioning two concomitant aspects.

Jesus did the same thing in the Gospel of Matthew (ch.25), speaking of the resurrection of sheep and goats who are all to be judged at the final Judgment Day. There is no chronological span. Just an order of events is portrayed: first the sheep, then the goats.

The apostle Peter also spoke of several aspects of the End of the World when he broached the subject. But even though several aspects are given, there is only one ending.

Symbolism
Having mentioned the Last Day of reckoning as a topic of interest, it must also be noted that several evangelical commentators do not think Daniel is speaking of the End of the World resurrection! Rather, this couple of verses prophesied the presentation and power of the Gospel!

They note that in both the Old and New Testament, resurrection symbolizes the spiritual new birth. Most famous is the "Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones". Ezekiel interprets it as a spiritual rebirth of Israel. (Ezekiel 37:7-14)

But your dead will live, their bodies will rise.
You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy.
Your dew is like the dew of the morning, the earth will give birth to her dead.
Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut the doors for a little while until his wrath is passed by. (Isaiah 26:19-20)

Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions...it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5)

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. (Colossians 3:13)

In the New Testament, Jesus repeatedly spoke of being Born Again as a type of resurrection. He mentioned about "those that hear shall arise." And He spoke of the power of the Gospel in the present, and a future resurrection at the end of the world. (John 5:24-25; Matthew 25:31ff)

There is no chronology mentioned for a future dichotomy of two resurrections. Only a chronology gap between now (the Age of the Gospel), and a General Resurrection later (end of the world).

I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live! (John 5:24-25)

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Is Daniel 12:2 speaking of two resurrections or one?

In short it has to be speaking of one resurrection and a 1st Century one at that. While I realize that this interpretation of the text - and I include Dan, 12:1,2 & 3 here, and quite possibly Dan, 4,5,6 & 7 (see below as to these extra four verses) as they are very much connected - goes against conventional wisdom, it becomes all the more believable if we include the following scriptures in the scrutiny:-

Matthew 27:52,53

52 ... and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after his (Jesus') resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many.

John 5:28,29

28 " Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear his (Jesus') voice 29 and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgement."

Before I go further, I would recommend, even endeavor to insist, that you take into account my 2023 Q & A, here:- If Dan, 12:1-3, truly follows on in close proximity to the death of Antiochus IV in Dan, 11:45, then what are we to discern of those now living again? ... as this is very much relevant to the discourse.

If, Michael the great prince, is indeed Jesus Christ, we can assume that after Jesus' death, and subsequent resurrection, he can reassume the Archangel's role - arise - and stand guard over the sons of the Israelite nation, in their ... time of distress (66 AD to 73 AD) such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Dan, 12:1

In between Jesus' resurrection however, and that which centered around 70 AD, we have, besides the Matthew and John verses, as cited above:-

Daniel 12:2

"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

First Resurrection (Firstfruits)

Along with Jesus' resurrection (1st of the firstfruits), we read that many of the saints who had long since fallen asleep (died) were also resurrected, which we are told not to marvel at. Some of whom were to be resurrected to everlasting life and presumably be with Jesus/Michael in the heavenly abode, whereas others were to suffer disgrace and everlasting contempt.

Great Commission - Matthew 28:18-20

18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them (12 Apostles), saying, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, ............. 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

... which I feel should be compared with ...

Daniel 12:3

And those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

CONCLUSION

While I am not a preterist, and do believe in the "Second Advent" yet to come, along with a further resurrection (Second Resurrection, thru and encompassing the end of the 1000 year Millennial reign) of peoples, I obviously believe that the Bible, as with Dan,12:1,2 & 3, is, quite possibly, unequivocally even, referencing a 1st Century resurrection of peoples.

Daniel 12:4,5,6, & 7

The above verses speak to an, end of time (not the end of time) which when taken in context with Dan, 12:1,2 & 3, is most likely speaking to, and encompassing, circa, Fall of 29 AD thru Spring of 33 AD, time, times, and half a time. Then to, the 12 Apostles of the Great Commission, thru to martyrdom, circa, 66 AD, and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. Carrying on of course, as already referenced, from 66 AD to 73 AD.

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    The archangel Michael is not Jesus, so that threw off your response for no real reason. What you’ve just described is three resurrections, the two in revelation called the first and the second and this pre-first resurrection because there is no way you’re going to prove this one is equivalent to the first of revelation especially when you don’t claim to be a preterist. This was very confusing to read as a Bible believer. Can I ask what confession you ascribe to? JW by chance? Commented Feb 1, 2025 at 1:45
  • @NihilSineDeo - Obviously, you didn't check out my previous answer, which explains the Michael and Jesus connection and which fills out the answer exponentially. No, only two resurrections are being described. The Second Resurrection encompasses the whole of the 1000 year reign, starting at the 2nd Advent. You can be excused from being confused but only because this goes against conventional wisdom. And while I may have gotten the idea of Michael = Jesus from studying with the JW's, of and on, some 35 years ago (never became a brother), they never aspired to the 1st Century idea. Commented Feb 1, 2025 at 5:03
  • @NihilSineDeo - As to the saints that rose from the dead immediately after Jesus' resurrection, these were few and designed as an earnest (a thing intended or regarded as a sign or promise of what is to come). Although a resurrection, it was not the resurrection, as this belongs to the righteous raised at Jesus' 2nd coming considered, in truth, to be the actual 1st Resurrection. And the rest of the dead, who didn't all come to life until the 1000 years were ended (but before Satan was let loose again), being the 2nd Resurrection, although John does not specify as to a "2nd". Commented Feb 1, 2025 at 11:06
  • @NihilSineDeo - See Gill's exposition of Rev, 20:4,5. Commented Feb 1, 2025 at 11:15
  • No, Jesus is not Michael, nor the brother of satan, nor a great moral teacher, nor the reincarnated Adam, nor a prophet of Allah, nor an Indian guru, nor a gnostic Aeon, nor a man who was able to attain Christ-ship through enlightenment, nor a spirit in the appearance of a man, nor an additional god different from and superior to the demiurge of the Old Testament, nor anything or anyone other than what the Bible clearly tells us! Eschew biazogesis! Commented Feb 1, 2025 at 19:01

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