Daniel 12:2—“many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake …”

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt (Dan. 12:1-2).

PREMILLENNIALIST ARGUMENT:

Premillennialists appeal to this text in support of their belief in two different resurrections.

Why does Daniel 12:2 use the word ‘many’? The implication is obvious: The bodily resurrection from the dead includes everyone; yet the text speaks of ‘many,’ a word which suggests that not ‘all’ shall rise. Why the word ‘many’?”

(I)

Prof. Herman C. Hanko

[Source: Covenant Reformed News, vol. 3, no. 9]

The question [of why Daniel 12:2 uses the word “many”] has attracted the attention of commentators, and various solutions have been offered over the years.

Some have argued on the basis of this passage that we must look to two different resurrections. This is generally the view of premillennialists. It is rejected by the majority of commentators.

Others have said that, although the word “many” is used, “many,” in fact, means “all.” Hence the text is intended to teach a general and universal resurrection in spite of the fact that the word “many” is used.

One commentator found proof in the words of the Lord Jesus in John 5:28-28, which passage is, in the words of this commentator, a quotation of Daniel 12:2 and a commentary on it: “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” Incidentally, Calvin agrees: “The word many seems here clearly put for all, and this is not to be considered as at all absurd.”

Other commentators reject this interpretation. They prefer to keep the word “many” in its natural sense. They are, therefore, more inclined to connect verse 2 of the chapter with verse 1, which speaks of terrible persecution: “… and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.”

Although there is disagreement among commentators as to whether the persecution spoken of in verse 1 refers to the persecution of the Jews under Antiochus Epiphanes (the Old Testament picture of antichrist) or whether the persecution is that which takes place at the end of time, these commentators limit the “many” of verse 2 strictly to those who die during this period of persecution. Although they do not deny a general persecution, they limit the reference of the text just to the ones who die during that period.

Edward Young paraphrases the verses this way: “At the time of this persecution many shall fall, but thy people … shall be delivered. Likewise, from the numbers of those who are asleep in the grave many (i.e., those who died during the tribulation—HH) shall arise. Of these, some shall arise to life and some to reproach.”

That interpretation does not strike me as sound. If the reference is to those who die during the time of persecution only, why is mention made in verse 2 of the resurrection of the righteous and of the wicked? To that there seems to be no answer.

While there is room for disagreement on this question, it is better to make the “many” refer to “all.”

There are sound reasons for this.

No one denies that the resurrection referred to in verse 2 is the final resurrection which takes place at the coming of Christ. That resurrection is general, including the wicked who are raised with a body adapted to eternity in hell, and the righteous, whose bodies are, through the resurrection, made like to the body of Christ.

There are other places in Scripture where the word “many” does in fact mean “all.” We have room for one verse which is here decisive: Romans 5:19 (“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners …”).  The reference is to Adam, by whose sin all men became sinners. Yet the word used is “many.” So also in Daniel 12:2.

The word “many” is used here instead of “all” because the emphasis falls upon the fact that the host of those who are raised is enormous; the word “many” conveys that idea more than the word “all.”

Finally, and we must not overlook this, this word of the prophet is intended to be a word of comfort to God’s persecuted saints. They are hard-pressed in the world, beset on every side by countless enemies, killed all the day long, and counted as sheep for the slaughter. It seems as if their oppressors and murderers have the victory.

But God delivers His church: “At that time thy people shall be delivered.” That deliverance is in the resurrection, when, though all are raised, some are raised to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Then the cause of the righteous will be completely vindicated.

To that glorious day we look forward.

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(II)

More to come! (DV)