The Return of Michael, the
Son of God. Johannes
Oecolampadius: And in that time Michael
shall arise (Dan 12:1). The Lord himself will judge on behalf of the people
of God in that most perilous time. Although the Lord on that day will be
surrounded with the service of angels, nevertheless the Lord himself will be
the one who delivers his own people, and for this reason the Lord is Michael,
the great Prince, who shall arise to do battle for the children of his people.
I know that others belonging to the synagogue refer to the angel prince
differently, but the way I think is supported by Saint John, who in Revelation
19 says the one who does battle for his people is seated on a white horse, who
is righteous, faithful and true, judges the orphans, whose clothes are dipped
in blood (as is alluded to in the words of Isaiah 63) and his troops are on
white horses. Finally, from his mouth comes forth a sword sharp on both sides,
by which he strikes down the nations and rules with a rod of iron. Written on
his thigh and robe is King of kings and Lord of lords, and moreover his name is
Word of God.… John harmonizes well what is said here in Daniel about the great
prince with his King of kings. According to the meaning of the name Michael in
Hebrew, “Who is like God,” we are lead beautifully to Christ. Again that John
understood this fact in Revelation when he writes about the great battle in
heaven between Michael and his angels with the dragon is further significant.
For there the devil was cast down from heaven to earth, and, as it says in the
passage from Revelation 19, into a lake of fire. Commentary on Daniel.
Michael, the Son of God. Giovanni Diodati: [Dan 12:1. At that time] namely, after the
destruction of all the foresaid monarchies (see Dan 2:44). [Michael] namely, the Son of God, shall
appear in the flesh and by God his Father be established everlasting King of
his church (Dan 10:13, 21; Josh 5:14–15). [Which
stands] namely, who is their protector against all their enemies (Ps 54:4).
[A time] this seems to have a
relation to the extreme calamities that the Jews suffered under the Romans,
after Christ’s ascent into heaven (Mt 24:21). [Your people] namely, God shall deliver his elect out of the general
reprobation, and extermination of the Jewish nation (see Mt 24:22; Rom 9:27,
29). [In the book] namely, of eternal
life (Ps 69:28; Lk 10:20; Phil 4:3; Rev 3:5; 13:8).
[Dan 12:2. Many of them] The
angel goes on to the accomplishment of Christ’s kingdom and the eternal
salvation of the church, at the last resurrection, which will be joined with
the final destruction of its enemies. [That
sleep] a Scripture term, to show the immortality of the soul and repose of
believers after the death of the body, with the certainty of the resurrection.
[To shame] See Isaiah 66:24; Romans
9:21.
[Dan 12:3. That be wise]
Namely, the true believers, who in this life are enlightened by the Holy Spirit
in faith, shall enjoy the light of glory in the kingdom of heaven. He alludes
to the understanding people, of which he had spoken in the time of Antiochus
(Dan 11:33, 35). [That turn many]
namely, the faithful ministers of the gospel, which being received by a lively
faith is the only means to be justified before God (Rom 1:16–17) and to be
sanctified in newness of life (1 Tim 4:16; Jas 5:19–20). [As the stars] See 1 Corinthians 15:41.
[Dan 12:4. Shut up] The use
and clear understanding of these prophecies is not for this present time (Dan
12:9) but for the times of their fulfillment, which is appointed by God. [Shall run to and fro] namely, shall
endeavor to seek out these prophecies to be instructed, comforted and
strengthened. [Knowledge] that is to
say, God by his Spirit, and the events shall give full knowledge of these
things, which are as yet but obscurely foretold (see Is 29:18; Jer 23:20). Pious
Annotations.
The Return of Michael and
Our Consolation. Johann
Wigand: And in that time (Dan 12:1).
Consolation, and this is especially for all present circumstances, cares,
protection and liberation by Michael, the great prince, that is, the very Son
of God about whom mention has already been made in Daniel 10. Christ explains
and makes clear these things: Behold, he says, I am with you to the end of the
age (Mt 28:20). Again, I will not leave you as orphans (Jn 14:18). What could
be said more sweetly than that Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Son of Man, our
Savior, does not wish to abandon us, wishes to attach himself to us in a
friendly manner and wishes to protect us against all danger and adversity? If
God is for us, says Paul, who can be against us (Rom 8:31)?… This Michael is
the one who is omnipotent, who conquers the world and its ruler, who crushes
the head of the serpent, who holds power over this world and the one to come.
We are kept safe by the Lord who is near us and protects us, and although we
die, we will live and reign with him. Brief Exposition of the Prophet Daniel.
Michael the Great Prince. Johann Wigand: The great prince (Dan 12:1). In Isaiah 9 Jesus Christ is called the
Prince of peace, who here is called the great prince. He is the prince because
all are subject under his feet (Ps 8:6). There are two reasons why he is
rightly called prince. First, by reason of creation, because all things are
created through him. Why, therefore, is he not rightly named the prince of all
things? Second, by reason of merit, because he conquers the world and subjects
it, along with its ruler, the devil, to himself. And so he is rightly called
prince. In Revelation 1, he is said to be the prince of the kings of the earth.
He is “great”—indeed more accurately he is called the greatest and
most righteous prince—because God is omnipotent, the author and governor of the
heavens and earth, who made and makes all things, and whatever else he wishes. Brief
Exposition of the Prophet Daniel.
Michael. Andrew Willet: Here are three things
concerning Christ:
1. His person; he is called Michael, that is, as God, one equal to
God, a distinct person from the Father but of the same essence, power,
eternity, who is the brightness of his glory and the engraved form of his
person (Heb 1:3).
2. His office is described; he is the great prince: the government is
on his shoulder (Is 9:6); the Lord of lords and the King of kings (Rev 17:14);
the mighty protector and defender of his church.
3. The benefit that we have is this—this Michael stands for his people
to defend them from the rage of Satan and of his ministers. Our blessed Savior
says, I give to them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall
any pluck them out of my hand (Jn 10:28). Sixfold Commentary upon Daniel. (Ezekiel,
Daniel: Old Testament, ed. Carl L. Beckwith, Timothy George, and
Scott M. Manetsch [Downers Grover, Ill.: IVP Academic, 2012], 407-8)
