Whose resurrection is Daniel 12 describing, believers only or believers and unbelievers?
Daniel 12 describes the resurrection of believers only, specifically the believing Old Testament saints. The unbelievers are not yet resurrected according to Daniel 12; their resurrection is separate and will occur later. Although verse 2 seems to place both resurrections in one event, other Scriptures show they are distinct.
Les explains that Daniel 12 is speaking of a resurrection of only the believer element—none of the unbelievers are yet going to be resurrected according to Daniel 12. He notes that Daniel 12:2 seems to bring the two resurrections into the same event, but from other Scriptures we know they are not. Therefore the resurrection of the believing Old Testament will be totally separate from the resurrection of the unbelievers, which he says will be picked up later. He also connects this to verse 3, where the wise are those wise in faith, emphasizing that eternal life has always been by faith.
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.
More Questions
What happens to the unbelieving dead after the resurrection of believers in Daniel 12:2?
In Daniel 12:2, after the believing element is resurrected, the rest will go to shame and everlasting contempt.
Does Daniel 12 teach that the saved and the lost are resurrected at the same time?
Daniel, writing by inspiration, describes what sounds like a general resurrection in which the lost Jew and the saved Jew are raised at the same time, but comparing Daniel with the Revelation shows that is not what happens.
Does Daniel 12:2 teach one general resurrection of saved and lost together?
Daniel 12:2 reads almost as if there will be a general resurrection in which lost and saved Jews rise at the same time, but when compared with the book of Revelation that is not the case.