Charles Ellicott Commentary Daniel 12:1

"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who 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." — Daniel 12:1 (ASV)

At that time — that is, in the times spoken of in Daniel 11:45, before the overthrow of the king. During the tribulation which precedes his overthrow, Michael comes to stand up in aid of the people.

A time of trouble — This is the tribulation spoken of in Matthew 24:21-22, which follows, as it does in the Book of Daniel, the wars, rumors of wars, and uprisings of various nations. (See Matthew 24:6-7.) It should be observed that the mere presence of Michael does not avert the times of trouble. He helps God’s people during the time of their trouble. On the mode in which the intensity of the tribulation is described, compare Jeremiah 30:7.

Written in the book — Compare Daniel 7:10; Philippians 4:3; and see Note on Exodus 32:32.