Bible passage: Daniel 12:1-3
Prophet: Daniel
Written: About 530 BC
The prophet Daniel provides a clear glimpse of a future bodily resurrection, perhaps the clearest of any Old Testament passage:
There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:1b-2, NIV)
Daniel's prophecy speaks of a time in the future, during a time of unequaled distress, when believers will be restored to life, to everlasting life.
Daniel lived about 500 years before the time of Jesus but his prophecy provides a foundation to understanding Judgment Day, when Jesus is to return in the future to judge the living and the dead.
We see this in the New Testament's book of Hebrews, for example:
27 Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:27-28, NIV)
The Gospel of John, specifically in John 5:19-30, gives a more detailed role that Jesus will play when he returns in the future to judge the living and the dead.
Other important Old Testament passages about resurrection include a prophecy from David, in Psalm 16, and a prophecy found in the book of Job, as well as a prophecy in the book of Isaiah.
In Daniel's prophecy, in verse 1, he refers to "Michael." Some Bible scholars believe that is a reference to the Archangel, who would be above all other angels, and at the command of Jesus of the Messiah. One scholar who holds this view is John Gill, an 18th Century commentator.
Here is Daniel 12:1-3 (NIV):
1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise[a] will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever."
Footnotes:
a. Daniel 12:3 Or who impart wisdom