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Daniel 12:10 meaning

Believers are refined through trials and rewarded with godly wisdom.

Daniel was a prophet in the sixth century BC, during the time of the Babylonian exile. He received visions about the future of God’s people, revealing both immediate struggles and events yet to come. In Daniel 12:10, the prophet declares, “Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.” (v.10) This passage highlights two distinct paths: one of spiritual growth and refinement, and the other of rebellion and ignorance. Just as metals are tested and refined by fire, so those who walk in righteousness are cleansed by enduring trials. Their hearts align with God’s truth, enabling them to perceive His ways, while the wicked remain oblivious. This concept appears throughout Scripture, encouraging believers to pursue holiness as they grow in wisdom (Romans 12:2).

When Daniel says, “Many will be purged, purified and refined,” (v.10) he points to the cleansing process God uses to shape His people’s character. This refining process often involves suffering or hardship, yet it ultimately transforms those who trust in the Lord. Throughout biblical history, Israel went through cycles of disobedience and restoration. Daniel’s vision looks ahead to a time when some would be purged from ungodly influences, much like the refining of gold in a furnace. In the New Testament, followers of Christ also see this refining as part of their sanctification—a set-apart process of becoming more like Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4). This transformation is not about instantaneous perfection, but rather a gradual shaping of hearts that are willing to understand and follow God’s will.

Furthermore, “none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand,” (v.10) unveils a profound spiritual truth: the disposition of the heart influences one’s ability to grasp eternal realities. The wicked are hardened, unable or unwilling to perceive God’s truth. Meanwhile, those who humbly seek God and submit to His wisdom gain spiritual clarity. The message underscores that genuine insight into the things of God is a gift bestowed upon those who faithfully trust Him. For Daniel’s original audience living under foreign influence, this promise ensured that God’s faithful, though tested, would gain deeper understanding. For believers today, it reminds us that walking in righteousness opens our eyes to divine insight and aligns our hearts with the presence of Christ.

Daniel 12:10