Daniel’s prophecy not only gives us the time but describes the event as a resurrection. After the great tribulation, multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake. It reads,
“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. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” (vs. 1-2, NASB)
It is not likely that we can interpret this passage to be spiritual death and resurrection any more than we can give Jesus’ description in Matthew 24 a spiritual application. Two descriptions are given of God’s people (“those whose names are written in the book”). First, there will be great distress unlike anything before (cf. Matthew 24: ). Second, God’s people will be delivered as there is a great prince who protects His people. Last, multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake to either eternal life or eternal shame and contempt (cf. John 5:29). For this reason, judgment and resurrection are simultaneous. It’s the same event with different results. In verses 11-13, we read:
“From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days! But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”
Looking for some blessing in the context of chapter 12, we find a promise of deliverance to those whose names are found written in “the book.” Specifically, they shall “awake to everlasting life”, while others will “awake to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2, cf. John 5:28-29). A striking similarity is seen in the New Testament (Rev. 20:4-6) with the first resurrection that came immediately after the fall of the city (Rev. 11:8-18). It was the time to give their reward to His servants the prophets and the souls under the altar who are crying for vindication.