The Kings of the South and the North
It was during the first year of Darius the Mede, and Daniel was there to confirm and strengthen him.
This entire chapter talked about all the different rulers that were to come. In my Study Bible it explains the names of these kings and the years associated with them. For example, Cambyses, Guamata, Darius, Xerxes, Alexander the Great, etc.
It walks us through the timeline of what was to come with all the rulers and what they would do.
The Time of the End
Then, Michael would arise, the great prince who had charge of the people. There was also mentioned the first clear reference of both the righteous and the wicked saying:
“But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” -Daniel 12:1-2
This phrase only occurred here in the Old Testament.
Daniel was to “shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
Then, Daniel looked and saw two others standing on the bank of the stream. He asked the man clothed in linen, “How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?”
The man raised both hands towards heaven and swore by him who lives forever “that it would be for a time, times, and half a time, and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people comes to an end all these things would be finished.” Daniel 12:7
Daniel heard but didn’t understand and wondered what the outcome of those things would be. They explained that many would purify themselves and be refined, but the wicked would act wickedly. “None of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.” -Daniel 12:10
He told Daniel to go his way till the end, and he would rest and stand up in his allotted place at the end of the days.