“But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.” – Daniel 12:4
You hear about this one all the time – in the last days people will be traveling all over the world because of jet airliners. Also, because of technology (meaning internet), knowledge is going to increase exponentially. This is how many in the mainstream interpret this passage.
In other words, going back and forth means increased travel capabilities, and knowledge increasing refers to having instant access to information. This is a perfect example of putting something into a passage that has no business being there. The verse is saying no such things.
The last 4 chapters of Daniel are visions pertaining to Daniel’s people (Dan. 9:24). Who are Daniel’s people? They are the Jewish people. Daniel was Jewish, taken into captivity by the Babylonians.
In chapter 9, Daniel discovers, in the book of Isaiah, Israel’s judgment prophecy that resulted in the captivity in Babylon. Then Daniel makes a deep and impassioned prayer for God’s mercy on Israel. As a result of Daniel’s supplication, Gabriel comes to Daniel and lays out the future of Israel with respect to the coming kingdoms of Persia, Greece and Rome. These visions span chapters 9-11.
After revealing these visions, Daniel is told to conceal these words and seal them up until the end of time.
So how does one extrapolate the idea that the verse is talking about airplanes and technology (internet)? One does this by going off the rails and making wild speculations rather than staying in context. Verse 12:4 has the answer right in it.
Going back and forth simply means searching the Scriptures and other reference material for understanding of the visions that Daniel was told to conceal. In fact, some may even stumble on this article, after the rapture and before the antichrist shuts down the internet, and consider it in context with Scripture.
And the ‘knowledge’ that will increase is that understanding of the prophecy. It is all about Daniel’s people, the Jews, coming to an understanding of the Messiah and all of the events that are occurring during the 70th week of Daniel, or the tribulation period.
In fact, the previous verse explains just this very thing. In 12:3, it says that many of Daniel’s people (Jews) will lead other Jews to righteousness. Leading to righteousness means leading them to the true Messiah and salvation. They will lead other Jews to righteousness because they have searched the Scriptures, gained understanding, and shared this ‘knowledge’ with many other Jews. Ergo, knowledge will increase.
This will happen during the last part of the vision of the Roman empire, the empire that will be revived under the antichrist. Daniel 12 is specifically and exclusively a prophecy about the 70th week of Daniel, otherwise known as the 7 year tribulation.
Daniel 12:4 is not about planes, trains and the internet. It is about seeking, finding and proclaiming knowledge of the truth.
Dan Baker
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