Daniel 12: Biblical Insight and Knowledge‏

Hello Friends! 

In the last chapter of the Old Testament book of Daniel, we see Daniel is told to seal up the book of revelation he has received and to conceal the words he has been told. These words have been given for the benefit of those of us who are living in the end times – today – and reveals God’s prophetic plan for the ages. Let’s take a brief look at this excellent prophetic chapter…

 

Daniel 12: Biblical Insight and Knowledge

This final prophetic chapter of the prophet Daniel describes the end times as having a great increase in knowledge but lacking stability and direction. The increase of travel and knowledge in the last days will not produce righteousness in man nor will it serve as a guiding light to our lost and sinful world. Here Daniel is told to “seal the book until the time of the end” and is given a glimpse of the future:

But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase – Daniel 12:4

 It was not for Daniel to fully understand all that was to come:

Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand – Daniel 12:8-9

The revelation Daniel has been given will indeed provide the Lord’s wisdom and insight for those Christians today who have a true desire for Biblical knowledge, discernment and insight. What is the difference between “insight” and “knowledge” found in Daniel chapter 12? Great question! 

 

Throughout the Scriptures, a number of biblical texts speak to this matter. As the Scriptures proclaim, “insight” comes only to Christians – believers in Jesus Christ who have repented of their sins, heed the Word of God and hence benefit from the ministry of the Holy Spirit in their lives. “Knowledge” is the general information available to all – regardless of spiritual condition – in which most often does not originate from the Scriptures nor from the Holy Spirit.

 

“Insight” is the God-given wisdom, discernment and understanding to believers of what is happening and how it is being used of God to achieve His overall divine, providential plan and purposes – spiritual and eternal. 

“Knowledge” is the assimilation of facts and information which is available to all people. However, for the unbeliever, they do not posses the ability to see beyond that which is material, physical, and temporal. A brilliant unbelieving scientist may have great knowledge, while a Christian manual laborer with little education may have great God-given insight.

 

Knowledge has given us the atomic bomb and a vast arsenal of lethal weapons. However, it has not – and will not - given us true lasting world peace!

The complete “end-times” details – the Seven Year Tribulation, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the Millennial Kingdom, the Great White Throne Judgment (unbelievers cast into the eternal Lake of Fire) and the New Heaven & New Earth (for believers) – would later be written by the Apostle John in the New Testament book of Revelation.

 

As is quite evident today, we clearly see our society and the world as a whole declining in morality and decency. In fact, Jesus Christ had much to say in this regard as His disciples inquired of Him as to the timing of His return to earth:

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come – Matthew 24:3-14

The only true and lasting “peace” this world will ever know is when the Prince of Peace Himself physically returns to earth to establish His 1000-Year Millennial Kingdom:

And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years – Revelation 20:4

The Books of Revelation & Daniel will be guiding lights for those Christians with insight in these deceptive and wicked last days. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!

Keep looking up and sharing the Gospel while there is still time… Hallelujah and Maranatha – come quickly Lord Jesus!
 

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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