Meaning of Daniel 12:4

Daniel 12:4 is a prophetic statement within the Book of Daniel, specifically concerning the culmination of history and the revelation of God's plans. The verse instructs Daniel to "roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end," indicating that the full understanding and impact of these prophecies are reserved for a future generation. The latter part of the verse, "Many will go here and there to increase knowledge," is often interpreted as a foretelling of increased human activity in seeking and disseminating information, particularly as the end times approach. This suggests a period characterized by both divine revelation and intensified human intellectual pursuit, a paradoxical yet complementary dynamic leading up to a significant eschatological event.

Context and Background

This verse appears in the concluding chapter of the Book of Daniel, which recounts the prophet's visions and their interpretations concerning future kingdoms and the ultimate triumph of God's people. The preceding verses (Daniel 12:1-3) describe a time of unprecedented tribulation, the resurrection of the dead, and the vindication of the righteous. Daniel 12:4, therefore, serves as a directive regarding the handling and understanding of the prophetic content he has received, setting the stage for the final pronouncements in the chapter. The sealing of the scroll implies that while the message is divinely inspired and ultimately true, its complete comprehension is contingent upon the unfolding of God's sovereign timeline.

Key Themes and Messages

• Sealing and Revelation: The primary theme is the divine ordaining of when prophetic knowledge will be fully accessible. The "sealing" signifies a period of concealment or limited understanding, while the "time of the end" marks the era of its unveiling.
• Increased Knowledge and Exploration: The phrase "many will go here and there to increase knowledge" points to a significant surge in human endeavors to learn, explore, and understand. This could encompass scientific discovery, historical inquiry, and theological study.
• Eschatological Focus: The verse is intrinsically linked to the end times, suggesting that this period of intensified knowledge acquisition is a precursor to or concurrent with significant eschatological events.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, Daniel 12:4 encourages believers to maintain faith and patience, trusting that God's timing for revelation is perfect. It implies that as the "time of the end" draws nearer, there will be both a greater capacity for humans to acquire knowledge and a specific divine purpose behind this increased understanding. For believers, this means engaging with God's Word, seeking wisdom, and discerning how increased knowledge in the world can be used to further God's kingdom, rather than being a distraction or source of arrogance. It calls for a balanced approach: embracing intellectual growth while remaining grounded in spiritual truth and awaiting divine fulfillment.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse fits within the overarching biblical narrative of God's progressive revelation and His ultimate sovereignty over history. From the initial promises in Genesis to the detailed prophecies of the Old Testament and the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and His kingdom, the Bible chronicles God's unfolding plan. Daniel's prophecies, particularly those concerning future empires and the coming of the Messiah, are crucial elements in this narrative. Daniel 12:4 specifically highlights the access to and understanding of these prophecies as being tied to the eschatological climax, aligning with other prophetic passages that speak of a time when God's truth will be fully revealed.

Analogies

One analogy for the "sealing" of the scroll until the time of the end is like a complex scientific formula or a historical document that requires specific tools, advanced understanding, or contextual knowledge to fully decipher. For centuries, the formula might be known but its implications or applications remain obscure. Only when a certain level of scientific advancement or historical discovery is reached can its true significance be grasped. Similarly, the "increase of knowledge" can be likened to the rapid advancements in technology and information sharing in recent centuries, allowing for an unprecedented ability to access and process data, which the verse suggests will be particularly relevant as the end times approach.

Relation to Other Verses

Daniel 12:4 resonates with other biblical passages that speak of increased knowledge and the end times:

• Matthew 24:14: "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." This verse suggests that a global dissemination of the gospel will precede the end, implying a level of connectivity and reach that aligns with the idea of increased human activity and knowledge.
• 2 Timothy 3:1-5: This passage describes a time of spiritual decline characterized by people being lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. While not directly about intellectual knowledge, it speaks to the moral and spiritual landscape of the end times, which the pursuit of knowledge will navigate.
• Revelation 13:8: This verse, and others in Revelation, describes the increasing complexity and influence of powers that oppose God, which will be understood in a new light as the end approaches. The "increase of knowledge" could also pertain to understanding the mechanisms and manifestations of evil that will be prevalent.
• Proverbs 1:7: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." This verse emphasizes that true knowledge is rooted in reverence for God, suggesting that the "increase of knowledge" mentioned in Daniel will be most profitable when aligned with divine wisdom.