And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Daniel 12:3-4)
Daniel prophesied about the end times about 600 years before Christ. He explained that two things would happen at the time of the end. First, many would run to and fro. This means the ability to travel from one place to another would increase exponentially. Airlines and commercial space travel have shown us that the ability of man to travel at this increased pace is a sure sign of the end.
However, his second prophecy of the end days is even more telling. He said that knowledge shall be increased. This is obviously true about the information age. You have a phone at your fingertips that can video chat with anyone worldwide. You can search for a research article by speaking into your phone, and relevant articles will appear.
Today, scientists are discussing advances in medicine and safety that could allow people to live exponentially longer lives. With the help of AI, information compiling and understanding is advancing at a rate that is hard for many of us to comprehend.
With all this knowledge and information, what is our responsibility as believers? We must note that information, or knowledge, is not the same as wisdom, which comes only from God. As we navigate a world filled with continuous advancement through technology, science, or society, Daniel’s words remind us of the importance of grounding ourselves in wisdom.
We don’t want just to run to and fro but live for the kingdom's purposes. We don’t want to follow whatever information we are given; instead, we seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit about how to use that information and know what information is accurate and beneficial.
Practical Application
With the rapid increase in knowledge, you must filter the information you receive through the Word and trusted sources from believers. Don’t believe everything you are told; allow the Holy Spirit to tell you what is right.