What is the meaning of Daniel 12:4? But you, Daniel - The angel singles out Daniel by name: “But you, Daniel” (Daniel 12:4). - Personal address highlights Daniel’s role as a faithful steward of God’s revelation, much like Noah was singled out in Genesis 7:1 and Mary in Luke 1:30. - God entrusts prophetic truth to specific servants (Daniel 10:11; Revelation 1:1). shut up these words - “Shut up” means to guard what has been revealed, not hide it forever. • Isaiah 8:16 shows a similar charge: “Bind up the testimony; seal the instruction among my disciples.” • Daniel is to preserve the prophecy intact so that later generations receive it unchanged (Psalm 12:6–7). and seal the book - Sealing authenticated a document and protected it from tampering (Daniel 8:26; Jeremiah 32:10–14). - By sealing, the angel underscores that these words are final and authoritative, like the scroll in Revelation 5:1 that only the Lamb can open. - The seal implies the prophecy will stand until God Himself breaks it open for understanding (Revelation 10:4). until the time of the end - There is a divinely set moment when the seal will be removed (Acts 1:7; 1 Peter 1:5). - “Time of the end” anchors the prophecy in real history, looking forward to events Jesus later described in Matthew 24:14–21. - The sealed message is therefore both preserved for and directed to those living in that climactic period. Many will roam to and fro - The phrase describes intense, restless searching: • Amos 8:12 pictures people “wandering from sea to sea” seeking God’s word. • Jeremiah 5:1 speaks of running “to and fro” in the streets to find one righteous man. - Practical outworking: • Rapid travel and global movement characteristic of the last days. • Spiritual quest as people scour every source for answers (2 Timothy 3:7). and knowledge will increase - Explosive growth in information—scientific, technological, and prophetic. • Habakkuk 2:14 foresees the earth “filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD.” • Daniel 11:33 shows “those who have insight” instructing many during tribulation. - Two dimensions: 1. General knowledge: inventions, communication, medical breakthroughs. 2. Prophetic insight: believers understanding sealed truths as events unfold (Proverbs 1:5; Revelation 22:10). - God foretold this surge so that when it arrives, discerning hearts would recognize the season (Matthew 24:32–35). summary Daniel was commanded to safeguard the prophecy, sealing it for a future generation who would witness unprecedented travel, searching, and knowledge. God assured Daniel that what was written would remain intact and be unlocked at “the time of the end,” when seekers, circumstances, and divinely granted insight converge to unveil its full meaning. |
    |