The end times are what Daniel calls the “time of the end” in Daniel 12:4. New Living Translation: “But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”

Daniel is instructed to keep the prophecy a secret until the time of the end. What is it the end of? This current age. 

God has made a plan for redeeming all of mankind from sin and death (1 Timothy 2:3-6). Since Pentecost, God has been selecting a “little flock,” also called a “bride” for His son from this imperfect world (Ephesians 1:7-11). After the completion of this little flock, a new age will come, starting with Christ’s kingdom. Revelation 21:1 says there will be “a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away.” The end of the first heaven and the first earth is symbolic. It means that the current imperfect political, social, economic and religious organization of the world will come to an end. In its place will be Christ’s kingdom established in heaven and on earth.

When will this happen? Daniel 12:4 gives us two important clues. The verse says the prophecy will not be revealed “until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.” First, we believe the prophecy indicates that the time of the end will be a time when man is rushing here and there. Doesn’t that describe the last 200 years? Before the 1800’s, man’s fastest way to travel was by horse or boat, and most people did not travel far from home. Since the mid to late 1800’s, we have seen the speed of travel increase greatly. Mankind went from the horse to putting a man on the moon and sending spacecraft beyond. This increase in speed and ability to travel matches the description of rushing here and there from Daniel 12:4.  

Second, Daniel mentions there will be an increase of knowledge. During much of human history, knowledge increased, but over the last 100 years, the increase in knowledge has been very fast. The world’s knowledge is doubling at intense speeds. Knowledge is certainly increasing.

There are two additional events to confirm that the end of this period of time was drawing to a close and Christ’s kingdom on earth would soon be ushered in. These signs are: 

  • The return of Israel (symbolized by the fig tree) to her homeland (Matthew 24:32) 
  • World-wide trouble threatens universal destruction (Matthew 24:21) 

Because we have witnessed and are witnessing all the above events today, we believe we stand at the very brink of Christ’s peaceable kingdom on earth. Jesus assures us, “When you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” (Matthew 24:33-34) Even though we do not know the exact date, the signs are evident that God’s kingdom on earth will be fully established in the near future. The LORD has said, “For the revelation waits for an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay” (Habakkuk 2:3).

Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1186: “Are We Living in the “End Times”?”
Discovering factual evidence of our place in biblical prophecy
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes

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