Key: Dan.4:17, 25; Ps. 22:28

Conclusion of the Vision (chs. 10–12.), and Epilogue to the Book. Dan. 12:1- 13.

SEAL UP THE BOOK. Dan. 12:4

“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.”

1. Shut up the words and seal the book. ch. 8:26, Rev. 10:4; 22:10 to the time of the end. ver. 9; ch. 8:17; 10:1; 11:40. “John, on the contrary, is told (Rev. 22:10) not to seal his visions: because Daniel’s prophecy refers to a distant time, and is therefore obscure for the immediate future, whereas John’s was to be speedily fulfilled (Rev. 1:1, 3; 22:6^… Compare the disciples’ question, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Daniel’s prophecy was designed to restrain this. The Gentile Church, on the contrary, for whom John wrote, needs to be impressed with the shortness of the period, as it is, owing to its Gentile origin, apt to conform to the world, and to forget the nearness of the coming of the Lord (cf. Matt. 25:13, 19; Mark 13:32–37; 2 Pet. 3:8, 12; Rev. 22:20)” Fausset A. R.
2. “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased” ch. 11:33. Is. 11:9; 29:18–19; 30:26; 32:3, Zec. 14:6–10, Matt. 24:14, Rev. 10:18; 14:6–7. “He must seal the book because it would not be understood, and therefore would not be regarded, till the things contained in it were accomplished; but he must keep it safely, as a treasure of great value, laid up for the ages to come, to whom it would be of great service; for many shall then run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Then this hidden treasure shall be opened, and many shall search into it, and dig for the knowledge of it, as for silver. They shall run to and fro, to enquire out copies of it, shall collate them, and see that they be true and authentic. They shall read it over and over, shall meditate upon it, and run it over in their minds; discurrent—they shall discourse of it, and talk it over among themselves, and compare notes about it, if by any means they may sift out the meaning of it; and thus, knowledge shall be increased. By consulting this prophecy on this occasion, they shall be led to search other scriptures, which shall contribute much to their advancement in useful knowledge; for then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord, Hos. 6:3” M. Henry
3. The context of this passage is not primarily on increase in academics and technological development of the word, even though it may be an advantage to realize the purpose. However, “those things of God which are now dark and obscure will hereafter be made clear, and easy to be understood. Truth is the daughter of time. Scripture prophecies will be expounded by the accomplishment of them; therefore, they are given, and for that explication they are reserved. Therefore, they have told us before, that, when they do come to pass, we may believe. 2. Those things of God which are despised and neglected, and thrown by as useless, shall be brought into reputation, shall be found to be of great service, and be brought into request; for divine revelation, however slighted for a time, shall be magnified and made honourable, and, above all, in the judgment of the great day, when the books shall be opened, and that book among the rest” M. Henry. See Rev. 5: 1-5. At the right time Christ has unlock the book to the jews and the Church.