As Daniel was about to place the seal of prophetic authentication upon his prophecy, he was told that, in the last days, "many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased", (12:4).
    Adventists, and some Baptists, have seen in this a prophetic preview of the rapid increase of travel in the twentieth century. However, such a concept has no logical relationship to the context in which it is found. Nor is there any contextual basis for concluding that it refers to a rapid increase in missionary activity, whereby the church of Jesus Christ is assured of triumph - in the sense of conquering the world for Christ!
    The expression "to and fro" is used widely in the Scriptures.
    "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him", (2 Chron. 16:9).
    "For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth", (Zech. 4:10).
    In Job 1:7 and 2:2, God inquired of Satan: "Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it". It is quite obvious that he had been observing Job, for, when God asked whether he had considered this faithful servant, Satan retorted: "Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life: But put forth thine hand now and touch his bone

    "Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time:, (I Pet. 1:3-5).
    When God blesses men it is a declaration of His favor toward them; but there is no favor that we can bestow upon Him! Thus, in "Blessing God", as set forth in 1 Peter 1:3, we simply stand in awe before His majesty, His glory and His power -- lifting our hearts in praise of His marvelous grace toward such unworthy sinners! (comp. Psa. 103:1-5)
    Peter employs a form of praise that was a vital part of Old Testament worship -- one that is abundantly illustrated in the Scriptures.
    1. Noah said: "Blessed be the Lord God of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant", (Gen. 9:26).
    2. Melchizedek, king of Salem, said to Abraham: "Blessed be the Most High God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thine hands", (Gen. 14:20).
    3. When Abraham's servant had found Rebekah, Nahor's daughter, he bowed his head and said: "Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren", (Gen. 24:27).

    4.When Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, and priest of Midian, had heard of all that God had done for Moses and for Israel, and that He had brought them out of Egypt; he brought Moses' wife and two sons to him at Mt. Sinai. And when Moses had told him of Jehovah's goodness toward Israel, and the judgment he had sent upon Egypt, Jethro said:
    "Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hands of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods", (Ex. 18:10). Thus, he took a burnt offering and sacrifices for God. And Aaron, and all the elders of Israel, came "to eat bread" with Moses' father-in-law before God.
    5. When Solomon's temple had been finished, and the glory of the Lord had filled it, the king blessed all the congregation of Israel and said:
    "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spoke with His mouth unto David my father, and hath fulfilled it" .... "Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant", (I Kings 8:15, 56).

    6. As recorded in Psalm 28:6, the psalmist cried: "Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplication"!
    7. After the three Hebrew children had been delivered from the fiery furnace, Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, said:
    "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who hath delivered his servants that trusted in him, and hath changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve or worship any god, except their own God"! (Dan. 3:28).
    8. Zecharias, the father of John the Baptist, being filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesied saying:
    "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spoke fry the mouth of the holy prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved front our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which lie sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life", (Lk. 1:68-75).
    Peter's doxology echoes the spirit of his fellow apostle, Paul, as set forth in 2 Corinthians 1:3 and Ephesians 1:3. It is praise to God as "the father of our Lord Jesus Christ" -- Who came as the "express image" of the Father's person and the effulgence of His glory. And He taught His disciples to pray: "Our Father, which art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name"!

    According to Vine's Word Studies, "mercy" [Gk. "eleos"] is "the outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need - on the part of him who shows it".
    There are many times that "grace" and "mercy" are mentioned together in the Scriptures, (Neh. 9:17, 31); Psa. 86:15; 145:8; Isa. 30:18-21; Joel2:13; Zech. 12:10; 1 Cor. 15:10).
    "Grace" best describes God's attitude toward the lawbreakers and the rebellious. As the free gift of God's love, it is contrasted with the bondage of the law, (Jn. 1:16-17). It is manifested in His kindness toward men through Jesus Christ, (Rom. 3:23; 6:23; 5:1-2, 15-21; 6:1-4, 14-18; 2 Cor. 8:9; Gal. 2:21; Eph. 1:4-7; 2 Tim. 1:8-9; Heb. 2:9-10; 10:29).
    "Mercy" [pity, or compassion] describes God's attitude toward those who are miserable and destitute; but it is also used of His "steadfast love" - His utter faithfulness to His covenant.
    How abundantly adequate is the mercy of God to deal with our misery: the Scriptures refer to Him as "the father of mercies" and "the God of all comfort", (2 Cor. 1:3-4; 7:6-7). In the Old Testament God was pictured as dwelling in the midst of His people; that dwelling was "between the cherubim", and on "the mercy seat". In one of our great hymns the author has inquired:

    Peter wants his brethren to understand that the blessings of God are not bestowed because of any merit on the part of man, but solely on the basis of His own abundant mercy, (comp. Tit. 3:4-7; Eph. 2:4-6; Lam. 3:22).

    This "hope" is ours through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (I Pet. 1:13, 21; 3:15; 1 John 3:1-3). As a man, Jesus Christ, the

Son of God, came into this sin-cursed world; lived a perfect life of service to others; then humbled himself in obedience unto death -- even the shameful and cruel death of the cross.
    The father, being pleased that He so willingly and unselfishly gave Himself for ruined sinners: 1) Raised Him from the grave, (1 Cor. 15:20-23; Acts 13:22-29; Rom. 8:11); 2) Exalted Him to sit at His own right hand in the heavens, (Psa. 110:1; Eph. 1:19-23; Matt. 26:64; Heb. 1:3-4; 10:12-14; 12:1-2); 3) Gave Him a name above every name, (Phil. 2:9-l1); and 4) The authority of an everlasting kingship over all the earth! (Dan. 7:13-14; Psalm 2).
    He has also given Him a special people for His own possession: 1) A people who have been cleansed and purchased by His own precious blood; thus, a people who are "not their own"! (Rev. 1:5; Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:14; 1 Cor. 1:19-20); and 2) A people who have pledged to Him their loyalty, love and faithful service -- the commitment that is made in Christian baptism, (Rom. 6:3-14).
    As a people identified with the Christ in His death, burial and risen life; thus, being members of His body; God has given us a steadfast hope.
    1. Our hope is anchored in the past: Christ Arose! There is a sense in which we [as a believing people] have already risen with Christ, (Col. 2:11-13; 3:1-3; Eph. 2:6). Though once dead "in trespasses and sin", we have been endowed with a new, spiritual life -- on the basis of what Jesus accomplished in our behalf. He died that we might live. He was "made sin" for us, that we might "be made the righteousness of God in Him".
    2. Our hope is active in the present: Christ Lives! Through the power of His risen life we are enabled to live triumphantly. It is not necessary that we constantly stumble and fall; just as Jesus died to deliver us from the PENALTY of our past sin, He now lives to deliver us from the POWER

of sin! (Rom. 5:10). Through the power of God's Word we are being "born again", (1 Pet. 1:23). Hidden in our hearts, that precious word will safeguard us against sin and sinning!
    As High Priest over the "house of God" Jesus Christ is now seated at God's right hand. He knows our infirmities and makes intercession in our behalf. And we are bidden to come boldly to the throne of grace, in His name, (Heb, 4:14-16).
    3. Our hope anticipates a full fruition in the future: Christ is coming again! The expectation of being raised and conformed to His image, to share all His glorious fulness: this is our "Blessed Hope"! (1 John 3:1-3; Rom. 8:29; 1 Cor. 1:9; l5:57-18; Matt. 19:28).
    "Blessed Be God"! for the salvation that is ours "in Christ", and the expectant hope we have that God will finish the work He has begun within us! (Phil. 1:6; 1 Thes. 5:23-24).

RUNNING ........ Continued
    and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face"!
    In Jeremiah 5:1 the command is given:
    "Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it". Again, in Jeremiah 49:3: "Howl, 0 Heshbon, for All is spoiled: cry, ye daughters of Rabbah, gird you with sackcloth; lament, and run to and fro by the hedges: for their king shall go into captivity, and his priests and his princes together". Utter confusion! (Compare Psa. 107:24-30.)
    A very significant thought is recorded in Amos 8:12: "And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro and seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it"! Where there is "no vision", no direction from the Lord, "the people perish"!
    One is reminded of Paul's admonition to his brethren in Ephesians 4:14. Speaking of the

special spiritual endowment, by which the body of Christ was to be brought to maturity, he contrasts that maturity with what they would be like without such divine aid: "That ye henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive". This reminds us of the constantly shifting interpretations of those who are not willing to await divine illumination in the matter of Biblical eschatology! Ever learning, but never really discerning the truth!
    Have you ever considered the possibility that the expression under consideration may refer to the eyes of the diligent running "to and fro" -- carefully investigating the totality of Biblical revelation concerning the consummation of this age, and the coming of the Son of Man to establish His Kingdom on earth? When God told Daniel that, in the latter days, many would "run to and fro"; He evidently meant that they would "search, investigate and seek direction".
    In His own time God will give understanding to those whose hearts are prepared, and whose lives are disciplined to receive and act upon it! -- Eugene L. Gamer

    But, what kind of knowledge shall be increased? Though details are not given, the Scriptures indicate as vast increase of both general and scientific knowledge in the last days. It will be fully utilized by the antichrist and his forces of evil.
    What a marvelous list of discoveries and inventions have appeared during the past 100 years! Telephone, radio, television, satellites, computers, trains, automobiles, airplanes, rockets and spaceships! There has been a multiplication of educational institutions, the devotion of multitudes to specialized fields of iniquity, and an astounding increase in "the making of books", of which there seems no end. Thus, there has been a rapid spread of knowledge in every field.
    There has even been an astounding mass production and distribution of the Word of God, in many versions and languages: plus an almost endless array of publications related to, and designed to interpret, the Scriptures for the unlearned.
    Unsanctified knowledges does not assure that truth, justice and equity will prevail: in fact, the intellectually elite have taken upon themselves the responsibility of debunking everything that will not cater to a humanistic, self-centered promotion of modem psychology and psychiatry -- while ridiculing and deliberately misrepresenting everything that is truly "Christian"!
    But, specifically, the increase of knowledge that Daniel was told would come involves a clearer understanding of the prophetic Scriptures on the part of God's own people -- an understanding of His holy plan and purpose that is about to be consummated! [A definite article before the word "knowledge" requires that it be interpreted of the kind of knowledge Daniel was seeking.]
    There is abundant evidence that this is being fulfilled before our very eyes. Never, in the history of the world, has there been such widespread interest in the prophetic word! Never, since the first century, has there been such conviction, preaching, praying and longing for expectations concerning the nearness of our Lord's return! Though not nearly so widespread and intense as it ought to be, it has been developing so

rapidly during the past 40 years that it may also be regarded as a definite "sign" that the consummation of this age, and of Christ's return, is very near!

    Understanding or prophetic truth requires a careful comparison of Scripture with Scripture -- including the whole Bible! One must carefully search after truth if he would obey the Lord's command: "Whoso readeth, let him understand"! (Matt. 24:15). "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law" (Deut. 29:29). But we must search the Scriptures with a heart and mind that are open and responsive to the Holy Spirit.

    Due to their intense interest and concern for the future of Israel, as related to His holy purpose, God gave to both Moses and Daniel a widened perspective and clearer vision of things to come. But, he did not give them the details! The time had not yet arrived when that was needful. Nor had the need arisen in the days of Augustine, or Whitby! Unwilling to await clearer illumination, they "manufactured" a theory of eschatology that many are now following toward spiritual suicide!

    In order that His people may be instructed, enlightened, encouraged and challenged, in view of the rising flood, God still raises up men who, like the men of Isaachar in David's day, "had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" (1 Chron. 12:23). Progressive revelation, in the sense of timely illumination, is the method God has always employed for the benefit of His covenant people.

    Having had enough of King Saul, the Benjaminite; the men of Isaachar could see that it was time, "according to the word of the Lord" that the kingdom be turned over to David -- who had already been anointed to the office, (See: 1 Sam. 16:1-13). Six hundred years earlier Jacob had prophecies that the sceptre should belong to Judah, and that it should not depart from that tribe, (Gen. 49:10).

    As the Lord's return draws near, those who have loved and saturated themselves in His

word, to the end that they may walk in His way, will "know that it is near, even at the door", (Matt. 24:33). Understanding the "signs", they will BE ABLE TO look up -- knowing that their redemption draws near, (Lk. 21:28).
    Should it, then, be surprising that Biblical prophecy is one of the main areas where Satan is doing his utmost to "lead" respected churchmen into such perversion of the Holy Scriptures as will deceive multitudes into believing there is still PLENTY OF TIME -- thus, lulling them into an attitude of safe complacency?
    God wants men alerted to the SERIOUSNESS of the crisis-times that lie just ahead! He wants His people motivated to commit the care

and keeping of our souls, unreservedly, into His hands; our lives wholeheartedly into His service. He wants to draw us nearer to Himself-- conforming us to the likeness of His dear Son!
    Now is the time of opportunity! Ours is the glorious privilege of heralding the Everlasting Gospel of His coming Kingdom, of inescapable judgment and of the eternal punishment awaiting those who REFUSE "the riches of His grace" in the refusal to "repent and believe the Gospel"! May He grant us grace to BE FAITHFUL! E.G.

GOOD FELLOWSHIP IN ST. LOUIS     On Thanksgiving morning Louise and I drove to St. Louis to participate in the Fellowship Meeting hosted by Pastor & Mrs. John Coleman and the Calvary Cross Missionary Baptist Church.
    Though attendance was short, due to an untimely snowstorm, the fellowship was sweet. It was truly a time or spiritual refreshment. E.G.


    As we come to the end of another year, I want to express my sincere thanks to Landmark Church and to all those who have made the publication of the CLARION HERALD possible.
    As we approach the New Year, I trust that the Lord will prosper each of you in the way of His appointment -- blessing you, and making you a blessing.
    May each of us endeavor to be better servants of our Wonderful Lord! E.G.