Going back and forth

"But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase."   Dan 12:4 (NASB)


The phrase "many will go back and forth" could mean people traveling from one place to another to proclaim the message of God's kingdom or receiving new information or knowledge from others.  That is true in the days of old whereby new knowledge need to be searched out or proclaimed.  With the advent of mechanized locomotion, this has certainly been expedited.  Nowadays, with the internet, one does not even need to travel far to gain knowledge; it's just a click of the mouse or a tap on our mobile devices away.  Others say that the phrase could mean perusing the word of God carefully; reading and re-reading it to gain special insight from God.  Whatever it is, God wants us to gain His knowledge and wisdom. 


Just the other day, I was traveling on the MRT en route to attend a course.  The MRT was packed with people likes sardines during the time I boarded it.  As I observed the people in the train, many were either reading the printed media or fiddling with their mobile phones, surfing the net, communicating with someone or having their ears tuned in to something.  Here we have an image of people literally traveling to and fro, gaining knowledge at the same time.  This is one profitable way to spend our traveling time, apart from catching up with our sleep. 


With knowledge so readily available, we have to discern truths from falsehoods.  For every issue, there are always two or possibly more sides to it, than meets the eye.  Some views could be extreme while others moderate.  Where public views are solicited for different issues raised, we can see that some would use their head (rational) while others would use their heart (emotions), or a mixture of both.  What's important is that as we search for information, we do not feed our minds with trash.  And as they say, "Garbage in, garbage out".  Instead, we should meditate on God's word daily to allow Him to transform our thinking, speech and behaviour.


"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."  Rom 12:2 (NIV)