KNOWLEDGE OF GOD (3)

“But the people who KNOW their GOD shall be STRONG, and carry out GREAT EXPLOITS” – Daniel 11:32b

The KNOWLEDGE of GOD is the Key to Divine Strength and Exploits: “Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who KNOW their GOD shall be STRONG, and carry out GREAT EXPLOITS” (Dan.11:32). Daniel records the vicious attacks and atrocities of a wicked ruler, Antiochus Epiphanes, who attempted to annihilate the Jews and wipe Israel off the face of the earth. He furiously attacked Jerusalem on a Sabbath day, and brutally slaughtered men, women, and children in his fatal assault. He foreshadowed all antichrists who would attempt to exterminate the Jews. Satanically inspired, the Antichrist, by smooth words will turn ungodly people to act wickedly against God’s covenant people; “but the people who know their God will display strength and take action” (v.32, NASB).

Daniel's prophecy has two fulfilments. First, was the king that Daniel prophesied of. Second is the last antichrist – the future Man of Sin. The ongoing, varied, and vicious attacks on the nation of Israel and the Jewish people indicate that the time for the final fulfilment of this prophecy is drawing ever closer. Our Lord Jesus warned in Matthew 24 of a sudden increase in false prophets, satanic deception, a shocking moral decline, an increase in earthquakes, pestilences, famines, and war, and an 'abomination of desolation.' But the chosen people who know their God and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, will display strength in the Lord, act wisely, and by His might, do great exploits for the Lord.

Even now, prior to the Antichrist’s emergence, knowing God and obeying Him fully is key to commanding Exploits. According to 2 Corinthians 10: 4-6, although “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling own strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the KNOWLEDGE of GOD,” we can only bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and punish all disobedience, when our obedience is fulfilled. Then, God can destroy all disobedient forces against our lives.

We as God’s people are characterised by Who we know (GOD), what we are (Strong), and what we do (Exploits). We are different from worldly people in these three related respects – in the matter of KNOWING, BEING, and DOING. Only as we know God can we be strong; and consequently, do great exploits in His Name. Conversely, if we are not doing exploits for God, it is because we are not strong; and in turn, because we do not know God well enough. We get to know Him as we spend time in communion with Him, listen to Him speak to us, speak to Him, and observe His ways. Moses was a man of exploits because he knew the ways of God but the Israelites only saw His acts (Psa.103:7). We must give quality time to knowing God if we want to accomplish great exploits.