THE NEXT WAVE – THE COMING EXPLOSION OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE PROMISED KINGDOM

The 20th century would be remembered for the amazing changes it produced in every facet of our lives. Within the period of a hundred years, we witnessed the dramatic reordering of the world political scene, we made giant strides in science and technology, we witnessed the creation of some great artistic works, we beheld the emergence or mega corporations that revolutionised the industrial landscape, and in the process of all this, we bread a new range of heroes and icons who became the role models of the emerging generation.

After a thorough examination of the most outstanding players of the century, the editors of TIME magazine declared Albert Einstein as the Person of the Century – “the one who, for better or for worse, personified our times and will be remembered by history as having the most lasting significance.” Writing about the works of Einstein and his type, they observed, “Behind each of these great ideas, great discoveries and great inventions is, in most cases, one extraordinary human mind.”

So, going by the judgement of the ediors of TIME, all the great and multifaceted achievements of the 20th century could be attributed to the extraordinary workings of the human mind – that is, the outworking of the inner knowledge, wisdom and understanding that we possessed. Not only would this stand the test of scrutiny, but I dare say that the whole exercise of the editors of TIME was indeed prophetic.

Yes, it is predicted of the coming Millennium when the Lord Jesus Christ and His redeemed saints will set up a kingdom, “For the earth shall be full of the KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9). It will be a time during which the world will experience an outpouring of true, pure and perfect knowledge, in the broadest, deepest and most comprehensive sense of the word, like it has never done. It is called the knowledge of God, who is the fountain of all wisdom and understanding.

Now, we must understand that this knowledge of the LORD that will fill the earth during the Millennium is not just about a greater awareness of God, although that will be an essential part of it. The big picture is unveiled in what we are speaking about, which is evident from the context of the Scripture passage in which it was predicted. This is further confirmed by a comparison of the words of Isaiah with a similar but more familiar prediction in Daniel about the present day: “Many shall run to and fro, and KNOWLEDGE SHALL BE INCREASED”(see Daniel 12:4). This, of course, was a prediction of the great increase in human knowledge and understanding that propelled the huge and multifaceted advancements that the world has witnessed since the turn of the twentieth century. The primary distinction is that the millennial version of the explosion of knowledge will be expressly divine and superior! It will be the knowledge of the LORD!

The question now is: how exactly would this explosion of knowledge in the kingdom be brought about? Is it the present crop of “leaders,” “masters,” “captains” and “geniuses” in the various fields of human endeavour that would be given greater insights and opportunities to make bigger breakthroughs? No! They have had their day, and while we really appreciate the great advancements and the betterment of our lives that they have brought about, it appears that they are becoming confused and beginning to work at cross-purposes. Not to talk of the diverse hazards and “side effects” of their many ideas and activities.

You guessed right! The mediators of the next wave of knowledge, wisdom and understating will be the redeemed saints of the Lord! We will pin-point that in the Scriptures next week. Suffice to say here that this indeed is the key to the fulfilment of the Lord’s promise to the them: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give POWER OVER THE NATIONS: And he shall RULE THEM with a rod of iron” (Revelation 2:26,27). It is the knowledge, wisdom and understanding of the omniscient God that the saints will possess in the kingdom that will actually establish their power over the nations. As King Solomon said, “WISDOM is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get UNDERSTANDING. Exalt her, and she shall PROMOTE thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a CROWN OF GLORY shall she deliver to thee” (Proverbs 4:7-9).

As I implied last week, this divine knowledge that the saints will possess is the secret of the ‘weapons’ of the long-term ‘warfare’ of the Armies of Heaven in the kingdom. Knowledge, or know-how (that’s the key to really understanding it!), is at the root and foundation of all human activity. If you would conquer the world, as we often hear being said, and for very good instruction, you only have to be competent at something. If you are good enough, know how to exploit it, and have divine favour, you can bring the world to your feet. Many have done it and are still doing it – especially with the increased knowledge that Daniel predicted for our day – and it is going to be done like never before in the kingdom! So keep the faith, and remain posted.