End Times and Knowing God Rather Than Teaching Many

Written on 17 July 2026.

End Times and Knowing God Rather Than Teaching Many

Introduction

Daniel contains a passage describing conditions during the time of the end. Two groups are mentioned. One group is described as instructing many, yet many of them fall, though they are afterward helped. Another group is described as those that know their God, who become strong and do exploits.

This raises the possibility that conditions during the end times differ from ordinary times. Public teaching may become increasingly dangerous, while personally knowing God becomes increasingly important.

Those that know their God

Daniel 11:32–35 (KJV)

And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.

Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.

And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

One observation from this passage is that those who know their God are first described as becoming strong and doing exploits. Immediately afterward, those who instruct many are described as falling by persecution, though later receiving a little help.

This may suggest that, during the time of the end, publicly instructing many becomes accompanied by increasing danger and trial.

Avoiding contention

Titus 3:9 (KJV)

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

2 Timothy 2:23–24 (KJV)

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

These passages describe avoiding needless contention and strife rather than seeking disputes.

One way to accomplish this could be through separation, similarly to how Jacob did not interact much with people outside the tribe over which he was the head, unless he had to.

Christ's silence before His accusers

Matthew 27:12–14 (KJV)

And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.

Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?

And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

Christ did not answer every accusation brought against Him. His silence demonstrates that not every accusation required a public defence.

God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth

Psalm 59:13 (KJV)

Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.

The expression "God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth" occurs in a Psalm that extends its view to "the ends of the earth." This may be compared with differing nations, governments, and legal jurisdictions existing throughout the world.

One possible observation is that if God rules in Jacob unto the ends of the earth, then faithful conduct may not always appear identical in every nation or legal system. Circumstances may differ from place to place while God ruleth in Jacob throughout the earth.

Jacob and knowing God

Jacob occupies a unique place in Scripture. God repeatedly identifies Himself with Jacob, and Jacob wrestled with God and prevailed.

Genesis 32:28 (KJV)

And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

One possible connection is that Daniel emphasizes those who "know their God," while Psalm 59 declares that "God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth." This may suggest that personally knowing God remains foundational even when outward circumstances become increasingly hostile.

Observation

Daniel 11 presents two related realities:

• Those who know their God become strong and do exploits.
• Those who instruct many experience persecution, falling by sword, flame, captivity, and spoil before being helped.

Taken together with passages urging believers to avoid needless strife and with Christ's silence before His accusers, one possible reading is that the end times may place greater emphasis upon personally knowing God than upon continually engaging in public disputes and teaching many.

Whether this observation fully represents Daniel's intended meaning is a matter for further study, but the pattern is noteworthy within the text itself.

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