They Will Not Understand.
By T.
IN THE prophecy of Daniel is the interesting statement that “many shall be purified, and made white and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Dan. 12:10. It is not an arbitrary decree that “none of the wicked shall understand.” God supplies both wisdom and understanding. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments; His praise endureth forever.” Ps. 111:10. Another scripture says: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5. Now if a person will not accept these words of the Lord,—if he will not acknowledge this source of wisdom,—he places himself where the heavenly Father can not help him. The wisdom and understanding so kindly offered to all must be accepted and acted upon, if we would receive the benefits that He is seeking to bestow upon us. This verse in Daniel which tells us that “none of the wicked shall understand,” is toward the close of a most wonderfully interesting and important book of prophecy. The rise and fall of kingdoms has been most vividly depicted, and the sublimity of the closing moments of time and of the Judgment-day has been presented. It is in connection with these topics of absorbing interest that we find this statement of divine truth,—“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” These words of the Lord do not tell of something that may possibly occur; they utter a truth that is based upon a divine law that is as positive in its action as the law of gravity. If we would be wise enough to forsake wickedness and all its consequences and penalties, there must be a positive laying hold on the word of God. This word reveals sin and all its deceptions; and it not only reveals the sin, but it puts us in contact with the power to overcome it.