What does "knowledge shall be increased" mean in Daniel 12:4—is it just technology and secular knowledge?
It is not only secular knowledge or technology. Daniel 12:4's 'knowledge shall be increased' is tied to the end-time opening of the sealed book of Daniel, so its prophecies become understood in the end time. Technology's explosion is pertinent, but the increase also concerns end-time prophetic understanding.
Les explains that in Daniel 12:4 the Lord tells Daniel to shut up the words and seal the book until the time of the end. Daniel's prophecy had been a closed book, almost incomprehensible to scholars and theologians because it contained so much end-time scenario they could not comprehend. But it would be opened at the time of the end, which is being witnessed today. In verse 5, when many run to and fro, knowledge shall be increased. Les takes that to mean not just secular knowledge and the explosion of technology—though that is certainly pertinent to the end time. So the increase includes the end-time opening and understanding of Daniel's prophecy, not merely technological or secular knowledge.
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Is the increase of knowledge in the last days only secular, or also spiritual?
The increase of knowledge in the last days is not only secular. While exploding technology and secular knowledge mark the end-time scenario, there is also a greater spiritual understanding of Scripture, as God reveals things once kept secret while the age approaches its close.
Does the end-time increase of knowledge include spiritual understanding of the Bible?
Yes. The end-time increase of knowledge is not limited to secular technology; it also includes a greater understanding of the Scriptures. As the age closes, God reveals what was previously kept secret, enabling deeper spiritual insight into His Word. This spiritual increase accompanies the explosion of secular knowledge.