Its called knowledge. Knowledge is how we grow in Christ,
We grow in Christ by spending time with him, praying, listening to him, reading his word and doing what he tells us - even if that means stepping out in faith into difficult situations.
We can also learn, and receive encouragement in our faith, by hearing testimonies from other people.
that is the spiritual milk we all need to drink.
Like I said, fellowship and prayer are just as important, if not more so.
Knowing what we believe and how to talk to non Christians about our faith is important. Working out calculations, or solving codes, to try to pinpoint the date of the Lord's return, when he has already said we can't know - is not.
But, its hard to grow in knowledge when you yourself reject knowledge
I don't reject knowledge.
I'm studying and learning all the time. Some of it is academic knowledge - like the Certificate in Christian Studies that I hope to be awarded soon, after studying a number of subjects. Some of my knowledge comes from experience, fellowship, worship, prayer and spending time with God.
I don't doubt that there are people who are fascinated by eschatology, and spend hours analysing Daniel and Revelation, working out what "days" mean (always assuming that you take that literally), and relating world events to various prophesies.
Good for them; it's important to them, may mean something and they may be edified by it all. I do not and am not. But then, I've no doubt that some of the things I study and am passionate about, mean nothing to someone else.
by saying, "how does it help me in my faith".
It's a valid question.
You have quite rightly said that we need to be prepared and live each day as if the Lord may come tomorrow - in that, we agree.
What I don't see is how studying what Daniel said, or what Nebuchanezzar's actions meant have any relation to how I live my Christian life in my community, how I carry out the Great Commission and show God's love to others. If this is vitally important for you - go for it. But don't imply that I have to do the same.
Imagine if everyone who thought the world was flat, and were given the knowledge that the earth was round would've said the said the same thing, "how is knowing the world is round going to help me".
But people who are fascinated by science, geology, physics etc would no doubt not say such a thing.
They'd hear, or be told, a hypothesis and they'd probably want to research, experiment and prove, or disprove, it.
If such a dedicated, intelligent, learned scientist was presented with a discussion on the best material to use for making church banners/robes/flags for worship, for example, I've no doubt their response would be the same as mine.
