Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

We have here a long and particular account of Kings in Persia, and of the realm of Greece. Daniel receives the relation from the same person as in the foregoing Chapter. In the close, a short, but striking account is given, of some formidable foe to the Church, which shall plant his palace between the seas, in the glorious holy mountain.

Here is a plain and evident inference to the kings and kingdom of Persia, which arose out of the Chaldean; and from the connection which the Church was obliged to have with this kingdom, after Cyrus had made proclamation for the Jews to return to their own land; it became to Daniel and to his fellows a very blessed scripture. But to the Church in the present hour it ceases to be prophetical, though thus far we may regard it as a precious monument, in proof of the Lord Jehovah's faithfulness. See Ezra 1:1-11, etc.

If my Reader be more curious to make search into hidden things, than to turn over again and again those which the Lord hath revealed; I fear that he will not be pleased with the shortness I purpose to observe, in my Commentary on this Chapter, and in including almost the whole Chapter under one view. But my apology is this. Where the word of God is not very clear and plain, I humbly conceive, that the Lord's intuition is, in this obscurity, his people should humbly wait the explanation of prophecy, until that in the accomplishment, the thing predicted, by the event, be explained. If (as some think) what is here said, hath already been fulfilled in the kingdoms of Persia and Greece; and since those periods, in Pagan Rome, and Papal Rome; there will need no further comment. But if there are yet remaining in those scriptures, things to be unfolded, I humbly conceive, they will only be so unfolded, agreeably to all the other prophecies of God, as the events predicted come forward. One thing I beg the godly Reader to observe, how several circumstances respecting the Church of God, are incorporated and mixed up with the prophecies concerning other nations in this Chapter. Hence the Reader may notice what is said (Daniel 11:14) of the robbers of God's people. And in like manner ((Daniel 11:16,) of the glorious land being consumed. So again, Daniel 11:22, of the Prince of the covenant; and of the hatred of the enemies of God to the holy covenant, (Daniel 11:28; Dan_11:30,) of the pollution of the daily sacrifice and the sanctuary, and of taking away the daily sacrifice, and placing the abomination that maketh desolate, Daniel 11:31. All these, and similar phrases, we may, without violence, safely apply to the destruction of the Jewish temple, after our Lord's ascension; and which Jesus himself foretold. Hence that memorable passage, Matthew 24:15. compared with Luke 21:20. When ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the Prophet, stand in the holy place. But when we have paid all due respect to this explanatory passage of our Lord Jesus, and which, as far as it goes, becomes altogether satisfactory and decisive; we shall do right by this Chapter, to observe the same conduct, as was ordered to Daniel, in closing up his book of prophecy altogether. Go thy way, Daniel, for the words are closed up, and sealed, to the time of the end. Daniel 12:9. Lord! cause both Writer and Reader, thus far to become wise in prophecy, and which is the wisest and truest improvement of the whole, to see that to Jesus give all the prophets witness, that through his Name, whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10:43.

REFLECTIONS

PAUSE, my soul, over this Chapter, and behold in it the evidences of the Lord's tender mercies over his people. Though they were in captivity, and justly suffering punishment for their sins, yet, still the Lord hath an eye over them for good, and will not, finally cast away his people whom he foreknew. Hence they shall be told what is to happen to them, after their deliverance from Babylon. The Persian, and the Grecian, and the Roman government, are shown to be in succession to each other, and all to make way for Christ. And no doubt, He that brought the Prophet acquainted with the events which were to come to pass, gave him also an assurance of the Church's redemption in Jesus, with all the blessings that were to follow, by reason of Christ's coming.

Reader! and shall not you and I find confidence in the whole of God's promises in Christ, to look still forward, with the most pleasing faith, for the accomplishment of all yet remaining to be fulfilled, in the person, work, and righteousness, of God our Saviour? Did Daniel thus receive knowledge in the events to come concerning the Church; and is the interests of the Church less dear to Christ now? Have not we lived to see all things accomplished, which were here foretold; and are not all these so many additional testimonies to the truth, as it is in Jesus? Hail holy, blessed, Almighty Lord give to both Writer and Reader, grace, to wait in full assurance of faith, for all the events connected with thy second coming. And oh! grant, that that faith, may be so lively, in all its actings upon thee, that when thou shalt appear we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before thee, at thy coming.