Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

The prophecy o f Daniel closeth in this Chapter, with some most gracious assurances of Israel's deliverance; from all her troubles. Daniel's mind is exercised with thoughts concerning the same. The Lord's gracious consolation to the Prophet.

Daniel 12:1

Here is a most lovely account of Jesus, and of his office-character, as Mediator. I do not hesitate to believe, that the Michael here spoken of is Christ. In confirmation, turn to those scriptures. Revelation 12:7-11. How Christ then stood up for all eternity: how in time, and how forever; all his offices typify. Proverbs 8:22-23; Psalms 40:6-8; Hebrews 7:24-25; 2 Thessalonians 1:10. In every point of view, it must be a time of trouble. When Christ comes to make up his jewels, he comes also to take vengeance of them that know not God, nor obey the gospel of Jesus. Malachi 4:1; 2 Peter 3:10-11. But what a sweet close is this verse, of the safety of Jesus own! Isaiah 4:3; Luke 10:20; Revelation 20:12-15.

Those who believe in the doctrine of the Millennium, take the first of these sweet verses for one, among the evidences of it. And others refer it wholly to the Lord's judgment at the last day. In either sense, or in both, the thought is pleasing to the faithful in Christ Jesus, and tremendous to unbelievers. See Isaiah 26:19. The blessed account of those who are wise to win souls, is very graciously expressed. Jesus takes account now of all that is done upon earth in love to Him, and his gospel. And though not on the score of merit, yet on the score of love, all will be recompensed. Hebrews 6:10.

Reader! do not overlook the sweetness of this verse. As Daniel would not live to see the accomplishment of these things, it was enough for him to be made the medium, the instrument in the Lord's hand, of giving this prophecy to the Church. But as the things here predicted have been fulfilled, and are fulfilling still in the earth, how gracious was it to us, in the present hour, that this greatly beloved Daniel thus was appointed to minister to our comfort. Oh! gracious Lord, how plain is it that thou hast presided over thy Church in all ages!

If the Reader diligently remarks what is said in these verses, he will discover three persons here described: one on each side of the river; and one standing upon the waters of the river! There seems a greater degree of glory and pre-eminency in this person, than in the other two. Probably it was Christ, attended by two angels. So it was probably in the visit to Abraham. Genesis 18:1-2, etc. If this conjecture be right, it is remarkable that the angels knew nothing of the time of these events to be accomplished. They are represented as desiring to look into these things. 1 Peter 1:12. The redemption by Jesus is the wonder of angels, as well as the mystery of godliness among men. But, Reader! pause over what is here said, both of the person, the oath, and the manner of using it, which are all recorded. The person could be no other than Christ. See in confirmation, Revelation 10:5-6. the oath; Jehovah is appealed to, and sworn by. Both hands lifted up. Those sacred hands with which he blessed his people on the Mount in the moment of departure. Luke 24:50-51. Various have been the opinions of men, in all ages, concerning the time, times, and an half. Calculating by years, some have put down the number, and refer it to the three years and half of our Lord's ministry on earth. But certain it is, that there is a purposed obscurity thrown over it by the Lord himself, as if it should not be known until the thing predicted be fulfilled. And the Lord's command to Daniel, to go his way, and telling him, that the words are dosed to the time of the end, seems, one might have thought, sufficiently satisfactory, to stop the hands of confident men from presuming to lift up the covering, and becoming bold enough to attempt explaining what they themselves do not know. Reader! let you and I leave it with the Lord. It will be explained in due time. In the mean season, let us attend to what is more plain, and which will be always profitable. The many that shall be purified; and the wicked that shall do wickedly; may serve to show the vast, the mighty difference between them; and to lead us to acknowledge, that that difference is all of grace. Oh! Lord! grant testimonies to thy people. Romans 11:7.

I shall not presume to offer a single observation of the times here marked. The daily sacrifice taken away, and the abomination that made desolate set up, the Lord hath shown. For when the Lord Jesus Christ died, all the sacrifices under the law ceased. And when the Romans put up an image in the temple, here was an abomination indeed. But to what period the one thousand two hundred and ninety days refer, or when the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days commence, I presume not to say. One thing however is certain, that period is declared to be a glorious period, and the man blessed that is permitted to see it. God be praised for this, in and through the Lord Jesus Christ!

Daniel is here again commanded to rest satisfied in ignorance of those events, which when fulfilled only are known. And having as a faithful servant, finished his commission, like holy Simeon, is to depart in peace, having by faith seen the salvation of God! Luke 2:25-30.

REFLECTIONS

READER! you and I cannot better close our view of this blessed portion of prophecy, than in following the direction given to Daniel. Here is enough for us each to rest in! Michael our prince; Jesus the captain of our salvation, hath stood up, is standing up, and will forever stand up for the children of his people, even his redeemed, his blood-bought royal seed! Trouble there will be; trouble there must be; for sin brings trouble. But where sin abounded, grace doth much more abound: and grace triumphs in Jesus Christ. And while our Almighty Jesus lifts his both hands to heaven, he lifts them to bless his redeemed, and he will bless them, when time shall be no more. Oh! Lord! do thou bless us, and we shall be blessed. Purify and make white thy people in thy blood, and bring thy Church, yea, all thy redeemed, to the greater knowledge and love of thee, let thy knowledge be increased, and in thee shall we find all blessing. And now Daniel, O thou man of God, greatly beloved! we take our leave of thee; blessing thy Lord, and our Lord, for thy ministry; and loving thee for thy services. Thou hast gone thy way indeed, and we are going ours, in the same faith. Even to old age the Lord thy God carried thee; and even to hoar hairs the Lord will carry all his people. By and by the Lord will come. One of those days the shout will be heard from heaven, and Michael our glorious Archangel will appear in the clouds. Oh! for full confidence in that hour, to lift up our heads, when our redemption, draweth nigh, crying out with the Church, Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.