Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

The Prophet is here in this Chapter introduced into strong visions of God. He is blessed by one that stood by with an interpretation of what he saw.

Daniel 7:1

In the early ages of the Church, and before the open display and manifestation of God in our nature, in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ; this method of revealing the mind and will of God by dream and vision, concerning the Church, was very common among holy men of old. And even now, it is not wholly done away, for the private comfort of God's people. The Lord doth not unfrequently give songs in the night. Job 35:10. The former part of the Book of Daniel was chiefly historical. In this Chapter, and to the end of his prophecy, it is wholly prophetical.

There can be no doubt, but that what is here described under the figure and similitude of beasts, relates to kingdoms of the earth. And explaining these prophecies by the events which have followed, it should seem, that there can be no difficulty in supposing, that the first beast, like a lion, represented the Chaldean monarchy. The second, like a bear, set forth the Persian, which succeeded it. The third, like a leopard, the Grecian kingdom. And the fourth, the Roman. But, Reader! what a solemn thought is it: where are now the whole or either of these monarchies? Alas! the flood of time hath gone over them, and swept them all away. But Jesus and his kingdom is and shall be forever. Precious consideration to the believer!

But whatever uncertainty we might be under respecting the precise meaning of the vision before related, there can be none in respect of what is said here. To whom can we make application concerning the Ancient of Days, but to Jehovah, who from one eternity to another, while all the empires of the earth moulder to dust, remains the same in the unchangeable nature of his existence and perfections; God over all blessed forever. And to whom shall we look for an explanation of what is said, concerning One like the Son of man, but the Lord Jesus Christ, who in his mediatorial character, could only be found worthy to take the book out of the hand of him that sat on the throne, and unloose the seals thereof. I pray the Reader to compare this scripture with Re 4; 5 throughout.

To the mind of Daniel, in a period so remote as he lived from the advent of Christ, and especially in a character like Daniel, evidently inspired and appointed to be a Prophet in the Church, in the awful times in which he lived; all that is here said of his grief, and the earnestness of his inquiry to be informed concerning the vision, was very highly proper and praise-worthy. But, I beg the Reader, rather to wait and watch the Lord's explanation of this and all other the prophetical parts of scripture, yet remaining to be fully made known, than presume to be wise above what is written. It is enough to make a truly awakened child of God to tremble, in beholding what unhallowed hands have written, and unregenerated hearts have suggested, concerning the Prophecies of God in the several ages of the Church. Reader! let you and I rest in what is here said concerning our Redeemer's kingdom, fully satisfied, for it is enough, and more we cannot need. Christ is here said to possess a kingdom, which shall be forever and ever. This is one precious truth. And there is another like it, with which indeed it is connected, and the one included in the other: namely, the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, which shall be forever. Here then is enough for every child of God to know, and to rest in. To presume to go further, and to point to persons and things in the present day, to the compliment of one, and to the reproach of another, is to limit, in my humble opinion, the Holy One of Israel, and to hazard the divine displeasure. The Lord grant that his faithful ones may be kept faithful among that little handful of the saints of the Most High, as they are here called, which are now in the earth. It is to be exceedingly feared by what we behold in the present day, that it is indeed but a little handful, and much less than too many suppose. everyone that loves our Lord Jesus in sincerity and truth, may well be alarmed for the present awful times, and seriously ponder that alarming question of Jesus: when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8.

REFLECTIONS

PAUSE, Reader! over this most sublime and blessed Chapter; and passing by every lesser consideration, contemplate this, as the highest and the best on what is said of Him, whom Daniel saw, the Ancient of Days, in the glories of his person, and Almightiness of his character! Perhaps the whiteness of his garment might be meant to intimate the purity and holiness of his nature and essence. And it is possible, by the hairs of his head, like the pure wool, might be intended to represent the sovereignty of his glory and majesty. But, alas! what figures or similitudes can afford the least resemblance of Him, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light, which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen or can see! Almighty Jehovah! before thy footstool help both Writer and Reader to fall down with the lowest possible prostration of soul and body; everlastingly keeping in remembrance, that both now to a throne of grace, and hereafter to glory, there is no possibility of access, but in and through a gracious Mediator, the Lord Our Righteousness!

And concerning thee, thou blessed Emmanuel, whom the Prophet Daniel saw also, in this solemn vision, under the similitude of One like the Son of man; help us to look up with all that love and adoration, and holy fear, and faith, and delight, as becometh thy redeemed. For do we not know, dearest Jesus, by the teachings of thine Holy Spirit, that since thou didst finish redemption-work, and art returned unto glory, it is thou that hast opened a new and living way by thy blood, and ever livest to keep it open by thine intercession. Hail! precious Lamb of God! worthy art thou to take the kingdom, and power, and glory, for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood.

And no less, thou Eternal Spirit of all truth, who art one with the Father and the Son! be thou exalted and glorified Lord, in thine own personal power and Godhead! And may all the Church, both in heaven and on earth, daily be enabled to send forth their united praises to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the One glorious and incomprehensible Jehovah in endless adoration and love, through the boundless ages of eternity. Amen.