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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Daniel XII].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1712)
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>D A N I E L.</B></FONT>
<BR>
<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XII.</FONT>
<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
</CENTER>
<FONT SIZE=-1>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
After the prediction of the troubles of the Jews under Antiochus,
prefiguring the troubles of the Christian church under the
anti-christian power, we have here,
I. Comforts, and very precious ones, prescribed as cordials for the
support of God's people in those times of trouble; and they are such as
may indifferently serve both for those former times of trouble under
Antiochus and those latter which were prefigured by them,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:1-4">ver. 1-4</A>.
II. A conference between Christ and an angel concerning the time of
the continuance of these events, designed for Daniel's satisfaction,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:5-7">ver. 5-7</A>.
III. Daniel's enquiry for his own satisfaction,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:8">ver. 8</A>.
And the answer he received to that enquiry,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:9-12">ver. 9-12</A>.</P>
</FONT>
<A NAME="Da12_1"> </A>
<A NAME="Da12_2"> </A>
<A NAME="Da12_3"> </A>
<A NAME="Da12_4"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Promised Appearance of Michael; The Prophecy Sealed Up.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 534.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince
which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be
a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation
<I>even</I> to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be
delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
&nbsp; 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall
awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame <I>and</I>
everlasting contempt.
&nbsp; 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the
firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars
for ever and ever.
&nbsp; 4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book,
<I>even</I> to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and
knowledge shall be increased.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
It is usual with the prophets, when they foretel the grievances of the
church, to furnish it at the same time with proper antidotes, a remedy
for every malady. And no relief is so sovereign, of such general
application, so easily accommodated to every case, and of such powerful
efficacy, as those that are fetched from Christ and the future state;
thence the comforts here are fetched.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. Jesus Christ shall appear his church's patron and protector: <I>At
that time,</I> when the persecution is at the hottest, <I>Michael shall
stand up,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
The angel had told Daniel what a firm friend Michael was to the church,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:21"><I>ch.</I> x. 21</A>.
He all along showed this friendship in the upper world; the angels knew
it; but now <I>Michael shall stand</I> up in his providence, and work
deliverance for the Jews, <I>when he sees that their power is gone,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+32:3">Deut. xxxii. 3</A>.
6. Christ is <I>that great prince,</I> for he is the <I>prince of the
kings of the earth,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+1:5">Rev. i. 5</A>.
And, if he stand up for his church, who can be against it? But this is
not all: <I>At that time</I> (that is, soon after) Michael shall stand
up for the working out of our eternal salvation; the Son of God shall
be incarnate, shall be <I>manifested to destroy the works of the
devil.</I> Christ <I>stood for the children of our people</I> when he
was made sin and a curse for them, stood in their stead as a sacrifice,
bore the cure for them, to bear it from them. He stands for them in the
intercession he ever lives to make within the veil, stands up for them,
and stands their friend. And after the destruction of antichrist, of
whom Antiochus was a type, Christ shall <I>stand at the latter day upon
the earth,</I> shall appear for the complete redemption of all his.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. When Christ appears he will recompense tribulation to those that
trouble his people. There shall <I>be a time of trouble,</I>
threatening to all, but ruining to all the implacable enemies of God's
kingdom among men, such <I>trouble as never was since there was a
nation.</I> This is applicable.
1. To the destruction of Jerusalem, which Christ calls (perhaps with an
eye to this prediction) such a <I>great tribulation as was not since
the beginning of the world to this time,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+24:21">Matt. xxiv. 21</A>.
This the angel had spoken much of
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+9:26,27"><I>ch.</I> ix. 26, 27</A>);
and it happened about the same time that Christ set up the
gospel-kingdom in the world, that Michael our prince <I>stands up.</I>
Or,
2. To the judgment of the great day, that day that shall <I>burn as an
oven,</I> and consume the proud and all that do wickedly; that will be
such a <I>day of trouble</I> as never was to all those whom Michael our
prince stands against.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
III. He will work salvation for his people: "<I>At that time thy people
shall be delivered,</I> delivered from the mischief and ruin designed
them by Antiochus, even all those that were marked for preservation,
that were <I>written among the living,</I>"
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+4:3">Isa. iv. 3</A>.
When Christ comes into the world he will save his spiritual Israel from
sin and hell, and will, at his second coming, complete their salvation,
even the salvation of as many as were given him, as many as have
<I>their names in the book of life,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+20:15">Rev. xx. 15</A>.
They were written there before the world, and will be <I>found
written</I> there at the end of the world, when the books shall be
opened.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
IV. There shall be a distinguishing resurrection of those that <I>sleep
in the dust,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
1. When God works deliverance for his people from persecution it is a
kind of resurrection; so the Jews' release out of Babylon was
represented in vision
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+37:1-28">Ezek. xxxvii.</A>)
and so the deliverance of the Jews from Antiochus, and other
restorations of the church to outward prosperity; they were as <I>life
from the dead. Many of those</I> who had long slept in the dust of
obscurity and calamity shall then awake, some to that life, and honour,
and comfort which will be lasting, everlasting; but to others, who,
when they return to their prosperity, will return to their iniquity, it
will be a resurrection to shame and contempt, for the <I>prosperity of
fools</I> will but expose them and destroy them.
2. When, upon the appearing of Michael our prince, his gospel is
preached, many of those who <I>sleep in the dust,</I> both Jews and
Gentiles, shall be awakened by it to take upon them a profession of
religion, and shall rise out of their heathenism or Judaism; but, since
there will be always a mixture of hypocrites with true saints, it is
but some of those who are <I>raised to life</I> to whom the gospel is a
<I>savour of life unto life,</I> but others will be raised by it <I>to
shame and contempt,</I> to whom the gospel of Christ will be a
<I>savour of death unto death,</I> and Christ himself set for their
fall. The net of the gospel encloses both good and bad. But,
3. It must be meant of the general resurrection at the last day: <I>The
multitude of those that sleep in the dust shall awake,</I> that is,
all, which shall be a great many. Or, <I>Of those that sleep in the
dust</I> many shall arise to life and many to shame. The Jews
themselves understand this of the resurrection of the dead at the end
of time; and Christ seems to have an eye to it when he speaks of the
<I>resurrection of life</I> and the <I>resurrection of damnation</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+5:29">John v. 29</A>);
and upon this the Jews are said by St. Paul to expect a <I>resurrection
of the dead both of the just and of the unjust,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+24:15">Acts xxiv. 15</A>.
And nothing could come in more seasonably here, for, under Antiochus's
persecution, some basely betrayed their religion, others bravely
adhered to it. Now it would be a trouble to them that, when the storm
was over, they could neither reward the one nor punish the other; this
therefore would be a satisfaction to them, that they would both be
recompensed according to their works in the resurrection. And the
apostle, speaking of the pious Jews that suffered martyrdom under
Antiochus, tells us that though they were tortured yet they <I>accepted
not deliverance,</I> because they <I>hoped to obtain this better
resurrection,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+11:35">Heb. xi. 35</A>.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
V. There shall be a glorious reward conferred on those who, in the day
of trouble and distress, being themselves <I>wise,</I> did <I>instruct
many.</I> Such were taken particular notice of in the prophecy of the
persecution
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+11:33"><I>ch.</I> xi. 33</A>),
that they should do eminent service, and yet should <I>fall by the
sword and by flame;</I> now, if there were not another life after this,
they would be <I>of all men most miserable,</I> and therefore we are
here assured that they shall be recompensed <I>in the resurrection of
the just</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>):
<I>Those that are wise</I> (that are <I>teachers,</I> so some read it,
for teachers have need of wisdom, and those that have wisdom themselves
should communicate it to others) <I>shall shine as the brightness of
the firmament,</I> shall shine in glory, heavenly glory, the glory of
the upper world; and those that by the wisdom they have, and the
instructions they give, are instrumental <I>to turn</I> any, especially
to <I>turn many to righteousness,</I> shall shine <I>as the stars for
ever and ever.</I> Note,
1. There is a glory reserved for all the saints in the future state,
for all that are wise, wise for their souls and eternity. A man's
wisdom now <I>makes his face to shine</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+8:1">Eccles. viii. 1</A>),
but much more will it do so in that state where its power shall be
perfected and its services rewarded.
2. The more good any do in this world, especially to the souls of men,
the greater will be their glory and reward in the other world. Those
that turn <I>men to righteousness,</I> that <I>turn sinners from the
errors of their ways</I> and help to <I>save their souls from death</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jam+5:20">Jam. v. 20</A>),
will share in the glory of those they have helped to heaven, which will
be a great addition to their own glory.
3. Ministers of Christ, who have obtained mercy of him to be faithful
and successful, and so are made <I>burning and shining lights</I> in
this world, shall shine very brightly in the other world, shall shine
<I>as the stars.</I> Christ is <I>the sun,</I> the fountain, of the
lights both of grace and glory; ministers, as stars, shine in both,
with a light derived from him, and a diminutive light in comparison of
him; yet to those that are <I>earthen vessels</I> it will be a glory
infinitely transcending their deserts. They shall <I>shine as the
stars</I> of different magnitudes, some in less, others in greater
lustre; but, whereas the day is coming when the stars shall fall from
heaven as leaves in autumn, these stars shall <I>shine for ever and
ever,</I> shall never set, never be eclipsed.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
VI. That this prophecy of those times, though sealed up now, would be
of great use to those that should live then,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
Daniel must now <I>shut up the words and seal the book</I> because the
<I>time would be long</I> ere these things would be accomplished: and
it was some comfort that the Jewish nation, though, in the infancy of
their return from Babylon, while they were few and weak, they met with
obstructions in their work, were not persecuted for their religion till
a long time after, when they had grown to some strength and maturity.
He must <I>seal the book</I> because it would not be <I>understood,</I>
and therefore would not be regarded, till the things contained in it
were accomplished; but he must keep it safely, as a treasure of great
value, laid up for the ages to come, to whom it would be of great
service; for <I>many shall then run to and fro, and knowledge shall be
increased.</I> Then this hidden treasure shall be opened, and many
shall search into it, and dig for the knowledge of it, as for silver.
They shall <I>run to and fro,</I> to enquire out copies of it, shall
collate them, and see that they be true and authentic. They shall read
it over and over, shall meditate upon it, and run it over in their
minds; <I>discurrent--they shall discourse</I> of it, and talk it over
among themselves, and compare notes about it, if by any means they may
<I>sift out</I> the meaning of it; and thus <I>knowledge shall be
increased.</I> By consulting this prophecy on this occasion they shall
be led to <I>search</I> other <I>scriptures,</I> which shall contribute
much to their advancement in useful knowledge; for <I>then shall we
know if we follow on to know the Lord,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ho+6:3">Hos. vi. 3</A>.
Those that would have their knowledge increased must take pains, must
not sit still in slothfulness and bare wishes but <I>run to and
fro,</I> must make use of all the means of knowledge and improve all
opportunities of getting their mistakes rectified, their doubts
resolved, and their acquaintance with the things of God improved, to
know more and to know better what they do know. And let us here see
reason to hope that,
1. Those things of God which are now dark and obscure will hereafter be
made clear, and easy to be understood. <I>Truth is the daughter of
time.</I> Scripture prophecies will be expounded by the accomplishment
of them; <I>therefore</I> they are given, and for that explication they
are reserved. <I>Therefore</I> they are <I>told us before,</I> that,
<I>when they do come to pass,</I> we may believe.
2. Those things of God which are despised and neglected, and thrown by
as useless, shall be brought into reputation, shall be found to be of
great service, and be brought into request; for divine revelation,
however slighted for a time, shall be <I>magnified and made
honourable,</I> and, above all, in the <I>judgment of the great
day,</I> when the books shall be opened, and that book among the
rest.</P>
<A NAME="Da12_5"> </A>
<A NAME="Da12_6"> </A>
<A NAME="Da12_7"> </A>
<A NAME="Da12_8"> </A>
<A NAME="Da12_9"> </A>
<A NAME="Da12_10"> </A>
<A NAME="Da12_11"> </A>
<A NAME="Da12_12"> </A>
<A NAME="Da12_13"> </A>
<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Daniel's Solicitude to Know the Times; Period of Prophecy; Daniel Comforted.</I></FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>B.&nbsp;C.</FONT>&nbsp;534.</TD></TR>
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
<FONT SIZE=+1>5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the
one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that
side of the bank of the river.
&nbsp; 6 And <I>one</I> said to the man clothed in linen, which <I>was</I> upon
the waters of the river, How long <I>shall it be to</I> the end of
these wonders?
&nbsp; 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which <I>was</I> upon the
waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left
hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that <I>it
shall be</I> for a time, times, and a half; and when he shall have
accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these
<I>things</I> shall be finished.
&nbsp; 8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord,
what <I>shall be</I> the end of these <I>things?</I>
&nbsp; 9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words <I>are</I> closed
up and sealed till the time of the end.
&nbsp; 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the
wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall
understand; but the wise shall understand.
&nbsp; 11 And from the time <I>that</I> the daily <I>sacrifice</I> shall be
taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up,
<I>there shall be</I> a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
&nbsp; 12 Blessed <I>is</I> he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand
three hundred and five and thirty days.
&nbsp; 13 But go thou thy way till the end <I>be:</I> for thou shalt rest,
and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
</FONT></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
Daniel had been made to foresee the amazing revolutions of states and
kingdoms, as far as the Israel of God was concerned in them; in them he
foresaw troublous times to the church, suffering trying times, the
prospect of which much affected him and filled him with concern. Now
there were two questions proper to be asked upon this head:--<I>When</I>
shall the <I>end be?</I> And, <I>What</I> shall the <I>end be?</I>
These two questions are asked and answered here, in the close of the
book; and though the comforts prescribed in the
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:1-4">foregoing verses</A>,
one would think, were satisfactory enough, yet, for more abundant
satisfaction, this is added.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
I. The question, <I>When shall the end be?</I> is asked by an angel,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>.
Concerning this we may observe,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. Who it was that asked the question. Daniel had had a vision of
Christ in his glory, the <I>man clothed in linen,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:5"><I>ch.</I> x. 5</A>.
But his discourse had been with the angel Gabriel, and now he
<I>looks,</I> and <I>behold other two</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>),
two angels that he had not seen before, <I>one upon the bank of the
river on one side and the other on the other side,</I> that, the river
being between them, they might not whisper to one another, but what
they said might be heard. Christ stood <I>on the waters of the
river,</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
<I>between the banks of Ulai;</I> it was therefore proper that the
angels his attendants should stand on either bank, that they might be
ready to go, one one way and the other the other way, as he should
order them. These angels appeared,
(1.) To adorn the vision, and make it the more illustrious; and to add
to the glory of the Son of man,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+1:6">Heb. i. 6</A>.
Daniel had not seen them before, though it is probable that they were
there; but now, when they began to speak, he looked up, and saw them.
Note, The further we look into the things of God, and the more we
converse with them, the more we shall see of those things, and still
new discoveries will be made to us; those that know much, if they
improve it, shall know more.
(2.) To confirm the discovery, that <I>out of the mouth of two or three
witnesses the word might be established.</I> Three angels appeared to
Abraham.
(3.) To inform themselves, to hear and ask questions; for the mysteries
of God's kingdom are things which the <I>angels desire to look into</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:12">1 Pet. i. 12</A>)
and they are <I>known to the church,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+3:10">Eph. iii. 10</A>.
Now one of these two angels said, <I>When shall the end be?</I> Perhaps
they both asked, first one and then the other, but Daniel heard only
one.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. To whom this question was put, to the <I>man clothed in linen,</I>
of whom we read before
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:5"><I>ch.</I> x. 5</A>),
to Christ our great high priest, <I>who was upon the waters of the
river,</I> and whose spokesman, or interpreter, the angel Gabriel had
all this while been. This river was Hiddekel
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+10:4"><I>ch.</I> x. 4</A>),
the same with Tigris, the place whereabout many of the events
prophesied of would happen; there therefore is the scene laid. Hiddekel
was mentioned as one of the rivers that watered the garden of Eden
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+2:14">Gen. ii. 14</A>);
fitly therefore does Christ stand upon that river, for by him the trees
in the paradise of God are watered. <I>Waters</I> signify
<I>people,</I> and so his standing upon the waters denotes his dominion
over all; he <I>sits upon the flood</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+29:10">Ps. xxix. 10</A>);
<I>he treads upon the waters of the sea,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+9:8">Job ix. 8</A>.
And Christ, to show that this was he, in the days of his flesh
<I>walked upon the waters,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+14:25">Matt. xiv. 25</A>.
He was <I>above the waters of the river</I> (so some read it); he
appeared in the air over the river.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
3. What the question was: <I>How long shall it be to the end of these
wonders?</I> Daniel would not ask the question, because he would not
pry into what was hidden, nor seem inquisitive concerning the times and
the seasons, which the Father has <I>put in his own power,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+1:7">Acts i. 7</A>.
But, that he might have the satisfaction of the answer, the angel put
the question in his hearing. Our Lord Jesus sometimes answered the
questions which his disciples were afraid or ashamed to ask,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+16:19">John xvi. 19</A>.
The angel asked as one concerned, <I>How long shall it be?</I> What is
the time prefixed in the divine counsels for the <I>end of these
wonders,</I> these suffering trying times, that are to pass over the
people of God? Note,
(1.) The troubles of the church are the <I>wonder</I> of angels. They
are astonished that God will suffer his church to be thus afflicted,
and are anxious to know what good he will do his church by its
afflictions.
(2.) Good angels know no more of things to come than God is pleased to
discover to them, much less do evil angels.
(3.) The holy angels in heaven are concerned for the church on earth,
and lay to heart its afflictions; how much more then should we, who are
more immediately related to it, and have so much of our peace in its
peace?</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
4. What answer was returned to it by him who is indeed the <I>numberer
of secrets,</I> and knows things to come.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(1.) Here is a more general account given of the continuance of these
troubles to the angel that made the enquiry
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
that they shall continue <I>for a time, times, and a half,</I> that is,
a year, two years, and half a year, as was before intimated
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+7:25"><I>ch.</I> vii. 25</A>),
but the one half of a prophetical week. Some understand it
indefinitely, a certain time for an uncertain; it shall be <I>for a
time</I> (a considerable time), for <I>times</I> (a longer time yet,
double what it was thought at first that it would be), and yet indeed
it shall be but <I>half a time,</I> or a part of a time; when it is
over it shall seem not half so much as was feared. But it is rather to
be taken for a certain time; we meet with it in the Revelation, under
the title sometimes of three days and a half, put for three years and a
half, sometimes forty-two months, sometimes 1260 days. Now this
determination of the time is here
[1.] Confirmed by an oath. The man <I>clothed in linen</I> lifted up
both his hands <I>to heaven, and swore by him that lives for ever and
ever</I> that it should be so. Thus the <I>mighty angel</I> whom St.
John saw is brought in, with a plain reference to this vision, standing
with his <I>right foot on the sea</I> and <I>his left foot on the
earth,</I> and with his hand lifted up to heaven, swearing <I>that
there shall be no longer delay,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+10:5,6">Rev. x. 5, 6</A>.
This Mighty One that Daniel saw stood with <I>both feet</I> on the
water, and swore with <I>both hands</I> lifted up. Note, An oath is of
use for confirmation; God only is to be sworn by, for he is the proper
Judge to whom we are to appeal; and lifting up the hand is a very
proper and significant sign to be used in a solemn oath.
[2.] It is illustrated with a reason. God will suffer him to prevail
<I>till he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy
people.</I> God will suffer him to do his worst, and run his utmost
length, and then <I>all these things shall be finished.</I> Note, God's
time to succour and relieve his people is when their affairs are
brought to the last extremity; <I>in the mount of the Lord it shall be
seen</I> that Isaac is saved just when he lies ready to be sacrificed.
Now the event answered the prediction; Josephus says expressly, in his
book of the <I>Wars of the Jews,</I> that Antiochus, surnamed
Epiphanes, surprised Jerusalem by force, <I>and held it three years and
six months,</I> and was then <I>cast out of the country</I> by the
Asmoneans or Maccabees. Christ's public ministry continued <I>three
years and a half,</I> during which time he endured the contradiction of
sinners against himself, and lived in poverty and disgrace; and then
when his power seemed to be quite scattered at his death, and his
enemies triumphed over him, he obtained the most glorious victory and
said, <I>It is finished.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(2.) Here is something added more particularly concerning the time of
the continuance of those troubles, in what is said to Daniel,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:11,12"><I>v.</I> 11, 12</A>,
where we have,
[1.] The event fixed from which the time of the trouble is to be dated,
from the <I>taking away of the daily sacrifice</I> by Antiochus, and
the <I>setting up</I> of the image of Jupiter upon the altar, which was
the <I>abomination of desolation.</I> They must reckon their troubles
to begin indeed when they were deprived of the benefit of public
ordinances; that was to them the <I>beginning of sorrows;</I> that was
what they laid most to heart.
[2.] The continuance of their trouble; it shall last 1290 days,
<I>three years</I> and <I>seven months,</I> or (as some reckon)
<I>three years, six months,</I> and <I>fifteen days;</I> and then, it
is probable, the daily sacrifice was restored, and the abomination of
desolation taken away, in remembrance of which the <I>feast of
dedication</I> was observed even to our Saviour's time,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+10:22">John x. 22</A>.
Though it does not appear by the history that it was exactly so long to
a day, yet it appears that the beginning of the trouble was in the
145th year of the Seleucid&aelig;, and the end of it in the 148th year;
and either the restoring of the sacrifice, and the taking away of the
image, were just so many days after, or some other previous event that
was remarkable, which is not recorded. There are many particular times
fixed in the scripture-prophecies, which it does not appear by any
history, sacred or profane, that the event answered, and yet no doubt
it did punctually; as
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+16:14">Isa. xvi. 14</A>.
[3.] The completing of their deliverance, or at least a further advance
towards it, which is here set forty-five days after the former, and,
some think, points at the death of Antiochus, 1335 days after his
profaning the temple. <I>Blessed is he that waits and comes</I> to
that time. It is said
(<U>1 Mac. ix. 28; x. 1</U>)
that the Maccabees, under a divine conduct, <I>recovered the temple and
the city.</I> Many good interpreters make these to be prophetical days
(that is, so many years), and date them from the destruction of
Jerusalem by the Romans; but what events they then fall upon they are
not agreed. Others date them from the corruption of the gospel-worship
by the antichrist, whose reign is confined in the Apocalypse to 1260
days (that is, years), at the end of which he shall begin to fall; but
thirty years after he shall be quite fallen, at the end of 1290 days;
and whoever lives forty years longer, to 1335 days, will see glorious
times indeed. Whether it looks so far forward or no I cannot tell; but
this, however, we may learn, <I>First,</I> That there is a time fixed
for the termination of the church's troubles, and the bringing about of
her deliverance, and that this time will be punctually observed to a
day. <I>Secondly,</I> That this time must be waited for with faith and
patience. <I>Thirdly,</I> That, when it comes, it will abundantly
recompense us for our long expectations of it. <I>Blessed is he</I>
who, having waited long, comes to it at last, for he will then have
reason to say, <I>Lo, this is our God, and we have waited for
him.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
II. The question, <I>What shall the end be?</I> is asked by Daniel, and
an answer given to it. Observe,</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
1. Why Daniel asked this question; it was because, though he <I>heard
what was said</I> to the angel, yet he did not <I>understand</I> it,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
Daniel was a very intelligent man, and had been conversant in visions
and prophecies, and yet here he was puzzled; he did not understand the
meaning of the <I>time, times, and the part of a time,</I> at least not
so clearly and with so much certainty as he wished. Note, The best men
are often much at a loss in their enquiries concerning divine things,
and meet with that which they do not <I>understand.</I> But the better
they are the more sensible they are of their own weaknesses and
ignorance, and the more ready to acknowledge them.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
2. What the question was: <I>O my Lord! What shall be the end of these
things?</I> He directs his enquiry not to the angel that talked with
him, but immediately to Christ, for to whom else should we go with our
enquiries? "What shall be the final issue of these events? What do they
tend to? What will then end in?" Note, When we take a view of the
affairs of this world, and of the church of God in it, we cannot but
think, What will be the end of these things? We see things move as if
they would end in the utter ruin of God's kingdom among men. When we
observe the prevalence of vice and impiety, the decay of religion, the
sufferings of the righteous, and the triumphs of the ungodly over them,
we may well ask, <I>O my Lord! what will be the end of these
things?</I> But this may satisfy us in general, that all will end well
at last. Great is the truth, and will prevail at long-run. All opposing
rule, principality, and power, will be put down, and holiness and love
will triumph, and be in honour, to eternity. The end, this end, will
come.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
3. What answer is returned to this question. Besides what refers to the
time
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:11,12"><I>v.</I> 11, 12</A>),
of which before, here are some general instructions given to Daniel,
with which he is dismissed from further attendance.</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(1.) He must content himself with the discoveries that had been made to
him, and not enquire any further: "<I>Go thy way, Daniel;</I> let it
suffice thee that thou has been admitted thus far to the foresight of
things to come, but stop here. <I>Go thy way</I> about the king's
business again,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+8:27"><I>ch.</I> viii. 27</A>.
<I>Go thy way,</I> and record what thou hast seen and heard, for the
benefit of posterity, and covet not to see and hear more at present."
Note, Communion with God is not our continual feast in this world; we
sometimes are taken to be witnesses of Christ's glory, and we say,
<I>It is good to be here;</I> but we must go down from the mount, and
have there no continuing city. Those that know much <I>know but in
part,</I> and still see there is a great deal that they are kept in the
dark about, and are likely to be so till the veil is rent; hitherto
their knowledge shall go, but no further. "<I>Go thy way, Daniel,</I>
satisfied with what thou hast."</P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(2.) He must not expect that what had been said to him would be fully
understood till it was accomplished: <I>The words are closed up and
sealed,</I> are involved in perplexities, and are likely to be so,
<I>till the time of the end,</I> till the end of these things; nay,
till the end of all things. Daniel was ordered to <I>seal the book to
the time of the end,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
The Jews used to say, <I>When Elias comes he will tell us all
things.</I> "They are <I>closed up and sealed,</I> that is, the
discovery designed to be made by them is now fully settled and
completed; nothing is to be added to it nor taken from it, for it is
<I>closed up</I> and <I>sealed;</I> ask not therefore after more."
<I>Nescire velle qu&aelig; magister maximus docere non vult erudita
inscitia est--He has learned much who is willing to be ignorant of
those things which the great teacher does not choose to impart.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(3.) He must count upon no other than that, as long as the world
stands, there will still be in it such a mixture as now we see there is
of good and bad,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
We long to see all wheat and no tares in God's field, all corn and no
chaff in God's floor; but it will not be till the time of ingathering,
till the winnowing day, comes; both must <I>grow together until the
harvest.</I> As it has been, so it is, and will be, <I>The wicked shall
do wickedly,</I> but <I>the wise shall understand.</I> In this, as in
other things, St. John's Revelation closes as Daniel did.
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+22:11">Rev. xxii. 11</A>,
<I>He that is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is holy, let
him be holy still.</I>
[1.] There is no remedy but that wicked people <I>will do wickedly;</I>
and such people there are and will be in the world to the end of time.
<I>So said the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceeds from the
wicked</I>
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+24:13">1 Sam. xxiv. 13</A>);
and the observation of the moderns says the same. Bad men will do bad
things; and a <I>corrupt tree</I> will <I>never bring forth good
fruit.</I> Do men <I>gather grapes of thorns,</I> or bring forth good
things from an evil treasure in the heart? No; wicked practices are the
natural products of wicked principles and dispositions. <I>Marvel not
at the matter</I> then,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+5:8">Eccl. v. 8</A>.
We are told, before, that the <I>wicked will do wickedly;</I> we can
expect no better from them: but, which is worse, <I>none of the wicked
shall understand.</I> This is either, <I>First,</I> A part of their
sin. They <I>will not understand;</I> they shut their eyes against the
light, and none so blind as those that will not see. <I>Therefore</I>
they are <I>wicked</I> because they <I>will not understand.</I> If they
did but rightly know the truths of God, they would readily obey the
laws of God,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+82:5">Ps. lxxxii. 5</A>.
Wilful sin is the effect of wilful ignorance; they <I>will not
understand</I> because <I>they are wicked;</I> they <I>hate the
light,</I> and come not to the light, <I>because their deeds are
evil,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+3:19">John iii. 19</A>.
Or, <I>Secondly,</I> It is a part of their punishment; they will do
wickedly, and therefore God has given them up to <I>blindness of
mind,</I> and has said concerning them, <I>They shall not
understand,</I> nor be <I>converted and healed,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+13:14,15">Matt. xiii. 14, 15</A>.
God will not <I>give them eyes to see,</I> because they will do
wickedly,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+29:4">Deut. xxix. 4</A>.
[2.] Yet, bad as the world is, God will secure to himself a remnant of
good people in it; still there shall be some, there shall be many, to
whom the providences and ordinances of God shall be <I>a savour of life
unto life,</I> while to others they are <I>a savour of death unto
death. First,</I> the providences of God shall do them good: <I>Many
shall be purified, and made white, and tried,</I> by their troubles
(compare
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+11:35"><I>ch.</I> xi. 35</A>),
by the same troubles which will but stir up the corruptions of the
wicked and make them do more wickedly. Note, The afflictions of good
people are designed for their trial; but by these trials they are
<I>purified</I> and <I>made white,</I> their corruptions are purged
out, their graces are brightened, and made both more vigorous and more
conspicuous, and are <I>found to praise, and honour, and glory,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Pe+1:7">1 Pet. i. 7</A>.
To those who are themselves sanctified and good every event is
sanctified, and works for good, and helps to make them better.
<I>Secondly,</I> The word of God shall do them good. When the <I>wicked
understand not,</I> but stumble at the word, the <I>wise shall
understand.</I> Those who are wise in practice shall understand
doctrine; those who are influenced and governed by the divine law and
love shall be illuminated with a divine light. For if any man will
<I>do his will</I> he shall <I>know the truth,</I>
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+7:17">John vii. 17</A>.
<I>Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser.</I></P>
<P> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
(4.) He must comfort himself with the pleasing prospect of his own
happiness in death, in judgment, and to eternity,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Da+12:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
Daniel was now very old, and had been long engaged both in an intimate
acquaintance with heaven and in a great deal of public business on this
earth. And now he must think of bidding farewell to this present state:
<I>Go thou thy way till the end be.</I>
[1.] It is good for us all to think much of going away from this world;
we are still going, and must be gone shortly, gone the way of all the
earth. That must be our way; but this is our comfort, We shall not go
till God calls for us to another world, and till he has done with us in
this world, till he says, "<I>Go thou thy way;</I> thou hast finished
thy testimony, done thy work, and accomplished as a hireling thy day,
therefore now, <I>Go thy way,</I> and leave it to others to take thy
room."
[2.] When a good man goes his way from this world he enters into rest:
"<I>Thou shalt rest</I> from all thy present toils and agitations, and
shalt not see the evils that are coming on the next generation." Never
can a child of God say more pertinently than in his dying moments,
<I>Return unto thy rest, O my soul!</I>
[3.] Time and days will have an end; not only our time and days will
end very shortly, but all times and days will have an end at length;
yet a little while, and time shall be no more, but all its revolutions
will be numbered and finished.
[4.] Our rest in the grave will be but <I>till the end of the days;</I>
and then the peaceful rest will be happily disturbed by a joyful
resurrection. Job foresaw this when he said of the dead, <I>Till the
heavens be no more,</I> they <I>shall not awake, nor be raised out of
their sleep,</I> implying that then they shall,
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+14:12">Job xiv. 12</A>.
[5.] We must every one of us <I>stand in our lot at the end of the
days.</I> In the judgment of the great day we must have our allotment
according to what we were, and what we did, in the body, either,
<I>Come, you blessed</I> or, <I>Go, you cursed;</I> and we must
<I>stand for ever in that lot.</I> It was a comfort to Daniel, it is a
comfort to all the saints, that, whatever their lot is in the days of
time, they shall have a happy lot in <I>the end of the days,</I> shall
have their <I>lot among the chosen.</I> And it ought to be the great
care and concern of every one of us to secure a happy lot at last in
the <I>end of the days,</I> and they we may well be content with our
present lot, welcome the will of God.
[6.] A believing hope and prospect of a blessed lot in the heavenly
Canaan, at the end of the days, will be an effectual support to us when
we are going our way out of this world, and will furnish us with living
comforts in dying moments.</P>
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