_I saw in my vision by night._ MODES OF COMMUNICATION WITH GOD Since the days of the apostles, the intercourse between Heaven and earth has been maintained through the ordinary channels. God speaks to man through the medium of his conscience--in the Bible, and by the operation of His providence. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And four great beasts came up from the sea._ THE FOUR BEASTS I. THE ELEMENT OUT OF WHICH THE WORLD-KINGDOMS CAME INTO EXISTENCE. “Four beasts came up from the sea.” The sea, when looked at in some of its aspects, is a most fit symbol of the means by which human kingdoms without godliness have mad... [ Continue Reading ]
_Like a leopard._ ALEXANDER THE GREAT The empire which rose on the ruins of the second monarchy was the Grecian. Alexander the Great subverted the Persian empire. The leopard is remarkable for its swiftness, and for the eagerness with which it springs upon its prey; and we know, also, how rapid we... [ Continue Reading ]
_Another little horn._ THE LITTLE HORN IS ANTICHRIST 1. By the ruin or destruction of this little horn, the fourth beast, or human kingdom is said utterly and finally to fall (v.11). Therefore, it cannot represent Mahomet. 2. The destroying of the beast and little horn is described in such forms... [ Continue Reading ]
_The ancient of days did sit._ THE ANCIENT OF DAYS COMING TO JUDGMENT Daniel claimed two offices for the Messiah. 1. He should be a King. 2. A Judge. These claims rested on the unity of nature--the “ancient of days “ being “brought near “ and taking “hold of, the Son of man; thus making both On... [ Continue Reading ]
_One like the son of Man._ MESSIAH’S KINGDOM Daniel had this vision some fifty years after Nebuchadnezzar had the Vision of the composite image: but his vision harmonizes with it, and is descriptive of the same great kings and monarchies. The kingdom given to the Son of Man is the kingdom which wa... [ Continue Reading ]
_But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom._ THE POLITICAL CHARACTER OF THE GOOD TIME COMING “There is a good time coming,” so says the poet, so saith the Scriptures. The golden age of the world is not in the past, it is in the future, the age of immortal light, liberty, peace, virtue... [ Continue Reading ]
_And shall devour the whole earth._ THE CHARACTER OF OPPRESSIVE POWER IN RELIGION A certain great power is introduced in Scripture prophecy, of large extent and long duration, and, in its nature and kind, different from all other powers and kingdoms in the world. The description of it was either i... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Saints of the Most High._ HEAVENLY SAINTS I. DISCRIMINATING FAVOUR. This is intended as a two-fold contrast--saints in contrast to those who are ungodly, and make no profession at all; and saints in contrast to those who are men-made saints, made saints by human device--not saints really. A s... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the kingdom and dominion shall be given to the people of the saints._ THE REIGN OF THE SAINTS Attend to some preliminary remarks. 1. The doctrine of the text does not require us to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is, at some future time; to return in person to our world and set up a visib... [ Continue Reading ]