Daniel
General
Daniel
is set before us in the Scriptures as one whom the Lord loved. Daniel was
carried captive with Jehoiachim, king of Judah, and many of the nobility of the
land of Israel, eleven years before the final captivity in the days of Zedekiah,
when the land was left desolate without an inhabitant, and the seventy years of
desolation began. Daniel was fourteen years old when carried captive to
Babylon, and consequently lived to the extreme age of over one hundred years.
R2492:3
Young Jewish captives proving their qualifications were given every
opportunity to use their talents for the benefit of the nation adopting them.
Daniel became Prime Minister in Babylon; and others of the Jewish captives
attained to the rank of presidents of different divisions of the Babylonian
empire. R5796:2 We may here learn a lesson of how God is able to make even the
disasters of life work out blessings for those who are truly loyal to him even
as Daniel and his companions were blessed and prospered in the enemy's land,
and advanced to positions far higher than they ever would have attained in
their own land. R4873:1 What heroic examples of godly zeal and fortitude, and
of friendship cemented by the bonds of a common noble purpose. Four young men
devoted to God mutually agree to set their faces like a flint against
temptation, and to live righteously and godly in the midst of a crooked and
perverse generation; and truly they have shone as lights, not only in their own
day, but down even to the present time. R1708:6
History tells us that ancient Babylon was captured by Cyrus the Great
and his army after a siege of considerable length, which was unsuccessful until
his soldiers digged a fresh channel for the river and turned aside its course.
Thus was the River Euphrates dried up; and the Medo-Persian army entered the
ancient city suddenly in the night, while the princes of Babylon, corresponding
to the notables of Christendom, were holding high carnival. The strong symbolic
language used in respect to Mystic Babylon corresponds so well to the prophetic
language respecting ancient Babylon that we are warranted in understanding that
city to have been a prototype of Mystic Babylon and her fall a prefigure of
Christendom's fall. SM410, SM411
The book of Daniel, as we have it in our common version of the Bible,
corresponds to that which was accepted by the Jews, but attached to it were
three stories-- "Bel and the Dragon," "The Song of the Three
Hebrew Children," and "The Story of Susannah," which have
nothing whatever to do with Daniel, and which bear no marks of being his
production nor give any evidence of inspiration. The book is one against which
the Higher Critics have thrown and are still throwing the weight of their
influence--they claim it was not written until long after the time of Daniel
and was merely given his name. Strangely enough these grounds of objection
become to us, who have a different view of the meaning of those prophecies, one
of the strongest evidences possible of the inspiration of the writer. Certainly
no prophet ever described more particularly the great events of universal
history, certainly none ever marked more clearly and distinctly than did Daniel
the precise time of the first advent of Messiah. The prophet Ezekiel, Daniel's
contemporary associated in the exile, twice referred to him in his prophecy,
classing him with Noah and Job. He mentions expressly Daniel's great wisdom.
R3630:1,2; PD89/103
Daniel 1
Daniel 1:1
In the third year -- Daniel was carried captive with Jehoiachim, king of Judah,
eighteen years before the final captivity in the days of Zedekiah. R2492:3,
R4873:1; Q80:1, Q94:2; HG58:1, HG518:5
Eleven years before Zedekiah.
R2492:3*; B52
Of Jehoiakim -- Often, by misinterpretation, applied to the times of
Antiochus Epiphanes. R3630:1
Came Nebuchadnezzar -- From this passage, we fix the date of Nebuchadnezzar's
reign from the Bible date of Jehoiakim's reign. R1976:3
Daniel 1:3
The king -- Illustrating the King of Glory. R4873:5
That he should bring -- Nothing gives us a higher opinion of the kings of
ancient times, their willingness to recognize character and merit wherever it
might be found, than does the record furnished in the book of Daniel. R2501:1,
R3638:6
Of the children of Israel -- With a two-fold object: to associate with the empire the
learning and skill of the world, and to promote a friendly feeling between
Babylon and the countries over which it held sway. R2493:1
Daniel 1:4
Children -- An illustration of Christians in this Gospel age.
R4873:5
In the king's palace -- Young Jewish captives were given opportunity to use
their talents for the benefit of Babylon. R5796:2
To be fitted to constitute a board
of wise men, counselors to the king. R4873:1
Teach the learning -- Illustration of the school of Christ. R4873:5
A three-year course of education
in the sciences. R2493:1
Daniel 1:5
The king's meat -- So that, being well nourished, they might be in their
best physical and mental condition. R4873:2, R5796:2
They shared in the food prepared
for the royal family. R5796:2
Good food--better probably, than
they had been used to previously. R2493:5
Daniel 1:6
Daniel -- "God is my judge." R2493:2, R3630:3
The names of the four young men
(about 16 years of age) imply a parentage that was reverential and loyal to
God. R3630:3
Daniel was 14 years old when
carried captive to Babylon. R2492:3
He had a noble, amiable, winsome
character. R2493:2
Hananiah -- "God is gracious," "Jehovah is
gracious." R2493:2, R3630:3
Mishael -- "This is as God," "God-like."
R2493:2, R3630:3
Azariah -- "God is a helper," "Jehovah has
helped." R2493:2, R3630:3
These four were evidently of noble
birth and religious training. R4873:1, R2493:2
Chosen because of their brightness
and general intelligence to be specialty educated for governmental positions.
R3630:4
Daniel 1:7
Gave names -- Changing their names by no means changed their hearts,
no more than did their being transported from the land of promise to Babylon.
R3630:4
They were given these new names to
break their identity with their native homes and establish an identity with the
kingdom of Babylon. R2493:2
These new Babylonish names implied
relationship or servitude to the deities of Babylonia. R3630:4
Daniel 1:8
But Daniel purposed -- Of the four, Daniel seems, from the first, to have been
leader, and his leading seems to have been in the right direction. R2493:4
In his heart -- The faithful, like Daniel, will set themselves to the
attainment of their object at any cost. Their faith tells them that their
object is worthy of their effort. R3631:4
All who receive the grace of God
into good and honest hearts will surely experience a cleansing work. R3631:6
The Lord places us frequently
where we have opportunities of choosing. It becomes a matter of character or
principle with us what we choose. There is no virtue in choosing the only thing
possible. R3631:3
Not defile himself -- Physically or mentally, by eating such rich food;
morally, by eating what had been offered to idols. R3630:5
To eat the king's meat would imply
to the people that the young men were receiving blessings from the heathen
gods. R5796:4
Daniel's objection to the food was
instigated wholly by religious duty, because of varieties forbidden under the
Law. R2493:5
They would rather deny themselves
than violate God's Law, indicating a mental and moral discipline. R2493:6
It is a mistake to suppose that
high living is specially conducive to intellectuality--not to mention
spirituality. R4873:2
Clean spiritual provender is
important to the Lord's flock. Those who come to a knowledge of the truth must abstain
from all defiled spiritual food and from mingling with the Babylonians at their
table. R2494:4
The Bible regulates the Christian
in respect to what he eats, drinks, where he goes, what he does, what he reads,
his companionship and even his very thoughts. R5796:5
The abstemious course,
self-denial, self-restraint, is all important to the upbuilding of the
character likeness of Christ. R3631:2
Sobriety and self-denial mean the
king's favor, bringing satisfaction and restfulness of heart and mind, and peace
with God and our consciences. R3631:5
"Let us cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of
God." (2 Cor. 7:1) R3631:6
To be cleansed from filthiness of
the spirit--evil thoughts, hatred, malice, strife, revenge, backbiting, evil
speaking--is most important. R3632:1, R3631:6
How careful all should be not to
bring into the church errors and false doctrines, misrepresentations of
Scripture, to defile or stumble or injure any of the Lord s little ones. R3631:5
We should be careful to have our
bodies as clean, pure and holy as possible. R3631:6
We must fight against our own
appetites in all the affairs of life. R3631:2
"If any man defile the temple
of God, him will God destroy." (1 Cor. 3:17) R3631:5
King's meat -- Daniel recognized that his health of mind and body would
be better if he abstained from these. R3630:5
The Bible does not prohibit the
use of flesh food. Our Lord and the apostles ate meat. R5796:3
Nor with the wine -- Gluttony and the use of alcoholic liquors stupefy the
brain. R3631:1
The Scriptures do not forbid
alcoholic liquors, but they indicate a blessing upon those who abstain, as well
as upon eunuchs. R5796:4
A lesson in favor of total
abstinence from intoxicants. R1403:1
Daniel 1:9
Daniel -- Specially favored of the Lord with visions and
revelations. R2493:2
Into favour -- Because of his meekness. gentleness and general nobility
of character. R5796:2, R4873:2, R2493:2
This favor meant the jealousy and
enmity of his associates. R3631:4
Whosoever will live godly in the
present time shall suffer persecution. R3631:4
Prince of the eunuchs -- The steward having charge of the students. R3630:6
Daniel 1:10
Endanger my head -- Not only cost him his position, but his very life.
R3630:6
Daniel 1:11
To Melzar -- To the Melzar, the butler. R2493:6
Daniel 1:12
Prove thy servants -- They were seeking to develop characters in accord with
the will of God for a better earthly resurrection. R3631:2
Seeking a course that not only
would have divine approval, but also cause as little trouble, inconvenience and
displeasure to others as possible. R2493:6
As ours will be a higher reward,
our trial of faith will be more crucial. R3631:3
Give us pulse -- Very plain and inexpensive vegetable diet. R2493:5,
R4873:3, R5796:3
Vegetables, particularly peas and
beans, which contain all the elements necessary for proper nutrition. R5796:3,
R3630:5
Nothing is gained by simply
abstaining from Babylonian portions and starving spiritually. Whoever abstains
from the defiled food must seek and use the simple and undefiled food which the
Lord provides. R2494:5
It is well nigh impossible to be
strong in willpower in respect to important things if lax and pliable in
respect to the less important. R2494:1
Christians are left to their own
judgments as to what food would best nourish them for the Lord's service.
R5796:3, R4873:6
Daniel 1:15
Countenances appeared fairer
-- There is a general operation of
divine law that whosoever seeks to live conscientiously, cleanly, honestly,
will have compensations in his own heart and life. R5796:5
Daniel 1:16
Melzar took away -- To the amusement of their associates, who would consider
them foolish for choosing simple fare when they might have king's food. R3631:1
Daniel 1:17
Children -- Youths. R4873:3
Knowledge and skill -- Not wholly miraculous under natural laws, boys with
enough character for self-denial for righteousness' sake would also have enough
character in all their affairs and studies. R2493:6
Daniel had understanding -- The specially favored of the favored four, his portion
included visions and revelations. R2493:2
Daniel 1:18
At the end of the days -- After the three-year course, when Daniel was seventeen.
R2494:1
Picturing the end of this age.
R4873:5
Bring them in -- Picturing the test of examination for those in the
school of Christ. R4873:5
Daniel 1:19
Before the king -- Their exaltation in his realm paid them for their
self-denials and their loyalty to God and to principle. R5796:4
Sobriety and self-denial mean not
only disappointments, trials, deprivations and oppositions, but they mean also
the King's favor. R3631:5
Though not a type, there is a
certain correspondency between this position and that occupied by those called
to joint-heirship with Jesus Christ. R2494:2
"Dare to be a Daniel"
--the Daniel spirit is a possibility with every person. R4873:5, R2494:4,
R3631:4
Daniel 1:20
Ten times better -- As a natural result of their courage and strength of
character. R2493:5
The result of devoting their lives
in doing the divine will. R4873:4, R5796:5
The four were advanced to
positions far higher than they would ever have attained in their own land.
R4873:2
Corresponding to those called to
joint-heirship in the Kingdom with Christ. R2494:4
It paid the young Hebrews well for
their self-denials and their loyalty to God and to principle. R5796:5
Astrologers -- Enchanters. R4873:4
Daniel 1:21
And Daniel -- Who lived to be over 100 years of age. R2492:3; HG518:6
See comments on Dan. 1:1. Our
Daniel, our Leader, our Lord Jesus, our example. R2494:4
King Cyrus -- Signifies "the sun"; corresponding to the
prophecy of Christ-- "The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in
his beams." (Mal. 4:2) R2498:4
Illustration of Messiah, King of
kings and Lord of lords, who, with his faithful, will shortly overthrow mystic
Babylon and possess the world. R2498:4
The "seventy years
desolation" ended with the first year of Cyrus, BC 536. R2509:3
Daniel 2
Daniel 2:1
Dreamed dreams -- God gave the dream and sent its interpretation through
Daniel, the prophet. SM417:1
Portraying the Gentile rule of
earth during the interregnum of God's Kingdom. R5526:2
Simultaneous with Zedekiah's fall
and the taking away of his crown. R5526:2
A dream of much more interest to
all Christians than it could possibly have been to Nebuchadnezzar himself.
CR41:6
Daniel 2:5
Cut in pieces -- Put to death as imposters, letting on that they had a
connection with the gods that they did not have. Q95:T
Daniel 2:9
Tell me the dream -- Arguing that if they had supernatural power by which they
could explain a dream, the same power could rehearse it. CR41:6
Daniel 2:15
Made the thing known -- Evidently Daniel was not with the magicians before the
king. Q95:T
Daniel 2:21
Removeth kings -- God had to do with the setting up and pulling down of
the universal governments. R5305:2
Daniel 2:28
Maketh known to the king -- And indirectly, more particularly, to the watchers.
R2976:6
Daniel 2:29
Known to thee -- Picture of Gentile rule of earth from the human
standpoint. OV82:2
Daniel 2:31
A great image -- Representing the four great Gentile universal empires.
A253; R419:6, R5564:3, R5854:1; Q82:1
Symbolizing not the people, but
the governments. A255
Showing the earthly governments
that would rule over the earth during the interim between the overthrow of the
typical kingdom of God and the installation of the true King in his Millennial
Kingdom glory. R2976:4
The period of time during which
these universal empires will have controlled the world must be the Times of the
Gentiles. R5564:3
Symbol of the world power in its
whole development and final destruction. R3359:4*
Was excellent -- From Nebuchadnezzar's, the world's, standpoint. A256;
CR42:2
As thus glorious the earthly
kingdoms are regarded by the world; but God portrayed the same four earthly
governments to Daniel, in chapter 7, as beastly. R166:2, R419:6, R815:2
Daniel 2:32
Head was of fine gold -- Representing the Babylonian empire. R166:2, R419:6,
R2976:4, R815:2, R5526:2, R5564:2; SM417:1, SM478:1; PD49/61; A253; OV82:2,
OV340:5; CR42:1
Breast and his arms of
silver -- Representing the
Medo-Persian empire. See references to Head was of fine gold. Belly and
his thighs of brass -- Representing the Grecian empire. See references
to Head was of fine gold.
Daniel 2:33
His legs of iron -- Representing the Roman empire. See references to Head
was of fine gold. Two legs represent the strong Roman empire, East and West,
Rome and Constantinople; each, in turn, was the Roman capital. OV341:3,
OV192:1; R3359:4; SM478:1
That Rome held universal sway in
the time of our Lord's birth is shown in Luke 2:1, "There went out a
decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed." A253;
CR42:1
If Israel had accepted Jesus as
King, the Messianic Kingdom would have been established at this point.
Foreseeing their failure, God pictured the extension of Gentile supremacy in
the feet of the image. OV82:2
His feet -- The toes are kingdoms, corresponding to the ten horns of
the beast of Dan. 7:7. R3359:4*
Being represented in the present
divisions of the Roman empire in Europe. R5854:1; SM478:1
The kingdoms now in existence,
represented in the feet, received their power and authority originally from the
Papacy or some of her protesting daughters who crowned them to reign "by
the grace of God." R815:2
It is upon the feet of this image
that the Armageddon crash of God's Kingdom is pictured as falling--grinding the
entire image to powder. R5854:1
Part of iron -- Represents civil governments. SM478:1; PD49/61; A254;
R3359:5*, R2976:5
Some places the iron is more
prominent and some places the clay. The iron, which has the strength, is
usually the most prominent. Q96:T
Part of clay -- Imitation stone; stone being the symbol of the true
Kingdom of God. A254; Q:81:1, Q96:T; SM417:3; R5564:5
Represented ecclesiasticism as it
is now mixed up with the politics of the ten kingdoms of Europe. SM478:1,
SM417:2; PD49/61; A254; R5526:2, R3359:5*, R2976:5; Q81:1
The commingling of the iron and
clay represented that blending of church and state known as the Holy Roman
empire. OV82:2
Daniel 2:34
Till that a stone -- The true Kingdom of God, Christ and the Church. A254;
CR42:3; SM417:2, SM479:2; OV82:3; R2976:5, R3293:2
The fifth universal empire,
Messiah's Kingdom. There have been two unsuccessful attempts to establish this
fifth empire-- one by Papacy and the other by Napoleon. OV340:5
A small stone, a Little Flock.
R2375:1
Messiah, Head and Body. R3293:2
The holy mountain referred to in
Isa. 11:9. R5575:4
During its preparation, while
being cut out, it might be called an embryo mountain, in view of its future
destiny; as the Church is sometimes called the Kingdom of God. A255
The New Jerusalem "coming
down from God out of heaven." (Rev. 21:10) R654:5, R2606:3
When he gives the saints with
Christ their Lord the heathen for an inheritance; when he gives the Kingdom
under the whole heavens to the people of the saints. R658:5
The Gentiles, not fully out of
power; but, their lease expiring, their eviction begins. Bix The Times of the
Gentiles is the period between the time that the image was set up or came into
power and the time that the stone is to smite the image upon the feet and crush
its power. Q82:1; SM478:1; OV82:3
Was cut out -- During the Gospel age this "stone" kingdom,
the true Church, is being formed, "cut out." A255; OV82:3
Without hands -- Without human aid. SM479:1
But by the power of God. R2606:3,
R3359:4*, R654:5; OV191:5, OV429:3
Smote the image -- The preparatory step to the establishment of Messiah's
Kingdom. R5526:2; OV341:1; B99
The impact is prominently noted
throughout the Scriptures as a "time of trouble such as never was since
there was a nation." (Dan. 12:1) OV83:T
The little period of 40 years
between 1874 and 1914 is, in the Scriptures, called the "Day of
Vengeance," the smiting time preparatory to the inauguration of the Kingdom
of righteousness. R1874:5
We expect this smiting in 1915,
not 1914. Q96:4
If Zedekiah's dethronement should
be dated BC 588, it would make the date 1932. My conviction, however, favors
1914. SM480:T
This smiting, we believe, is near
at hand (1915 comment), the present war in Europe being intended of the Lord to
weaken the nations and prepare them for the next stage of trouble. R5673:5
It is the smiting by this Kingdom
that is preparing for the wreck of all the kingdoms of earth. R1692:6, R5916:6
The dominion of earth. R2375:1,
R5575:3; A262
The Kingdom of God, when first set
up at the introduction of the Millennial age, will be small; but, as soon as
set up in power, it will smite the "great image" of earthly
rulership. R5575:2
The present smiting of the nations
is under Kingdom control. The fact that some of the members of the Kingdom
class are still in the flesh does not mitigate at all against this thought.
R5632:1
We see all about us evidence of
the beginning of the smiting, shaking and overturning of the present powers
preparatory to the establishment of the Kingdom. B170
The smiting will not come from the
Church in the flesh, with carnal weapons, but from the Church in Kingdom glory,
backed by divine power. R5716:4
Not until the Church is complete,
and Christ takes to himself his great power to reign, and the Gentile times
end, will this heavenly power be hurled against the image. OV82:3; A255
It is the Heavenly Father that
will do the smiting. You and I have nothing to do with that. Q82:2; CR42:4
The impact will be so sharp and so
thorough as to leave nothing of Gentile supremacy. R5527:4, R5854:1; SM479:1
Upon his feet -- The very last part of the image. CR42:4
Present earthly governments.
R668:5
The Roman empire still exists, not
in the form in which it was first recognized, but in the fact that it was a
combination of church and state and the two, uniting, sought to rule all Europe
and the world. Q96:T
It is upon the feet of this image
that the Armageddon crash of God's Kingdom is pictured as falling. R5854:1
Of iron and clay -- Civil and ecclesiastical powers. B78
The decaying power of the Roman
dominion. R815:2
Brake them to pieces -- Not gradually, but suddenly. R3359:5*
The crushing comes at the end of
the age, preparatory to the establishment of Messiah's Kingdom. OV341:1; R654:5
The present step (1915) is the war
of the nations. The next will be Socialism--attempted Socialism--and the third
step, anarchy. R5632:2
Not until Immanuel shall take his
great power and reign and bind Satan will there be permanent peace. R2361:1
Daniel 2:35
Then -- When the time came for the setting up of the Fifth
Universal empire. A260
The iron -- The Roman empire; civil power. A254; B78
The clay -- Ecclesiastical power. A254; B78
The brass -- The Grecian empire, which still has a measure of life.
A253, A260
The silver -- The Persian empire, which still has a measure of life.
A253, A260
The gold -- The Babylonian empire. A253
Together, all the evil kingdoms of
the prince of darkness. R2606:3
Broken to pieces -- Their utter destruction. R2338:5
Together -- Struck once--shattered all together. R3359:5*
Sir Isaac Newton observed:
"All the four beasts are still alive, though the dominion of the first
three be taken away." HG74:2
Like the chaff -- Ground to powder in the great time of trouble. R5575:3,
R2314:1, R5632:1
The Armageddon crash of God's
Kingdom is pictured as falling--grinding the entire image to powder. R5854:1
The impact will be so sharp and so
thorough as to leave nothing of them--they will cease to be. R5527:4
And the wind -- A great war. R3414:3
No place was found -- Graphic description of the end of Gentile governments.
OV83:1; R5527:4, R668:5
So long as these governments would
be here, they and Messiah's Kingdom could not cooperate. R5526:2
And the stone -- See comments on Dan. 2:34. After it had done the smiting
work. R3359:5*
Became -- Spreading, in its various parts, as do earthly
governments. D642
Gradually expanding. R2375:1;
SM479:2
Its own power and dominion will be
established as fast as by its varied influences and agencies it crushes and
scatters the powers that be. B78
A great mountain -- Kingdom. D642; R654:5, R409:6, R2606:3, R2976:6,
R5181:2, R5182:2
Many years will doubtless pass
before this prophecy will be fulfilled. R5182:2
Not by poor human efforts will
God's Kingdom come. R658:5, R414:5
Filled the whole earth -- Having broken to pieces the evil kingdoms of the prince
of darkness. R2606:3, R654:5
And not only the place where the
image stood. SM479:2
A worldwide Kingdom. R5181:2
As a spiritual unseen power, but
with human representatives who can be seen. R219:4
Daniel 2:36
This is the dream -- Containing a great political chart of the world's
history for the last twenty-five centuries. R662:1*
Tell the interpretation -- Daniel is the introduction to John; the book of John is
the completion of Daniel. Daniel is first John; John is second Daniel. They are
two parts of the same book, using the same symbols and hieroglyphics and
treating the same course of events. R662:1*
Daniel 2:37
A king of kings -- A king over kings; the first one represented in the
image. Q95:2
Nebuchadnezzar was made the
representative ruling head of human dominion--Lord of earth. B96
The greatness of Babylonia dates
especially from the time of the overthrow of Israel. At that time God
recognized it and it became the universal empire. Q80:1
The God of heaven -- Man's present efforts to rule are not in defiance of
Jehovah, but by his permission, for a limited time. A251
Hath given thee -- There the Gentile kingdoms, or "Powers that be,
were ordained of God." (Rom. 13:1) A253
Saying to the Gentiles, I will not
be ready to set up my Kingdom for some time. In the interim you may have
opportunity to demonstrate what you can do for the world. Institute the best
government that you can. R5564:4
They are all Gentile governments
and not representatives of God. All these kingdoms are demonstrating various
principles of government. HG569:6
We are interested in these
kingdoms because we are interested in mankind in general, and we may pray for
them such wisdom as God sees best. R5205:1
A kingdom -- For the opportunity to see what he could do with it.
R5204:4
The first kingdom in the image.
Previously God had his own kingdom of Israel in the world, during which time
there could be no other universal empire. Q81:1; R2497:2; HG48:2
Daniel 2:38
And the fowls -- Almost the same language addressed to Adam. B96; HG49:1
Into thine hand -- And not into the hand of his dead father, Nabopolassar,
as some suppose. R1978:5
Each of the five universal monarchies
existed a long time before universal dominion was given into its hand. B100
Thou -- Babylon, represented by Nebuchadnezzar. A253; OV340:4;
SM417:1
It was under Nebuchadnezzar's
administration that the Babylonian empire reached its zenith. R2497:2
Art this head -- The representative head of earth. B96; R2497:2
Daniel 2:39
Another kingdom -- The succeeding Medo-Persian empire. A253; PD49/61;
OV340:4
These are all Gentile kingdoms and
not representatives of God. All these various kingdoms demonstrate various
principles of government. R5204:5
Had only one nation been permitted
to experiment with the race, we would not have known whether other nations
might have been successful if given the opportunity. R5204:5
Third kingdom -- Grecia. A253; OV340:4
Daniel 2:40
Fourth kingdom -- Rome. A253; OV340:4
The present governments of Europe
are the Roman empire under a new gloss, or pretense. Their laws, methods and
ambitions are those of the Romans exactly; but, deceiving and being deceived,
they call themselves Christian kingdoms. R5673:4
The Roman empire still exists as a
combination of church and state although there has been a disintegration
between the iron (civil) and the clay (ecclesiastical) powers. A254; Q96:T
Strong as iron -- The iron empire, Rome, was by far the strongest and
endured longer than its predecessors--in fact, it still continues in the
nations of Europe. A253
Daniel 2:41
Feet and toes -- The present divisions of the Roman empire. A254;
OV340:5; R5854:1; SM405:4
Today we have the division of the nations
known as Christendom--Protestant and Catholic--as represented by the toes of
the image. OV82:2, OV83:7
The ten toes are also pictured in
the ten horns of the terrible beast of Dan. 7. OV83:7
America is not included directly,
only indirectly. R5854:1
Part of potters' clay -- Ecclesiastical powers. Q96:T, A254
Part of iron -- The civil power. A254; Q96:T
The kingdom -- The Holy Roman empire. A253; Q81:1
Shall be divided -- The Roman empire passed through the course
foretold--first united, then divided. R662:3*
Strength of the iron -- The iron, or civil power, is usually the most prominent.
Q96:T
Iron mixed with miry clay -- Religious and civil power mixed--an imitation of stone
which is the symbol of the true Kingdom of God. A254; Q81:1; R5673:5
Daniel 2:42
As the toes -- These ten divisions of the Roman empire now exist as
France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, Spain, Portugal, Lombardy,
Romania and Ravenna. HG12:6
Daniel 2:43
Thou sawest iron -- Civil power. A254
Mixed with miry clay -- Ecclesiastical power. Q96:T, A254
The gloss of nominal Christianity
covering the civil power, outwardly resembling Christ's Kingdom. R5564:5; Q81:1
Mingle themselves -- Blend together in confusion, Babylon. A254
Shall not cleave -- Not thoroughly amalgamate. A254
When the miry clay becomes dry and
"brittle" it loses its adhesive power. The iron and clay now shows
signs of dissolution and will quickly crumble when smitten by the
"stone," the true Kingdom. A254
Daniel 2:44
In the days -- From 1874 to 1914 AD. C128
While they still have power. A262;
B99, B170; R5631:5
Now the Day of the Lord has come.
Earth's rightful King takes his great power and begins his reign while yet the
powers of darkness hold their places. R1161:3
Of these kings -- The last of the Gentile powers, the so-called Christian
kingdoms of Christendom, represented in the toes of the image. A262, A254;
D623; OV340:6
"Kingdoms of this
world," (Matt. 4:8) Gentile kingdoms, permitted to hold sway until the
time of Messiah's Kingdom-- and no longer. R4799:3
So also Babylon existed before it
conquered Jerusalem and Medo-Persia before it conquered Babylon. All kingdoms
must first exist and receive superior power before they could conquer others.
B99; HG75:3
The ten powers, representative of
the Roman empire, before they are destroyed in the "Day of the Lord."
R112:6, R798:4, R82:2
Whether the strife will extend
beyond the boundaries of Roman rule we do not know. CR494:6
Shall the God of heaven -- Not by poor human efforts. R658:5, R414:5
It is Jehovah's work to set up
Christ's dominion. "I will give thee the Gentiles for thine inheritance
and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." (Psa. 2:8) A309
Set up -- To exalt his Church. C115
Gradually establish in power and
authority. A262; R2375:1, R5181:2
The first step in the setting up
of this Kingdom was the raising of the sleeping saints in 1878. R5631:5
The Church is the Kingdom now only
in the prospective sense that a babe is a man. When we are glorified with our
Head, that will be our exaltation, the heavenly Kingdom "set up."
R397:4
In the full sense when The Christ
is complete, every member glorified. R5193:1; B77
The inauguration of Messiah's
Kingdom in the world. R5328:2, R5181:2
It is set up before the kingdoms
of earth fall. R60:5*
Earth's rightful King begins his
reign while yet the powers of darkness hold their places. R1161:3
The setting up of this Kingdom
will mean, of course, the overthrow of all the kingdoms of this earth. R307:5
The two cannot long stand
together. R1161:3
Our setting up must be before the
plaques which are represented as destroying earthly kingdoms. R112:6
A kingdom -- Present representatively throughout the Gospel age,
unrecognized by the world. D623; R397:4
This is a prophecy of restitution,
because any prophecy of the Kingdom of Christ and his saints is a prophecy of
restitution. HG336:3
It shall have no successors, for
the others will all be destroyed. R2976:6
The Kingdom for which our redeemer
himself taught us to pray. R1776:5, R2724:4, R2976:5; D429
Established on the principles of
justice and equity, based upon the golden law of love to God and men. R420:5,
R166:6
When the Day of the Lord is fully
under way, all the tribes of earth shall mourn because of him (Matt. 24:30) who
is now assuming control. R748:4
Never be destroyed -- Unlike the changing Gentile kingdoms represented in the
image. D623
The righteous King shall take
possession of earth's governments. R2724:4
Not be left to other people -- As the power of the image shifted from one people to
another. D623
It shall have no successors, for
the others will all be destroyed. R2976:6
But it -- The Lord's Kingdom, which is even now engaged in the
shaking and overturning work. B170
Our Lord assured his faithful
that, at the time of the establishment of his Kingdom and the overthrow of
Gentile power, the overcoming Church would be with him and have a share in that
work. D624; CR493:5
Break in pieces -- "As the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to
shivers." (Rev. 2:27) A256; D429; R507:3, R2691:6
When the Kingdoms would be given
to "the people of the saints of the Most High," they were to
"smite them in pieces as a potter's vessel" This intimates that in
some sense the Lord will take possession before they have been completely
overthrown. R5631:5, R3293:4
Utter destruction in a great time
of trouble. R2375:1, R2338:5, R5328:2; A255
Not by bloodless revolution of the
ballot box, but by a "time of trouble." (Dan. 12:1) R1563:6
The intimation is that the
catastrophe coming upon our civilization will be a sudden one. The Scriptures
do not say that the trouble will come in an hour, or in one day, or in one
year. R5328:2
The great ones of earth will not
voluntarily resign their power and offices but will have to be driven off their
thrones. The saints, however, fight not with carnal weapons and will have
nothing to do with this driving. R1156:1
Thus by "breaking in
pieces" --throwing down--"the kingdoms of this world become the
kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ," and "he shall reign
forever." (Rev. 11:15) R409:3
The "kingdoms of this
world," even while being crushed by the Kingdom of God, will be quite
ignorant of the real cause of their downfall. C129
At the time of the establishment
of the Kingdom and the overthrow of Gentile power, the overcoming Church would
be with him and have a share in that work. D623
The grand blessings of restitution
are already begun in this trouble, which is a blessing in disguise, breaking in
pieces and removing the present governments and systems represented in
Nebuchadnezzar's image. R852:1
And consume -- Jezebel shall be "eaten by dogs" --the nominal
church will be cast down and consumed. R235:5
All these kingdoms -- Not people. R419:6
The nations of Europe and America.
R2691:5
Surely every one which formed part
of the old Roman empire. Whether the strife will extend beyond the boundaries
of the Roman rule, whether it will involve America, we do not know. CR494:6;
R5854,1
No nation on earth can now be said
to have God's special fatherly providence over it. R1561:6
Present governments are pictured
as beastly, and God's saints should rejoice in the promise of their overthrow.
R1563:6
Therefore we can neither labor nor
pray for the perpetuation of the governments of this world. R798:4
Shall stand for ever -- The next, fifth, universal empire, under Messiah.
R2976:6, R2145:1; A260
The world needs a "strong
government" to hold it in check and bring blessings and happiness to every
creature. R2145:1
The kingdoms of this world, being
all overthrown, will be re-established on principles of justice and equity,
based upon the golden law of love to God and man. R420:5
Daniel 2:45
That the stone -- Representing the true Church, the Kingdom of God. A255;
R2375:1, R5564:5, R1408:2; OV82:3; PD49/61
At first, insignificant in size
and seeming powerless to the world. R5575:3
God's Kingdom will not remain
small, but will gradually expand until it shall fill the whole earth. R2375:1,
R5575:2; SM417:2
Was cut out -- Carved and shaped for its future position and greatness.
A255
Of the mountain -- Mountains, kingdoms of the earth. R654:5
Without hands -- Not by human hands, but by the power of the truth. A255;
R5673:5
Supernaturally; quarried out of
the "earth" by the Lord. OV341:T, R5575:3
And that it -- When complete, when entirely cut out, it will smite and
destroy the kingdoms of this world. A255
Brake in pieces -- Smite the image and grind it to powder. This smiting is
near at hand. R5673:5
The smiting will come from the
Church in Kingdom glory, backed by divine power. R5716:4
Messiah, Head and Body, shall overrule
so that the nations of earth shall be broken to shivers. R3293:5, R5631:5
The present terrible war (1914) is
not the great time of trouble in the fullest sense of the word, but merely the
forerunner. The great time of trouble will be brought on by anarchy. R5526:3
The dream is certain -- The stone is rolling; the hill is steepening; the
impetus becomes terrible very soon, and 20
years will amply suffice to
destroy old things and fit the earth for the new. R1705:3*
Daniel 2:48
Over all the wise men -- The expectations of the Magi (Matt. 2:1-12) may have
arisen from Daniel's prophecies and the calculations by which he pointed to the
time of Messiah's advent. R1674:6
Daniel 3
Daniel 3:1
Nebuchadnezzar -- The representative lord of earth. B96
Recognized not only as civil, but
also as religious ruler. R2494:6
Representing the Papacy. R2495:6
Made an image -- Having just won some great victories over the
surrounding nations of Egypt, Syria, etc. R2494:2
Pride overbalancing his judgment.
PD51/62
Of Bel-Merodach, the god
Nebuchadnezzar believed had given him his victories. R4874:1
To impress all nations with the
greatness and magnificence of the Babylonian power and of the futility of
resisting it. R4874:1
Symbolizing the coming Protestant
Confederation, cooperating with the Papacy. D581; R2495:6
The Roman Catholic church is an
idol, as are the Greek Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian,
etc. -- all similarly demanding worship, obedience and revenue. R2496:1
The first step in the formation of
the symbolic image of Papacy is the organization of the Evangelical Alliance;
the second step is an active living cooperation of Protestants as one system.
R2495:6
The great Evangelical Alliance of
so-called Protestant denominations; the likeness to the "Beast"
consisting of its doctrines and general policy. R1409:4
There are idols just as potent
today--the various creeds of Christendom which men have set to intercept the
worship of the true and living God. R1408:6
The religious unity of the empire
was to be demonstrated b a general worship of the golden image. R4874:2,
R2494:3, R4873:6
Ninety feet high and nine feet
wide. R2494:3, R4874:2
Worship of the symbolic beast and
his image is to be a great test or trial upon professing Christians in the end
of this age. R2495:6
Of gold -- Not necessarily of solid gold. Herodotus mentions a
smaller statue at Babylon of solid gold, weighing 43,000 pounds. R4874:5
Set it up -- Today various idols are set up all over Christendom.
R2495:5
The plain of Dura -- Probably in the center of the city of Babylon. R2494:3
Daniel 3:2
Sent to gather -- Benevolence, as well as wisdom, was at the foundation of
Nebuchadnezzar's scheme. R4874:1
Considering the theory of the Jews
to bless all the families of the earth a wise one, and himself the opportune
person to carry it out. R4874:1
Daniel 3:3
Of the provinces -- The provinces of Babylon today are the various civilized
nations--deluded into calling themselves kingdoms of Christ,
"Christendom." R2495:5
Daniel 3:5
Golden Image -- Which represented Nebuchadnezzar in that it represented
his god. R4874:2
Having one religion might help to
cement the various incongruous elements of his kingdom. R4874:1
Daniel 3:6
Falleth not down -- Those who will not bow are overcomers. R2495:6, R323:6
The time is fast approaching when
the religious liberty we now enjoy will be greatly restricted and the work of
disseminating truth interfered with by combined civil and ecclesiastical power.
R1409:1
The worship of the symbolic beast
and his image are to be the great test or trial upon professing Christians in
every province of symbolic Babylon in the end of this age. R2495:6
Fiery furnace -- Symbolizing the time of trouble. B162; C146
Daniel 3:7
The golden image -- Representing Nebuchadnezzar in that it represented his
god. R4874:2
Daniel 3:8
Certain Chaldeans -- No doubt the three Hebrews, like all good men, had their
enemies. R2494:6
Daniel 3:12
Certain Jews -- Daniel is not mentioned here, possibly because he was
one of the king's personal staff and household. R2494:6
Just where Daniel was at this time
we do not know. R4873:3
Have not regarded -- Had defied the king's power. R4874:3
Daniel 3:13
Rage and fury -- Disappointed at the only in harmony that had occurred
with his great project. R4874:5
At the three whom the king had so
graciously treated at the time of their captivity, and who apparently owed so
much to him. How ungrateful and traitorous they appeared. R4874:6
When we read that King
Nebuchadnezzar became furious we should sympathetically remember the circumstances.
R4874:5
Daniel 3:14
Shadrach, Meshach and
Abed-nego -- Daniel is omitted,
possibly because, as a member of the king's personal staff, his conduct would
not come so directly in contrast with the general conduct. R2494:6
Just where Daniel was we do not
know, but his three companions were governors of Babylonian provinces. R4873:3
It was a crucial test for them,
for they knew that to cross the king's will meant death. R2494:6
Worship the golden Image -- All, including Israel, were commanded to worship the
idol. R1408:2
Daniel 3:15
If ye be ready -- He would give these headstrong governors a further
chance for their lives. R4874:4
Cornet, flute, harp -- Picturing the enchanting music of the hour. R323:6
Ye fall down -- Thus indicate their loyalty to the king and to his gods.
R2494:5
If ye worship not -- A treasonable offence punishable with death. R1408:2
Fiery furnace -- Perhaps the one used in melting the gold for the image
of immense size. R2495:3
Representing fiery trials--social
ostracism and financial boycotts. R2496:1
If New Creatures be called upon to
go through a furnace of affliction, God will be with them that they shall not
be hurt, but blest. R1409:5
Who is that God -- In his arrogance of mind he felt prepared to contest
even the unseen and unknown invisible powers. R2495:1
Daniel 3:16
Answered -- In their faithfulness to God, these three men preferred
a dreadful death. R1408:2
In modern times the killing is not
necessarily physical, but in a social sense--cutting off of influence, name, etc.
R1409:4
Not careful to answer -- Not anxious to argue the matter with the king. R2495:2
Daniel 3:17
If it be so -- We are not able to know what may be God's will
respecting the remainder of our lives. R4874:4
Whom we serve -- Not merely worship. R2497:1
Let us resolve to neither worship
nor serve sectarianism nor mammon, but only the Lord our God. R2497:4
God's children today should refuse
to bow down to the image of war. Q731:4; R5755:5
Fiery furnace -- Of tribulation; in their families, communities or businesses.
R323:6
He will deliver us -- If not a present deliverance, then a still more glorious
deliverance and reward in the future. Daniel 3:18
But if not -- If he does not choose to deliver us, that will not alter
our course. R5755:5
We must not expect God to deliver
us in every case. R4874:4
There are two ways of escape--by
avoidance of the trouble or being kept from its poignancy by "grace
sufficient" --out of the furnace of affliction, or in the furnace heated
seven times. R2975:5
While the Lord delivered the three
Hebrews, he did not prevent the beheading of John; while Peter was delivered,
James was not; while Paul's life was preserved, the Apostle John was cast into
a caldron of boiling oil. R2496:3
To be loyal and true to God in
these days requires as much courage and true heroism as was necessary in the
days of gross idolatry. R1408:6
There are trials before the Lord's
people today that are fully as severe. R2495:5
Not serve thy gods -- Various creeds of Christendom and traditions of men.
R1408:6
God's children should refuse to
bow down to the image of war. Q731:4
We must neither worship nor serve
sectarianism, nor mammon, nor fame, nor friends, nor self. R2497:4
Daniel 3:19
Full of fury -- He had conquered the world. Would he now be defied by
these three men? R4874:5, R2495:1
Visage was changed -- From admiration to hate. R2495:2
Heat the furnace -- Naphtha may have been the fuel used in the great open
furnace. R4874:5
Seven times more -- To its utmost capacity. R2495:3; PD51/62
Forgetting that thereby the
sufferings of those cast therein would be diminished. R4874:5
The Lord will keep his
own--whether out of the furnace of affliction, or in it, heated seven times.
R2975:5
Daniel 3:20
Most mighty men -- Prominent officers, to demonstrate the power of his
army. R2495:3
Daniel 3:21
In their coats -- In their official garb. R2495:3
Cast into the midst -- So here, those who do not worship the image are speedily
in a "fiery furnace" of tribulation. R323:6
Daniel 3:22
The flame of the fire -- A Jewish legend tells that the fire streamed out 75
feet, perhaps driven by a gust of wind or perhaps occasioned by the throwing in
of additional fuel. R4874:5
Slew those men -- Possibly by the inhalation of the flames. R2495:3
Daniel 3:24
Three men -- In Dan. 6:7 Daniel alone refused to worship any but the
true God; here the three "Israelites indeed" refused to worship the
image. So the number who are not worshiping the image now are probably three to
one over those who did not worship the beast. R323:6
Daniel 3:25
Loose -- Sometimes the fires of persecution merely burn the cords
that bind the Lord's people and give them larger opportunities to serve the
truth than they could otherwise have. R2496:3
They have no hurt -- The Lord may possibly allow his saints to go through
much of the time of trouble, but render them fireproof in the midst of it,
because the Son of God is with them. B162
Form of the fourth -- Of the most remarkable appearance, causing the kin to
speak of him as one of the gods. R4874:6, R2495:3
The Son of God -- The Head--the True Head--is with those who will not bow
when all others bow. R323:6
The faithful ones pass through
trying experiences with fortitude, having endured as seeing him who is
invisible. (Heb. 11:27) R4784:4
New Creatures, going through a
furnace of affliction, shall be blest by the Master's presence and communion.
R1409:5, R2496:2
Daniel 3:26
Ye servants of...God -- The king realized that he had made a great mistake and
defied the great God. R2495:4
Daniel 3:27
Fire had no power -- Satan imitates this exercise of divine power among
Indian medicine men. R2174:2
The fire in the end of this age
"shall try every man's work of what sort it is," (1 Cor. 3:13)
consuming all but the genuine faith and character structures. R2496:4
Daniel 3:29
Shadrach, Meshach and
Abed-nego -- The king rejoiced in the
noble characters of these men. R2496:5
He promoted them to still higher
positions. R2495:5
So with Christians. Having
demonstrated their fidelity to God to this extent, their trials and troubles
are turned into blessings and joys. R2496:2
No other God -- A simple and beautiful acknowledgment of the God of the
Hebrews. R2495:4
Sometimes even the worldly, seeing
the Lord's people in the furnace of affliction receiving a blessing, thus
glorify our Heavenly Father's name. R2496:3
While idolatry had been one of the
chief sins of the Israelites before the captivity, they had little idolatry in
its crude form afterward. R2495:4
Daniel 3:30
The king promoted -- To still higher positions, for they had still more of
his confidence respecting their integrity. R2495:5
Daniel 4
Daniel 4:10
Visions of mine head -- "None of the wicked shall understand; but the wise
shall understand." (Dan. 12:10) R598:3
Behold a tree -- The first dominion of earth. B94
Daniel 4:14
Hew down the tree -- In death. B94
The beasts get away -- The lower creation no more found shelter and blessing
under man's influence. B94
Daniel 4:15
Stump of his roots -- God's purpose and plan of restitution. B94
A band of iron -- That it should not sprout until the appointed time. B94
And let it -- The figure changes from a tree to a degraded man. B95
Daniel 4:16
Heart be changed -- Man's heart has become beastly and degraded through the
fall. B95
So history seems to show that
during the period of Gentile dominion the poor world has been in a measure
insane, putting light for darkness and darkness for light. CR44:6
Let seven times -- In the Bible a "time" is used in the sense of
a year. A symbolic year as used in prophecy is reckoned on the basis of a lunar
year--12 months of 30 days each, or 360 days--each day representing a year.
B89; CRI40:2
The final and conclusive
punishment visited upon the Jews, the "Times of the Gentiles." Seven
symbolic times would be 2520 years, beginning with the 70 years of desolation
of the land in 606 BC and ending in 1914 AD. B91, B97
A "prophetic year" of
360 days, used to symbolize 360 years, is an arbitrary arrangement peculiar to
its intended symbolic use. It is neither a lunar year of 354 1/3 days nor a
solar year of 365 1/4 days. A prophetic year, or time, would mean 360
actual, or solar years, of the
common reckoning. R1979:6
Repeated four times (verses 16,
23, 25, 32) as in Lev. 26
(verses 18, 21, 24, 28). HG49:3
When perfect man lost his ability
and right to reign. it was taken away and given to the Adversary whose reign of
terror and death lasted 6000 years--but limited by the Almighty as to time and
power. R196:4
Daniel 4:17
Most High ruleth -- Exercises a supervisory oversight. Q502:1
God's government is general over all
his works. R196:4
The Lord guides in the affairs of
nations now, only so far as will promote the fulfilment of his own purposes.
R5466:5: Q501:7
A hindering or restraining power.
Q502:3; R5466:6
Kingdom of men -- Not that he authorized them to represent him. Q502:1;
R5466:6
Whomsoever he will -- God used King Cyrus to perform his bidding. Q501:5;
R5466:3
Setteth up -- Whoever sat on the throne of Israel was there as the
Lord's representative. R5466:3; Q501:4
Basest of men -- He brings to power those who will have the disposition
to do what he purposes when his due time has arrived. R5467:1
For example, Pharaoh, the perverse
king of Egypt. Q501:5; R5466:3
Daniel 4:22
It is thou, O king -- Nebuchadnezzar, typifying the original dominion given to
Adam: "Thou art this head of gold." (Dan. 2:38) B96
Daniel 4:23
With the beasts -- Typical of human degradation under beastly governments.
B96
Till seven times -- Typifying the Times of the Gentiles. B95, B97; R2498:1
Daniel 4:25
Seven times -- This, being a type, covers only seven literal years.
R109:5*
During Gentile domination of 2520
years the poor world has been in a measure insane. CR44:6
Daniel 4:26
Leave the stump -- The root of promise and hope, planted first in Eden and
borne across the flood and transplanted with Israel, will sprout and bloom
again. B98
That there might be a restitution
of the kingdom. HG49:2
The heavens do rule -- The kingdom of earth is sure to man after he has learned
that the heavens do rule. R196:4
Daniel 4:28
This came upon the king -- We understand that God's dealing with King
Nebuchadnezzar was prophetic. R5466:3
Daniel 4:30
Great Babylon -- 14 miles square surrounded by walls 350
feet high (300 feet--R2497:3) and
80 feet broad. having 100
gates; the largest and strongest
fortress in the world at that time; it was the center of commerce, art and
wisdom. R2497:3, R3632:3, R4901:6
Daniel 4:32
Seven times -- The "Times of the Gentiles." B95, B97;
R109:5*; CR44:6; HG49:5
Shall pass -- Although the Gentile times do expire, it may be that the
Lord will not immediately dispossess them. R5449:4
Whomsoever he will -- He might have given the Kingdom to Jesus without
redeeming man at all had he seen good to do so. A274
Daniel 4:33
Nebuchadnezzar -- His period of bestial degradation represents the madness
upon the world. R3361:2
Daniel 4:34
The end of the days -- Typically. Antitypically, the end of the Times of the
Gentiles. B97
Understanding returned -- So at the end of the Gentile times, after 1915 AD,
reason will begin to come back to the prodigal son (Israel). R3361:3
Already we begin to see reason
returning to mankind; men are awakening to some sense of their degradation, and
are on the lookout to improve their condition. B98
Typifying the restitution of
earth's dominion. B97
After the close of the Gentile
times humanity will regain its sanity and praise the God of heaven. CR44:6
Daniel 4:37
Praise and extol -- Nebuchadnezzar and other nations, even those in
idolatry, reverenced Jehovah, the God of Israel. R2541:3
Daniel 5
Daniel 5:1
Belshazzar the king -- Identified with the Nabonidus of secular history whose
name appears on ancient tablets. R2497:2
The grandson of Nebuchadnezzar.
R3632:3
His name has the same
signification as that given to Daniel, Belteshazzar, both signifying
"Favored of God." R2497:2
Under whose reign came the
collapse which pride, fulness of bread and abundance of idleness always insure
and hasten. D24
Made a great feast -- A boast in the greatness of Babylon. R2497:5
To renew memories of their great
victories of the past. R4901:6
Corresponding to the great
denominational union expected soon. R2498:6; HG521:4
Daniel 5:2
The golden -- Representing the precious truths of God's Word: also,
the Little Flock. R2498:6; C96; HG521:4
And silver vessels -- Representing the Great Company. R2498:6. R4079:4*;
HG521:4
These were profaned by drinking
therefrom to the honor of Bel, the god of Babylon. R2497:5
Gold and silver: Divine and
natural truths or doctrines. R1483:6
Nebuchadnezzar had taken -- In the pillage of Solomon's Temple--a triumph over the
Jews. R4901:6
Out of the temple -- Solomon's Temple. R4901:6
Might drink therein -- Typifying injuries and defilements yet to come. R2498:6
Corresponding in Mystic Babylon to
a spirit of boastfulness, of pride, of intoxication with error, apparently
drawn from the Divine Word. SM410:3
Daniel 5:3
Brought the golden vessels -- To renew memories of past victories over the Jews and
supposedly over their God. R4901:6
Daniel 5:4
They drank wine -- So mystic Babylon is said to make all nations drunk with
the wine, doctrine, which she gives them out of the golden cup which she holds
in her hand. HG521:6
Praised the gods -- Drinking to Bel, the god of Babylon. R2497:5
Daniel 5:5
Wrote...upon...wall -- In letters of fire. R4902:1
A message from Jehovah announcing
the end of Belshazzar's dominion as a just punishment for his sacrilege.
R3633:2
Daniel 5:7
Scarlet and...gold -- Some in mystic Babylon, having received honors and
robes, are inclined to hide the message now due to Babylon. R2497:6
Daniel 5:8
Nor make known -- Even if they had deciphered the letters and words, they
had no interpretation to offer, because, from their standpoint, the true
meaning would seem too far from the truth. R2497:5
Daniel 5: 10
The queen -- The king's mother. R2497:5, R3633:1
Daniel 5:13
Daniel -- At this time about 90 years of age. R3632:3, R2497:5
Daniel 5:16
A chain of gold -- As an insignia of rank. R2497:6
Daniel 5:17
Gifts be to thyself -- Had Daniel accepted them he would have felt obligated to
the king to such an extent that it might have warped his judgment or weakened
his expression of the Lord's message. R2497:6
Rewards to another -- Daniel renounced all claim to these gifts as a reward.
R2497:6, R3633:2
Those who would be mouthpieces of
the Lord should serve without stipulation of compensation. R2497:6
Thus many of the Lord's true
servants in mystic Babylon are hindered by having received robes and honors and
are inclined to hide or cover the message now due. They are bound by the chains
of gold around their necks. R2497:6
The interpretation -- The secret evidently lay in the manner in which the
letters were arranged, the characters themselves being Chaldaic. R4902:1
Daniel 5:18
O thou king -- The aged prophet displayed gentleness as well as
fearlessness in the delivery of his message. R2498:1
God gave Nebuchadnezzar -- Though his father, Nabopolassar. is recorded by history
as the founder of new Babylonia, the "Times of the Gentiles" could
not begin while God's typical kingdom in Israel remained--until the days of Zedekiah.
R2497:1
Daniel 5:21
Till he knew -- King Belshazzar, knowing this, should have humbled
himself and been reverential toward Jehovah God. R3633:2
Daniel 5:23
Lifted up thyself -- Belshazzar boasted of his fortress and declared that the
gods of Babylon were superior to all others. R3633:1
Vessels of his house -- To profane them in the worship and glorification of
idols. R2498:1, R3633:1
Nations which have dealt unjustly
with the Jews or have persecuted spiritual Israelites have been punished.
R3633:5
In whose hand -- Power. R2498:1
Thy breath is -- The God of all life has full power to control your
course. R2498:1
Daniel 5:24
The part of the hand -- The warning hand of divine providence. D42
Sent from him -- It was recognized as being of superhuman origin. R3633:1
Daniel 5:25
MENE, MENE -- Mene was repeated twice, probably for the sake of
emphasis--Numbered! Numbered!--the limit of the time of your dominion has
expired. R2498:2
TEKEL -- Short weight, lacking. R2498:2
The Babylonian kingdom had
retrograded from the original type. R4902:1
Mystic Babylon falls for a similar
reason. R2498:4; SM411:T, HG521:3
In this day of his presence our
Lord is judging the nations and weighing them in the balance. R5989:1
At that very time Cyrus' army of
retribution was investing the city. R3633:3
UPHARSIN -- Broken or crushed into pieces, destroyed. R2498:2;
HG520:1
Similarly the hand of providence
now foretells the impending doom of ecclesiasticism. D42, D76, D97; F592
A type of the fall of antitypical
Babylon at the hands of the antitypical Cyrus, Christ. R4901:6
Daniel 5:26
Numbered -- The days of your rule have been numbered by God.
SM411:T, HG713:4
Finished it -- The limit of the time of your dominion has expired.
HG520:1
The spirit of the world has so
fully taken possession of the ecclesiastical powers of Christendom that
reformation of the systems is impossible and individuals can only escape by a
prompt and timely withdrawal. D42
We should not look for light where
little remains but the fading reflections of a former glory. R5993:6
Daniel 5:27
Thou art weighed -- God does actually balance and weigh the conduct of
people. While grace is the basis of his dealing, it is dispensed according to
certain principles. R3633:4
Judgment is being laid to the line
and righteousness to the plummet. (Isa. 28:17) R5989:1
In the balances -- Both the heathen and the masses of Christendom take up
the golden rule and the law of love wherewith to measure the doctrines,
institutions, policy and general course of Christendom. D97
Found wanting -- Later Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome would be given a
trial. Each of these has proven its insufficiency--its inability to bring the
blessings of Messiah's reign. R4902:1
Daniel 5:28
PERES -- Of which Upharsin is the plural. Nothing in the word
signifies Medes and Persians, but Daniel knew the prophecy and that they were
already besieging the city. R2498:2
Daniel 5:29
Third ruler -- After the government was transferred to the hands of
Cyrus, the honored Jew, Daniel, found in a position of trust, was made an
officer in the new government of Medo-Persia. R3633:3
It is to Belshazzar's credit that
he so honored Daniel. R3633:3, R2498:2
Daniel 5:30
In that night -- Thus did great Babylon fall suddenly--"in one
hour." (Rev. 18:19) R2498:3
Soon--quickly--great Babylon will
be cast as a mighty millstone into the sea. HG713:4
Slain -- So far from destroying all the rulers of Babylon,
including Daniel, Darius apparently spared all but the king alive, and gave
Daniel a very high position in the empire. R2501:1
Daniel 5:31
Darius the Median -- It would appear that Cyrus was in some respects the
chief, yet that Darius was the representative of authority in Babylon for a
time, and that upon his death Cyrus became sole emperor. R2509:3
He may have been Cyrus the Mede.
R3638:3
Typifying The Christ in the time
of trouble in the end of the Gospel age. R2498:4; HG520:6
Took the kingdom -- The River Euphrates flowed through the center of Babylon
under enormous gates of brass. Cyrus diverted its waters and marched his troops
under the gates into the city. R2498:2, R509:6*, R3632:6; PD51/62; SM410:3;
HG520:2
As literal Babylon sat upon the
literal River Euphrates, mystic Babylon is said to sit upon the waters,
peoples. As the literal city was captured by the diversion of the waters, so
symbolic Babylon will fall by the diversion of the symbolic Euphrates:
"And the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east
might be prepared." (Rev. 16:12) R2498:4, R510:1*; HG520:5
"Without fighting," as
the tablets declare. R2498:3
So complete was the destruction of
that great city that even its site was forgotten and was for a long time
uncertain. D25
The wonderful prophecies which
speak of the fall of Babylon (Isa. 14:22; Jer. 50 & 51) were not wholly
fulfilled by Cyrus the Persian. R2498:3
Daniel 6
Daniel 6:1
It pleased Darius -- Identified with the Cyrus of secular and Biblical
history. R3638:3
Possibly Darius was merely an
official title of Cyrus; or, Darius may have been vicegerent of Cyrus in
Babylon. R3638:3
The whole kingdom -- The entire civilized world. R3638:6
Daniel 6:2
Daniel was first -- At this time Daniel was an old man. R4874:3
Honored as the most competent and
trustworthy. R3639:1, R2502:1
God's dealings with spiritual
Israel are different. Our rewards for faithfulness are spiritual;
joint-heirship with our Lord in the heavenly Kingdom. R3633:5
Their desire to have such a man of
high repute in authority seems to evidence good intentions in their governing
of the world. R4875:1
Have no damage -- No doubt he stood in the way of many schemes for the
plundering of the treasury. R2501:2, R4875:2
Daniel 6:3
Was preferred -- Because of his honesty and opposition to unjust
practices. R3639:1, R4875:1
A compliment in recognition of his
ability, indicating the king's breadth of mind. R4875:1
Daniel 6:4
Sought to find -- Envy and hatred are set down in the Word of God as works
of the flesh and of the devil, antagonistic to everything that is good and
right and approved of the Lord. R3639:3
Against Daniel -- He was sure to have a host of secret enemies. R2501:2;
PD52/62
Because he interfered with their
schemes of graft. R3639:2
"All that will live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, (2 Tim. 3:12) "Because ye are not
of the world ... the world hateth you." (John 15:19) R2501:2
Could find none occasion -- Oh, that every Christian would live as high above the
world's standards as did Daniel; that their enemies might have no grounds for
charges except those to their credit. R4875:5
Nor fault -- Nothing that they could bring against him as a real
charge or crime. R3639:2
Daniel 6:5
Law of his God -- They knew that Daniel's religion lay at the foundation
of his entire course in life. R4875:2
Not finding any wrong doing in
Daniel, they concluded to entrap him in his well-doing. R3639:5
Daniel 6:6
King Darius -- He, like every other man, was approachable through
flattery. R4875:2, R3639:5
Daniel 6:7
A firm decree -- The king was supposed to be possessed by Ormuzd, the
deity of the empire, so his decrees were considered infallible and inviolable
even by himself. R2501:4, R3640:4
Suggested as a piece of
statecraft, it was a fraud upon the people. R2501:4
Save of thee -- The kings of ancient times posed as chief priests and
vicegerents of their gods. R3639:5, R4875:2
The claim was that such a
recognition would elevate the dignity of the throne in the minds of the people.
R4875:2
Had the decree been different,
Daniel's course might have been different. If it had banned public worship, he
might consistently have worshipped in private. R3640:2
Similarly, the popes of Rome claim
to be the vicegerents of Christ. R3639:5
Flattery and vanity have often
been the tools of the Adversary for the injury of the Lord's people and cause.
R3639:5
The false reasoning was of the
Jezuitical sort, that an evil or falsehood is justified if beneficial results
are hoped for. R2501:4
Every leader in the family of God
should be on guard against accepting to himself any credit due to God for the
truth or some ability in presenting it to others. R3639:6
Daniel 6:10
Daniel knew -- He understood that the purpose of it was to entrap him.
R3640:2
That if God would not deliver him
now he would, in his own good time and way, grant him a still more glorious
deliverance. R1409:6
In his chamber -- An upper chamber for quiet, rest and prayer, reached
usually by an outside staircase. R3640:1
Toward Jerusalem -- The typical city of God and its Temple. R2501:6
Calling to mind the gracious
promises respecting the Holy Land, that it would yet be the center of the whole
earth and of God's holy people. R4875:4
Because Daniel remembered the
promise of Israel's return to Jerusalem after 70 years of desolation. R3640:1,
R2501:5
He kneeled -- Unwilling to assume a less humble position before God
than he and others assumed toward earthly kings. R2501:6
It is impossible for a Christian
to maintain a proper walk in life without regularity in prayer -- we are almost
inclined to say, without kneeling in prayer. R2501:6, R3640:2, R4875:4
Upon his knees -- Daniel was not satisfied merely to close his eyes in
prayer after he had retired to rest. He was not ashamed to bow the knee to the
Almighty. R2501:6
Daniel's private worship in so
public a manner may have been because to have worshipped in secret might be
misunderstood to mean he did not worship at all. R2501:5
The Lord commended differently to
the household of faith: "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and
when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret."
(Matt. 6:6) R2501:5
Three times a day -- The child of God will desire to commune with his Creator
as surely as he will desire natural food and drink for the sustenance of his
natural body. R2502:1
And prayed -- He would not sell his conscience and deny his God; he
would not pretend he was praying to Darius. R3640:2
We should be extremely careful
about compromising conscience. R3640:2
Without communion with his Maker,
his faith and his loyalty to principle could not be maintained in the midst of
corruption. R4875:4
It is impossible to live a
consecrated life in neglect of prayer. R4875:4
As the sharpening of scythes in
harvest time does not mean lost time or energy, so also time spent in prayer is
not lost as respects the affairs of life. R4875:4
The thought of praying in
solitude, however, does not interfere with the thought of family prayers or
prayers in the church, which is the Lord's family circle. R3640:3
Daniel 6:14
Then the king -- His eyes were opened and he beheld the trap. R3640:4,
R4875:5, R2502:2
Displeased -- He was ashamed of the part which he felt compelled to
take. R4875:5
With himself -- These words are lacking from some of the reliable
manuscripts, making the displeasure all the broader to include the counsellors.
R3640:4
Daniel 6:15
May be changed -- A veiled threat of insurrection. R2502:2
Daniel 6:16
Brought Daniel -- A man whose faithfulness to the Lord and to principle
was so strong in faith that he could go to the lion's den without fear. R3640:6
Much more, why should we, if
faithful and with still greater light, fear and quake under such circumstances?
R3640:6
Into the den -- Probably a lion pit surrounded by high walls. R3640:5
Servest continually -- Every Christian life should testify to his own character
and faithfulness, and of the God whom he worships. R2502:2
Daniel 6:17
A stone -- Used for a door, sealed with thongs, the knots of which
were sealed with the king's signet. R4875:5
Probably fastened to its place
with an iron bar. R2502:3
Of his lords -- Who were amongst the conspirators--to prove that it was
not tampered with. R2502:3
Daniel 6:19
And went in haste -- It is good to realize that our worldly friends are
watching us to see to what extent our God delivers us from the difficulties and
trials of life's pathway. R3641:2
Daniel 6:20
God, whom thou servest -- The king properly associated Daniel's faithful service
to God with his hope respecting God's faithfulness to Daniel. R2502:3
Able to deliver -- At present, some who are not of the consecrated have
considerable faith in God and in us as his children. R3641:2
Daniel 6:22
Sent his angel -- His providences. R2502:5
Any power or agency which God
might employ. R2502:4, R3641:3
"The angel of the Lord
encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth them." (Psa. 34:7)
R3641:3
The lions' mouths -- Restrained from doing violence to Daniel. R2502:4,
R3641:3
Lions great and small, picturing
tests that come to us, threaten the Lord's people in the present time; but, as
illustrated by Bunyan, they are chained and go only so far, leaving room to
pass between. R3641:1
It is possible for human mouths to
do us more harm than the mouths of wild beasts. R2502:5
God is not less able to send his
providences to prevent injury to his people now. R2502:6
"No lion shall be
there." (Isa. 35:9) R3641:1
Have not hurt me -- "Nothing shall hurt nor destroy in all my holy
mountain." (Isa. 11:9) R3641:1
Was found in me -- Haughtiness and bravado are wholly lacking in the
prophet's announcement of the great favor of God on his behalf. R2502:4
The Lord's people are not to boast
of results, but to give the glory to God. R2502:4
And also before thee -- A conscience "void of offence toward God and
man." (Acts 24:16) R3641:4
Daniel 6:23
No manner of hurt -- Because of his faith and loyalty to God, Daniel was
delivered. R1409:2
It may please the Father to
deliver us as he did Daniel, or he may overrule otherwise as in Stephen's case;
but always He overrules to bless. R2502:6, R3641:3
Daniel 6:24
Into the den -- Making a test as to which were worthy in the sight of
the Lord. R3641:5
Josephus adds, from tradition,
that the conspirators claimed the lions had been previously fed and that the
king demonstrated the matter by having the lions liberally fed before throwing
them into the den where they were speedily devoured. R2503:1
It is not for us to think of
having our enemies devoured, nor to rejoice over their fall. R3641:5
Those who dig pits for others are
likely to fall therein themselves. R2503:4
Daniel 6:25
Darius wrote -- Declaring his reverence for Jehovah, the God of Daniel.
R2541:3
Daniel 6:28
The reign of Darius -- It would appear that Cyrus was in some respects the
chief, yet that Darius was the representative of the authority in Babylon for a
time, and that upon his death Cyrus became sole emperor. R2509:3
Cyrus -- As Cyrus, a type of Christ, overthrew Babylon, so a part
of the work of the second advent will be the overthrow of antitypical Babylon.
R5092:3, R2498:4
Daniel 7
Daniel 7:2
My vision -- Containing a great political chart of the world's
history. R662:1*
Such visions are sometimes
counterfeited by Satan and made to seem ordinary by cataleptic sleeps and
hypnotic trances. R2033:2
Four winds -- The great time of trouble, also pictured as a tidal
wave, a whirlwind and a great fire. R5863:6; D528
Of the heaven -- The higher, or ruling, powers. R318:3
Upon the great sea -- The restless masses of mankind. A318
Daniel 7:3
Four great beasts -- Representing the Gentile governments as ferocious,
destructive, beastly and selfish, from the standpoint of the Lord and his
people. A261; R166:2; PD50/61
Beastly because the base of action
for every carnal man is pure self-interest. R1189:3
Indeed beastly. How perfectly they
represent, in their evil and death-dealing power, their master, the devil.
R419:6
The sea -- The masses of mankind, not under religious restraint.
R318:3; A318
Daniel 7:4
First was like a lion -- Babylon. R318:3; A257; Dvi; OV270:6
The earth -- The people, under or obedient to the ruling powers.
R318:3
Daniel 7:5
Second, like to a bear -- Medo-Persia. R318:3; A257; Dvi; OV270:6
Three ribs Three kingdoms it subdued. HG48:4
Daniel 7:6
Like a leopard -- Greece. R318:3; A257, Dvi; OV270:6
Four wings -- Representing the rapidity of the movements under
Alexander the Great. HG48:4
Alexander's kingdom was divided by
his four generals-- Seleucus, Philopater, Antiochus Epiphanes and Ptolemaus
Philomater--and broken into fragments. C27, C28
Daniel 7:7
A fourth beast -- The Roman empire. A257; C76; Dvi; OV270:6
No descriptive name given, because
it was so ferocious and hideous that none of the beasts of the earth could be
compared with it. A258
The same as the dragon of Rev
13:1, 2. R318:3, R420:1
Stamped the residue -- Nothing could withstand its power. OV83:6
It had ten horns -- The ten divisions of the Roman empire. A258
Kingdoms. R318:5, R3359:4*
Babylon is represented as being
divided into ten different wards, each of which represents one of the kingdoms
of Christendom, and which corresponds to the ten horns of the symbolic beast.
Compare Rev. 11: & Dan. 7:7. SM405:4
Corresponding to the ten toes of
the image of Dan. 2. PD50/61; OV83:7; HG20:4; R3359:4*
Daniel 7:8
There came up -- In 539 AD. C76, C95
Another little horn -- The Abomination of Desolation, the Papacy (Matt. 24:15);
that Wicked One (2 Thess. 2:8); the Man of Sin (2 Thess. 2:3); the Mystery of
Iniquity (2
Thess. 2:7); the Antichrist (1
John 2:18); the Son of Perdition (2 Thess. 2:3); the Beast (Rev. 13:1). A258;
B271, B272, B277; C64, C76, C95
Papacy, the Leopard Beast of Rev.
13, containing certain qualities resembling the first three beasts combining
certain leading characteristics of the preceding empires, uniting them in the
power of the last. R318:3
Representing ecclesiastical power
enthroned amid political power. PD50/61
Before whom -- In 476, 489 and 539 AD, respectively. C76, C77, C95
There were three -- The Western empire, the Heruli and the Ostrogoths. (The
Western empire was an exarchate of the Eastern empire.) A258; C76, C77
Lombardy, Romania and
Ravenna--since then the church element has worn the three-crowned hat. HG65:3
Of the first horns -- Powers. C76
Plucked up -- The Western empire by the Heruli, the Heruli by the
Ostrogoths and the Ostrogoths by Justinian on behalf of the Papacy, which
actually held the city and suburbs of Rome continuously from AD 539. C76-C79
Were eyes -- Representing intelligence and a farsighted policy. A258;
B305
And a mouth -- Representing Papal utterances and claims. A258; R1732:5
Claiming to be the vicar of
Christ. He assumed to speak as the mouthpiece of God. R388:3*
The power of the Papacy has been
that of its mouth, guided by its knowledge. B305
"And there was given unto him
a mouth speaking great things ... and he opened his mouth in blasphemy."
(Rev. 13:5, 6) "And he shall speak great words against the Most
High." (Dan. 7:25) B305
Speaking great things -- But not saying whether they are great truths or great
untruths. In Revelation also, Papacy is described and its language quoted
without adverse criticism. R1732:5
Illustrated by the boastful words
of Pope Martin V. HG269:6
Making boastful claims. It should
not surprise us that God should ordain, as part of its reward, that it should
eat its own words. R509:6
Daniel 7:9
Till the thrones -- Governments, rulerships. A92
Were cast down -- The thrones of earth will be cast down and the dominion
transferred to the great Prophet and Judge. R893:2, R2609:1
Head like the pure wool -- Suggestive and symbolic of venerableness, of knowledge,
experience, wisdom. R2826:4
Daniel 7:10
A fiery stream issued -- Symbolic of severe judgments--a time of trouble. C302;
R668:5
During the time when rich men weep
and howl (Jas. 5:1-3; Zeph. 1:18); when the nations are angry (Rev. 11:18);
when the stone smites the feet of the image (Dan. 2:34); when the kings of the
earth make war with the lamb (Rev. 19:11-21). R668:5
Thousand thousands -- Not only of his saints, but of numerous other agents and
agencies. C302
Times ten thousand -- AU mankind. C302
Judgment was set -- It has already begun upon the institutions of nominal
Christendom and will spread to all the nations, living and dead. C302
And the books -- Of the divine revelation. C302
Were opened -- Made plain as never before. C302
Daniel 7:11
I beheld then -- After the decree against the Papacy; after its judgment
had begun; after its dominion was gone and it was powerless longer to crush the
Truth and power of the holy people. C68; A260; HG93:6
Of the great words -- "There was given unto him a mouth speaking great
things." (Rev. 13:5) B305
Illustrated by the claim of
infallibility, made in 1870. A259
Which the horn -- Papacy. C64, C76, C95
I beheld even -- That it got no power over the holy saints, but it did
have another effect. C68
Till the beast -- The remnants of governments in the old Roman empire,
represented by its horns. C68; A259
Was slain -- By the rising of the masses. A259
As a result of the misleading
influence of Papacy's continued bombastic utterances, even after its dominion
is gone. C68
Signifies the overturn of the
civil and religious systems of our day. OV83:8
His body destroyed -- Their organizations as governments. OV83:8
Although the nations shall never
rise up again, yet the people who compose the nations shall come forth from the
grave to be blessed by God's kings and priests. R2338:5
The burning flame -- To general anarchy. C68
Utter destruction. R2338:5; A260
The fourth beast will lose
dominion and life at once. A260
Daniel 7:12
Rest of the beasts -- Babylon, Persia and Greece. A260
Their dominion -- Universal dominion of earth. A260
Their lives were prolonged -- Sir Isaac Newton observed: "All the four beasts are
still alive, though the dominion of the first three be taken away." HG74:2
A season and time -- Their lives as nations did not cease immediately. A260
Not so with the Roman empire, the
fourth and last. A260
It will lose dominion and life at
once, with all the others. A260
Daniel 7:13
The Son of man -- Greek: the Son of the man (Adam). E150, E153
The seed of Adam, through Eve.
E152
Does not imply that the life of
this Son would come either through Adam, Abraham, David or Mary. E152
Messiah. E150; SM595:2; R3788:1
The Scriptures identify the Son of
Man with the Lord of Glory and with the 'man Christ Jesus, and with the
pre-human Logos. E150
The Jews understood the term as
synonymous with Messiah. R943:6*, R3788:1
Not in the sense of being a man,
but because he was the son of the man David with whom Jehovah made an
everlasting covenant, perpetuating the throne to him and his seed forever.
R944:1*
With the clouds -- Clouds of trouble. R1796:6
The kingdoms become his when he
comes "with the clouds" and not his coming as the "man of
sorrows." HG79:6
Ancient of days -- Jehovah. A261
Daniel 7:14
There was given him -- "Whose right it is." (Ezek. 21:27) R2609:1;
D12
At the end of the Times of the
Gentiles. OV115:3; A270
The Christ, Head and Body,
complete. A260
By Jehovah, the great King. A261,
A308
Dominion -- The present dominion of earth will be transferred to the
great Prophet, Priest, King and Judge. R2609:1, R893:2
A kingdom -- When he appears in power and great glory. R2361:1,
R4715:1
The Kingdom of God for which we pray,
"Thy Kingdom come." (Matt. 6:10) R1776:5; D429
Should serve him -- At present they do not; they must be brought by
chastisement to submission. R268:5, R592:3, R409:3
His dominion -- He shall take dominion, associating with him his
faithful followers. R799:1
The winepress of the wrath of God
must first be trodden. R3359:6*
Daniel 7:17
Out of the earth -- At best they are but kingdoms of this world. A270
Daniel 7:18
The saints -- The Little Flock, the Royal Priesthood. R1855:3, R2490:2
Under the new rule there will be
new rulers. R268:5
Shall take -- Forcibly. D518
Not by poor human efforts. R658:5,
R414:5
To "smite in pieces as a
potter's vessel," (Psa. 2:9) intimating that, in some sense, the Lord will
take possession of them before they are completely overthrown. R5631:6
The kingdom -- Dominion. R268:5, R409:3
The fifth universal empire, the
Kingdom of God. R307:5, R1776:5, R2145:1
Under which "all the families
of the earth shall be blessed." (Gen. 12:3; Gen. 28:14) R1195:4
Daniel 7:19
Know the truth -- The nature and length of the dominion. C67
The fourth beast -- The Roman empire. A257; C76; PD50/61
Daniel 7:20
And of the other -- The Papacy. C76, C95
Which came up -- In 539 AD. C76
And before whom -- In 476, 489 and 539 AD, respectively. C76
Three fell -- The Western empire, the Heruli and the Ostrogoths. A258;
C76
Mouth that spake -- Papal system making boastful claims. R509:6
See also comments on Dan. 7:8.
Daniel 7:22
Judgment -- The judgment against the "thrones" of the
present time follows speedily upon the introduction of the Millennial reign.
R893:2, R2609:1
The saints -- The Little Flock, the Royal Priesthood. R1855:3, R2490:2
The kingdom -- A strong government, in order to control the avarice and
discontent and to cause the bounties of divine providence to minister blessings
to every creature. R2145:1
"They shall reign with Christ
a thousand years." (Rev. 20:6) R654:6
To bless all the families of the
earth; the resurrected dead as well as those nations then living. R1195:4
Daniel 7:24
Another shall rise -- The beginning of this temporal power of the popes was
gradual, from AD 539, but it was fully established in AD 800 when Charlemagne,
king of France, was crowned by Pope Leo III. R1093:6
Daniel 7:25
And he -- The Papacy, the Man of Sin. C64; R665:5
Speak great words -- "There was given him a mouth speaking great
things." (Rev. 13:5) B305
Against the most High -- Every tide of the true Christ and every prophecy
describing his future glorious Kingdom, have been applied by the popes to
themselves and their Antichrist reign. R1093:6; B307
And shall wear out -- By the Confessional, the Inquisition and by
persecutions, such as were inflicted upon the Waldenses, Albigenses,
Wycliffites and Huguenots. B328, B329, B334-341
To change times -- By establishing the Church in power before the Lord's
time. B310; R5911:3
And laws -- The divine laws, by modifying them to suit his own
schemes. B310; R5911:3
Into his hand -- Like Elijah's three and a half years of hiding in the
wilderness from Queen Jezebel, these correspond to the 1260 years of the true
Church in the wilderness condition where she had fled from the antitypical
Jezebel. R5857:4
Dividing of time -- In the Bible a "time" is used in the sense of
a year. A symbolic year as used in prophecy is reckoned on the basis of a lunar
year--12 months of 30 days each, or 360 days--each day representing a year.
B89; CR140:2
Three and a half times or years
(360 x 3 1/2 equals 1260
days; symbolic time, 1260 literal
years), from 539 to 1799
AD, the period of Papacy's power.
C64, C68; R5857:4
There is abundant proof that this
is the way God intended us to calculate symbolic time. (See Rev. 11:2, 3, 9,
12; 12:6, 14) R389:3*
Daniel 7:26
Away his dominion -- Papacy's dominion, and ecclesiastical domination in
general. D37
To consume -- Gradually from 1799 AD onward. D37; A259
This was the point and edge of all
the preaching of the Reformation. R307:3
Unto the end -- Showing that the judgment was to sit on that power and
take away its dominion before the end. HG21:1
Final complete destruction. C50,
C95; D37
Daniel 7:27
Kingdom -- This Messianic Kingdom is to be established to bring
mankind back into harmony with the divine arrangement. R5181:2
The golden age of prophecy.
R2361:1
For which our Redeemer taught us
to watch and pray. R1776:5, R1855:2
The fifth universal empire. R307:5
It is the Kingdom of God--the
Kingdom of Allah! CR113:3
It is in that Kingdom only that
the saints have their citizenship; it alone they recognize. R318:6
The Church with her Lord is to
constitute that Kingdom, and it cannot be established until the gathering of
the elect from the world has been accomplished. CR21:5
Dominion -- This dominion Jehovah will wrest by force from the
"prince of this world," Satan, and will give it to his Son, whose
Bride will share her Bridegroom's Kingdom. R5574:1
But they will not need the
dominion, having attained the divine nature. Therefore the Kingdom of earth
will be eternally the portion of perfected mankind. CR426:5
Under the whole heaven -- Under a heavenly or spiritual ruler. SM502:1
Worldwide. R5181:2
Upon the completion of the
election of the saints. R4812:2
Full liberty to do right will be
firmly and forever established by earth's new King. R683:6
Shall be given -- Some of the kingdoms represented in the Gentile image
will be remaining at that time. R5631:5
Transfer will be accomplished in a
great time of trouble which is to end the present world. R5574:1
Is Christ to have dominion and
glory and a kingdom, that all nations should serve him? The same is given to
the saints. R30:6*
When he gives the saints, with
Christ their Lord, the heathen for an inheritance. (Psa. 2:8) R414:5, R658:5
People of the saints -- The Kingdom class will consist only of our Lord and his
"elect" of this Gospel age. D618; A261
God's faithful ones who suffer
now, subject to the powers that be. R5574:1, R507:2
"The upright (saints) shall
have dominion over them in the morning." (Psa. 49:14, 15) R2600:2
Who are to "dash them
(beastly kingdoms) in pieces like a potter's vessel." (Psa. 2:8, 9) R5631:5
"To execute upon them the
judgment written; this honor have all his saints." (Psa. 149:9) A261
Not by going into earthly
politics. R2145:1
Whose kingdom -- The first step in the setting up of this Kingdom was the
raising of the sleeping saints of the Gospel age. R5631:6
Everlasting -- The Kingdom of earth will be eternally the portion of
perfected mankind. CR426:5
Because being of God's
appointment; not by poor human efforts. R318:6, R414:5, R658:5
And all dominions -- Christ's Kingdom is ultimately to be something more than
a work of grace in the hearts of believers. A282
Shall serve and obey -- Become subject to Christ. D12
First they must be brought to
submission by chastisement. R592:3
His reign will be "the desire
of all nations." (Hag. 2:7) R5204:4
As New Creatures prove their love
for the Lord by suffering with him now; so the "earthly" must show
their love and obedience to the same Lord when he is reigning with his saints.
R1149:5*
Daniel 8
Daniel 8:8
The great horn -- Alexander the Great. C27
Four notable ones -- The four divisions of Alexander's empire. C27, C31
Ptolemy in Egypt, Seleucus in
Asia, Lysimachus in Asia Minor and Cassander in Macedonia. C31
Daniel 8:9
A little horn -- Civil or Imperial Rome, which rose to influence upon the
ruins of the Macedonian empire and then underwent a change and became Papal
Rome, the Abomination of Desolation. C27, C64, C95, C98
Daniel 8:10
And it -- The Papacy, the Abomination of Desolation. C64, C98
Waxed great even to -- To controlling. C96, C98
The host of heaven -- The entire church. C96
And of the stars -- The shining lights. C96, C104
Daniel 8:11
Magnified himself -- In the person of its head, the pope. C104
Even to the prince -- Even to assuming dignities, prophecies and titles
belonging to Christ Jesus, the true Prince of the Church. C96
Of the host -- The great mass of the nominal church. C37, C108
And by him -- And from him, Christ. C96
The daily sacrifice -- The continual sacrifice. C96, C98
Was taken away -- Christ's continual sacrifice was not actually cancelled
or abolished by Papacy, but it was set aside by the false doctrine of the Mass.
C98
Papacy substituted a false or sham
sacrifice in the place of the one everlasting, complete, never-to-be-repeated
sacrifice of Calvary made once for all time. C102
And the place -- And the base. C96
The doctrine of the ransom is the
base of the Sanctuary or holy Temple, the consecrated Church. C103
Of his sanctuary -- The truly consecrated, in the nominal church. C37, C109
Was cast down -- Was overthrown. C96
By the doctrine of
transubstantiation and the sacrifice of the Mass. This was the center of
Luther's attack on the Papacy in AD 1517. C99, C109
Daniel 8:12
And an host -- And the host, the people. C96
The rejection of Babylon
(Christendom) in 1878 was the rejection of the mass of professors--the
"host," thus distinguished from the Sanctuary or Temple class. C180
Was given him -- Was given over to it. C96, C103
The daily sacrifice -- The continual sacrifice. C96
By reason of -- Through. C96
Cast down the truth -- Together with such of the host and of the teachers as
held fast to the truth and would not unite with its course of transgression.
C104
Daniel 8:13
The daily sacrifice -- The continual sacrifice. C96
The transgression -- The earliest mention of the Mass was at the Council of
Constantinople, AD 381, a date not particularly referred to in this prophecy.
C103
Of desolation- That maketh
desolate. C96
Daniel 8:14
Unto 2300 days -- 2300 literal years, "From the going forth of the
commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem" (Dan. 9:25), 454 BC to 1846
AD, when the Sanctuary class was separated by the formation of the Evangelical
Alliance. B67; C107, C119
As the seventy weeks, or 490 days
(Dan. 9:21-27), were the forepart of the 2300, their fulfillment shows us where
the 2300 began and whether literal or symbolic time was signified. C107
The work of cleansing the true
Church from the defilements of the Dark Ages culminated in 1846 and was but
limited. R5565:6
The sanctuary -- A nucleus of the "holy people," the Sanctuary,
would become free from the errors of Papacy. C123
The host was not cleansed, they
retained the error; but the consecrated class, the Sanctuary, renounced the
error and suffered for truth's sake, many even unto death. C109
Be cleansed -- Freed from the traditions of Babylon. R4334:6
The Great Reformation of the 16th
century is the date for the commencing of the cleansing of the Sanctuary. C108
At a time sufficiently in advance
of 1874 to make ready a people prepared for the Lord, a people in devout
expectancy of his coming. C129
Marking, not the beginning of the
cleansing work, but a period in which it would be, in a measure, finished. C105
Protestant church-state union was
the snare by which the Adversary impeded the cleansing of the Sanctuary, and
reformation and cleansing, for a time, ceased. C111
The cleansed Sanctuary will soon
be exalted and filled with the glory of God. C26
Daniel 8:17
Understand -- Mark well. C96, C105
For at the time -- Because for the time. C96, C105
Of the end -- It cannot be understood sooner and will terminate then.
C105
Shall be the vision -- Is the vision. C96
Daniel 8:18
In a deep sleep -- In amazement. C97
Daniel 8:19
In the last end -- To the end. C97, C105
Of the indignation -- Of these evil predictions. C97, C105
For at -- For it pertaineth to and shall be fulfilled. C97, C105
Time appointed -- Appointed time. C97, C105
AD 1799. C129
The end shall be -- Of the end. C97, C105
The dominion of the "Man of
Sin" was taken away. C129
Daniel 8:20
Are -- Signifieth. C97
Daniel 8:22
Now that being -- Now that it was. C97
Whereas -- And that. C97
Stood up for it -- Sprang up in its stead, signifieth. C97
Not in his power -- Not with his power. C97
Daniel 8:23
Are come to the full -- Have filled the measure of their guilt. C97
"For the iniquity of the
Amorites is not yet full." (Gen. 15:16) C97
A king -- The Papacy, the Abomination of Desolation. C64, C97
Of fierce -- Impudent or shameless. C97
Dark sentences -- Deep schemes. C97
Shall stand up -- Shall arise. C97
Daniel 8:24
Shall be mighty -- Shall be made mighty. C97
Not by his own power -- Not with his own force. Papacy strengthened itself by
using the force of the various nations of Europe. C97
Prosper, and practise -- Do more than can be believed. C97
And shall destroy -- Or corrupt. C97
The mighty -- The mighty ones. C97
The holy people -- Saintly people. C97
Daniel 8:25
Through his policy -- By his cunning skill. C97
Craft to prosper -- Deceit to prosper him. C97
In his hand -- In his power. C97
And by peace -- And by prosperity. C97
Shall also stand up -- As Antichrist. C97
Daniel 8:26
And the vision of -- And that part of the vision concerning. C97
Evening and the morning -- Or, the "vision of the days," giving it the
same rendering as in verse 14. HG650:1
Which was told -- That there would be 2300 days to the cleansing. C97
For it shall be -- For it will be fulfilled. C97
For many days -- For a very long time; not merely for 2300 literal days.
C105
Daniel 8:27
And was sick -- Sick at heart by the thought of so many evils coming
upon God's people. C105
None understood it -- None could interpret it. C106
The prophets wrote not for
themselves and the people then living. but for the Gospel Church. R1418:6
Daniel 9
Daniel 9:2
Understood by books -- By Jer. 25:11; Jer 29:10 and 2
Chron. 36:20-23. B64, B191
Accomplish seventy years -- We cannot make seventy years desolation of the land into
fifty-one years' desolation for the sake of harmony with Ptolemy. R3437:3
Desolations of Jerusalem -- Seventy years of desolation, not of captivity.
R1976:1,4, R3437:3
Daniel 9:3
To seek by prayer -- His earnestness and faith in the promises pleased God,
who therefore revealed to him something more concerning the vision. C106
With fasting -- We have good New Testament precedent for the observance
of literal fasts. R2022:4
Daniel 9:18
For thy great mercies -- Pray, trusting in God's love and mercy. R5380:5*
Daniel 9:19
For thine own sake -- Pray, pleading God's glory. R5380:6*, R5381:1*
Daniel 9:20
Speaking, and praying -- Let us be encouraged to pray always and not to faint
when the answers seem to tarry long. R1866:4
Confessing my sin -- How many prayers are hindered because the one who asks
does not first purify himself. R1866:4, R2022:5
Daniel 9:21
Speaking in prayer -- Concerning the vision of 2300 days which Daniel
misunderstood to mean a prolongation of the 70
years captivity of fleshly Israel
in Babylon. C106
Vision at the beginning -- In the vision of 8:16, referring him back to that
vision. HG88:1
Touched me -- Spiritual beings can appear as common men with fleshly
bodies, as did Christ after his resurrection. HG29:3
Daniel 9:22
To give thee skill -- To teach thee. C107
And understanding -- That thou mayest understand. C107
Daniel 9:23
At the beginning -- Not the end, but at the beginning of our supplications,
God begins to shape circumstances to work out blessings for us. R1866:4
The commandment -- The further declaration of God's plan, now being
communicated. C107
To shew thee -- To tell it. C107
The matter -- This further matter. C107
Consider the vision -- Have understanding of the vision of the 2300 days. C107
Daniel 9:24
Seventy weeks -- Seventy literal weeks would be 490
days; seventy symbolic weeks would
be 490 years. B65; C107; R600:4
490 years specifically set apart
as a period of favor to the Jewish nation. R4344:2, R2620:5, R2657:5, R4842:2,
R5470:3, R5836:5, R19:6
Ended 3 1/2 years after the death
of Christ; after which the Gospel privileges were open to the Gentiles,
Cornelius being the first convert. R1451:2, R2811:6, R5963:6, R5163:2; Q150:3
Divine favor to Israelites must
and did continue to them down to the full end of the 70 weeks, although
national favor ceased 3 1/2 years earlier, in the midst of the 70th week.
R2620:5, R2931:2, R5963:6
Are determined -- Marked off, cut off, or set apart as a part of the 2300
days or years. C107; B65
Upon thy people -- Israel. C107; HG66:1
Provided and foretold for
"Israelites indeed." R4504:3
Upon thy holy city -- Jerusalem. C107
An end of sins -- "He put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."
(Heb. 9:26) B68
To those whose iniquities were
reconciled for by our Redeemer's sacrifice. R4504:5
Reconciliation -- The iniquities of the Church were cancelled at the
heavenly Mercy Seat when Jesus "ascended upon high" (Eph. 4:8);
unbelievers are still unreconciled. R4504:5
Complete, from God's standpoint,
since Christ's death. R37:2
Does not contradict the plain
statement of other Scriptures that the great work of reconciliation is divided
into two parts-- the first for the Church and the second for the world. R4504:6
Righteousness -- Everlasting justification from sin instead of the
typical yearly justification accomplished by the types for the typical people,
Israel. B68, B65
And to seal up -- To set a seal upon Daniel as a true prophet, and upon
all his prophecies. C107
By making an end of sin and
bringing in everlasting righteousness. R3115:1
By the blood of the covenant. B69
The vision -- Of the 2300 days, by fulfilling the first part of it.
C107
And prophecy -- And the prophet Daniel, by showing him to be a true
prophet. C107
Anoint -- Anointed by the holy Spirit at Pentecost. R4344:3,
R4504:3
The most Holy -- The holy remnant of the Jewish nation, the purest and
fittest. B70
Israelites indeed. R4504:3,
R5950:6
Daniel 9:25
Know therefore -- The learned might have known the time of its fulfilment
from this prophecy, but for the masses, the evidence was simply and only the
signs of the times. R748:3, R629:2
The going forth -- 454 BC, according to the chronologies of Dr. Hale and
Dr. Priestlie. B67
Rollins, in his "Ancient
History of the Medes and Persians," agrees with the date of 454 BC.
R3575:4*
1845 years (the length of the
Jewish "double") prior to 1391
AD when Hus, the reformer, became
acquainted with the works of Wycliffe and continued the Reformation work. From
the work of Hus in 1391 to the invention of printing in 1440 AD was 49 years,
or seven weeks of years. This explains the peculiar manner in which the 69
weeks are mentioned in this verse, as "7" and "62."
R3575:6*, R3577:1*
The decree of Cyrus, although
issued in BC 536, did not go forth until the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, but lay
concealed in the treasure house of the kings of Persia. (See Ezra 6:1-3)
HG105:5
The beginning of the 70 weeks was
so obscure and indefinite that the Jews did not know positively when to expect
Messiah. R2132:4
To build Jerusalem -- Not the Temple. B65, B67
To build its walls, in the 20th
year of Artaxerxes (Neh. 2:1) and not the time of Ezra's commission 13 years
earlier (Ezra 7:7). R3575:4*; B67
Unto the Messiah -- Signifies "The Anointed." Jesus was not the
Anointed until his baptism. B66; R600:4
While many prophecies combine to
fix and confirm the date of the second coming of Christ, this one alone marked
the date of his first advent. B64
The Prince -- Highly exalted. OV118:4
Seven weeks -- Marked specially events connected with the Temple.
R2811:6
Threescore and two -- Totaling 69 weeks of years, or 483
years, ending Autumn 29 AD. B66
Reaching to the baptism of Jesus
where he was Christ-ened, or more properly, in English, Anointed, manifest as
the Messiah. R47:2*
When Jesus was baptized in Jordan;
at the beginning of the last seven years of that period. R189:5, R4344:2
In troublous times -- Under unfavorable circumstances, as recorded by
Nehemiah. (Neh. 4) B65
Daniel 9:26
And after -- But not immediately after, R47:2*
Three and one-half years after.
B68
Threescore and two -- (Seven) and 62, or 69 weeks, 483
years. B67
The end of the 62 weeks following
the first seven was to mark Messiah's appearance. R2811:6
Messiah be cut off -- Be slain (Douay), die. B68; R271:6, R562:4, R600:4,
R3630:2
In the middle of the last seven
years. R4344:3, R3630:2; Q107:2
"He was cut off out of the
land of the living; (not for himself) for the transgression of my people was he
stricken." (Isa. 53:8) R47:2*
But not for himself -- Not for his own sins. R4344:3, R1359:4
"Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3) R393:4, R271:6
"He was wounded for our
transgressions." (Isa. 53:5) R600:4, R1359:4, R1394:5
"The just for the
unjust." (1 Pet. 3:18) R1359:4
One of the many prophecies which
indicate that the Bible is a divine revelation. A58
Variously rendered in other
translations, but in our opinion, the Authorized Version is the clearest and
best rendering. B68
Of the prince -- Titus, the Roman General. B63
Be with a flood -- Like a flood. B71
Daniel 9:27
And he -- Messiah, Christ. B63; R197:5, R1359:4, R1394:5, R2931:2,
R5163:1
Confirm the covenant -- Seventy weeks' agreement. R600:4, R2657:5; Q195:2
The disciples were not suffered to
preach to the world in general until the seven years of harvest work to that
Jewish people was fully accomplished. R263:6, R600:4
It was in the last half of the
70th week, three and a half years after the cross, that the great work was done
amongst the Jews. Q107:2
With many -- Individuals of the castoff system. Thus Jesus, telling
his disciples to preach to "all nations," was particular to add,
"beginning at Jerusalem." (Luke 24:47) C170
During the remaining three and a
half years the favor was increased, though confined to the remnant, the most
holy, the purest, or fittest, whom alone could benefit. B70
For one week -- Seven years. R263:6, R289:4, R562:4, R2811:6, R5163:2
The entire "seventieth
week," from the beginning of our Lord's ministry until Cornelius, was set
apart by God's arrangement for the Jewish trial. C170
The 70th or last week of the
covenant of favor, from the beginning of our Lord's ministry, October AD 29, to
the conversion of Cornelius, October AD 36, 3 1/2 years after Christ's death.
B58, B63, B71; R5163:2, R189:6, R1451:2, R5048:6, R5470:3, R5836:5, R4344:3;
Q195:2; HG117:5, HG354:5
Seven years of favor-trial and
separation of "Israelites indeed" from nominal Israel; a parallel of
the trial and separation of the Christians indeed (entirely consecrated) from
the nominal church of professors. R247:5, R2811:6
Furnishing a typical
representation of a similar testing of the nominal gospel church during seven
corresponding years from 1874 to 1881 AD. C171, C216; B235; Q150:2-4, Q156:1-3
And In the midst -- After 3 1/2 years. B68; R2811:6, R2931:2
His death, at the Passover, about
April I would place his birth thirty three and a half years earlier, in the
month of October. B58
Of the week -- Of the 70th week, 3 1/2 years before its full end in 36
AD. C108; R4842:2
He shall cause -- By introducing the better sacrifice. B65
The sacrifice -- The typical sacrifices of the Law. B68
Oblation to cease -- When the true sacrifice had been made, the typical ones
were no lonqer recognized. A223; B65, B68; R5163:3, R271:6, R189:5
And for -- Or, because of. B64
The overspreading -- Because abominations would prevail. D571
Abominations -- Fleshly Israel's religion became an abomination after
their repudiation of Christ. D571
He shall -- Messiah shall. B64
Make it desolate -- The termination of God's special exclusive favor to
Israel, marked by the spirit-begetting of Cornelius. R4344:3
"Wrath is come upon them to
the uttermost." (1 Thes. 2:10) R1702:2
Secular history estimates the
trouble that came upon Israel within 40 years of our Lord's death as the most
awful that had thus far occured amongst men. R1702:2, R2787:3
The consummation -- Or completion, the full end of the Jewish
"double" or period of disfavor. B64, B71
Or, utter destruction. R5950:6
Seven years of favor was followed
by 33 years of trouble, called fire; paralleled by seven years to 1881 AD,
followed by trouble, called "fire," which will consume the dross of
Babylon and purify God's children in and contaminated by her. R289:5
And that determined -- And that which is determined in God's plan. B64; D571
Until all that God had
predetermined shall be accomplished. R5950:6
Upon the desolate -- Or, cast off people. B72
The desolate people, the rejected
nation, represented by Jerusalem. B64; D571
Daniel 10
Daniel 10:2
Mourning three full weeks -- Because of his inability to understand. R1866:4
Daniel 10:3
No pleasant bread -- Representing self-denial and deadness to the world,
which should be the attitude of all true believers at all times. R2022:4
Daniel 10:5
A certain man -- An angel in his glorious spirit body. A183
An angel can also assume a human
body of flesh. R1952:3
Daniel 10:6
Body -- A spiritual body, as described here and in Rev. 1:13-15,
is very nice; and we shall be "fashioned like unto his (Christ's) glorious
body." (Phil. 3:21) R119:6, R315:6*
Like the beryl -- Spiritual bodies are glorious in their normal condition.
R18:3, R261:6, R579:1; HG28:6
Eyes as lamps -- Expressive of their piercing brightness. "The Lord
seeth not as man seeth." (1 Sam. 16:7) R388:6*
Polished brass -- Fine brass, as it burns in a furnace, so bright that you
can scarcely look at it. R18:4, R261:6
Daniel 10:7
I Daniel alone saw -- Without a miracle, either by opening our eyes to see
them, or their appearing in the flesh as men, spiritual bodies are invisible.
R579:1, R18:4, R262:1; A183
Daniel 10:8
No strength in me -- Had our Lord appeared after his resurrection in the
glory of the spirit body, the glory would have been greater than the witnesses
could have borne. B124
Daniel 10:9
Toward the ground -- Daniel fell as a dead man. R18:4, R261:6
Daniel 10:11
Man greatly beloved -- Margin: "man of desires." R2022:4
Daniel 10:12
From the first day -- Not the end of the third week. R1866:4
At the beginning of our
supplications God begins to shape circumstances to work out the intended
blessing for us. R1866:4
"Before they call (reading
the desire of the heart even before it finds expression in words) I will answer
(begin to shape events to bring the answer sooner or later); and while they are
yet speaking I will hear." (Isa. 65:23, 24) R1866:5
To chasten thyself -- Sought, by the practice of self-denial, to bring himself
into a special condition of heart and mind pleasing to God. R2022:4
How many prayers are not heard, or
are hindered, because the one who asks does not first purify himself of evil in
his own heart? R1866:5
Daniel 10:13
Withstood me -- Either invisibly present with him, or else appearing as
a man. R579:1, R262:1, R18:4; A184
But, lo, Michael -- Christ. D414
The superior of Gabriel. R490:4
Daniel 10:20
Knowest thou -- Or, Thou knowest. HG61:6
Daniel 11
Daniel 11:2
And the fourth -- Darius 111, Codomanus. C26
Daniel 11:3
A mighty king -- Alexander the Great of Greece. C26
Shall rule -- Alexander conquered the world in the short period of 13
years. C27
With great dominion -- The High Priest of Israel showed Alexander this prophecy
and interpreted it to foreshow that the Persian power should be overthrown by
Alexander. C27
Daniel 11:4
The four winds -- Among his four Generals: Ptolemy in Egypt, Seleucus in
Asia, Lysimachus in Asia Minor and Cassander in Macedonia. C27, C31
Daniel 11:5
King of the south -- Egypt. C27
Daniel 11:6
King of the north -- The Grecians, and afterwards, the Romans. C27
Not an individual monarch, but the
Roman empire's representative. C32
Daniel 11:14
To establish -- To seemingly fulfil. C25
Daniel 11:17
Daughter of women -- Cleopatra. C28
Daniel 11:18
After this -- The following verses merely touch prominent characters
down to Papacy and then, identifying it, pass on to the end of its power to
persecute, and a detailed account of Napoleon Bonaparte. C28
Daniel 11:19
Then he -- Mark Antony. C29
Daniel 11:20
A raiser of taxes -- "Caesar Augustus sent forth a decree that all the
world should be taxed." (Luke 2:1) C29
Augustus was the first ruler to
introduce to the world a systematized taxation. C29
In the glory -- The most glorious epoch, Rome's "Golden Age."
C29
Another translation reads,
"the glorious land of the kingdom," applying specially to Palestine
and fitting in exactly with the record in Luke 2:1. C29
Of the kingdom -- The Roman empire. C29
But within few days -- Within a few years after he reached the zenith of his
power. C29
Nor in battle -- Augustus died a quiet death, whereas his predecessor and
his seven successors in imperial power died violent deaths. C29
Daniel 11:21
A vile person -- Tiberius, a cruel, sensual, despicable tyrant. C30
Daniel 11:22
Shall they -- All opposers. C30
Be overflown -- Be swept away. C30
Also the prince -- Christ Jesus. C30, C126
Daniel 11:23
Made with him -- The Senate recognized him as Emperor. C30
With a small people -- The Praetorian Guards, 10,000
picked troops organized by
Tiberius and kept by him continually at Rome to overawe the people and Senate
and abolish elections and assemblies. C30
Daniel 11:24
He shall scatter -- Divide. C31
Among them -- Among local governors. C31
The prey, and spoil -- Of the countries tributary to Rome. C31
Daniel 11:25
And he -- Aurelian, Emperor of Rome in the days of Zenobia, 272
AD. C33, C32
King of the south -- Egypt. C32
Forecast devices -- Treacherously devise plans. C32
Daniel 11:26
Shall destroy him -- Aurelian was assassinated by his own Generals. C34,
Shall overflow -- His army was successful. C34
Daniel 11:27
Both these kings' -- Imperial power slowly dying and clerical power slowly
coming to life and ambition. C34
But it -- The league of the clergy and the civil power. C35
Shall not prosper -- Then, in Aurelian's time. C35
Even Constantine was hindered by
the temper of the people from accomplishing at once and as rapidly as was
desired a union of the forces of church and state. C35
For yet -- "Because as yet the end is unto another time."
The union between clergy and civil power could not prosper because the 1260
years, counted from that date, would bring the end too soon. C34
The end -- Of the 1260 years of papal persecution. C35
The time appointed -- In 1799 A.D., and could not, therefore, have begun in
Aurelian's day as it would then have terminated before the time appointed. C35
Daniel 11:28
Then shall he -- Aurelian, after the overthrow of Zenobia. C33
Return into his land -- Rome. C33
With great riches -- Zenobia was confined in fetters of gold and nearly
fainted under the weight of jewels when led captive into Rome. C33
Shall be against -- Aurelian ascribed his victory over Zenobia to the sun.
As the Christian deemed the sun unworthy of worship, it is presumed that their
refusal to participate in this sun-worship provoked his sudden and violent
opposition. C34
The holy covenant -- Christianity. Aurelian, on his return, began a
persecution of all Christians. C34
Daniel 11:29
At -- This verse and the verse following should be in
parenthesis. C35, C46
The time appointed -- The Time of the End. C46
He -- Napoleon. C47
Shall return -- Verses 25 to 28 refer to a previous invasion of Egypt,
verses 29 and 30 intimating that the next great invasion of Egypt would be at
the Time of the End. C46
And come toward -- And invade. C47
The south -- Egypt. C47
It shall not be -- Not be as great a victory as. C47
The former -- Invasion against Cleopatra. C47
Or as the latter -- Invasion against Zenobia. C47
Daniel 11:30
For -- The reason Napoleon's invasion of Egypt was not as
successful as were other invasions was because. C47
Ships of Chittim -- Of the Romans. England was once a part of the Roman
empire, against the fragments of which Napoleon at this time was fighting. C47
The holy covenant -- The truth, by establishing the Concordat with the Pope.
C47
So shall he do -- And he shall succeed. C47
Shall even return -- Change about. C47
Have intelligence -- Devise, scheme, operate. C47
With them -- Against them. C47
That forsake -- That have forsaken the apostate church in Rome. C47
Taking away, not only
Charlemagne's gifts of territory 1000
years after they were made; but
afterward Papacy's civil jurisdiction in Rome, which was actually recognized
from AD 539, 1260 years before AD 1799. C58
Daniel 11:31
And arms -- Strong ones (Young's translation); heady ones. C36
Stand on his part -- Stand up out of him, out of the Papacy. C36, C64
They shall pollute -- Undermine, defile. C36, C25
Sanctuary of strength -- Both the sacred precincts of civil authority, undermined
by those in the church who sought for present dominion; and the sanctuary of
God, the Church, defiled and degraded by the ambitions of these strong ones.
C36
The daily sacrifice -- The continual sacrifice, Christ's sacrifice. This does
not refer to the interruption of the Temple worship by Antiochus Epiphanes.
C25, C36; R1484:3
They shall place -- 539 AD is the point in time from which we should reckon
the Desolating Abomination set up. C76
The Papacy in embryo schemed to
set itself up in power as a sacerdotal empire. C36
The abomination -- The central item of this prophecy of Dan. 11. C25
That Wicked One (2 Thes. 2:8); the
Man of Sin (2 Thes. 2:3); the Mystery of Iniquity (2 Thes. 2:7); the Antichrist
(1
John 2:18); the Son of Perdition
(2 Thes. 2:3); the Little Horn (Dan. 7:8); the Papacy (Matt. 24:15). B271,
B272, B277; C64, C76; A258
Particularly its doctrine of
transubstantiation and the sacrifice of the Mass, supplemented in our day by
various theories of self-atonement. C36; D572; F471
The sacrifice of the Mass--a gross
error introduced about the third century. R3750:3, R1484:3, R2822:6
That maketh desolate -- The result of its overspreading influence would be the
desolation of rejected Christendom. D571
By turning people away from the
one atonement sacrifice for sins and having their gaze attracted to the priest,
the Mass, the blessings and the holy water. R3750:4; C36
Daniel 11:32
And such -- Of the reformers and the reform movements. D31
Of the host class. C37
The covenant -- Their covenant with the Lord. C37
Shall he -- The Papacy. C37
By flatteries -- Honors, titles, etc. C37
But the people -- The Sanctuary class. C37
Do know their God -- His character and plan. R2570:1
Shall be strong -- Valiant; strengthened by persecution. R2570:1; C37
Daniel 11:33
And they -- The Reformers at the end of the Dark Ages. B357
Shall instruct many -- That the Papacy is the Antichrist, the Man of Sin. C37
Yet they -- Those who oppose the Papacy, the faithful few. C37
Days -- Here another parenthesis of verse 34 and part of verse
35 interrupts, until the phrase "to the time of the end, because it is yet
(future) for a time appointed." C38
Although the length of this
persecution is not here stated, we learn from other scriptures that it is 1260
years, ending in 1799 AD. C38
Daniel 11:34
Now when they -- The true Church. OV417:1
Shall fall -- When falling, in the 16th century, before the end of
Papacy's power. C38; B357; R5911:4
God granted a little help to those
falling because of fidelity to his Word; notwithstanding some would fall
through persecutions. C38
With a little help -- The Reformation movement. C38; OV417:1; B357
The teachings of a few saintly
ones gained sufficient headway to bring about the Reformation. R5911:4
But many -- Kings and princes; tares. C38, C154
Shall cleave to them -- To Protestantism; to the wheat. C38, C154
With flatteries -- Honors and titles; promises of help and success if they
would shape their courses according to the wisdom of this world. C37, C110
Succumbing, in a considerable
degree, to the desire to gain power and influence among the nations. R5911:4
Receiving the favor of the world
at the expense of their virtue, their fidelity to Christ. D31
It was flattery of the leaders of
the great Reformation that stayed the progress of that good work and caused
many to fall from their steadfastness. R1895:2
The kings and princes offered
their backing in return for support of their kingdoms. OV417:1
Overcome by flatteries, each
reform movement, after accomplishing a measure of cleansing, stopped short. D31
No marks or badges of distinction
or flattering homage may be tolerated in the Body of Christ. R1895:2
Had the reformers and their
descendants continued faithful to the truth and not succumbed to flatteries,
God's grand design might have been accomplished through their honored instrumentality.
C50
Daniel 11:35
Of understanding -- Leaders, reformers, teachers, who had been able to
instruct many concerning Papacy's errors. C38
Shall fall -- Flattery caused many to fall; but let it not be so among
us. R1895:2
From being leaders of reform they
became leaders into temptation. C48
"A thousand shall fall at thy
side and ten thousand at thy right hand." (Psa. 91:7) R414:6
To try them -- The faithful few. C38
The checking of the reform
movement served, as Papacy's error had done, to further test the saints, to
prove whether they were really followers of men or of God. C48
And to purge -- Shake loose from all earthly support and confidence in
man's wisdom. R414:6
Make them white -- Verses 34 & 35, down to and including these words,
should be in parenthesis. C38
Even to the time -- The fixed time. C25
Of the end -- AD 1799. C38
The overthrow of the Papal
dominion in 1798 by the French Revolution marked the beginning of the
"Time of the End" and opened the way for a multitude of improvements
and the increase of knowledge. R24:5
It is yet -- A full and correct interpretation of the vision could
not be had until the Time of the End. C25
Daniel 11:36
And the king -- Napoleon was not a king, but the term king is a general
one to indicate a powerful ruler. C40
Napoleon, the instrument employed
by providence to break Papacy's power and to begin her torture which will end
in utter destruction at a later date. C39
France had been, of all nations,
most faithful and subservient to Papal authority. Therefore no other nation
could have struck Papacy so stunning and destructive a blow as the French. C39
To his will -- He was noted for his wilfulness and determination. C40
Above every god -- Every mighty one. C40
Marvellous things -- Commanding his obedience as a servant, thus shocking the
superstitious of the world. C40
The God of gods -- The ruler of rulers, the Pope, by fining him ten million
dollars, organizing the Papal territory into a republic and taking a Pope as a
prisoner to France. C40, C42, C56
Shall prosper till -- When Napoleon boldly ignored both the blessings and the
curses of Papacy and yet prospered phenomenally, he weakened not only Papal
influence over civil governments but also the influence of Protestant systems
in matters civil and political. C49
Until he had accomplished his
mission of scourging the Papacy and breaking its influence over the minds of
the people. C41
Shall be done -- The Pope was brought to the verge of ruin in 1797 AD,
taken prisoner to France in 1798 and died there the following year. His
successor, Pius VII, in 1800, declared that all, including himself, should obey
established governments. C42
Since AD 1799 there have been
separations between empires and churches, but no new unions. This date marks a
new reformation on a more substantial basis--no less thorough than that of
Luther and his colleagues. C49
Daniel 11:37
God of his fathers -- The Papacy. C42
The desire of women -- Protestant sects. C42
Nor regard any god -- Any ruler. C42
Magnify himself -- Nothing but his own personal ambition controlled
Napoleon. C42
Himself above all -- In opposition to all. C42
Daniel 11:38
But in his estate -- Instead of any of these gods. C42
The God of forces -- Military power. C42
His fathers knew not -- Other great warriors made acknowledgment to some
supernatural powers for victories achieved; but Napoleon ascribed his success
to himself and his genius. C43
And pleasant things -- The treasures of Europe were taken to France as spoils
of war. C43
Daniel 11:39
In the most strong -- To strengthen his. C43
Holds -- Hold. C43
With a strange god -- With the strange (new) god. C43
Whom he shall -- Whoever will. C43
Acknowledge -- Acknowledge him. C43
And increase -- Him will he give much honor. C43
He shall cause them -- Shall cause such. C43
The land for gain -- Gratis, among his relatives and favorites. C43
Daniel 11:40
And at the time -- The fixed time. C44
"The time pre-fixed."
(Douay) C46
Of the end -- AD 1799. C38, C68
King of the south -- Egypt. C44
Push -- Marking the particular event that is to be understood as
the exact date of the beginning of the Time of the End--Napoleon's invasion of
Egypt from May 1798 to Oct. 9, 1799. C44
King of the north -- England. C44
Like a whirlwind -- Nelson's attack on the French fleet was conducted with a
degree of vigor never surpassed. C45
And with horsemen -- The Egyptian Mamelukes. C45
With many ships -- The English forces consisted of a navy under Admiral
Nelson. C45
And he -- Napoleon. C45
And pass over -- And pass through victoriously. C45
Daniel 11:41
The glorious land -- Palestine. C45
Children of Ammon -- Napoleon kept to the coast and did not enter, but passed
by these lands. C45
Daniel 11:44
Out of the north -- The second coalition, composed of England, Russia,
Naples, Turkey and Austria. C46
Make away many -- Many nations. C46
Daniel 11:45
Of his palace -- His palatial tents. C45
Holy mountain -- Mt. Tabor, the mount of transfiguration, where one of
his most important battles was fought. C45
Or Mt. Sinai, visited by Napoleon
and his scientific corps. C45
Come to his end -- Death as an exile. C46
None shall help him -- He was forsaken by all. C46
Daniel 12
Daniel 12:1
And at that time -- And in that time, "the Time of the End" (Dan.
12:4), somewhere between 1799 AD and 1914. C24, C129; D414; R5696:2
At the time of the great
earthquake of Rev. 16:18, 19, divine power will step forward and gather the
marshalled hosts to Armageddon. Dxv; SM236:3; OV275:1
Shall Michael -- A fitting name for him who is the express image of the
Father's person and the representative of his authority and power. B147
"Who as God," one
representing God, Christ Jesus, "The captain of our salvation." (Heb.
2:10) B145, B147; C62; D414, D548, Diii; OV269:2; CR139:3; R490:5, R2394:2
The great Messiah, the Archangel,
the antitypical Melchizedec, Priest and King. R4715:3, R5031:2, R4735:6,
R5050:3; CR141:4; SM236:3
The great antitypical Moses, the
great antitypical David. CR137:6
The glorious Messiah, whom the
Jews identify with Michael, the Mohammedans also expect and identify with Mohammed
of the past; and the Freemasons identify with Hiram Abiff, the great Master
Mason. R5031:2, R4715:3; Q422:3, Q425:3
A god-like Messiah, combining the
qualities of Moses (the great teacher and lawgiver), of David and Solomon (the
great kings), and of Melchizedek (the great priest)--on a bigger
scale--antitypical--and as a spirit being and not a human. OV109:1, OV115:3;
CR137:6
The superior of Gabriel. R490:4
Not the same Michael as mentioned
in Rev. 12:7. R55:3, R306:5
Stand up -- Be present. B149
Stepping upon the scene quietly,
without outward show, in the same manner as he went away. C130
When the lease of earthly power of
Gentile governments terminates in the great time of trouble, Messiah shall
stand up and assume control of earth's affairs; and Gentile governments shall
cease, for all nations shall serve and obey Messiah. SM478:2
As in Rev. 11:15 and 1 Thes. 4:16,
showing Jesus' presence during the time of trouble. B149
Messiah is about to stand up,
clothed with divine power, to take to himself his great power and reign.
R5805:6
Begin his reign. HG314:3
Begin to exercise his power and
dominion. R490:5
With power and authority, to
accomplish the grand restitution of all things, offering everlasting life to
the dead and dying. C126
To render judgment. R1308:4
To intercept that trouble, and
save mankind from self-destruction in anarchy. R2394:2
The new King Immanuel has taken
the helm of earth's affairs. R3342:6
Stand forth, at his second advent;
assume control; when he "ariseth to shake terribly the whole earth."
(Isa. 2:19) B145, B147, B149; C62; D579; SM479:T; OV324:1; R1155:6, R5805:6
The Lord shall manifest to the
world his government, his authority, his rule. R3469:5, R490:5, R1385:5
Our Lord will not have the
authority in vain. When he shall have the authority he shall use it. One of the
first works will be the suppression of evil--the devil and all his
institutions. R3469:5
To give the word of command,
permitting the match to be struck for the great fire that consumes the
"earth," "the elements" and "the course of
nature." D548; B147
For the salvation of God's people,
for the rectification of error and wrong, for the establishment of right and
truth, to bring to the world of mankind the great Kingdom of God. Diii; OV269:2
He will be on the side of the
masses. OV275:2; SM236:3
The great prince -- Archangel. (Jude 7) R152:6; HG80:6
The leader and commander of the
people. R2394:2
Jehovah's chief messenger, the
Lord of glory. R490:5
As the name Michael indicates,
God's representative; the "prince of the covenant." (Dan. 11:22) C126
For the children -- He will stand up for Israel; he will stand up for the
Church, which is his Body; and he will stand up for all who are in harmony with
God, and all who will be in harmony with God. R5050:3
Of thy people -- For the deliverance of Israel first and, subsequently,
of all the families of the earth--from every vestige of bondage, including
eventually the bondage of death. OV102:2
If "thy people" of Dan.
9:24 belongs exclusively to the Jews, it is exceedingly arbitrary to say "
thy people" of Dan. 12 has no reference to the Jewish nation. HG66:1
And there shall be -- Not the peaceable conversion of the world. B101
Not by Peace Conventions and Peace
Treaties. R5554:2
In the close of this Harvest time.
R3228:4
Because the wise of the earth do
not fully submit themselves to absolute justice and truth, and princes do not
turn from the grasping of power to the enlightenment and uplifting of the
people. SM696:T; OV102:1
Occasioned in great measure by the
growth of infidelity and Spiritism. A239
THE CAUSE -- A time of trouble –
The cause: manifestations of
divine justice and opposition to sin and all iniquity. The results: the world's
realization that they need a Mediator. OV286:3
The beginning of the judgment of
the living nations. B145
The trouble and shaking of the
Church, to shake out of profession of faith all who are not really saints, is
because the election of the Church is almost complete. R1308:4
General infidelity among the
masses will pave the way for socialism and, finally, for anarchy--which, as the
fire of the great Day of God Almighty, shall sweep all before it into the
greatest time of trouble the world has ever known. R1198:4, R1983:1, R4955:5;
OV186:4; HG499:4, HG518:4
Not a repetition of history, but a
stupendous reversal of history brought on by the new conditions of many running
to and fro and knowledge being increased. D414
As the direct result of the
blessings and increased enlightenment of our day. R2971:4, R1142:3
As a result of the running to and
fro and the increase of knowledge, bringing increased dissatisfactions.
R2394:2, R3898:5; R5364:1; A337; Di; HG317:1
The knowledge causes the trouble
because of the depravity of the race. A170
The world's greatest
blessing--knowledge--is becoming its greatest bane. OV62:T, OV148:T
To be precipitated by the conflict
of interests of the aristocracy and the masses. R5448:6, R1690:3, R4795:5,
R5516:4, R5112:4, R1776:5, R3107:6; Q769:3, Q849:T; A325, A335; OV321:2
In which no nation can claim God's
care and protection. R1561:6
The outcome of human selfishness,
providentially delayed until the due time. SM266:1, SM160:1; OV186:4; A332
Describing the binding of Satan
and the overthrow of the reign of sin. HG234:1
The Adversary may have had much to
do with the movements toward communism, socialism and anarchism which will tend
to bring on the time of trouble. R5061:4; Q579:4
The race question will evidently
have its part in this mighty conflict. The Adversary is seeking to stir up
strife between the Negroes and the whites which can result in no good to
either. HG515:5
When the four winds, the fallen
angels, will become loose. R5318:4, R5470:4
Evil spirits intruding upon the
minds of men. R4311:3, R5318:4, R5470:4
"Watch ... that ye may be
accounted worthy to escape all these things." (Luke 21:36) R1952:4
Accomplished by the Lord allowing
present institutions to "run amuck," to overthrow themselves. SM15:1
The storm clouds have been
gathering since 1874. R1243:1
A time of anarchy brought on by
neglect of the golden rule. R2313:6, R3107:6, R3228:4, R4735:2, R4955:5,
R1519:2, R4857:2; OV148:T, OV341:2; SM453:3, SM266:1; B78; PD94/108
Anarchy, born of fear and despair,
and not of a love of lawlessness. R2869:4
Rendering satisfaction for wilful
sin, the squaring of God's accounts with the world preparatory to handing the
Kingdom over to Messiah for the blessing of all. OV346:1; R5240:2
As a satisfaction for wilful sin,
for all the righteous blood shed from the time of Abel down to the present.
R5240:2
A revolution--short, sharp,
terrible--in which the social earth shall melt and the ecclesiastical heavens
pass away with a great commotion. HG639:5
It will be short. But it will last
long enough to teach humanity a lesson never to be forgotten--that God and his
arrangements must stand first and be obeyed if blessings are sought. OV321:3
The greatest revolution the world
has ever seen; not bloodless, at the ballot box, but by a "time of
trouble." R1385:5, R1563:6; A307
Nobody wants this trouble, everybody
will be injured by it, and yet everybody is rushing toward it--both the
aristocracy and the masses, goaded on by fear. R5448:6
The beginning of the purgatorial
fire of the Day of the Lord. R1470:3
A parallel of the severe trouble
at the end of the Jewish dispensation, but vastly larger. R5469:5, R5240:2,
R1702:4, R4891:5, R5019:1; B219; C126; D48; F445
There will be no peaceable
conversion of the nations. B101
Variously pictured as a whirlwind,
(Jer. 23:19) a fire, (Zeph.3:8) a tempest, (Isa. 29:6) a flood. (Nahum 1:7, 8)
R4997:4, R5863:6; HG401:1; Div, D527
"The Day of Vengeance."
(Isa. 63:4, Isa. 34:8) D11
In connection with the quakings of
society and the overturning of kingdoms, we may expect an increase of wars,
pestilences, earthquakes and famines. R879:2
A baptism of fire (trouble), which
some mistakenly pray for. F445
Compared with which even the
French Revolution will be small. C62
Will consume religious, political
and financial institutions. R2971:4, R622:4, R1198:4, R5364:1; SM512:T
"I will shake all
nations." (Hag. 2:7) R3053:1
When the winepress of the wrath of
God overflows. OV126:3; R4755:6
In which the tare class will be
terminated. R3771:4, R4636:4; C146; F445
The present terrible war (1914) is
not the great time of trouble in the fullest sense of the word, but merely its
forerunner. The great time of trouble will be brought on by anarchy, the
general uprising of the people. R5526:3; OV341:2
The great trouble of Rev. 13:15-17
will not be the world's trouble, the anarchy which will cause the
"earth" society to melt with fervent heat. R3437:1
We are not to expect the
interposition of the Lord's power to stop it until mankind shall have been
humbled to the dust and shall call upon the name of the Lord in great
trepidation. R5852:5
"Every man's hand against his
neighbor." (Zech. 8:10, Zech. 14:13) R5516:4, R5526:3, R2313:6, R1243:1;
OV341:2; SM266:1, SM735:T
It will also mean a time of fiery
trial to the household of faith, with whom it begins. R5268:5, R4311:3; B361
The perplexity of the people will
increase with greater stress-- financial and social. R5697:3
The Kingdom of Messiah will be
born in a time of terrible travail, but the glorious results will more than
compensate. Cv
The outward sign by which the
world will know that Messiah has accepted his throne. CR291:4; R5680:6, R5269:2
Showing that Christ has taken his
great power and begun his reign. R5523:1; OV321:3
Ushering in the new dispensation.
R5092:6, R4149:4; SM411:2, SM160:T
Inaugurating Messiah's Kingdom.
R5753:1, R5765:6, R4353:3, R5554:2; HG415:1; SM104:1, R511:3
During which the present ruling
powers under Satan shall give place to the Kingdom of God under Christ and his
Church. R1377:3
Describing the period of
transition from Gentile supremacy to Messiah's Kingdom. R5564:1, R5399:6
The first work of Christ's reign
will be the smiting of the earth "with the rod of his mouth" (Isa.
11:4), the truth. R1352:2
Ending the Gospel age and its
Harvest, and introducing the Millennial Kingdom. R5053:1, R2564:4, R436:4,
R5019:1, R4891:5, R5554:2, R1385:5, R1423:1
"The morning cometh,
and also the night." (Isa. 21:12) The morning is here, but there will be a
great storm of trouble before its full splendor of Millennial brightness.
R4149:4
When the last member of the Body
of Christ has passed beyond the veil and the "salt of the earth" is
gone. (Matt. 5:13) R5173:3; D548
The latter part of the great
battle--day which began in AD 1874. R1969:5
Delayed, in part, because of the
dispersion and the language barriers introduced at the Tower of Babel. R5161:2
Not yet come, but near, even at
the door (1905). R3630:3
This time of trouble will not
begin nor end in 1914. It may be beginning now (1905). There may be beginnings
now, but these are only leading up to the real trouble. Q71:2
Not expected before 1914 AD.
R4671:4, R4699:2, R4857:2; SM162:1; HG417:2, HG676:1; C211
The terrible Armageddon which will
follow the present war (1914). SM412:3; Diii; Q769:2; R5516:4
We are in the beginning of the
time of trouble (1915). R5619:5*, R5680:6, R5864:4
Which has begun. Bix; R5864:4,
R490:6, R3342:6; OV346:1; HG62:4
The first step in banishing all
evil conditions. R1592:4
Including the tribulations upon
Babylon. SM411:2
While there will be trouble in the
outside heathen nations also, the trouble will specially affect civilized
nominal Christendom--Churchianity. R3771:4
As a part of it, even before its
severity, there will be a severe hour of trial and testing on the truly
consecrated Church, much as it was in the days of Papacy's triumph. B361
We have not yet had
"enough" --there is yet a great and final shaking up of the church
and the world to take place. (Heb. 12:26-28) R1155:5, R3052:6
We rejoice not in the trouble,
which surely saddens every tender heart, but in how the world will be prepared
by it for a grand change of government. R5805:6
Let us not unduly emphasize this
feature of the divine plan in presenting matters to our Christian friends of
the world; let us emphasize the goodness of God and the blessings in store.
R5373:6
The "dark night" in
which the reapers must cease their labors, proving that the final work of the
Gospel age is accomplished. (John 9:4) C211
The period of dashing the nations
to pieces as a potter's vessel. (Psa. 2:9) SM717:1; OV324:1; HG496:4
Where there will be "weeping
and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 22:13) R4679:5
The "great furnace of
fire" (Matt. 13:42) which comes at the close of the Harvest upon the
unworthy tare class. C146
The tribulation of Matt. 24:21,
but not that of Matt. 24:9, 29. R711:3
The "great earthquake"
of Rev. 16:18, 19. SM236:2
The "curse" of Elias.
(Mal. 4:5, 6) R1538:1, R3120:5; OV324:1
Such -- So terrible and so general. D540; R5469:2
As never was -- The greatest is at the close of the Gospel age, though
the closing features of the Jewish age were typical of it. R711:2, R1743:3
Worldwide and not a local
disturbance as were the previous seasons of destruction. Q849:T
Since there is so much that is
wrong now, the retribution will be heavy at first. B138
Because men were never before so
responsible. E410
So thorough will be the
correction, it will never need to be repeated. R1519:4; OV321:3
Anarchy at this time would affect
mankind more than at any previous time in history. R5469:2
Accompanied by a ferocity never
seen in the past. R5469:3
The shaking, unsettling and
incidental trouble. R1305:3
The effect will be so overruled
that such a tribulation will never again be possible. HG417:2
"Unless those days should be
shortened no flesh would be saved, but for the elects' sake, those days will be
shortened." (Matt. 24:21) OV220:7
"No, nor ever shall be."
(Matt. 24:21) R3630:3, R5864:4, R622:4, R5564:1, R5916:1; OV186:4; D540
Thy people -- The twelve tribes. HG82:4. Daniel's people, the Jews,
and with them all desiring to be God's people. HG457:6, HG 81:1, HG82:4
The worthy of the Patriarchal,
Jewish, Gospel and Millennial ages. C62
Shall be delivered -- Forever freed of enemies. C62
When the time of trouble comes
over Christendom, a great many wealthy Hebrews will want a place of safety--and
that place will be Palestine. CR141:5
Written in the book -- God has an account, a record. CR139:1; R1893:4; Q537:3
God is making a record of those who
are true Jews. CR139:1
Clearly refers, not to John the
Revelator's book of life, but to Ezekiel's "writing of the house of
Israel." (Ezek. 13:9) HG66:2, HG82:4
"The Lamb's book of
life." (Rev. 21:27) C62; F666
Daniel 12:2
Them that sleep -- Note that there are two classes-- "thy people"
of verse 1 and "them that sleep" of verse 2. HG82:5
Those who have died. SM544:T;
CR139:4; R1377:6, R2173:1
Including both the good and the
bad. E346; SM544:T; HG228:5
Death is a condition of rest, of
quiet, of peaceful unconsciousness. R5059:6, R4794:2; E346
Since there shall be a
resurrection, God speaks of the dead as asleep, not extinct. OV333:4; R4588:5
In the dust -- Showing where the dead sleep; not in heaven, not in
purgatory, not in a hell of torment. R5060:1, R4588:6; SM39:T; OV333:4; PD61/72
In the Bible hell--sheol, hades,
the tomb, the state of death. SM39:T; R2173:1, R5133:1
Shall awake -- As a result of the exercise of Michael's power. R2173:1
In the resurrection morning. E346;
R5133:1, R4775:4; OV139:3
Some -- Two small classes will come forth already acquitted,
justified to life. R1180:1
Among these will be noble
characters--such as Lincoln, Grant, Plato, Socrates, Confucius and many others
less notable. R2331:6
To everlasting life -- Lasting life in its full perfection. F716
The Church of glory, in the first
resurrection. R5893:3; F666
Like Abraham, their trial is in
the past. R3399:3
And some -- Including Alexander, Nero, Napoleon, the Caesars and the
Popes. C62; R4652:4
To shame -- Dishonor, from which, however, they may be recovered by
the restitution processes then put into operation. F666
Their shame will last until they
reform. CR405:6, C350:1; R2833:2, R5390:2
There is nothing hidden that will
not be disclosed. R4992:2, R2331:6
A time in which characters will be
shown up. OV209:2; R2613:4, R4992:2
The persecutors of God's people
will be ashamed when they come forth and realize what they did. R5479:3
Representing those whose trial
will take place during the Millennium. R2198:1
Quite probably, restored men will
have considerable power of mind-reading and intuitive discernment over the
imperfect, occasioning a portion of the shame of the awakened wicked. R1954:3
When every secret thing is brought
into judgment (Eccl. 12:14) many a face will blush and hide itself in confusion
from others. R722:6, R2613:4; F716
The details of their past life
will be an open book to the whole world. R4652:4
Those remembered as brutal and
devilish, such as Caligula, Diocletian, Torquemada, and thousands less
notorious may be expected among the last to be resurrected. R1529:5
Progress on the highway of
holiness will purge one from the "contempt" of his fellows and
correspondingly relieve himself of "shame." F718
Everlasting contempt -- From which they will be obliged to purge themselves by
obedience to the divine requirements under Messiah's glorious reign of
righteousness. R4729:3, R5167:4
Self-contempt, as they begin to
realize their mental and physical depravity. R2833:1
Which will last just as long as
they are contemptible. R4992:2, R5167:4, R5479:3, R2331:6, R4652:4, R5390:2,
R5893:3; CR405:6, CR350:1; PD61/72; F716
Some few, because of wilful,
intelligent opposition to God, shall never come up to life. R1180:1
It may take centuries for
deeply-dyed characters to purge themselves of this contempt and rise gradually
to true nobility and human perfection, or, failing to do so, to die the Second
Death. R4609:5
The Hebrew text signifies
"lasting," not "everlasting." R5390:2, R5893.3, R4729:3;
F716
Daniel 12:3
They that be wise -- The Little Flock, the wise virgins. A292; F666; R722:6
Those who so thoroughly believe
the testimony of God as to yield themselves fully to his will are wise indeed.
R1955:2
Shall -- When righteousness is finally established in the earth.
R1955:5
Of the firmament -- "Then shall the righteous shine forth as the
sun." (Matt. 13:43) A292; C61; F666; R722:6, R1881:6
They that turn many -- Of this class were the prophets and other justified
faithful ones of past ages; and some others, such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
and Confucius, who enjoyed only the waning light of nature, but were faithful
to that little light. R722:6
Stars -- The "stars of heaven," heavenly rulers--Christ
and his Bride. R4370:2, R1881:6, R2067:4, R3965:3; D594; CR350:1, CR405:6;
HG334:3
Ancient Worthies. R1409:5,
R1955:5; A291
Celestials. R3965:3
Whose brilliancy and beauty vary.
(1 Cor. 15:41, 42) R5951:5,3, R3965:3
They will always be bright ones,
men and women of special honor because of their noble efforts to stem the tide
of evil when the full force of the tide was against them. R723:1
Daniel 12:4
And seal the book -- So state matters that they cannot be understood before
the due time. B87
The prophets of old often did not
understand their own utterances, but wrote for the Gospel Church. R1148:3,
R1418:6, R3646:1
It is (now, in the Time of the
End) an "open book"--of unsealed prophecies. (Rev. 10:7) HG79:2
Even to -- Had the knowledge come sooner, the trouble would have
come sooner. A337
Doubtless it would be impossible
to understand many of the deep things pertaining to the Messianic age long in
advance of that period. R5055:1
The time of the end -- The end of the long reign of sin and death. CR478:1;
OV6:3
The closing of this Christian age
and the opening of the new dispensation. OV147:4; PD90/105; Div; R4353:3, 6
The day of God's preparation.
(Nah. 2:3) R1258:4, R2393:2, R2974:2; HG416:3
Which began in 1799 AD. C63;
OV147:4; CR477:6; R1258:4, R5565:3, R2973:4
It follows, therefore, that no one
could understand the prophecy before 1799 AD. C24
An unanswerable argument, proving
that this is God's time to introduce a new order, is the lifting of the veil of
ignorance and the gradual letting in of the light of intelligence and
invention--just as foretold, when foretold and with the results predicted.
A337; B18; Div Many shall run -- Then many shall run. A168; C63
To and fro -- By means of the "chariots with flaming
torches"--automobiles, trolley-cars and railway trains--which "rage
in the streets and jostle one another in the broad ways." (Nah. 2:3, 4)
Q759:4; OV6:3, OV269:6; Div; R1142:3
The first steamboat was operated
in 1807, the first steam locomotive in 1831, the first telegraph in 1844. C63
By which the various nations,
peoples and classes are intermingled and waked up to the true situation of
matters. R3898:5
Now multitudes run to and fro
whose grandfathers probably never traveled 50 miles from their birthplace.
PD90/105
For concluding from this prophecy
that sometime men would travel 50 miles an hour, Voltaire referred to Sir Isaac
Newton as a "poor old dotard." C63; R4825:2; OV61:4
And knowledge -- Born of the travel and commingling and printing. R4353:6
The telephone was first introduced
in the fall of 1877. Two events took place in the same year which mark the
ending of our age--the introduction of the electric telephone and the Berlin
Treaty. R480:6*
It does not say
"capacity" is to be increased. A168
Promised light of divine
providence. R5061:1
Including a knowledge of the
teachings of the Great Pyramid. C319
Including a knowledge of God's
Word. Nearly all the great Bible Societies were established between 1803 and
1817. C51
Apparently the Adversary is trying
to run things in his own direction, but the light itself which we are enjoying
today is the promised light of Divine Providence. Q579:2
The policy of Satan now is to
devise plausible counterfeits of truth to entrap and mislead those who have
been making progress in the knowledge of the divine plan. R1362:6
The light shining more and more
unto the perfect day would not be contradictory, but establish and clarify the
truths already shown, including the times and seasons. R3437:1
Knowledge is a dangerous thing,
except for those who are perfect--and all mankind, through the fall, are
imperfect. OV147:6
The recognition of the Abomination
of Desolation as such, and in its proper place, is a sign of the increase of
knowledge-- and an evidence of the Time of the End. R710:6
Shall be increased -- Made general. OV147:5; R1308:4, R2973:4
The remarkable fulfillment of this
prophecy marks our day as the Time of the End. OV270:1
By means of printing, railroads,
telegraphs, etc., and the intermixture of various peoples and their various
ideas. R1142:3, R5061:4
The Lord kept back the art of
printing until the proper time. SM160:T
Through compulsory education.
OV6:3, OV147:5, OV269:6, OV61:5
The flood of light now
illuminating the world is of God. R1245:2
God is now lifting the curtain of
darkness and bringing to light labor-saving conveniences preparatory to the
great reign of righteousness. HG302:1
It is because God is lifting the
veil of ignorance and letting in the light which is of him, and not by human
evolution, that present progress is attributable. R1258:4
Today there is opportunity for
knowledge such as never before has been known. Div As the direct result of the
mental awakening of man; printing, steam, electricity and applied mechanics
being the agencies. D312
The world is awakening because it
is morning; the Millennial dawn is breaking. R5363:6, R1362:2
Our great scientists testify that
present attainments are as nothing to what is just at hand. PD90/105
The increase of knowledge has been
supplemented by governmental arrangements for the distribution of that
knowledge amongst the people. R6014:2
Printing has stimulated a greater
development of knowledge along every line within the past century than during
the preceding 59 centuries. PD90/105
God permits circumstances to favor
discoveries in the study of both his Book of Revelation and his Book of Nature.
A168
But this knowledge is coming to
people who at heart are unprepared for it. R5363:6
A Russian statesman said that
education is the basis of all the revolutionary spirit amongst the people.
Without some restriction, education is a dangerous thing. To an unregenerate
heart it means power in an unregenerate hand-- which is not always safe.
R5565:4
Not sooner, so that man could
fully appreciate the curse, and because such choicest blessings would produce
greater evils if bestowed on those whose hearts are not in accord with the
righteous laws of the universe. A168
Therefore the young have, in many
departments of knowledge, outstripped their seniors. The wise parent will set
an example of childlikeness and be ready to learn from and with his children
along the line of their superior advantage. R2074:2
Marking the time for the wise of
God's people to understand the Bible. PD77/90
God's Word is abundantly
distributed in all civilized lands. R3609:4
The fact that the divine plan and
its times and seasons are now discernible is strong proof that we are living in
the Time of the End. B19
As a result the "bulls"
and "thunders" of Antichrist dare not be of the same character as
previously. R3227:5
The increase of knowledge is
responsible for the increase of discontent and fear which are bringing
Armageddon. Di, D451; R1142:3, R5565:4, R1676:5, R4353:6, R5364:1; OV148:T
Had the current knowledge on all
subjects come sooner, it would have brought the time of trouble sooner. A337;
OV148:2
Daniel 12:5
Of the river -- Of the flood, the flood of truth, "which the dragon
cast out of his mouth" (Rev. 12:16) at the time of the French Revolution.
C65
On that side -- Showing that, even when the Papal power to persecute had
been ended, some would be in doubt as to whether its persecuting and crushing
power is really at an end. C68
Daniel 12:6
And one said -- The conversation is recorded, not for Daniel, but for
God's children living during the Time of the End. C64
Upon the waters -- Above the waters. C64
Of these wonders -- These wonderful perversions of truth, the deceptions of
God's children and the nations of the earth by the Papacy. C68
Or, strange things. Not the things
of verses 1 to 3, relating to the Kingdom of God, which were strange, but
expected; but the intervening troubles during the age. C67
The "time of trouble"
and the "resurrection" of the context. (verses 1 to 3) HG87:3
Daniel 12:7
It shall be for -- The Time of the End shall be after. C64
Times, and an half -- In the Bible a "time" is used in the sense of
a year. A symbolic year, as used in prophecy, is reckoned on the basis of a
lunar year--12 months of 30 days each, or 360 days--each day representing a
year. B89; CR140:2
Three and a half times or years
(360 x 3 1/2 equals 1260
days; symbolic time --1260 years),
the period of Papacy's power, ending in AD 1799. Compare Dan. 7:25 and Rev.
12:14 with Rev. 12:6 and Rev 13:5. C64; B91; R319:1, R2978:1, R5565:2, R389:2*
To scatter -- The crushing of the power. C68
The power of the holy people
-- The truth. C82
Daniel 12:8
I understood not -- "Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the
holy Spirit." (2 Pet. 1:21) Q787:4
"Not unto themselves, but
unto us did they minister." (1 Pet. 1:12) B23
The prophets of old often did not
understand their own utterances, but wrote for the Gospel Church. R1418:6,
R598:3, R349:6*, R1148:3; B23
Even those who walked very closely
with God could only have the light due in their day. R957:2
See comments on Dan. 12:4. The
end of -- Later than (or after). C83
Daniel 12:9
Go thy way, Daniel -- It is useless for you to try to comprehend the matter
now. C82; HG66:5
For the words -- Regarding the entire plan of God, together with the time
features of it. B18
The prophecies concerning Present
Truth. R1489:1
Closed up and sealed -- Their meaning is designedly hidden. E219; R1418:6,
R1489:1, R5055:1
The angels, also beloved, could
not understand. R218:1
Till -- Not forever, but merely till the present time. D605;
R598:3, R1579:1; CR213:3
Until such time as God purposes to
reveal his secrets, neither learning nor piety can find them out. B18
The mystery of God is to be
finished, completed, and the full plan of God is to be revealed in this new
dispensation now dawning. R5156:1
Leading us to expect things new,
as well as old, to be then revealed. F233
If prophecy was never designed to
be understood there could have been no reasonable object in giving it. B19
The time of the end -- The period beginning in AD 1799
and ending in 1914, within which
time we may expect them to be understood. C24, C149; D414; F233; OV147:4
The due time for the further explanation
of his plan to his people. R1178:1, R1579:1; E219
Because we are in the dawning of
the new age, we may see the divine character and plan for human salvation much
more clearly than did our forefathers. R5137:5
The work of harvest is still
progressing, even though at one time we supposed that it would be accomplished
by October, 1914. Ci Not the end of time. CR213:3
The end of this dispensation, of
the present order of things. OV269:3, OV6:3; CR478:1
See comments on Dan. 12:4.
Daniel 12:10
Many -- After the 1290 days or years, ending in AD 1829. C83
Shall be purified -- Shall separate themselves. C82
A purifying, cleansing, refining
work in connection with the understanding of this prophecy. C83
And made white -- Make themselves white. C82
And tried -- "The trial of your faith, being much more precious
than that of gold which perisheth." (1 Pet. 1:7) R1822:3
"Beloved, think it not
strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you." (1 Pet. 4:12)
R1823:1
"He is like a refiner's
fire." (Mal. 3:2) R1823:4
But the wicked -- Or hypocrites. R5154:4; HG572:5
Perverters and scorners of the
truth. R1896:6
Shall do wickedly -- Without interference from the Lord. R3304:5
And should not, therefore, be
warned of the impending troubles. F592
None of the wicked -- Unfaithful to their covenant. C166
The tares of Churchianity; those
out of harmony with God. R2691:6; Dii; OV268:4
Not the "tares" but only
the "wheat," shall now understand. R2691:6
Being too indifferent to heed and
search for the truth, and too weak-kneed to stand up for it if they did see it.
R3050:4
The knowledge would be so
communicated that the ungodly and unpurified would not believe it. C83
The merely formalistic Christian,
merely abstaining from work one day of the week and going to church, is not to
be expected to recognize his own likeness and to note its deformities and
inconsistencies. R2459:2
The world in general, especially
the Christian world who, having made a covenant with the Lord, are living
contrary thereto. Also the servant who hid the Lord's money in the earth and
returned it to him unused. (Luke 21:35) R2390:4
The viciously wicked are not
sufficiently interested to find out what we believe or teach. R5248:2
We are not to use prophetic
evidence as a club to drive the wicked to shelter. HG398:6
Shall understand -- God's plan and way. A168; R1308:4
If they did, it would be injurious
to themselves, and would interfere with God's plan. CR159:6; SM13:1
It must be evident to all that
prophecies, while clear, forcible and positive, are nevertheless somewhat
undercover. R2976:3
Therefore the New Creation does
not seek to alarm the world concerning the coming distress. They will not
"cast their pearls before swine." (Matt. 7:6) F592
Though realizing that we are
living in strange times and under peculiar circumstances, they try to persuade
themselves that what we see today is merely a recurrence of what has repeated
itself time and again during the past centuries. SM186:2
The general public does not
comprehend, calling it "theological hair-splitting." R3481:1
Not comprehended, even though
discussed freely in the presence of others. SM6:1
The Lord has so arranged it. Diii;
R3050:4
The Lord does not honor the
worldly-wise with a knowledge of his secrets. R1617:6
They cannot appreciate a God of
justice and love. R5303:4
But the wise -- Of thy people, wise through faith. SM794:1; B15, B223;
C166
In wisdom from on high; heavenly
wisdom. R5248:2, R5092:6, R1488:1, R2972:6; B223; OV6:3
Wise toward God. R5970:4, R5039:2,
R3015:6, R1308:4
The truly wise. R3947:1, R2765:1,
R2491:5, R1567:1; C89
Not according to the wisdom of
this world. R5970:4, R2974:2, R1488:1, R350:4*; OV61:6
Taught of God. R3033:5
Counted foolish by the world.
SM319:2; R3015:6
The meek and faithful children of
God, whose hearts are fully loyal to him. R1147:5, R5545:1, R1598:5
The wheat, the Little Flock.
R2691:6, R2938:2; SM319:2
The wise virgins. SM232:1; OV61:6;
R1877:5, R5146:4; Dii; HG314:3, HG316:4
"Who is wise that he may
understand these things? Intelligent that he may know them? For righteous are
the ways of the Lord and the just shall walk in them (understand them), but the
transgressors shall stumble through them (misapprehend them)." (Hosea
14:9, Leeser) R2491:5
Reasoning on the basis of proven
divine revelation. R1567:4
Only those seeking to live in
harmony with his will may be expected to have true discernment of the plan of
God. R3727:6
The Lord never reasons with any
except those who have faith in him and trust his promises. R3947:1
Shall understand -- Then, at the end of the 1290 days. C83; D606; R5565:5
The Lord will open the eyes of
only those whose hearts are in the right condition. CR435:3; SM6:1; R5061:5
In this glorious dawning of the
new era. R5154:4, R5817:3
"It is given unto you to know
the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 13:11) CR159:6
The vision and the prophecy. D606
Matters as they become due.
R3947:1, R2976:3, R5146:4; SM186:2
The fact that the antitypical
Isaac was not to be only Jesus, but also the Church--a mystery the Jews and
Babylon cannot comprehend. R4335:1
Be sealed in the forehead with a
mental comprehension of the truth to separate and distinguish the servants of
God from the servants and votaries of Babylon. C166
One evidence of faithfulness today
would be a knowledge of Present Truth. R2942:4
Our thought is that none could be
esteemed "overcomers," victors, while ignorant of our Lord's
parousia. R2942:4
Since many of the watchers are not
Greek scholars, God has made provision through such valuable helps as
"Young's Analytical Concordance" and the "Emphatic
Diaglott." R2974:2
If prophecy was never designed to
be understood, there could be no reasonable object in giving it. B19; R2765:1,
R2972:6
Daniel 12:11
And from the time -- AD 539, when both conditions were true. C83
The daily sacrifice -- The continual sacrifice. C83
Shall be taken away -- This occurred some years before the setting up of the
abomination in AD 539. C83
The abomination -- That Wicked One (2 Thes. 2:8); the Man of Sin (2 Thes.
2:3); the Mystery of Iniquity (2 Thes. 2:7); the Antichrist (1 John 2:18); the
Son of Perdition (2
Thes. 2:3); the Little Horn (Dan.
7:8); the Beast (Rev. 13:1); the Papacy (Matt. 24:15). B271, B277; C67, C76
Particularly its doctrine of
transubstantiation and the sacrifice of the Mass, supplemented in our day by
various theories of self-atonement. C36; D572; F471; R2822:6
Includes not only the mother
system, Papacy, but the daughters as well. R711:1
That maketh desolate -- Nominal spiritual Israel. D571
Shall be 1290 days -- 1290 years, ending 1829 AD, at which time William Miller
began to call attention to the time prophecies. C84, C87; R5565:5
Daniel 12:12
Blessed is he -- "O the blessedness of him!" indicated by the
Hebrew text. C83, C84; R2978:2, R5568:5, R5950:4, R5565:6
The blessing implied in the Lord's
parable of Luke 12:35-48. R3355:3
The right understanding of the
vision would be deficient in some of its chief elements until the end of the
1335 days. C84
A joy of heart to the watchers who
see the beginning of restitution and the second presence of Christ. R2978:2,
R5568:5, R5565:6; C84
Indicating very special blessings
in addition to those enjoyed at the end of the 1290 days; and this has been
actually the case. C84, C88, C197; R2978:3, R5565:6
The blessedness of great
enlightenment and appreciation of God's glorious purposes. R5950:4
All of the special blessings that
we, as a company of Bible Students, have received during the past 40 years have
been the result of the Lord's presence. R5566:1
That waiteth -- That is waiting earnestly, watchfully. C83, C127, C197
To the 1335 days -- 1335 years, from 539 AD, ending 1874, the time of the
second advent of the Lord. C83, C127; R2978:1, R5565:6
Beginning of the Times of
Restitution. B187, B196; R2978:2
Beginning of Harvest. R5772:4,
R5950:4; C94, C197
A date looked forward to by many
Bible students as the possible time for the Church to be complete--although
nothing in the Bible so declared. R5772:4
Daniel 12:13
Till the end be -- Till the "Harvest," or end of the age, be
come. F666
For thou shalt rest -- "David is not ascended into the heavens."
(Acts 2:34) R1591:5
Stand in thy lot -- Arise again for thy portion or reward. C83, C94
At the end -- After the end. "The harvest is the end."
(Matt. 13:39) C83, C94
Of the days -- The 1335 days. C94; R180:6*