(5.) This is a perpetual antithesis, and opposition that is put between the kingdoms of the world and the kingdom of Christ; that they rise out of the strivings of the winds upon the sea, he comes with the clouds of heaven : they are brought in by commotions, tumults, wars, desolations, and so shall all the shakings of the nations be, to punish them for their old opposition, and to translate them into a sub- serviency to his interest. The coming in of the kingdom of Christ shall not be by the arm of flesh, nor shall it be the product of the strifes and contests of men which are in the world : it is not to be done ' by might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord of hosts;' Zech. iv. G. great wars, deso- lations, alterations, shall precede it ; but it is not the sons of men that by outward force shall build the new Jeru- salem ; that comes down from heaven adorned as a bride for Christ, fitted and prepared by himself: certainly the strivings of men about this business shall have no influence into it. It shall be by the glorious manifestation of his own power, and that by his Spirit subduing the souls of men unto it; not by the sword of man setting up a few to rule over others. Hence it is everywhere called a creating of ' a new heaven, and a new earth,' Isa. Ixv. 17. a work doubtless too difficult for the worms of the earth to under- take. There is nothing more opposite to the spirit of the
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gospel, than to suppose that Jesus Christ will take to him- self a kingdom by the carnal sword and bow of the sons of men. The raising of the ' tabernacle of David which is fallen down, and the setting up the decayed places of it,' Acts XV. 16. is done by his visiting the people with his Spirit and word, ver. 14. It is by the pouring out of his Spirit in a covenant of mercy ; Isa. lix. 21. Thus the Lord sets up one * shepherd of his people, and he shall feed them, even,' saith he, *my servant David, he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd, and the Lord will be their God, and my ser- vant David a prince among them ;' Ezek. xxxiv. 24, 25. He brings in the kingdom of his Son, by making the children of Israel seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and to fear the Lord and his goodness;' Hos. iii. 5. Who now can fathom the counsels of the Almighty, who hath searched his bosom, and can by computation tell us, when he shall pour out his Spirit for the accomplishment of these things?
This then is the last thing in this vision, whose consi- deration brought the prophet into so great perplexity and distress of spirit.
Thirdly, There is the means that Daniel used for redress in that sad condition, whereunto he was brought by the con- sideration of this vision: 'He drew near to one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this.'
This also was done in vision. There is no mention of his waking before his making this address : but the vision continuing, he draws nigh in the same manner to. one of them that stood by; one of those angels, or holy ones, that stood ministering before the throne of God, who was com- missionated to acquaint him with the mind and will of God in the things represented to them. This then is the remedy he applies himself unto ; he labours to know the mind and will of God, in the things that were to be done : this it seems he pitched on, as the only way for quieting his grieved and troubled spirit ; and hereupon.
Fourthly, He is told and made to know the interpreta- tion of the things, so far at least as might quiet his spirit in the will of God.
Not that he is clearly instructed in every particular, for he tells them in the close of the chapter, that he had trouble-
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Bome thoughts about the whole ; * his cogitations troubled him, and his countenance changed,' ver. 28. but having re- ceived what light God was wiliino- to communicate to him, he inquires no farther, but addresses himself to his own duty.
Take then from the words thus opened in these proposi- tions ; some whereof I shall do little more than name unto you.
Observation I. In the consideration of God's marvellous actings in the world, in order to the carrying on of the gos- pel and the interest of the Lord Jesus Christ, the hearts of his saints are oftentimes filled with perplexity and trouble.
They know not what will be the issue, nor sometimes what well to do. Daniel receives a vision of the things which in part we live under : and if they fill his heart with astonishment, is it any wonder if they come close to us, and fill us with anxious perplexing thoughts, upon whom the things themselves are fallen ?
Observation II. The only way to deliver and extricate our spirits from under such perplexities and entanglements, is to draw nigh to God in Christ, for discovery of his will.