The Pulpit Commentary — Daniel — Section 266

xxv. 81.). Bimi_Iar, th~ugh n_ot iden~ical, is the ill;'agery of 2 These. ii, 8; Rev. i. 7. Ilol! Scripture 1e consistent ID applymg euch de•criptions only to God, ancl to God in ~hnst•. ~ee t~echarge agai?e.ton? cnelll:yof the Church in olden time (Isa, xiv.13, 14). lhcee rnt1mations of the D1vme ID Christ of the Old Testament are like the grey that precudes the dawn. If Daniel anticipated that the Messianic Deliverer woul<l be one of tho rnce, it is clear, and will be clearer, that he had a glimpse of the truth that he would be Divine. 2. The pers<mage was also human. "A Son of man." The phrase is used in the Old Testament: (1) For man simply (Numb. xxiii. 19). (2) To remind the gifted and inspired of their oneness with the race. So eighty times in Ezekiel Qii, 10, 11, 17, et passim), Bo here the advancing one was partaker of the infirmity (innocent) of the rnce. With "clouds," the engirdlernent of the Divine, he mi;dit come; so also like" a Son of man." Of none other can this double affirmation be rnadc--of none eave the Lord Jesus. That the phrase here denotes the :Messiah is clear: (1) From a general consensus of rabbinical opinion, (2) From the Lord's own assumption of the name. Christ calls himself "the Son of man,'' though others call him" the Bon of God." What is its significance? Answering, we do not limit our- selves to Daniel'e standpoint. (1) The Christ was to be of the human race. The humanity is Christologically as important ae the Divinity, and each is indispensable to the mediatorial office. See the Athanasian Creed, "For the right faith , .. rose again the third day from the dead." (2) In the name is an intimation of the universality of the Saviour's missi<m. An implied protest against Jewish exclusiveness. "Son of David" points to the throne of Israel. Christ's right to it, albeit the sway spiritual. "Son of man" to his relation to the race ; "Son of God" to his relation to the Eternal. (3) Of world-wide domini<m. "The Bon of man" was to be no ordinary mortal, but King of the race, and King/or the race (comp. Ps. viii, 4-8 with Heh. ii. 5-9). (A most impl'essive missionary sermon might be preached from the words, "Now we see not yet all things put under him [man]; but we see Jesus 1" i.e. on the way surely to universal empire.) Note in this connection the wide horizon of Daniel's prophetic vision. It is no longer merely Israel, but the whole world, that is in view. In keeping with the prophet's historical position. His watch-tower is no longer Jerusalem, but Babylon. His look is across the Assyrian plain, at the great world-powers, their developments in relation to the everlasting rule, II. THE ENTHRONEMENT, 1. The King came from the heavenly world. Out of it, and down from it. He "came with the clouds of heaven." This empire is not like those that arose out of "the sea,'' from the turbulences of men. 2. He received the kingdomfrom the Eternal. Abnndant illustration will be found in Matt. x::i:viii. 18; John iii. 35; xiii. 3; v, 22; xvii. 2; 1 Cor. xv. 27. 3. The enthronement has no relation to the categories of time or space. We are not to suppose that at some place, at some moment, there was to be some literal fulfilment; that the Eternal undel' vene- rable form, would sit on a throne; that the Christ would come to sue for empire, etc. This is the rock on which many interpreters are wrecked. Nor is there reference to the last judgment, for then Christ himself is on the throne. Broad views, free from mere literalism, on such matters are best. 4. And yet there aro the pomp atid circumstance of an indefinite and multitudinous accompanying of the King. " They caused him to approach." A sort of grand indefiniteness in the expression. Not alone does Jesus come to reign. Ill. THE KINGDOM. 1. Supernatural in origin. " There was given him." 2. Spiritual in character. Invisible rule over souls. We speak of the empire of mind; we see in vision matter at the footstool of intellect. But what shall we say of the empire of religion, of Christianity, of Christ? Mind at the feet of Jesus, and, as a con- sequence, all below mind I Imaginations cast down, etc. (2 Cor. x. 5). 3, Universal in extent. "All people," etc. 4. Everlasting, "Shall not pass away," etc.-R. Vere, 16--28.-The great antagonist. "I behold, and the same horn," etc. (vers. 21, 22). In introducing this subject, let the following interesting facts be noted. The dream occasioned Daniel great anxiety, "Even I Daniel grieved was my spirit, ill tlie midst of [its] sheath." The soul a sword in its scabbard. He solicited information from one of the myriads in attendance on the Eternal. In answer, two or three suggestions were made, leading Daniel to inquire further, which he did, especially  THE BOOK OF DANU:t. [olt. vu. 1-28.