The Pulpit Commentary — Daniel — Section 356

of Israel, shall then bo prominent; that there shall be de! i verance for all the truo Israel of God, viz. of those whose nnmes are written in "the book." Of that book we treat; but Reeking light upon it from the later revelations of God. By "the boolt" we understand the register of the redeemed of the Lord-the heavenly Cburch- book-tbe roll of the one univem1l Church. I. THE BOOK. The language is symbolic. There is in heaven something which may well be rep1·esented by a book. Books play no mean pnrt in Scripture symbolism. 'l'o understand the passages we must remember that ancient books were, for the most part, written on parchment, rolled on cylinders, and usually the writing was on one Hide only, In Rav. v, 1 the book is the crowded roll of the providential counselH. A book sealed is one whoeo contents are secret. To ent a book is spiritually to assimilate its contents (Rev. x. 9, 10; Jer. xv. 16). A b,,ok "folded up" stands for law repealed, or teaching of no further use. To "receive" a book is to enter on new dignity (Rev. v. 7). Christ enters on the functions of mediatorial providential King. ll. THE TITLE. "The book oflife" (Rev. xxi. 27). 1. Wl,at it is not. Not what is called "the volume of the Divine decrees." Rev. iii. 5 settles that. 2. What it is. One of the two to be produced at the last judgment (see Rev. xx. 11-13). Look at them separately. (1) The boob of the deeds of men. 'fhe judgment of the great day will be "according to the deeds," etc. (2 Cor. v. 10). But bow does this comrort with the evangelical doctrine that believers are saved and unbelie.ers lost (John iii. 14-19)? (a) As to the unbeliever. His deeds are the evidence of unbelief. (b) The believer. (11) Deeds, again, are evidence of faith. (fJ) Deeds determine place in glory. (2) The boolc of life, A book of names only, of the living-llpiritually; i.e. of the saved. Alford says, "Those books and the book of life bear independent witness to the fact of men being or not being among the saved; the one by inference from the works recorded, the other by inscription or non-inscription in the list." 3. The origin of the figure. Whence? Various answers, but all suggestive. The carefully kept list of priests P of citizens 1 of wrestlers in the great Greek agony? the monster roll of soldiers in the Roman army? Believers ought to be all there-priests, etc. Think, then : In the book every believer's name, not in the world's order, but in the order of coming into the Church universal, It is the family register of our Father in heaven. What if we could read H? The names clearly written! No mistake l What disclosures I Names there; names not there! No impeachment of the record. No doubtful name. Are our names there? III. THE OWNER. "'l'he Lamb's book of life.'' Why? 1. The book is the register of his property. His "own," Blood-bought. His ransomed, servants, subjects, soldiers, friends, younger brethren. 2. He enters the names. How do we know? None beside has the ability or qualification. The writer must be everywhere, see all, know all. What wise discrimination needed too! tender sympathy! instant delicate recognition of the trust of a soul going out to him 1 3. As Guardian, he keeps the book. The book, ever open, lies in the shadow of the protection of Christ's throne (John x. 28). IV. 'l'HE NAMES. 1. The names ever there. Of those "who go out no more for ever." 2. The blotted names. (Rev. xxii. 19; iii. 5.) Surely no idle threats these (Heh. x. 29) I V. Tm: BLANK SPACES. There are places for coming names. Millions of names have been filled in ; and " yet there is room.'' The blank space for your name waits your decision. Some names never will be there, (John v. 40.) What then? Rev. xx. 15: figurative language? Yes. But figure must be less ever than the reality.-R. Vere. 1-4.-Revolueions in earthly empires. In answer to prayer, Daniel obtains the consolation that other persons-other orders of being-were actively engaged In the same cause as himself. I. UNSEEN AND UNOSTENTATIOUS SERVICE IS OFTEN THE ::UOST EFFECTIVE. It is not probable that Gabriel appeared in visihle form in the Persian court. His presence was unknown ; his influence on men unobserved, He was content to exert his power over the feelings, dispositions, motives, of men; in this way he could best direct the affairs of nations, and serve the cause of righteousness. We may be content to retire into obscurity; be unseen and unknown, so long as we use talent and influence on the 330 THE BOOK OF DANIEL. [oH. x1. 1-46.