Vere. 4-18.-Precept and promise. "Dut go thou thy way," etc. (vcr. 13). From eh. xii. 4 to the end we have the epilogue to the last vision of the book. Jn the epilogue nre many interesting matters, which will no doubt be develop(ld in the Exposition. Wo here lay hold of the closing words of all, suggest them for homiletical treatment, and indicate their meaning. No more than this. I. A PllEOEPT. "Go thou thy way till the end be." Here the ohl man of near ninety years is bidden to continue in the path of well-doing until death; for that is " the end" referred to. II. PROMISE. Threefold. Of: 1. Rest. In the grave. After that long, toilsome, noble liie. 2. Resurrection. iiCJ11J;!-01pl;l: To rise up from the rest of the grave. 3. Inheritanct,; i.e. with the saints in light. "Lot" has primary reference to the inheritance of Israel in Canaan; and so secondarily to the antitype, Heaven.-R. Vers. l-4.-Prophetic events in perspective. Nature is full of types. The leaf is type of the tree. 'l'he dawn is a type of the resurrection. The same law that moulds the dew-drop moulded the earth. History likewise is full of types. 'l'he banishment from Eden is a type of exclusion from heaven. Tho redemption of the Hebrews from Egyptian bondage is a type of the redemption of the race by Jesus Christ. Both prosperous and adverse events in human history serve as types. This is the key to the present paragraph in Daniel. I. RIGOROUS TRIALS FOB IsnAEL APPEAR IN THE VISTA OF THE FUTURE. Not only are great deliverances -pre-announced, but great disasters also. It is thought by some persons that it is of no advantage to discern the approach of trial. But t.o be forewarned is to be forearmed. Every earthly battle is a symbol of the decisive battle between good aud evil-between Christ and Satan. The time of trouble which the angel predicted was a fitting type of the time of trouble which 'Jesus Christ predicted, viz. the overthrow of Jerusalem. Of each it might trnly be said, as each arose to view, "it was a time of trouble," such as had not hitherto been known. II. SEVERE TBIALS BRING TO LIGHT SUPERIOR SOURCES OF HELP. Had it not been for the captivity and oppression of Israel, Daniel would not have fasted and prayed, and if he had not made his tearful appeal to God, he would not have known of the distinguished beings who were enlisted in Israel's defence. When raised to the eternal home, we shall learn that trials had served on earth our highest good. They drove us near to God. '.!.'hey brought the revelation of his available help. Greater are our champions (if we are friends of truth) than all our foes. "The great Prince standeth for us." Here is type again. Even the Fall shall result in greater elevation. Recovered holiness is a richer acquisition than unmolested innocence. Ill. EVERY A.OT OF DIVINE DELIVEllANOE POINTS ONWARD TO OUR RESURRECTION AND ABCl':NSION. '.!.'here is no room for question that the awakening and reappear- ance of the dead, referred to by the angel, was a resurrection of social and national life under Judas Maccabams. A new wave of life was to pass over the people. 'l'hose who had been long repressed, trodden in the dust, who had bidden in holes and dens for very life, then reappeared. In very similar language Ezekiel predicted that God would "bring his people out of their graves, and would lead them to their own land." Yet this revival of life under the Maccabroan princes was type of a better resurrection. The language spoken to Daniel bad both a near and a remote application. In its fullest signification it will be verified only in the great resurrecction at the last day. IV. RESURRECTION WILL SERVE TO MANIFEST CONTRASTS OF CHARACTER. A sudden accession of prosperity to a man is a good test of his worth or his worthless- ness. With our present grossly material natures, it is comparatively easy to dissemble motive~, feelings, and intentions before our fellow-men. But it is possible that the resurrection-body will be refined and transparent, so that angels and men tnay be able to see us thrnugh aud through. What an incentive have we here to acquire sterling 848 THE BOOK OF DANIEL. [ea. m. 1-13.
excellence of character! By-and-by no secrets will be permitted: will this be to us a joy or a i!rief? All varieties of character will be reduced to two. Minot· distinctions will be obliteratoo in view of the great distinction. Honour will be life ; shame will be death. V, DI~TINCTIONS OF 0HABACTEB WILL MEET WITH DISTINCTIVE DESTINIES, For tbe present the coming destinies of men are, in pa.rt, concealed. But we m:\y be quit.e sure that eventually every man will, like J uda.s, "go to his own place," In all God's arrangements there is admirable and exquisite fitness, and it shall be seen at laet that chal'8Cter will gravitate to its proper <lestination. Those among the sons of men who are truly wise-who love and pursue wisdom -shall gradunlly gain a. clearness and brightness of soul. The hidden excellence shall be at length fully manifested· "they sball shine" as the clear lustre of the eastern sky. Wisdom, that has matured and ripened into benevolence, shall shine as the "stars," and that perpetually. VI. LARGER UNFOLDINGS OF THE TROTH ARB RESERVED FOB THE FUTURE, Jn each succeeding age men have still to say, "We kno1V in part." It is, without question, best for us here that revelation should be gradual, and that attainments of knowledge should be secured by successive steps. It would be lavish waste (such as we see nowhere in God's universe) if God should reveal ae once to men all that he intends to make known on earth. The thing would be impossible. There must be an eye to perceive, as well as objects to be presented. We should be blinded with the excess of light. God reveals himself and his redemption through human as well as through angelic agencies. Though every prophet must be in advance of his contemporaries, in order to be a prophet; still he must not be greatly in advance. 'l'be stream of revelation must be stayed for a time; " the book must be olosed and sealed." Time is allowed to reduce known truth to practical advantage. In later times, teachers shall be multiplied, and truth, unfettered, shall spread through wider and wider circles. "Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability" and the glory of future ages.-D.