In the first year of Belshazzar — This prophecy is written in Chaldee, to be a monument to him, of the reverence his father and grandfather shewed towards God, who had done such mighty works for them. Then he wrote — These visions were recorded for the benefit of the church, to rectify their mistake... [ Continue Reading ]
The four winds — Probably by the four winds of the great sea is signified commotions of contrary nations, striving together by wars, and producing these four beasts successively.... [ Continue Reading ]
Four great beasts — That is, four great monarchies, great, in comparison of particular kingdoms; beasts for their tyrannical oppressions.... [ Continue Reading ]
The first — This was the Chaldean, or Assyrian; whose seat was first at Babylon, afterwards at Nineveh, and then at Babylon again. Eagle's wings — They were swift, over — running many countries, and brought their monarchy to a prodigious height in a short time. The wings were plucked — Which was fir... [ Continue Reading ]
Another beast — The Mede's and Persians, a fierce, ravenous creature. On one side — The north side; for the Mede first arose and sent to Cyrus the Persian to come and assist him against the Assyrian. Three ribs — Several of the Babylonian subjects revolted, and all these made the three ribs.... [ Continue Reading ]
Like a leopard — This leopard was the Grecian monarchy; a leopard is less than a lion, so was this monarchy at first, but yet durst fight with a lion; so did Alexander encounter Darius with an inferior force. A leopard also for his swiftness; therefore described with four wings on his back. Four hea... [ Continue Reading ]
A fourth beast — The Roman empire.... [ Continue Reading ]
Another little horn — Probably either the Turk or the Romish antichrist.... [ Continue Reading ]
The thrones — The kingdoms of this world were destroyed by God the king, and judge of all, called the Ancient of days, because of his eternal deity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Destroyed — This cannot but be meant of the ruin and judgment of antichrist.... [ Continue Reading ]
A son of man — That is, the Messiah, he came with the clouds of heaven, gloriously, swiftly and terribly. And came — This relates to his ascension, at which time, he received his royal investiture, for the protection of his church, and curbing of their enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
Unto one — That is, to an angel, that ministered. The truth — The true meaning of this vision.... [ Continue Reading ]
But the saints — Jesus Christ being their king, they shall reign with him, and possess the kingdom for ever.... [ Continue Reading ]
And another — This seems to mean the Romish antichrist.... [ Continue Reading ]
Until a time and times — The numbers of Daniel and John seem to agree. Daniel was certainly prophetical in these things, and his prophecy reacheth to the end of times, even of antichrist's reign.... [ Continue Reading ]
Of the matter — Of the vision, and the angel's interpretation.... [ Continue Reading ]