XII. (1) AT THAT TIME — _i.e.,_ in the times spoken of in Daniel 11:45, previous to the overthrow of the king. During the tribulation which precedes his overthrow, Michael (see Daniel 10:13) comes to stand up in aid of the people. A TIME OF TROUBLE. — This is the tribulation spoken of in Matt. in M... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY... THAT SLEEP IN THE DUST. — Literally, _Many sleepers in the land of dust._ The word “sleep” is applied to death (Jeremiah 51:39; comp. 1 Thessalonians 4:14); while “dust” is used for the grave (Psalms 22:29). Some difficulty is presented by the use of the word “many” where “all” would have be... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT BE WISE. — Comp. Matthew 13:43, Notes. “The wise” are the same as “those that understand” who were spoken of in Daniel 11:33, meaning those who by their own righteousness — that is, by their faithfulness to their covenant with God — had set a bright example to the others, as in Daniel 11:3... [ Continue Reading ]
SHUT UP THE WORDS. — The revelation, which commenced in Daniel 10:20, now draws towards a close, and the prophet receives a further revelation respecting the time of the end. The revelation continues to be called by the same name, “the words,” as in Daniel 10:1; and now the prophet is told that the... [ Continue Reading ]
OTHER TWO. — Two heavenly beings are now seen by the prophet. As the absence of the article shows he had not seen them before, St. Jerome supposes them to be the angels of Persia and Greece, but of course it is impossible to identify them. THE RIVER — _i.e.,_ the Hiddekel, as in Daniel 10:4, though... [ Continue Reading ]
AND ONE SAID. — The speaker is evidently one of the persons just mentioned, but the LXX. and St. Jerome suppose Daniel to address the man clothed in white linen, who is obviously the same person who has already spoken (Daniel 10:5, &c.). The position which he occupies is striking. He appears _“upon”... [ Continue Reading ]
HELD UP HIS RIGHT HAND... — In general, a person when swearing lifted up the right hand only (see Genesis 14:22; Deuteronomy 32:40). Both hands are represented here as being raised up, so as to give greater importance to the words. (See Note on Revelation 10:5, and comp. Daniel 4:34.) A TIME, TIMES.... [ Continue Reading ]
I UNDERSTOOD NOT. — He did not understand the answer given in Daniel 12:7. The question did not seem to have had any reply. It had been asked how long the end should continue, and the answer had been only the obscure words, “time, times, and an half.” WHAT SHALL BE THE end? — Daniel refers to the “... [ Continue Reading ]
GO THY WAY. — That is, be at peace. Observe that the matter is not explained to Daniel any further. He is assured that the end will most certainly come. Compare another gentle rebuke that was addressed to one who wished to see further than was fitting into the future (John 21:21). CLOSED UP AND SEA... [ Continue Reading ]
MANY SHALL BE PURIFIED. — See Notes on Revelation 22:11, and comp. Daniel 11:35. The words imply that all shall be fulfilled, the time of persecution shall certainly arise, the righteous will be purified, while the wicked will become apostates. The wise (see Daniel 11:33), and they only, will unders... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM THE TIME. — It appears as if at this verse the prophecy recurs to the more immediate future, and that these words point to the same subject as Daniel 11:31. The language used respecting the “abomination” is almost verbally the same as that in Daniel 8:3; Daniel 8:11; Daniel 9:27, and prevents u... [ Continue Reading ]
BLESSED IS HE. — Last words to Daniel. He shall rest in the grave, and stand up in his own lot at the end of the days.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THY LOT. — The reference is to the partition of Palestine by lot in the times of Joshua. Even so shall one greater than Joshua divide the heavenly Canaan among His saints who follow Daniel in faith, firmness, and consistency. (See Colossians 1:12.)... [ Continue Reading ]