Daniel 7

Ver. 1, 8, 11, 12, 17—25. The tempestuous SEA denotes this world filled with contention, violence, and confusion. To represent their emptiness and gradual decay, the four successive monarchies had been represented by a terrible image seen in a forgotten dream. Here, to represent their mischievous nature, they are represented as ravenous beasts. The LION, with eagle’s wings soon pluckt, and his heart turned into the heart of a man, represents the Chaldean monarchy, strong and despotic, rapid in his conquests; but quickly after Nebuchadnezzar’s death all dismembered, weakened, and dispirited. The best raising itself on one side, having three ribs in its mouth, and devouring my flesh, represents the Medo-Persian monarchy, fierce and savage, but at last is and luxurious, raising up itself on the side of Persia, carrying its conquest almost only to the westward, conquering the three kingdoms of Lydia, Chalde and Egypt, and making fearful slaughter and spoil, especially among the Chaldeans. The LEOPARD, with four wings and four heads, marked the Great monarchy, agile, crafty, and spotted by a mixture of vices and virtues;—an Alexander astonishingly rapid in its conquests; and, after his death, into the four kingdoms of Macedonia, Lesser Asia, Syria, and Egypt, fourth beast, different in form, and dreadfully terrible and strong, with teeth and ten horns, represented the Roman empire, which, in a most manner, by powerful armies, conquered and tyrannized over the known for many ages, and at last was divided into ten different kingdoms of The LITTLE HORN, which sprung up after the rest, and pluck up there former, and which had eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking things, is the papal authority, which arose from small beginnings, and, setting three of the Italian powers, became a civil as well as an exchange principally; and which is noted for craft, circumspection, and vigilant blasphemous boasting of their own excellencies and prerogatives, and God, his laws and ordinances; for making proud decrees to bind and sciences; and for the persecution of his people.—It continues 1260 years, three times, or years, and an half, in prophetic language;—and, on the it, Rome, the seat thereof, will be at last destroyed:—whereas the Chaldeans, Persians, and Greeks, had their imperial power taken from the long remained a people. Ver. 9, 10, 13, 14, 18, 22, 26, 27, represent JEHOVAH as judging and condemning to ruin these monarchies, especially the Roman, that the gospel kingdom of his Son might be established in the world. His white robes denote his unspotted righteousness and holiness in all his proceedings. His white hairs represent his eternity, venerable Majesty, and the ripeness of his counsels. His fiery throne his awful scrutiny and fearful condemnations. Its burning wheels and fiery stream denote the swift execution of his sentences and fearful severity of his judgments. His numerous ministers are his angels and the agents in his providence. The opening of the books denotes the exact discovery he makes of men’s works, and the infinite equity and regularity of his decisions. The power here given to the Son of man implies not only his ascension into heaven, but his authority to destroy the Roman and Antichristian powers, in order that his gospel church may fill the whole world, especially in the millennium

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. VII.—Thrice happy is that retirement from business and courts which is filled up with intimate fellowship with God, and with discoveries of the secrets of his covenant and providence! What a troubled, unsettled, ever changing, and noisy world is ours made by the ambitious and contentious men who dwell in it! But all their empires, established by iniquity, 10. 114. are but contemptible things before the eternal God, and mischievous and destructive to one another! Infinite is the glory and majesty, the power and equity of the Most High; and certain, but tremendous, his appearance for the ruin of his opposers and the establishment of his church! Yea the reproach of Jesus’ cross is effectually wiped away in his solemn exaltation to glory; and shall be in the glory of his church, especially in the millennial and heavenly state. O how affecting are noted revelations from God! There is great need to search into their meaning by prayer and meditation; and, conscious of our weakness, to consult such as can instruct us. And if we ask we shall find. If we run to and fro in diligent search, we shall understand knowledge