Daniel 8

Ver. 3—8, 20—22. The RAM with two horns, of which the last sprung was the highest, pushing westward, northward, and southward, and without any effectual resistance, denotes the empire of the Medes and more powerful Persians, which pushed its conquests all along from the Euxine sea and the Hellespont on the north to the river Indus on the south, and as far as African Ethiopia and Lydia on the west, containing, in all, about 1,600,000 square miles. The he-goat, which came flying from the west and had a notable horn between his eyes, denotes the Grecian monarchy under Alexander, marching forces with 9 X prodigious rapidity into Persia, conquering it, and erecting a still greater empire on the ruins of it. The four horns, which sprung up after the notable horn of the he-goat was broken, refer to the four generals which, after Alexander’s death, parted his empire into four kingdoms of Macedonia, Lesser Asia, Syria, and Egypt. 9—14, 23—25. The little horn which sprung from one of the four horns, and waxed exceeding great, cast down the host of heaven, and magnified himself against their prince, abolished the daily sacrifice, and trode the sanctuary under foot, 2300 days, mornings and evenings, till at last it was broken without hand, denotes Antiochus Epiphanes, a Syro-grecian king, who by craft, and by the assistance of some neighbours, obtained the kingdom instead of his nephew; and becoming strong, persecuted the Jews, profaned their sanctuary, set their high-priesthood to sale, abolished their daily sacrifices about three years, murdered multitudes of them, and, after vowing to extirpate them, was cut off by the fearful vengeance of God. He may also be considered as typical of the popish Antichrist, that chief corruptor and destroyer of the Christian church

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. VIII.—The people of God have often enjoyed the most glorious liberty in their souls when their bodies have been held in captivity. But those who abuse others may quickly expect the like treatment. God quickly stops the career of ambitious men. And little do they, who risk both soul and body in amassing power or wealth, know who shall enjoy them. If ever God’s people suffer, their sins are the cause. They, who slight or abuse the privileges of God’s sanctuary, deserve to be deprived of them. But no wicked persecutor has any more power than the Lord permits. His hand must be observed even in all the enterprizes of his enemies. And it is comfortable to reflect that he looks on the persecution of his church as against himself: and that, though her adversaries may be severe, they cannot be lasting. In his time her privileges shall be restored, and sanctuary cleansed, and her most crafty and powerful enemies fearfully destroyed. It is proper, however, that perplexed souls should consult Jesus the wonderful Counsellor; and that gracious souls should be deeply affected with the church’s distress, but never so as to disqualify them for the duties of their station. 2