Daniel 7

Daniel 7:1

IN the first year of Belshazzar] That Daniel might joyn together Babels stories, and such as did depend upon them without interruption, therefore he displaced the two visions which now follow; the one in the first of Belshazzar of Babels fall in the seventh Chapter, the other in Chap. 8. in the third of Belshazzar, of the Persians fal: both which in order of time go before Chap. 5.

had a dream] Chald. saw a dream.

visions of his head] Which were internally represented to his imagination, and not to externall sense, Daniel 4:5.

he wrote the dream] Whereas the people of Israel looked for continuall quietnesse after these seventy years, as Jeremiah had declared, he sheweth that this rest shall not be a deliverance from all troubles, but a beginning; and therefore encouraged them to look for a continuall affliction till the Messiah be revealed, by whom they should have a spirituall deliverance, and all the promises fulfilled; whereof they should have a certaine token in the destruction of the Babylonian Kingdom.

told the summe] To wit, to his people, because for their instruction and consolation against persecutions to come, God shewed that dream to Daniel.

matters] Or, words.

Daniel 7:2

the four windes] By the sea is signified the world, and by the windes horrible troubles, afflictions and mutations, whereby one kingdom is exalted, and another abased, as the waves of the sea.

Daniel 7:3

beasts came up] Empires deciphered in this manner, because the acquiring of them is not gotten, nor the possession maintained, nor the government of them exercised but by violence and tyranny, Psalms 76:5. Cant. 4. 8.

diverse one from another] For Babel destroyed Judahs Kingdome; Paras meant to have destroyed the whole nation in one day; Alexander required Judah to take his date from his conquests, and to name th Priests sonnes Alexanders, all borne in one year; and meant to have been a god: the Seleucidae meant to have altered all Judahs religion, and to devour the whole wealth of the nation.

Daniel 7:4

The first] The golden head, Daniel 2:38. and the great tree, Dan. 4. 20, 21, 22. is the power of Babel, the first Empire.

a Lion] The Lion represented the Empire of the Chaldeans, Daniel 2:37. in regard of his power and capacity. Isaiah 5:29. Jeremiah 4:7.

the wings] To point out the great celerity of Nebuchadnezzars coming to his power and possession of Kingdoms, as if the Babylonians had wings to flie. Isaiah 5:26. Jeremiah 4:13. and Jeremiah 48:40. Ezekiel 17:3. Habakkuk 1:8.

pluckt] Their wings were pluckt by the Persians, and they went on their feet, and were made like other men, which is here meant by mans heart, soft and fearfull; this was fulfilled under Belshazzar, see Jeremiah 51:30.

and it was lifted] Or, wherewith it was lifted.

Daniel 7:5

a bear] eaning the Empire of the Persians, Dan. . 39. and 8. 3. who were as a bear, barbarous and cruell. Others, the Persians were a nation of the mountains, and more uncivill then the Chaldeans, though they were great warriers, and much inclined to set upon Empires and States.

is raised up it self on one side] Or, it raised up one dominion; Chald. one government. Madai and Paras, two armes in one breast, now set up a joynt government.

three ribs] Meaning, people were devoured by the Persians: which very thing the following words intimate; for by three ribs are signified three coasts of the world, from the East (which afore it held) it brake into the West, North, South, as it is foretold, Chap. 8. 4.

they said] To wit, the Angels, by Gods commandment, who by this means punished the ingratitude of the world. Others, Gods secret providence did drive them on to those enterprises, and made them easie for them. See Isaiah 21:2.

Daniel 7:6

another like a leopard] The Empire of Alexander the Great, and Greece for the first partition. Alexander was very speedy in all his conquests, which is figured by the leopard a very active beast, Hab. 1. 8. and by his wings. A third kingdome, Daniel 2:39. The goat back, Daniel 8:5. A mightie king, Daniel 11:3.

foure wings of a fowl] These were the foure kingdomes, into which the Empire of Alexander was divided after his death, which his foure chief Captains had, Daniel 8:8. & Daniel 11:4. 1Ma 1:9-10. Seleucus had Asia the great, Antigonus the lesse, Cassander, and after him Antipater, was king of Macedonie, and Ptolemus had Egypt.

and dominion was given to it] It was not of himself, nor of his own power, that he gat all these countreys: for his army contained but thirtie thousand men, and he overcame in one battell Darius, which had ten hundred thousand; when he was so heavy with sleep that his eyes could scarce open, as the stories report: therefore this power was given him of God.

Daniel 7:7

a fourth beast] By Daniel 8:9. we may finde that the first meaning of this prophecie hath relation to the kingdomes of Syria and Egypt, possessed by the Seleucidae, and Lagidae, the images two legs, Daniel 2:33. The Roman Empire did imitate this afterwards, in the persecution of the Church, the subversion and interdiction of Gods service, and violence done to consciences: whereupon the Revelation doth fit many of these passages of Daniel to Antichrist, See Daniel 2:40.

dreadfull and terrible] Especially to Gods people the Jews to whom Daniel properly hath respect, as Chap. 2. 40. who were never more cruelly used then by the Seleucidae, Dan. 8. 11, 12. and 11. 31. 36.

great iron teeth] That is, leaders and armies as instruments meet to grind and diminish the Jews.

and stamped the residue with the feet of it] That is, whom it did not consume, those it did most shamefully trample upon, troubling their minds and bodies with all kinde of cruelties.

and it was diverse] In regard his tyranny over the people of God tended to force them to idolatry, and to annihilate Gods service, which none of precedent Empires had attempted.

and it had ten horns] That is, ten kings succeeding one another in that kingdome untill Antiochus, comprehending him among the rest, vers. 24. For although he had successors, yet the people of God, (in regard of whom these things are spoken) began after Antiochus to reassume their libertie under the Asmoneans untill Christ.

Daniel 7:8

and behold,] Vers. 21. & 24. Chap. 8. 9.

another little horn] This is Antiochus called Epiphanes, who is one and the last of the number of the ten kings which are signified here by ten horns, who when he invaded the kingdome was but despicable, See Chap. 11. 21: and is called another, because his tyranny over the Jewish people was speciall, vers. 24.

the first horns pluckt up by the roots] That is, kings plucked up by him, vers. 24.

in this horn were eyes] To signifie his naturall sagacitie and craft, Daniel 8:23. 25. & 11. 23. 32.

of man] Here is noted the fained humanitie of Antiochus Epiphanes, who was not right heire, but as a private man, and as a friend to the kings, whom by much policie h defeated.

speaking great things] He shall be exceeding haughtie in words, 1Ma 1:25. and cruell in bloudy decrees, and a great blasphemer of God himself, persecuting the Saints, and commanding the abolishing the law, vers. 25. Daniel 8:23. 25. & 11. 36. 1Ma 1:46-47. See the like to this in Pagan Rome, Revelation 13:5.

Daniel 7:9

I behld till the thrones were cast down] Revelation 20:4. Chald. till thrones were set up. On which Judges should sit, one throne for God, the other for the sonne of David. That this is the meaning, appears by the words following, also by conference of verses 10. 22. 26. That is, till God did enter into judgement against Epiphanes, for the deliverance and revenge of his people. A figurative description, as Psalms 7:67. & Psalms 9:4. 7.

ancient of dayes did sit] A figurative representation of God which was before all times, and of his glorious majestie, set out unto us, as mans nature is able to apprehend some portion of his glory.

and his wheels as burning fire] Gods throne is here described with wheels, 1 Chronicles 28:18. Ezekiel 1:15. & Ezekiel 10:9. to shew that Gods providence moveth every where, to govern all things, and provide for all things; and it points out Gods facilitie in executing his judgements.

Daniel 7:10

A fiery stream issued] Hereby is signified the inevitable and consuming force of Gods judgements. See Psalms 50:3. & Psalms 97:3. Isaiah 30:33.

thousand thousands ministred unto him] Psal 68. 18. Revelation 5:11.

and ten thousand times ten thousand] An infinite number of holy Angels, which were ready to execute his commandement.

books were opened] Terms taken from judgements amongst men, in which the inquest, proofs, confessions, and other writings are produced to frame the judgement by, and the laws also are considered. See Revelation 20:12. So the impious actions of this horne Antiochus Epiphanes are recited, that for them judgement may passe on him.

Daniel 7:11

I behld then] To wit, God sitting in judgement to give all kingdoms to his Sonne, as vers. 13. 14.

because of the voice of the great words] For from the time of Antiochus Epiphanes, God began to shake and destroy the kingdome of the Seleucidae with inward and outward stirs.

even till the beast was slain] As in the images ruine he began with the legs first, and not with the head that first perished: so here first he speaketh of the last, for the safetie of his own nation, that the Chaldeans should pick no quarrell for this vision.

and given to the burning flame] A description of the death and everlasting damnation of Antiochus. 1 Mac. 6. 8. 13.

Daniel 7:12

As concerning the rest of the beasts] As the three former Monarchies had an end, at the time that God appointed, although they flourished for a time, so shall this fourth have, and they that patiently abide Gods appointment, shall enjoy the promises.

they had their dominion taken away] Not at that very time, but the meaning is, that every great Empire an enemy and persecutor of the Church was destroyed before Christs coming upon earth, from time to time, though the people still continued and subsisted in some weake and low forme of state, See Daniel 2:35. untill all the remainders were brought under the Romanes.

their lives were prolonged] Chald. a prolonging in life was given them.

Daniel 7:13

one like the Son of man] Or, a Son. Which is meant of Christ, who had not yet taken upon him mans nature, neither was the sonne of David according to the flesh, as he was afterward: but in vision here Daniel seeth him coming from the Father, and returning to his Father again. The Jews grant Christ to be here so termed: and in the foure Evangelists our Saviour tearming himself Sonne of man, most graciously calleth us to weigh this text: thus also he is called after his ascension, Apoc. 1. 13.

came with the clouds of heaven] The incarnation of our Lord, and coming into the world in the yeare 3927. after Babels fall 457.

and came to the ancient of dayes] Christ after his resurrection is ascended into heaven, and is set at the right hand of his Father, and from him hath obtained all power in heaven and in earth. See Ezekiel 1:26. Acts 2:34. 36. Ephesians 1:20. Philippians 2:9. Hebrews 1:3-4. Revelation 1:13. & Revelation 14:14. Our Lord his ascension was at 490. after Daniels yeare of praying for return.

they brought him neer before him] Or, was brought. To wit, the holy Angels: for though Christ ascended by vertue of his divinitie, yet Angels are his ministring spirits to attend on him, Hebrews 1:6. 14.

Daniel 7:14

dominion and glory] This is meant of the beginning of Christs kingdome, when God the Father gave unto him all dominion, as to the Mediatour, to the intent that he should govern here his Church on earth continually, till the time that he brought them to eternall life: and this power he exerciseth in the middest of his foes, maintaining his Church, and overthrowing his enemies, as it is Psal. 110.

and a kingdome] The conclusion of our Lords prayer, Matthew 6:13. most heavenly calleth into our minds this speech, and teacheth of the king of eternitie the uncorruptible, 1 Timothy 1:17. who joyneth Jews and Gentiles in one kingdome.

an everlasting dominion] Chap. 2. 44. Micah 4:7. Luke 1:33.

Daniel 7:15

body] Chald. sheath.

troubled me] Through the greatnesse and brightnesse of the sight of Gods Majestie according to the manner of Prophets who after their extasies, which did dazle their senses, tire their spirits, and overdid their naturall faculties. See Daniel 7:28. and Daniel 8:27. and Daniel 10:8. 16.

Daniel 7:16

unto one of them that stood by] Namely, one of the Angels that appeared in this vision, as vers. 10.

the truth of all this] The proper meaning.

Daniel 7:17

These great beasts] That is, to say kingdomes, Dan. 2. 38, 39. They are savage beasts in consideration of their dealing against the families of our Lords ancestors the house of Zorobabel, and the nation that should have their kings from it.

foure kings] He useth the terme kings rather then kingdomes, that the next verse short in the Chaldee should not be mistaken, and that none should thinke of foure kings to hold a kingdome for ever, yea for ever and ever: the Prophet was willing to hide his minde from savage heathen.

shall arise out of the earth] Their arising, what it meaneth, it may be gathered by the next verse: arising over the kingdome of the Saints, and withholding it.

Daniel 7:18

But] Or the verse may be rendred thus: And they shall take the kingdome of the Saints of the most High: but they that are Saints shall possesse the kingdome for ever, even for ever and ever. Meaning, though those foure kingdomes which Daniel speaketh of, should for a time rule over the Jews, (who are called the Saints of the Highest here, and after, vers. 21. 22.) yet Christ coming should set up a kingdome, to rule for ever.

the saints] The house of Zorobabel, Abihu, Rhesa, and the godly of their nation, to wit, the Church of God in Christ her head first, and afterward the whole body which shall be perfectly united with him, shall receive from God a spirituall and everlasting kingdome. See vers. 22. Isaiah 60:12. Revelation 1:6. & Revelation 5:10. whereof the Maccabees principalitie was but a shadow, and was between the reign of Antiochus and the coming of Christ.

most High shall take the kingdome] Chald. high ones, that is, things, or places. That is, of the most high things, because God hath chosen them out of this world that they should look up to the heavens, whereon all their hope dependeth. Or Highest in the plurall number, to teach us of the divine Persons, as Abraham speaketh, Genesis 20:13. and David, 2 Samuel 7:22. here it was fit in a distinct vision of the Sonne and of the Father, as thrones are plurall, vers. 9. See Ecclesiastes 5:8.

Daniel 7:19

was diverse] It was partly unlike, because two Kings, Syria and Egypt, both claimed right over Judah, since the daies of Seleucus Nicator, and Ptolemy Lagi, and made continuall warres for it: but diverse also in cruell spoyling, and hatred of religion: which Babel, Madai and Alexander more favoured: See ver. 23.

from all the others] Chald. from all those.

Daniel 7:20

ten hornes] Of the Kings Seleucidae and Lagidae, which greatly troubled the kingdom, when the house of Zorobabel should have reigned to the glory and comfort of all the world; vers. 8.

whose look] By this is implied the greatnesse of the power, and of the enterprises of Antiochus above all the rest of the Seleucians, Daniel 8:10. & Daniel 11:37.

Daniel 7:21

made warre] Revelation 11:7. & Revelation 13:7.

with the saints] See vers. 9. With the Jews, as the Books of Maccabees shew.

Daniel 7:22

ancient of dayes came] See vers. 9. Till God shewed his power in the person of Christ, and by the preaching of the Gospel gave unto his some rest, and so obtained a famous name in the world, and were called the Church of God, or the kingdome of God.

to the saints] To the people of God, vers. 25. Chap. 8. 24. and 11. 30.

Daniel 7:23

he said] To wit, the Angel, of whom he asked information concerning this matter, vers. 16.

whole earth] That is, the holy Land, namely Judea, as appears by vers. 21. & 25.

Daniel 7:24

And the ten horns] Vers. 7, 8.

another shall rise after them] Antiochus Epiphanes, who defeated his brother Seleucus, his brothers sonne, and the sonne of his sister Cleopatra Queen of Egypt.

three kings] Daniel in Chap. 8. and 11. enlargeth this of the vilenesse of Antiochus Epiphanes, and further of his endeavour to have abrogated the Jews religion.

Daniel 7:25

And he shall speak] Chap. 8. 24, 25. & 11. 28, 30. 1 Mac. 1. 46.

against the most High] That is, make wicked Decrees and Proclamations against Gods word, and send through all the dominion, to destroy all that did professe it.

change times] Sabbaths, Passeover, Pentecost, Expiation day, the feast of Tabernacles, New Moones, the seven yeers rest, and such like, Daniel 8:11. and Daniel 11:31. 1Ma 1:47-48.

laws] All Moses ceremonies.

time and times] A time here is a yeer: times, two yeers: and half a time, halfe a yeer: that is to say, three yeers and a halfe, the time of Antiochus persecuting Gods people, beginning, as it should seeme, from the time which is set down, 1Ma 1:30. See Revelation 13:5.

Daniel 7:26

judgement] God by his power shall restore things that are out of order, and so destroy this little horn that it shall never rise up againe.

to consume] About 150. yeers before our Lords birth are spent in this wasting, to the uttermost of Syria and Egypt, when warres among themselves and the Maccabees, and most of all the Romanes, consumed them: which long destructions are handled in Ezekiel 38. and 39. Chapters.

Daniel 7:27

kingdome and dominion] Luke 1:33. He sheweth wherefore the beast should be destroyed, to wit, that his Church might have rest and quietnesse, which although they do not wholly enjoy here, yet they have it in hope, and by the preaching of the Gospel enjoy the beginning thereof, which is meant by these words, Under the heavens: and therefore he here speaketh of the beginning of Christs kingdome in this world, which kingdome the faithfull have by the participation that they have with Christ their head. Salvation cometh from the Jews, John 4:22.

whose kingdome] Upon this all the New Testament goeth, and Paul to Timothie speaketh, 1 Timothy 1:17. when he cheketh the Jews, not knowing whereof you spake, and advanceth the Gospel, and praise of the King eternall, uncorrupt, invisible, God onely wise: also the Revelation after the destruction of Jerusalem, is a heavenly commentary upon this part.

all dominions] Or, rulers. That is, some of every sort that bear rule.

Daniel 7:28

the end of the matter] Here end the visions of Daniel: which the Prophet penned not in the tongue known over the East and South: wherein the Jews are not descried plainly to be the people, for whom God plagueth the kingdomes: and the heathen might be drawn to think somewhat better of the God of heaven.

my cogitations] Vers. 15. Chap. 8. 27. & 10. 8. Though he had many motions in his heart which moved him to and fro to seek out this matter cunningly: yet he was content with that which God revealed, and kept it in memory, and wrote it for the use of the Church.

countenance changed] I became all pale and wanne both in regard of the raptures of the Spirit, as also through horrour of the predictions against Gods people.