Daniel 7

Daniel 7:1

OF his head] which were inwardly represented to his imagination, and not to the outward senses. See Daniel 4:5. V. 2 The oure] by the Sea is meant the world, and by the winds, the changes thereof, by which one Empire is raised, and another is brought low, like to the waves of the Sea.

Daniel 7:3

Beasts] that is to say, Empires, figured in this manner; because, for the most part, they are gotten, kept, and governed with violence and tyranny. See Psal. 76. 4 Cant. 4 8.

Daniel 7:4

The first] this Lyon represents the Caldeans Empire, Daniel 2:37. by reason of the might, and ravenousnesse of it. See Isaiah 5:29. Jeremiah 4:7 Wings] to shew the Caldeans great celerity in their conquests, Isaiah 5:26. Jer. 4. 13. and 48. 40. Ezekiel 17:3. Habakkuk 1:8 Pluckt] all meanes of conquering or raising it selfe any more, were taken away from it, and the ease, and rest which it had a long time enjoyed, lying upon the ground like a beast, was taken away; and being subdued, was brought to a reasonable, civill, and modest life: such as the state of Babylon was, long after it had been taken by Cyrus.

Daniel 7:5

Another] which is the Persian Empire, Dan. 2. 39. and 8. 3 Like to a Bare] for the Persians were a mountaine Nation, more uncivill then the Caldeans; though they were great warriors, and much inclined to set upon Empires and States On one sid] he seemes hereby to meane the beginning of the Persian Empire, from the one side of the world, namely, from the East, from whence they came to conquer the other three parts, Daniel 8:4 They said] Gods secret providence did drive them on to those enterprizes, and made them easie for them: See Isaiah 21:2.

Daniel 7:6

Another] namely; Alexander the Great his Empire, Who was very speedy in all his conquests; which is figured by the Leopard, which is a very active beast, Habakkuk 1:8. and by his wings, Dan. 2 39. and 8 5. and 11. 3 Foure heads] which were the foure Satrapies, into which Alexander the Great his Empire was divided after his death, Dan. 88. and 11. 4. 1 Mac. 1 9, 10.

Daniel 7:7

A fourth] by Daniel 8:9. we may finde; that the first meaning of this Prophecye, hath a relation to the kingdome of Syria and Aegypt; possessed by Seleucides and Lagides: which notwithstanding, doth not hinder us from beleeving; but that Gods Spirit did looke yet further; namely, to the Roman Empire, by the resemblance of t to the other, in the persecuting of the Church; the subversion and interdiction of Gods service, and the violence done to consciences: Whereupon, the Revelation doth fit many of these passages of Daniel to Antichrist. See Daniel 2:40 Dreadfull] especially, to Gods people: who were never more cruelly used, then by Seleucides, Dan. 8. 11, 12. and 11. 31, 36 Diverse] seeing his tyranny over Gods people, tended to force men to idolatry, and to annihilate Gods service, which none of the precedent Empires had attempted Ten hornes] these are the ten Seleucides, Kings of Asia, and of Syria, to Antiochus, comprehending him amongst the rest, v. 24. For although he had successors; yet the people of God; (in regard of whom these things are spoken) begun after Antiochus, to re-assume their liberty under the Asmoneans, untill Christ.

Daniel 7:8

Another] this is Antiochus called Epiphanes, who is one of the number of the ten Kings; yet he is called another; because his tyranny over the people was especiall, v. 24 Little] as Dan. 8 9. because that this Antiochus was the strongest of his brethren, and the kingdom did not by right belong him; and besides, he was of a base and despicable carriage, Daniel 11:21.Three of] that is to say, three Kings; namely, Ptolomeus Philopater, King of Aegypt, who had taken Syria: Antiochus the Great, father of Epiphanes, and Seleucus his brother, who were all three deprived either of their lives, or of their kingdomes, by Antiochus, v. 24 Weare eyes] to shew his naturall sagacity and cunning, Dan. 8. 23, 25. and 11. 23, 32.Presumptuous] he shall be exceeding haughty in words, 1Ma 1:25. and cruell in bloudy decrees, and a great blasphemer of God himselfe, v. 25. Dan. 8. 23, 25. and 11. 36. 1Ma 1:46-47. See the comparison of this with Pagan Rome, Revelation 1:1-20. 5.

Daniel 7:9

ill the Thrones] untill God did enter into judgement against Epiphanes, for the deliverance and revenge of his people: A figurative description; as Psal. 7. 6, 7 and 9 4, 7 The ancient] A figurative representation of God the everlasting Father, and his glorious Majesty Wheeles] Gods Throne is here described with wheeles; 1 Chronicles 28:18. Ezek. 1. 15. and 10. 9. to shew that Gods providence moveth every where, to governe all things, and to provide for all things.

Daniel 7:10

Fiery streame] hereby is signified, the inevitable, and consuming force of Gods judgements: See Psal. 50 3. and 97. 3. Isaiah 30:33 Thousand] of holy Angels The books] termes taken from judgements amongst men, in which the enquiries, proofes, confessions, and other writings, are produced to frame the judgement by, and the Lawes also are considered. See Revelation 20:12.

Daniel 7:11

And given] A description of the death and everlasting damnation of Antiochus, 1Ma 6:8; 1Ma 6:13.

Daniel 7:12

Their dominion] not at the same time: but the meaning is; that every great Empire, enemy and persecutor of the Church, was destroyed before Christs comming upon earth, from time to time: though the nations still continued and subsisted, in some weake and low forme of state. See Daniel 2:25. untill all the reliques were swallowed up by the Romans.

Daniel 7:13

One] the Sonne of God is here represented in the flesh, who after his resurrection, is set at the right hand of the Father, and from him hath obtained all power in heaven and in earth. See Ezekiel 1:26. Acts 2:34; Acts 2:36. Ephes. 1. 20. Philippians 2:9. Hebrews 1:3-4. Rev. 1. 13. & 14. 14.

Daniel 7:15

Was grieved] the Italian, I fainted] through the greatnesse and brightnesse of the sight of Gods majestie, according to the manner of Prophets after their extasies which did dazle their senses, tire their spirits, and overthrow their naturall faculties. See Dan. 7. 28. and 8. 27. and 10. 8. 16.

Daniel 7:16

That stood by] namely, one of the Angels that appeared in this vision.

Daniel 7:17

Kings] that is to say kingdomes, Daniel 2:38-39.

Daniel 7:18

The Sa〈…〉] that is to say, the Church of God in Christ her head first; and afterwards the whole body which shall be perfectly united with him: shall receive from God the spirituall and everlasting kingdome. See Daniel 7:22. Isay 60. 12. Rev. 1 6. & 5. 10. whereof the Machabies principality was but a shadow, and was betweene the reigne of Antiochus and the comming of Christ.

Daniel 7:20

Whose looke] thus, is Antiochus his great power and enterprizes set downe, which he reformed more then all the rest of the Sleucides, Dan. 8. 10. and 11. 7.

Daniel 7:22

To the Saints] namely, to Gods people, v. 25. Dan. 8. 24. and 11. 30.

Daniel 7:23

The whole earth] this understood of the Seleucides; signifieth a great extent of land, but being anagogically referred to Rome, it represents the affected and titular universality of their Empire.

Daniel 7:25

Change times] to annihilate Gods service, his feasts, Sabbaths, and other solemne and sacred dayes, and all the other Ordinances of the Law. Dan. 8. 11. & 11. 31. 1Ma 1:47-48.Vntill a time] these persecutions of Antiochus with which he persecuted Gods people, shall last one yeare, two yeares, and halfe a yeare. That is to say, three yeares and a halfe, beginning as it should seeme from that time which is set downe, 1Ma 1:30. See Rom, 13. 5.

Daniel 7:28

My countenance] I became pale and wan, as well by reason of the violent raptures of the Spirit, as through horror of thinking upon those things which were foretold against Gods people.