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No. 5.

An explanation of the Prophecy of Daniel.

[Conclu. from vo. iv. pag. 302.]

Daniel's vision of the seventy weeks, chap. ix, 24—29.

THE

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phecy, consists of three general parts. A definitive period preixed-effects to be produced in the conclusion of it--and scenes to succeed it-An illustration of these, it is hoped, will exhibit the contents of the vision in their true import.

I. The period prefixed, sevenweeks. These weeks according to the mode of computation adopted by this Prophet, are prophetic weeks; each week containing seven days, and each day denoting a year; according to which, the seventy weeks are 490 years. For the com

'HE Prophet, informed by the prophecy of Jeremiah,ty that the captivity of the Jews in Babylon was about to expire, and applying himself to the devout exercises of humiliation, fasting and prayer, was instructed by an holy Angel in the following manner :-Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, and up-putation of these weeks a certain on thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and propheey, and to ancint the most holy. Know, therefore, and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem, unto Messiah the Prince, shall be sevɩn weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street and the wall shall be built in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself; and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary ; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolutions are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week; and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to ccase, and for the overspreading of abomination he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. This This ision or pro

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period is fixed, or date given;
from the going forth of the com-
mandment to restore and build
Jerusalem. This could not be
the decree of Cyrus for the lib-
eration of the Jews from the
Babylonish captivity, as these
weeks, computed from that pe-
riod, would expire about eighty
years before the existence of
those events, which by all expos-
itors, are acknowledged to be
the important subjects of this
prophecy. But they are to be
computed from the celebrated
decrce of Artaxerxes Longima-
nus given to Ezra, to go up to
Jerusalem and restore God's
worship according to its primi-
tive institution. The occasion
appears to have been this. Cy-
rus proclaimed liberty to the
Jews, saying to Jerusalem, Thou
shalt be built, and to the temple,
Thy foundation shall be laid.
this work the Jews applied them-
selves with great ardor on their
return to Judea ; but it was em-
barrassed and retarded by the ar-
tifices of their inveterate ene-
mies, the Samaritans, Ammo-
nites and Moabites, through the
reigns of Cyrus and his son Cam-

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byses, or Ahasuerus; and by the terms of this prophecy, that such decree of Smerdis, or Artax- a general and anxious expectaerxes, was entirely suspended. tion of the Messiah obtained Ezra, ch. iv. The work was re- among the Jews, about the time sumed by the Jews by the ad- of his advent? Art thou he that dress of Haggai and Zecha.should come or look we for (ch. v.) and thro' the favorable | another? The divine decdecree of Darius (ch. vi.) the laration, that the seed of the temple was finished in the sixth woman should bruise the seryear of his reign, about twenty pent's head, certified the event, three years after the return from the incarnation of the redeemer. the captivity of Babylon. Tho' The promise to Abraham definthe temple was built and the ed the nation of which he should worship of God attended in it, be, of his posterity, or the Jews. yet this was but a partial resto- The prophecy of Jacob, The ration; the decree of Cyrus was sceptre shall not depart from Jubut partially executed. Many dah, prescribed the tribe. The profanations also had insinuated promise to David, the family; themselves; Jerusalem was yet and the prophecy of Micah, waste and the gates were consum- Thou Bethlehem Ephratah, the ed with fire. Neh. ii. To correct town or city. But however acabuses and effect a complete res-curately these prophecies might toration, Artaxerxes, in the seventh year of his reign, gave that liberal decree to Ezra, recorded Ezra ch. vii. From the going forth of this commandment are the 70 weeks, or 490 years, to be computed. These weeks by the angel are divided into three parts, 7, weeks, 62, weeks and one week. In the 7 weeks the work of restoration-As this prefixed a period from was to be completed, in which the street and wall should be built in troublous times. How exactly this part of the prophecy was fulfilled, is very obvious from the history of Nehemiah.-From these 7 weeks or 49 years are the 62 weeks, or 434 years, to be computed. These introduce the third part, the one week, when the Messiah should appear, first by his messenger, who shoulded he appeared to the inexpresprepare his way, and then in his sible joy of those who were waitown glorious person, to finishing for the consolation of Israel. transgression, make an end of Let us now consider, sin, and bring in everlasting righteousness for the salvation of his people.

Was it not from the definite

define those particular subjects, yet the Jews could never determine from them the time when the Messiah should appear. But this prophecy of Daniel, making the time a principal subject, defined it in the most explicit terms. It should be seventy weeks, or 490 years from the going forth of the commandment.

which the Jews could calculate, it premonished them precisely of the time when the word should be made flesh and dwell among them. Computing from this period and perceiving that the time was about to expire, their minds were filled with ardent expectation, that the Lord would suddenly come into his temple; and at the time prefix

this conclusion, or last part, of this period. These are expres

II. The works to be effected in

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sed in the following terms. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week, which was effected by the preaching of John the Baptist, of his disciplcs, and his own public ministry. He shall fini. h transgression and make reconcilation for ini,uity, scal up the vision and prophecy, or fulfil all the prophecies concerning himself and anoint the most hole. And after sixty and two weiks from the seven, or in the seventieth week shall Messiah be cut | off, and he shall make the offering and oblation to cease. As these are particular parts of one general and very obvious subject, permit them to be expressed in one general observation, that they relate to the accomplishment of the wonderful and glorious work of redemption by Jesus Christ; importing, that by his obedience he should bring in everlasting righteousness, and in the midst (last half, say critics) of the week be cut off, making reconciliation for iniquity by his own most precious blood, and cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease, by perfecting forever them that are sanctified, by the one offering of himself. This completed the seventy weeks and determined, or concluded, the Jewish church state, abrogated their peculiar economy, and dissolved all distinctions of nations, times and places. The seed of Abraham then ceased to be God's peculiar people, Jerusalem was no more his holy city, nor the temple his holy habitation. Let us next consider

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the prince that shall come, the Romans, shall destroy the city and the sanctuary and to the end of the war desolations arc determined, and for the overspreading of abominations he (God, by his instruments, the Roman princes) shall make it, the city of Jerusalem, or the region of Judea, d 'solate even to the consummation and that which is determined shall be poured on the desolate: or, until God hath completed that series of terrible judgments with which he is determined to punish the aggravated wickedness of that guilty nation. See Mat. xxiv. chap.-As the conquest of the Jews and the desolation of Jerusalem by the Romans, are generally known from the most authentic histories, and the present state of that miserable people, let it suffice to remark upon this part of the prophecy, that God hath illustrated, by events, every part of it most minutely. The calamities of the Jews in the war made upon them by the Romans, are without a parallel. War and the sword without, and famine, pestilence, factions, massacres and assassinations within the city, destroyed 1100,000 during the siege. They were finally overcome, their city destroyed and their temple burnt, they were captivated and dispersed, and continue a reproach, an hissing, an astonishment and a terror, throughout all nations to this day; a continued miracle in support of the truth of divine declarations, a visible illustration of the fulfilment of the several

III. The scene which should parts of this prophecy, and will succeed this period. so continue until the whole of that which is determined shall be poured on the desolate.

And the end of the Jewish state shall be with a flood of calamities coming on the nation like a mighty torrent, and the people of

The work proposed hath now been attempted, the typical representation been considered, the

events signified by them produ- | interesting events. This may sed, and a review of them sug- be illustrated by observing, gests the following reflections,

I. The book of Daniel contains a variety of wonderful visions, or typical representations. When the inquisitive mind of king Nebuchadnezzar, in his slumbering moments, would penetrate into the destinies of futurity, instantly a splendid and terrific image rears up itself before him, which was of a very singular composition. The head of gold, the breasts and arms of silver, the belly and thighs of brass, the legs of iron, and the feet and toes part of iron and part of potter's clay. What a wonderful spectacle was this, and how must the mind of king Nebuchadnezzar have been affected by it? Did any such object ever address itself to the astonished eyes of mortal men. Similar to this was the vision of the Prophet Daniel when deep sleep falleth upon men. Behold a majestic lion, having the wings of an eagle on his back, comes in his view; then a bear having three ribs in his mouth; then a leopard having four heads and upon his back four wings of a fowl; and last of all a beast dreadful and terrible, having great iron teeth and ten horns on his head. Then the vision of the ram with two horns coming up out of the river, and of an he goat with a notable horn between his eyes, coming from the west, skimming through the air, and not touching the ground. What strange sights were these, such as the world had never seen, nor had imagination ever painted the like on the mind of man.

II. These visions typified a series of important subjects and

1. This series of events was in connection and succession.The several metals which composed the image were connected with each other and constituted one entire object. The beasts appeared before the Prophet in succession, first the lion, then the bear, &c. denoting a succession of kingdoms and e

vents.

2. These visions or types had their peculiar and appropriate signification. Hieroglyphics, and describing subjects by figurative representations were in great and general use among the ancients, both in writing and conversation. Of this nature were even all the religious rites and sacrifices among the Jews, and all the allegories and parables in the sacred writings. Such in their kind were all the visions of the Prophets. Such was the image, and such were the four beasts. These represented particular subjects and events.Thus were they designed by the authors, and so were they understood by the subjects of them. them. This is the dream and we will shew the king the interpretation. Thou, O king, art a king of kings. head of Gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom, &c. Then I went near to one that

Thou art this

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Explanation of the Prophecis of Daniel.

of man. The four different metals which composed the image, and the four beasts of the visions are difinitely interpreted to signify four kings or kingdoms, which should arise out of the earth. Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast and of the ten horns which came up-Thus he said, The fourth beast is the fourth kingdom which shall arise. The ram with two horns are the kings of Media and Persia, and the rough he goal is the king of Greece. How explicit is this interpretation of these visions? A certain writer has observed, "If there were men (Prophets) to whom the Almighty communicated some event that would take place in future, it is consistent to suppose that the event would be told in terms that would be understood, and not related in such a loose and obscure manner as to fit almost any circumstance that might happen afterward.” And is not the interpretation of these visions in terms very perspicuous? Can he invent terms more explicit and intelligible? Is not this reflection upon prophecy very unreasonable?

3. There is a wonderful and pleasing aptitude in these types to represent the various subjects and events signified by them.How aptly did the head of Gold in the image, and the lion among the beasts represent the opulence and splendor, the strengh and majesty of the empire of Babylon? How aptly How aptly did the breast and arms typify the empire of Media and Persia, united in Cyrus, by the marriage of the Persian king with the Median princess. from a union of hearts in the most tender and endearing affections?

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How fitly did the bear with three ribs in his mouth represent the voracity and cruelty of that conquering empire? As for crowns the kings of Persia wore the heads of rams adorned with precious stones, when Daniel saw the ram with two horns come up out of the river, and push westward and northward and southward, how expressively did this represent the conquests of the united kingdoms of Media and Persia. Do not the belly and thighs of the image, the leopard with four wings upon his back, among the beasts, and the rough he goat as admirably represent the courage of the Macedonians,the rapidity of their conquests, the luxury of their kings, the division of their empire into four kingdoms and the final descent of it into the kingdoms of Syria and Egypt? Did, in water, face ever answer to face with greater exactness, than these visions describe the genius, character, conquests and final issue of the extraordinary empire of the Greeks? What think we of the iron legs of the image, and the feet and toes part of iron and part miry clay, to denote first the strength, and then the weakness of the mighty empire of Rome, the unnatural commixture of the native citizens with the ignoble barbarians, and the division of it into ten kingdoms? What shall we think of the monstrous, nameless beast having great iron teeth and ten horns on his head, to denote the destructive cruelty of that empire, and the kingdoms into which it was divided?Could any type represent them with greater aptness? What do we think of the little horn springing up among the ten, and

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