8 I considered the horns, and, another little horn, before whom behold, there came up among them

a

there were three of the first horns eyes of man, and a mouth speakplucked up by the roots: and being great things. hold, in this horn were eyes like the

a Re. 9. 7.

I beheld till the thrones were

b Re. 13. 5.

of the authority that essentially resided means that the object referred to would in the kingdom represented by the mon- be a man, as the eyes of men are keener ster. (4) In the growth of that horn,' and sharper than those of other animals.' three of the others were plucked up by But the more correct interpretation is that the roots. The proper meaning of the above referred to-that it denotes intelliword used to express this-pyn- -gence, shrewdness, sagacity. (6) The is, that they were rooted out-as a tree is mouth :—and a mouth speaking great overturned by the roots, or the roots are things. A mouth indicating pride and turned out from the earth. The This is explained in ver. 25, arrogance. process by which this was done seems to have as meaning that he to whom it refers been by growth. The gradual increase would speak great words against the of the horn so crowded on the others Most High;' that is, would be guilty of that a portion of them was forced out, blasphemy. There would be such arroand fell. What is fairly indicated by this ganee, and such claims set up, and such was not any act of violence, or any sud- a spirit evinced, that it would be in fact den convulsion or revolution, but such a a speaking against God. We naturally gradual growth of power that a portion look for the fulfilment of this to some of the original power was removed, and haughty and blaspheming power; some this new power occupied its place. There power that would really blaspheme reliwas no revolution, properly so called; gion, and that would be opposed to its no change of the whole dynasty, for progress and prosperity in the world. a large portion of the horns remained, The Sept. in Cod. Chis. adds here, and but the gradual rise of a new power that shall make war against the saints; but would wield a portion of that formerly these words are not found in the original wielded by others, and that would now Chaldee. They accord, however, well wield the power in its place. The numwith the explanation in ver. 25. What ber three would either indicate that three has been here considered embraces all parts out of the ten were absorbed in this that pertains properly to this symbolway, or that a considerable, though an the symbol of the fourth beast-except indefinite portion, was thus absorbed. the fact stated in ver. 11, that the beast (5) The eyes:-and behold, in this horn was slain, and that his body was given were eyes like the eyes of a man. Eyes to the burning flame. The inquiry as to denote intelligence, as we see objects by the fulfilment will be appropriate when their aid. The rims of the wheels in we come to consider the explanation Ezekiel's vision were full of eyes (Ezek. given at the request of Daniel, by the i. 18), as symbolie of intelligence. This angel, in vs. 19-25. would denote that the power here re9. I beheld. 'I continued looking on ferred to, would be remarkably sagacions. these strange sights, and contemplating We should naturally look for the fulfil these transformations. This implies that ment of this in a power that laid its plans some time elapsed before all these things wisely and intelligently; that had large had occurred. He looked on till he saw and clear views of policy; that was a solemn judgment passed on this fourth shrewd and far-seeing in its counsels beast particularly as if God had come and purposes; that was skilled in diplo- forth in his majesty and glory to promacy, or that was eminent for statesman-nounce that judgment, and to bring the like plans. This part of the symbol, if power and arrogance of the beast to an it stood alone, would find its fulfilment end. Till the thrones were cast down. in any wise and shrewd administration; The Chaldee word-1-means proas it stands here, surrounded by others, perly thrones-seats on which monarchs it would seem that this, as contrasted sit. So far as the word is concerned, it with them, was characteristically shrewd would apply either to a throne occupied and far-seeing in its policy. Lengerke, by an earthly monarch, or to the throne following Jerome, supposes that this of God. The use of the plural here would

cast down, and the Ancient of white as snow, and the hair of his days did sit, whose garment was head like the pure wool: his throne

a c. 2. 44; 1 Co. 15. 24, 25. Is. 9. 6; ver. 22.

seem to imply, at least, that the reference divine judgment was to be passed on the is not to the throne of God, but to some beast,' or when some events were to other throne. Maurer and Lengerke sup- take place, as if such a judgment were pose that the allusion is to the thrones pronounced. The events pertaining to on which the celestial beings sit in the the fourth beast were to be the last in the solemn judgment that was to be pro- series preparatory to the reign of the saints, nounced the throne of God, and the thrones or seats of the attending inhabit-or the setting up of the kingdom of the ants of heaven, coming with him to the Messiah, and therefore it is introduced in this manner, as if a solemn judgment solemn judgment. Lengerke refers for scene were to occur. And the Ancient illustration to 1 Kings xxii. 19; Isa. vi. 1,

Job i. and Rev. v. 11, 12. But the word of days did sit. Was seated for the purposes of judgment. The phrase 'Ancient of itself might be properly applied to the thrones of earthly monarchs as well as to days'- pay-is one that denotes an the throne of God. The phrase 'were elderly or old person; meaning, he who is most ancient as to days, and is equiva cast down'-rp-in our translation, lent to the French L'eternel, or English would seem to suppose that there was The Eternal. It occurs only in this chapsome throwing down, or overturning of ter (9, 13, 22), and is a representation of thrones, at this period, and that the soone venerable in years, sitting down for lemn judgment would follow this, or be consequent on this. The Chaldee word- tion does not of itself denote eternity, but the purposes of judgment. The appella-means, as explained by Gesenius, it is employed, probably, with reference to cast, to throw, Dan. iii. 21, 24; vi. 17; to the fact that God is eternal. God is to set, to place, e. g. thrones; to impose often represented under some such appeltribute, Ezra vii. 24. The passage is ren- lation, as he that is from everlasting to dered by the Latin Vulgate, throni positi everlasting' (Ps. xc. 2), the first and the sunt-thrones were placed ;' by the Greek, last' (Isa. xliv. 6), &c. There can be no iringav were placed.' So Luther, stühle doubt that the reference here is to God as gesetzt; and so Lengerke, stuhle aufges- a judge, or as about to pronounce judgtellet-the thrones were placed, or set up. ment, though there is no necessity of supThe proper meaning, therefore, of the posing that it will be in a visible and phrase would seem to be-not, as in our literal form, any more than there is translation, that the thrones would be for supposing that all that is here repcast down'-as if there was to be an over- resented by symbols will literally take turning of thrones on the earth to mark place. If it should be insisted on that this particular period of history-but that the proper interpretation demands that there was, in the vision, a setting up, or there will be a literal and visible judga placing of thrones for the purpose of ad- ment, such as is here described, it may be ministering judgment, &c., on the beast. replied that the same rigid interpretation The use of the plural is, doubtless, in ac- would demand that there will be a literal cordance with the language elsewhere em-slaying of the beast, and a giving of his ployed, to denote the fact that the great Judge would be surrounded with others who would be, as it were, associated in administering justice-either angels or redeemed spirits. Nothing is more common in the Scripture than to represent others as thus associated with God in pronouncing judgment on men.Comp. Matt. xix. 28, Luke xxviii. 30, 1 Cor. vi. 2, 3, 1 Tim. v. 21, Rev. ii. 26, iv. 4. The era, or period, therefore, marked here, would be when a solemn

body to the flame' (ver. 11), and more generally still, that all that is here referred to by symbols will literally occur. The fact, however, is, that all these events are referred to by symbols-symbols which have an expressive meaning, but which, by their very nature and design, are not to be literally understood. All that is fairly implied here is, that events would occur in regard to this fourth beast as if God should sit in solemn judgment on it, and should condemn it in the

b

was like the fiery flame, and his came forth from before him: thou sand thousands ministered unto stream issued and him, and ten thousand times ten

wheels as burning fire.

10 A fiery

tence.

Ac. 2. 30, 33.

b

Eze. 1. 15, 16.

c Ps. 50. 3. Is. 66. 15, 16.

manner here referred to. We are, doubt-on Rev. i. 14.
less, in the fulfilment of this, to look for
some event that will be of so decisive
and marked a character that it may be
regarded as a divine judgment in the case,
or that will show the strongly-marked
divine disapprobation-as really as if the
judgment-seat were formally set, and God
should appear in majesty to give sen-
Sitting was the usual posture
among the ancients, as it is among the
moderns, in pronouncing judgment.
Among the ancients the judge sat on a
throne or bench while the parties stood
before him (comp. Zech. i. 3), and with
the Greeks and Romans so essential was
the sitting posture for a judge, that a sen-
tence pronounced in any other posture
was not valid. Lengerke. It was a maxim, Forth rush'd with whirlwind sound
Animus sedendo magis sapit, or as Servius The chariot of Paternal Deity,

The image here set before us is that of one venerable by years and wisdom. His throne was like the fiery flame. The seat on which he sat seemed to be fire. That is, it was brilliant and splendid, as if it were a mass of flame.

And his wheels as burning fire. The wheels of his throne-for, as in Ezek. i. 10, the throne on which Jehovah sat appeared to be on wheels. In Ezekiel (i. 16, x. 9), the wheels of the throne appeared to be of the colour of beryl; that is, they were like precious stones. Here, perhaps, they had only the appearance of a flame-as such wheels would seem to flash flames. So Milton, in describing the chariot of

the Son of God:

drawn,

wheels

Of Beryl, and careening fires between.

Par. Lost, B. vi.

on the Æn. i. 56, remarks, Est enim cu- Flashing thick flames, wheel within wheel unrantis et solliciti sedere. ¶Whose gar-Itself instinct with spirit, but conveyed ment was white as snow. Whose robe. By four cherubic shapes; four faces each The reference here is to the long flowing Had wondrous; as with stars their bodies all, robe that was worn by ancient princes, And wings were set with eyes; with eyes the noblemen, or priests. See Notes on Isa. vi. 1. Comp. Notes on Rev. i. 13. White was an emblem of purity and honour, and was not an improper symbol of the purity 10. A fiery stream issued and came forth of the Judge, and of the justness of the from before him. Streams of fire seemed sentence which he would pronounce. So to burst forth from his throne. Reprein his celebrated speech against employ- sentations of this kind abound in the ing Indians in the war with the American Scriptures to illustrate the majesty and people, the elder Pitt besought the Bish- glory of God. Comp. Rev. iv. 5, "And ops to interpose the unsullied purity of out of the throne proceeded lightnings, their lawn. Lengerke supposes as Prof. and thunderings, and voices." Ex. xix. Stuart does, on Rev. i. 13, that the white- 16; Habak. iii. 4; Ps. xviii. 8. ¶Thouness here referred to was not the mere sand thousands ministered unto him. A colour of the material of which the robe thousand of thousands;' that is, thouwas made, but was a celestial splendour sands multiplied a thousand times. The or brightness, as if it were lightning or mind is struck with the fact that there fire-such as is appropriate to the divine are thousands present-and then the majesty. Lengerke refers here to Ex. number seems as great as if those thouxix. 18-24, Daniel ii. 22, Matt. xvii. 2, sands were multiplied a thousand times. 1 Tim. vi. 16, Ezra vii. 55, Ascension of The idea is that there was an immenseIsa. viii. 21-25, Prov. i. 13, iv. 2. But the a countless host. The reference here is more correct interpretation is to suppose to the angels, and God is often reprethat this refers to a pure white robe, such sented as attended with great numbers as judges might wear, and which would of these celestial beings when he comes not be an improper symbol of their office. And the hair of his head like the pure wool. That is, for whiteness-a characteristic of venerable age. Comp. Notes

down to our world. Deut. xxxiii. 2. He came with ten thousands of saints;' that is, of holy ones. Ps. lxviii. 17. "The chariots of God are twenty thou

thousand stood before him; the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

a1 Ki. 22. 19; Ps. 68. 17; He. 12. 22.

And

11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the

b Re. 20. 4, 12.

sands, even thousands of angels." Comp. On the fulfilment, see the Notes on Jude, ver. 14. The wordministered' ver. 26. means that they attended on him. 11. I beheld then because of the voice of ten thousand times ten thousand stood be- the great words which the horn spake. I fore him. An innumerable host. These was attracted by these words-by their were not to be judged, but were attend- arrogance, and haughtiness, and pride; ants on him as he pronounced sentence and I saw that it was on account of these The judgment here referred to was not mainly that the solemn judgment proon the world at large, but on the beast, ceeded against the beast. The attitude preparatory to giving the kingdom to the of the Seer here is this-he heard arroone who was like the Son of Man, vs. gant and proud words uttered by the 13, 14. The judgment was set. Thathorn,' and he waited in deep attention, is, all the arrangements for a solemn act and in earnest expectation, to learn what of judgment were made, and the process judgment could be pronounced. He had of the judgment commenced. And the seen (ver. 8) that horn spring up and books were opened. As containing the grow to great power, and utter great record of the deeds of those who were to things; he had then seen, immediately be judged. Comp. Rev. xx. 12. The on this, a solemn and sublime preparation great Judge is represented as having be- for judgment, and he now waited anxfore him the record of all the deeds on iously to learn what sentence would be which judgment was to be pronounced, pronounced. The result is stated in the and to be about to pronounce sentence subsequent part of the verse. I beheld. according to those deeds. The judgment I continued beholding. This would seem here referred to, seems to have been some solemn act on the part of God transferring the power over the world, from that which had long swayed it, to the saints. As already remarked, the necessary interpretation of the passage does not require us to understand this of a literal and visible judgment-of a personal appearing of the Ancient of Days'-of a formal application to him by one like the Son of Man' (ver. 13)—or of a public and visible making over to him of a kingdom upon the earth. It is to be remombered that all this passed in vision before the mind of the prophet-that it is a symbolical representation-and that we are to find the fulfilment of this in some event changing the course of empireputting a period to the power represented by the beast' and the horn'-and causing that power to pass into other handsproducing a change as great on the earth as if such a solemn act of judgment were passed. The nature of the representation requires that we should look for the fulfilment of this in some great and momentous change in human affairs-some events that would take away the power of the beast,' and that would cause the dominion to pass into other hands.

to imply that it was not done at once, but that some time intervened. Even till the beast was slain. The fourth beast: that which had the ten horns, and on which the little horn had sprung up. This was the result of the judgment. It is evidently implied here that the beast was slain on account of the words uttered by the horn that sprang up, or that the pride and arrogance denoted by that symbol were the cause of the fact that the beast was put to death. It is not said by whom the beast would be slain, but the fair meaning is, that the procuring cause of that death would be the divine judgment on account of the pride and arrogancy of the horn' that sprang up in the midst of the others. If the 'beast' represents a mighty monarchy that would exist on the earth, and the little horn' a new power that would spring out of that, then the fulfilment is to be found in such a fact as this-that this power so mighty and terrible formerly, and that crushed down the nations, would, under the divine judgment, be ultimately destroyed on account of the nature of the authority claimed. We are to look for the accomplishment of this in some such state of things as that of a new power