“Et ego audivi, et non intellexi. Et dixi : Domine mi, quid erit post hæc ?”
“And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?”
“I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these things?””
“I heard, but I didn’t understand: then I said, my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?”
“And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my lord, what shall be the issue of these things?”
Understand not. The prophets were obliged to pray, and sometimes to receive a fresh revelation to explain what they had seen, chap. ix. 2.; 1 Peter i. 11.; and 1 Corinthians xiv. 26. What regarded Antiochus and the Church was almost inexplicable before the event, as the times of antichrist are to us, ver. 9.
1. Why Daniel asked this question; it was because, though he heard what was said to the angel, yet he did not understand it, v. 8. Daniel was a very intelligent man, and had been conversant in visions and prophecies, and yet here he was puzzled; he did not understand the meaning of the time, times, and the part of a time, at least not so clearly and with so much certainty as he wished. Note, The best men are often much at a loss in their enquiries concerning divine things, and meet with that which they do not understand. But the better they are the more sensible they are of their own weaknesses and ignorance, and the more ready to acknowledge them.
Verses 5-13 One of the angels asking how long it should be to the end of these wonders, a solemn reply is made, that it would be for a time, times, and a half, the period mentioned ch. 7:25 , and in the Revelation. It signifies 1260 prophetic days or years, beginning from the time when the power of the holy people should be scattered. The imposture of Mohammed, and the papal usurpation, began about the same time; and these were a twofold attack upon the church of God. But all will end well at last. All opposing rule, principality, and power, shall be put down, and holiness and love will triumph, and be in honour, to eternity. The end, this end, shall come. What an amazing prophecy is this, of so many varied events, and extending through so many successive ages, even to the general resurrection! Daniel must comfort himself with the pleasing prospect of his own happiness in death, in judgment, and to eternity. It is good for us all to think much of going away from this world. That must be our way; but it is our comfort that we shall not go till God calls us to another world, and till he has done with us in this world; till he says, Go thou thy way, thou hast done thy work, therefore now, go thy way, and leave it to others to take thy place. It was a comfort to Daniel, and is a comfort to all the saints, that whatever their lot is in the days of their lives, they shall have a happy lot in the end of the days. And it ought to be the great care and concern of every one of us to secure this. Then we may well be content with our present lot, and welcome the will of God. Believers are happy at all times; they rest in God by faith now, and a rest is reserved for them in heaven at last.