It has been noted in previous studies that there were eighteen particulars, or specifications, concerning the character and work of the little horn of Daniel 8. We believe that these specifications are applicable to Rome — in part to Rome in her pagan form; in their fulness to Rome under the falling away from the faith. And we wish to say, as we have before said, that our application of these principles set forth in this prophecy is in harmony with the great principles of Protestantism. We make no charge as to individual Roman Catholics. We feel as friendly toward them as we desire them to feel toward us. We have no sympathy with any propagandism which concerns itself with the actions, or failures, of individuals. Each soul must give account of himself to God. "We war with principles, not with men."
The three general parts of the chapter relating to the time of the fulfilment of the prophecy, and the first ten specifications concerning the little horn, were briefly considered in past issues. We begin the study of the last eight this week. The next prediction yet unconsidered is as follows:
Specification Eleven
It (the little horn) would take away from the Prince of the host the "daily" (sacrifice, or continual burnt offering) given into its power through transgression. Verse 11.
Thus read verses 11 and 12 of the prophecy in both the English and American Revised Versions:
Yea, it [the little horn] magnified itself, even to the Prince of the host; and it took away from Him [the Prince] the continual burnt offering, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. And the host was given over to it together with the continual burnt offering through transgression.
The impersonal and personal pronouns clearly distinguish between the little horn and the Prince of the host, the latter of which terms clearly refers to our Lord Jesus Christ. This, too, is evident from the previous specification considered last week: The little horn "magnified itself, even to the Prince of the host"—the very acme of assumptive self-exaltation. "It" (the little horn) took away from the Prince the "continual" ("burnt offering" in the revisions, and "sacrifice" in the Common Version, are supplied).
The words "continual," "perpetual," "daily," are from the Hebrew tahmeed. It occurs in the original, as given in the "Englishman's Hebrew-Chaldee Concordance," 102 times; in Strong's Concordance, 101 times. The former gives tahmeed for "never" in Isa. 62: 4; Strong gives the simple negative loh, no, not. The word is rendered by the following English words in our Common Version: "alway" 4 times, "always" 6 times, "continual" 25 times, "continually" 53 times, "daily" 7 times, "ever" 3 times, "evermore" once, "perpetual" 3 times; in all 102. It applies to the showbread, or bread of God's presence (Ex. 25: 30); to the perpetually burning lamps (Ex. 27: 20); to the memorial of Israel worn upon Aaron's breast (Ex. 28: 29); to the holy miter (Ex. 28: 38); to the daily, or continual burnt offerings (Ex. 29: 38); to the perpetual altar fire (Lev. 6: 13); to the meal-offering (Lev. 6: 20); to God's presence in the pillar of cloud and fire (Num. 9: 16); to God's care for His people (Deut. 11: 12); to His people's seeking Him (1 Chron. 16: 11); to the services His priests should render before Him (1 Chron. 16: 37); to the attitude of God's child toward Him (Ps. 16: 8); to the praise which should be in our mouths toward God (Ps. 34: 1); to the regard we should have to God's law (Ps. 119: 44, 117); to the loving-kindness and guidance of our God (Isa. 58: 11). In short, it is used almost invariably to express the constant, living union which should exist between God and His people, as indicated in His loving-kindness and care, and in their service of faith. In this various authorities concur. The "Homiletic Commentary" on Daniel remarks:
Literally, the continual comprehends all that is of permanent use in the service, or worship, of God. So say Keil, Hengstenberg, Hävernick, etc.
Keil tells us that the Hebrew word —
Tahmeed is everything in the worship of God which is not used merely temporarily, but is permanent, as the daily sacrifice, the setting forth of the showbread, and the like; the limitation of it to the daily morning and evening service in the writings of the rabbis is unknown in the Old Testament. The word much rather comprehends all that is of permanent use in the holy services of divine worship [italic his].
Von Lengerke, quoted by Bevan, renders:
Even unto the Prince of the host it exalted itself, and took away from Him the continual offering.
Spurrell renders:
Moreover, against the Prince of the host it was magnified, and from Him was removed the daily sacrifice, and the habitation of His sanctuary was profaned.
Another authority, the Rev. Charles H. H. Wright, who bears many titles and honors, among which is Public Examiner in Semitic Languages in the Honours school, University of Oxford, 1894-95, renders similarly to the revisions, and thus comments:
Under that appellation [the continual, the perpetual service] the following acts connected with the temple worship are included: (1) the offering up of the incense (Ex. 30: 3); (2) the presentation of the showbread (Ex. 25: 30; Lev. 24: 9; Num. 4: 7); (3) the lighting of the candlestick (Ex. 27: 20; Lev. 24: 2); (4) the fire on the altar (Lev. 6: 5, 6, 12, 13, E. V.); together with (5) the daily sacrifice of the morning and evening lamb (Ex. 29: 42; Num. 28: 3, 6, 23, 24, etc.). The expression "the perpetual service" is not in the Old Testament as equivalent for the daily sacrifice, altho used in that sense in the Talmuds and later Hebrew. [See Keil above.]
Therefore Wright and others suggest the "continual service," or "perpetual service," rather than "daily sacrifice," or "continual burnt offering." "Continual mediation" has been suggested. It seems to the writer that neither word is broad enough or sufficiently comprehensive, inasmuch as it will appear all that makes for constant, living union between Christ and His people is concerned.
What Our Lord Is to His People
The Lord our God is eternal — "He continueth ever." Deut. 33: 37; Ps. 90: 1; Isa. 40: 28; Jer. 10: 10; Heb. 2: 10, 11; 2 Tim. 2: 12. Jesus has a continual priesthood. Heb. 7: 24. His Word endureth forever. 1 Peter 1: 25. He would have His children and church abide in Him, and He abide in them, thus making them fruit-bearing and representative of His character. John 15: 1-8. In that church in the hearts of His people He would be enthroned the Prince of the host, the Prince of Princes.
"Thy kingdom come," in the prayer which He taught, means first of all that the rule, authority, kingdom of God in Christ, shall be established in that little part of the earth, our own heart. All these are great Gospel truths, constantly taught and repeatedly emphasized. It is that abiding of God in His people, in their worship and character and conduct, which constitutes the very essentials of Christianity; for Jesus Christ as Prince of the host, Prince of Princes, implies all this. Note some of the superabundant statements of inspiration:
Jesus Christ is the Head of the church. Eph. 1: 22. He becomes this by being the Head of every one composing that church, for "the head of every man is Christ." 1 Cor. 11: 3. He is the Head of the church, "that IN ALL THINGS He might have the PREEMINENCE. For it was the good pleasure of the Father that IN HIM should all the FULNESS DWELL." "And in Him ye are made full, who is the HEAD OF ALL PRINCIPALITY AND POWER." Col. 1: 18, 19; 2: 10.
He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life. John 3: 36.
Joined to another, . . . that we might bring forth fruit unto God. Rom. 7: 4.
I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself up for me. Gal. 2: 20.
If any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me." Rev. 3: 20.
The mystery of God is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." Col. 1: 27.
Abide in Me, and I in you. . . . If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, and whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15: 4, 7.
Therefore the inspired prayer "that Christ may DWELL in your hearts through faith; to the end that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strong to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God." Eph. 3: 17-19.
Present tho Absent
For three and a half years Jesus was personally with His disciples upon the earth, representing the Father. In His personal, individual presence He was going away; yet He would not leave them comfortless — orphans. He nor His Father would leave them; They would come in another form, but that form not less potent to save, not less wise to guide. Hear Him:
If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He [the Father] may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world can not receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless ["orphans," margin]; I will come to you. . . . If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our [the Father's and the Son's] abode with him. John 14: 15-23.7
That Spirit bringing the presence of Father and Son would dwell in each obedient believer, and so dwell with the church. Even so by this life union the branches abide in the vine. John 15: 1-6. "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you," are the conditions necessary to the perpetual service, and precedent to the fulfilment of God's great promises. For then shall the church ask what they will, and it shall be done. Verse 7. "Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so [after this manner] shall ye be My disciples." Verse 8.
Herein is the acceptable, perpetual service born of the Spirit and fed by the life of the Word of God through faith.
A little more testimony concerning God's Word and its place in that union or perpetual life and service. Jesus ever emphasized the Word. By that He met the tempter. Matt. 4: 1-10. By that He demonstrated His mission. John 5: 39, 46, 47. By that He assured His disciples after His resurrection. Luke 24: 25-27, 44, 45. By that Word are they built upon the Rock Christ Jesus. Luke 6: 47, 48; Eph. 2: 19-22. By the spiritual life of that Word are they made to grow. 1 Peter 2: 1-5. By that sure Word of the Gospel are we purified, saved, born again. 1 Peter 1: 22-25. By the "word of prophecy" are we assured of Christ's mission and second coming. 1 Peter 1: 10, 11; 2 Peter 1: 19. That Word has He left for the world, a guide of the church, for "all Scripture [the Holy Scriptures — see verse previous] is given by inspiration of God [God-breathed], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroly furnished unto all good works." 2 Tim. 3: 16, 17. Therefore the solemn charge: "Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they shall not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." 2 Tim. 4: 1-4.
Therefore Jesus prayed earnestly, "Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth." John 17: 17.
The Bond of Union
The Spirit of God dwells with the church, binding together the church into one body, in the distribution of various gifts to each, in the fitting of every soul for sacrifice, and for the direction of the church according to the Word of God. These gifts are those of apostleship, prophecy, evangelism, teaching, pastorship, healing, miracles, wisdom, knowledge, government, ministry. But NONE OF THESE ARE BESTOWED BY MEN, or BEQUEATHED BY BIRTH, or GIVEN BY SCHOOL, or SEMINARY, or PRIEST, or COUNCIL, or POPE. All are gifts of the Spirit. See 1 Corinthians 12; Rom. 12: 3-5; Eph. 4: 8-14.
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. . . . But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will. . . . For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Cor. 12: 4-13.
These gifts were SET in the church until Christ should come again. 1 Cor. 12: 28; 13: 8-10. Let the Word answer these questions:
When Christ died what did He do? — "Gave gifts unto men."
What are samples of these gifts? — "He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers."
For what purpose did He give them? — "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry [service], for the edifying [building up] of the body of Christ."
For how long did He through the Spirit bestow these gifts? — "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Eph. 4: 8-13.
Here, then, at our Lord's first advent, we have the normal church, that normal relationship with her divine Head:
1. Christ is the Head. The church knows no other.
2. The church is composed of the called-out ones who have accepted His invitation through the Word of His Gospel. That church is His mystical body, united to Him by spiritual life union through faith.
3. Each member of that body has individual, life connection with Jesus Christ, through faith in His Word, by His Spirit.
4. That Spirit binds the believers together by life union.
5. Through that Spirit every member is fitted for service by some one or more of the spiritual gifts which fit the church for perpetual service.
6. That service is maintained by the church's ever looking to Christ as her head, feeding upon His Word, and guided by the Spirit according to that Word.
7. By looking to her Head, feeding on His Word, and rendering Him the service born of its life, is this life union and perpetual service maintained.
Therefore, that divine hiatus, or omission, made in the 11th verse of the 8th chapter of Daniel, could be supplied only as it is learned in the fulness of our Lord Jesus Christ. It includes all that Christ is, or would be, to His people, all that is implied in His rulership as the Prince of the host, Prince of Princes. He is our King, our Priest, our Sacrifice, our Mediator, our Life, our Power, our Director, our Friend, and the response of that church is in full-hearted service.
The Symbols
This life union between God and His people has been the normal condition throughout both the Levitical and Christian dispensations, and has been symbolized by the simple ordinances placed in His church, so that all the ordinances and ceremonies of the sanctuary spoke of this continual, life-union service between Him and His people. The bread of God's presence, the perpetual altar fire, the ever-fragrant incense, the consecration represented in the continual burnt offering, the constantly burning lamps, all were symbolical of that alone which could save, of perpetual life union with God. So also the ordinances of the Christian church, the ever-recurring remembrance of Christ's death, of His humility and service, at the Lord's Supper, and the death, burial, and resurrection shown in baptism, the marriage of the believer to Christ, the beginning of a life of service. It will be readily seen that faithful obedience would perpetuate that life union in service forever, and that transgression would break the life bond, and open the way for the removal of all that is expressed in the "continual."
The obvious meaning of the prophecy is, therefore, that the little horn power would take away this perpetual, continual channel of life, and light, and power, and service between the Prince and His children, so that some one else should reign in the church of Christ in His place, and in the hearts of His professed people. This self-exalted power should sit in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God. 2 Thess. 2: 4.
Through Transgression
The little horn power would accomplish this through transgression. Mighty the calamities and troubles that have come to God's people through transgression. Read Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28, and a great many other instructions which God has given through His prophets. When Israel transgressed against God, unless repentance was speedy and deep, they set up other gods to worship and serve. "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart," writes the servant of God, "that I might not sin against Thee." God's presence abides in His abiding Word. Not until that is transgressed do men turn from God to the worship of another. Against this apostasy the apostle warned us in the early days of the Christian church: "Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops [presbyters, elders, overlookers], to feed the church of the Lord which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them." That the church might be saved from this the apostle says: "And now I commend you to God, and to the WORD OF HIS GRACE, which is able to BUILD YOU UP, and to GIVE YOU THE INHERITANCE among all them that are sanctified." Acts 20: 28-32. From which we learn that the apostasy of the latter days foretold by Daniel was confirmed by Paul, and would develop in the church itself. In this apostasy man would be exalted in the place of God. The apostate would contest the throne of the Prince of Princes.
Of that falling away he speaks elsewhere, a falling away which will reveal "the man of sin," "the son of perdition, he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshiped; so that he sitteth in the temple [church, 1 Cor. 3: 16, 17] of God, setting himself forth as God." 2 Thess. 2: 3, 4. There was then One that restrained, even Christ in the heart, in the life, Christ in His Word, regnant in the church as King, as Law. It is clearly evident that as soon as Christ and that Word of grace are no longer pre-eminent in the church, the abiding, continual, perpetual worship and service is broken and taken away.
We have placed more time and space on the development of this specification of the prophecy, and what it means, than we designed. If this be the correct view — and the whole Word seems to sustain it — it is the very key of the prophecy, and will help in the understanding of what follows. The question now is, Has the thing predicted been done? Has the prophecy been fulfilled? This will constitute our next study.