If the Reader diligently remarks what is said in these verses, he will discover three persons here described: one on each side of the river; and one standing upon the waters of the river! There seems a greater degree of glory and pre-eminency in this person, than in the other two. Probably it was Christ, attended by two angels. So it was probably in the visit to Abraham. Genesis 18:1-2, etc. If this conjecture be right, it is remarkable that the angels knew nothing of the time of these events to be accomplished. They are represented as desiring to look into these things. 1 Peter 1:12. The redemption by Jesus is the wonder of angels, as well as the mystery of godliness among men. But, Reader! pause over what is here said, both of the person, the oath, and the manner of using it, which are all recorded. The person could be no other than Christ. See in confirmation, Revelation 10:5-6. the oath; Jehovah is appealed to, and sworn by. Both hands lifted up. Those sacred hands with which he blessed his people on the Mount in the moment of departure. Luke 24:50-51. Various have been the opinions of men, in all ages, concerning the time, times, and an half. Calculating by years, some have put down the number, and refer it to the three years and half of our Lord's ministry on earth. But certain it is, that there is a purposed obscurity thrown over it by the Lord himself, as if it should not be known until the thing predicted be fulfilled. And the Lord's command to Daniel, to go his way, and telling him, that the words are dosed to the time of the end, seems, one might have thought, sufficiently satisfactory, to stop the hands of confident men from presuming to lift up the covering, and becoming bold enough to attempt explaining what they themselves do not know. Reader! let you and I leave it with the Lord. It will be explained in due time. In the mean season, let us attend to what is more plain, and which will be always profitable. The many that shall be purified; and the wicked that shall do wickedly; may serve to show the vast, the mighty difference between them; and to lead us to acknowledge, that that difference is all of grace. Oh! Lord! grant testimonies to thy people. Romans 11:7.
Daniel 12:5-10
5 Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bankb of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.
6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was uponc the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?
7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time,d times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.