And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.
I Daniel fainted, and was sick - through grief at the calamities coming on my people and the Church of God (cf. Psalms 102:14, "Thy servants take pleasure in her stones (even in the ruins of Jerusalem), and favour the dust thereof").
Afterward I rose up, and did the king's business. He who holds nearest communion with heaven can best discharge the duties of common life.
I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it. He had heard of kings, but knew not their names; he foresaw the events, but not the time when they were to take place; thereupon he could only feel "astonished," and leave all with the omniscient God (Jerome).
Remarks:
(1) This chapter is concerned with the prophecies of the rise and fall of Medo-Persia, the rise of Graeco-Macedonia on its ruins, and the four-fold kingdom of Alexander the Great's successors. Out of one of the four divisions of the latter sprang Antiochus Epiphanes, the great persecutor of the Jews. Like the Lord Christ Himself, Antichrist was to have a more immediate, as well as a more distant future. As there is to be the last great Antichrist in the latter days of the New Testament, just before the second coming of Christ, so there was to be a typical and precursory Antichrist in the latter days of the Old Testament, just before the first coming of Christ. Both alike shall have to do with Israel in the way of perverting her by flatteries, and then persecuting her. But the New Testament Antichrist, who is foreshadowed by the Old Testament Antichrist, shall also have to do with the spiritual Israel, the elect Church, as well as with the literal Israel. Hence, arises the need that we should take heed to the signs of the times, and be on our guard ourselves, and put others, too, upon their guard, against the seductions, errors, and dangers of these latter times, which are verging fast toward the times of Antichrist. Romanism and other forms of apostate Christianity, combined with rationalism and the godless wisdom of the world, have most of the elements of Anti-Christianity which are preparing the way for the man of sin (2 Thessalonians 2:1-17), the king of fierce countenance (Daniel 8:23), and understanding dark sentences, who, "when the transgressors are come to the full," "shall stand up against the Prince of princes" (Daniel 8:25). Let us, then, with holy zeal, chastened with humility and love, "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 1:3).
(2) The astonishing rapidity and extent of Alexander the Great's conquests with his comparatively small army is happily expressed by the prophet's words concerning him, "He came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground." Nothing could withstand the impetuosity of his onward progress. But who, except the Spirit of God in his prophets, could have foreseen that "when he was strong" - that is when the new empire was in its fullest strength-it, along with Alexander himself, would be "broken." Alexander died at Babylon at the age of 33, in the full strength of his manhood, the victim of intemperance. In his case was shown the vanity of earthly greatness. He who was surnamed 'the Great,' for his conquest of millions, was truly petty; because he was not able to conquer himself. Worldly grandeur can make us neither better nor happier men. "Better is he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city" (Proverbs 16:32). Ill-gotten generally proves ill-gone. The fabric of ambition, reared on the destruction of millions, often falls to pieces in a moment, and at the time when its fall is least expected. He builds too low who builds beneath the skies.
(3) Out of one of the four horns or divisions of the Greek empire came forth "the little horn" (Daniel 8:9), or power which "magnified himself even to the prince of the host," and "took away the daily sacrifice, and cast down the place of the sanctuary" (Daniel 8:11). It is a striking fact that the Old Testament Antichrist did not spring from a rude and barbarous or half civilized age and kingdom, but from the most refined of classic nations, Greece, and in an age of art and advanced civilization. Antiochus Epiphanes was an enthusiastic admirer of art. He reared temples in accordance with the most approved principles of architecture. He encouraged gymnasia, or schools in which the teaching of philosophy was combined with the development of the bodily powers. Some Jews, along with Jason, who intrigued for the High Priesthood, in order to ingratiate themselves with Antiochus, began to adopt Grecian fashions, building theaters, and with the profession of large-minded liberality, regarding all religions alike, and therefore, while sacrificing to Yahweh, at the same time contributing money for the worship of Hercules. Thus then, first, pagan civilization from below, and revealed religion from above, came into collision. Herein we have a picture of the state of the world as it shall be when ripe for the last Antichrist. Already many of the same features are observable in our day-a complex civilization and refinement, which many think to make a substitute for vital religion. Art and aesthetics in music, painting, architecture, and statuary, either in association with or severed from religion, are the panacea which many offer for the healing of man's sorrows and evils. Unholy compromises with the world, the lowering of the obligations of the Christian Sabbath, and latitudinarian indifference, under the plea of freedom from bigotry, are prominent characteristics of our age.
Then, too, corresponding to the Greek gymnasia introduced among the covenant-people under Antiochus, is the so-called 'muscular Christianity' of our day, which makes the bodily development and secular interests, instead of matters of secondary importance, to be the chief concern of immortal beings! As corrupted and degenerate Christianity was the carcass ready for the false prophet and the Mohammedans as eagles to pounce upon, so apostate Christendom in the last days shall be the fitting prey to be given, in judicial wrath, to the last and worst Antichrist. So great shall be the "signs and wonders" that Antichrist shall "show" (Matthew 24:24) that, "if it were possible, they should deceive the very elect" (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11; Revelation 13:13-15). The little horn, when it has "waxed great," shall "cast down to the ground some even of the host and of the stars of heaven" (Daniel 8:10); that is, some who once, like Capernaum (Matthew 11:23), were "exalted unto heaven" in spiritual privileges. Hence, we need the greatest prayerfulness, humility, watchfulness, and adherence to the written Word, "lest we also, being led away with the error of the wicked, should fall from our own stedfastness" (2 Peter 3:17). Oppose beginning. It was "by reason of transgression" (Daniel 8:12) on the part of some paganizing Jews that "an host was given to Antiochus against the daily sacrifice," so as to "cast down the truth to the ground" (Daniel 8:12). Let us then be "valiant for the truth upon the earth" (Jeremiah 9:3). (4) Though the tribulation under the Old Testament Antichrist was to be severe, its duration was to be limited. For the sake of the elect nation there was to be an end of the calamity, and the sanctuary was to be "cleansed" from profanation (Daniel 8:14) after a fixed time, and that a comparatively short time. So in the last days the time of the final Antichrist's fury is shortened for the elect's sake. When "transgressors are come to the full" (Daniel 8:23) then shall the professing Christian world be ripe for the judgment to be inflicted by the anti-Christian world-power (Revelation 17:3-13; Revelation 17:15-17). Already the lawless spirit of resistance to constituted authority, absence of the natural affections, undutifulness to parents, proud boastfulness, covetousness, love of pleasure rather than of God, the form of godliness without its power, are (as 2 Timothy 3:1-9 foretells of the last days) beginning to be the characteristics of our age.
The last ordeal, therefore, may not be very far off. It is "not by his own power," but by the power of Satan, who works in him and by him, delegating to him "his seat and great authority" (Revelation 13:2), that Antichrist shall became mighty. His "coming shall be after the working of Satan, with all power and signs and lying wonders" (2 Thessalonians 2:9). Thus shall he cause craft to prosper in his hand through policy" (Daniel 8:25). So that the ten kings "shall give their power and strength, to the beast" (Revelation 17:13). Pretending "peace" he shall "destroy many," especially of God's ancient people, as well as of the spiritual Israel. But when "he shall stand up against the Prince of princes," as well as against His people, then his destruction "without hand" (Daniel 8:25) is imminent. The stone "cut out of the mountain without hands" (Daniel 2:34; Daniel 2:45) shall "break him to pieces" and "grind him to powder" (Matthew 21:44).
(5) It is the mark of the unregenerate man "not to be grieved for the affliction of Joseph" (Amos 6:6); that is, to feel unconcerned about the present and coming trials of the people and Church of God. And it is a mark of grace, like Daniel, to be deeply moved at what affects so seriously the cause of God and His people on earth (Daniel 8:27). But our grief is not to be allowed to disqualify us for the duties of our calling. Like Daniel, who, after grieving in secret before God, "rose up and did the king's business." So we are to do diligently our earthly duty in the station of life in which God's providence has placed us; nor must our communion with God make us to think ourselves above attending, in its due time and place, to our worldly business. He who holds closest contact with God is the man best able to discharge the duties of everyday life.