Daniel 11:21

Successful dissimulation.

I. DISSIMULATION IS OFTEN MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN VIOLENCE . The successful usurper is known to be a "vile person;" the people do not willingly bestow upon him the honours of royalty,—he grasps them for himself; yet he perpetrates no violence to obtain them. He wins power by dissimulation.

1 . But dissimulation is most common in an age of advanced civilization. Violence belongs to simpler times. As life becomes more complex, evil becomes more subtle.

2 . It has most power at a time of moral corruption. When morality is corrupted, the discerning faculty of conscience is blinded. Deceit succeeds most with those who have lost the clear judgment which results from the direct insight of purity.

3 . It is most successful under circumstances of material prosperity. Then we are off our guard, and are tempted to a false feeling of security based on the mere enjoyment of present ease.

II. THE SUCCESS OF DISSIMULATION IS MORE INJURIOUS TO THE WORLD THAN THE SUCCESS OF VIOLENCE . The greatest enemies to a state are its traitors. The worst foes to a religion are its hypocritical adherents. The most dangerous enemies a man can have are his flattering friends. In such cases

III. THOUGH DISSIMULATION MAY SUCCEED FOR A TIME , TRUTH WILL ULTIMATELY TRIUMPH . There is "an end" at "the time appointed" ( Daniel 11:27 ; Daniel 12:1 , Daniel 12:2 ).

1 . By its own nature evil ultimately declares its true character. If it always remained concealed, it would effect little. By dissimulation power is won, which in being used casts off the mask.

2 . When evil is declared, it is seen to be hateful and weak. Once fairly known, it loses its attraction and becomes a despicable thing.

3 . God will finally interfere to destroy all false appearances, and judge the world in truth according to real character and conduct. Some forms of deceit may linger till that great judgment-day; but none can outlive it. Then all actions will appear in the white light of truth.

4 . It is wise and prudent (as well as right) to seek truth and to live truly, because the true only can live in the great future of eternity ( Revelation 21:27 ).