Daniel 11:36-38

Self.

The undue prominence of self is a leading characteristic of all sin, just as all goodness implies self-denial. Where this is allowed, it is shown in every sphere of life.

I. IN ACTION , SELF APPEARS AS SELF - WILL . "The king shall do according to his will." This implies the neglect of law and right, of the will of others and of the will of God. It is seen in tyranny, in rebellion against lawful authority, and in the denial of our duty as servants of God.

II. IN THOUGHT , SELF IS SEEN AS SELF - WORSHIP . "He shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god." The shadow of self is thrown over everything. All things are viewed in their relation to self, and valued according as they please or inconvenience self. Self is the ideal standard to which nothing is equal, and by comparison with which all merit is measured.

III. IN RELIGIOUS MATTERS , SELF IS MANIFESTED BY THE CHOICE OF WORSHIP ACCORDING TO PRIVATE CONVENIENCE . The king rejects the God of his fathers, and blasphemes the u God of gods" because the will of the great God is against his evil conduct. He selects for worship a "god of forces" as more suited to his lawless violence. Thus where self dominates, the truth of religion counts for nothing, no reverence is felt for the awful holiness and majesty of God, but convenience settles the creed, and that religion is adopted which involves the least self-denial. Thus degraded, religion is no longer the master, it is the slave of man. But surely religion should be accepted because it is true, whether it suits our convenience or not, and must then be felt to guide and overawe our lives.

IV. IN SOCIAL RELATIONS , SELF APPEARS AS SELF - ASSERTION AND NEEDLESS BREACH OF CUSTOM . The king disregards the habits of his age, apparently out of contempt and pure indifference. The bondage of custom is degrading. But indifference to the habits of others is insulting and sometimes cruel. It is a proof of cold selfishness. Where it is necessary to be independent, we should let our conduct be conciliatory rather than irritating, if we would practise humility and generosity.

V. IN PRACTICAL RESULTS , THE PROMINENCE OF SELF IS EVIDENCED BY DESTRUCTIVE VIOLENCE . The god chosen is the "god of forces." Might takes the place of right. The will and welfare of others are often crossed. How many wars have no better origin!

Finally note: THOUGH THE UNDUE ASSERTION OF SELF MAY SUCCEED FOR A SEASON , IT IS DOOMED TO ULTIMATE FAILURE . The king prospers, but only "till the indignation be accomplished." In the final issue self-seeking brings ruin. Selfishness prospers for a time, and unselfishness means temporary loss, but ultimately the suppression of self would lead to our lasting welfare ( Matthew 16:25 ).

HOMILIES BY H.T. ROBJOHNS

Verse 1-Da 12:1

The roll of the universal Church.

"Thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book" ( Daniel 12:1 ). Two remarks here seem necessary on the part of the writer of this set of homilies.

1 . That, deeply interesting as may be the eleventh chapter considered as prophecy, and so demanding minute historical exposition, there does not seem to be much admitting of strictly homiletical treatment. The impression of others may be different; but that is our view; and we act upon it by advancing to the twelfth chapter.

2 . That the homilies immediately following are founded upon the view expressed by Keil, that the closing verses of the eleventh chapter refer to "the end of the present world-period," not to Antiochus Epiphanes, but to the final enemy of the people of God, the antichrist; and further, that the first three verses of the twelfth chapter treat of "the final deliverance of Israel from the last tribulation." In other words, that the prophecies of Daniel close by projecting themselves on into the closing scenes of the history of our world. The first verse declares that the close, of earth's history shall be a time of unparalleled trouble; that the activity of Michael, the guardian angel of Israel, shall then be prominent; that there shall be deliverance for all the true Israel of God, viz. of those whose names are written in "the book. " Of that book we treat; but seeking light upon it from the later revelations of God. By "the book" we understand the register of the redeemed of the Lord—the heavenly Church book—the roll of the one universal Church.

I. THE BOOK . The language is symbolic. There is in heaven something which may well be represented by a book. Books play no mean part in Scripture symbolism. To understand the passages we must remember that ancient books were, for the most part, written on parchment, rolled on cylinders, and usually the writing was on one side only. In Revelation 5:1 the book is the crowded roll of the providential counsels. A book sealed is one whose contents are secret. To eat a book is spiritually to assimilate its contents ( Revelation 10:9 , Revelation 10:10 ; Jeremiah 15:16 ). A book " folded up " stands for law repealed, or teaching of no further use. To " receive " a book is to enter on new dignity ( Revelation 5:7 ). Christ enters on the functions of mediatorial providential King.

II. THE TITLE . "The book of life" ( Revelation 21:27 ).

1 . What it is not. Not what is called " the volume of the Divine decrees." Revelation 3:5 settles that.

2 . What it is. One of the two to be produced at the last judgment (see Revelation 20:11-13 ). Look at them separately.

(a) As to the unbeliever. His deeds are the evidence of unbelief.

(b) The believer.

( α ) Deeds, again, are evidence of faith.

( β ) Deeds determine place in glory.

3 . The origin of the figure. Whence? Various answers , but all suggestive. The carefully kept list of priests? of citizens? of wrestlers in the great Greek agony? the monster roll of soldiers in the Roman army? Believers ought to be all there—priests, etc. Think, then: In the book every believer's name, not in the world's order, but in the order of coming into the Church universal. It is the family register of our Father in heaven. What if we could read it? The names clearly written! No mistake! What disclosures l Names there; names not there! No impeachment of the record. No doubtful name. Are our names there?

III. THE OWNER . "The Lamb's book of life." Why?

1 . The book is the register of his property. His " own. " Blood-bought. His ransomed, servants, subjects, soldiers, friends, younger brethren.

2 . He enters the names. How do we know? None beside has the ability or qualification. The writer must be everywhere, see all, know all. What wise discrimination needed too! tender sympathy! instant delicate recognition of the trust of a soul going out to him!

3 . As Guardian , he keeps the book. The book, ever open, lies in the shadow of the protection of Christ's throne ( John 10:28 ).

IV. THE NAMES .

1 . The names ever there. Of those "who go out no more for ever."

2 . The blotted names. ( Revelation 22:19 ; Revelation 3:5 .) Surely no idle threats these ( Hebrews 10:29 )!

V. Tile BLANK SPACES . There are places for coming names. Millions of names have been filled in; and " yet there is room." The blank space for your name waits your decision. , Some names never will be there. ( John 5:40 .) What then? Revelation 20:15 : figurative language? Yes. But figure must be less ever than the reality.—R.

HOMILIES BY J.D. DAVIES