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THE PROPHET DANIEL

EXPLAINED

IN A SERIES OF READINGS FOR YOUNG PERSONS.

By the late Professor Gaussen, of Geneba.

"Whoso readeth Daniel the Prophet, let him understand."-Matt. xxiv, 15.

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PREFACE.

IN completing the Translation of all that Gaussen lived to publish of his Lessons on Daniel, it may be well to state that the first Volume was not published till 1839, nor the second till 1848; although the Lessons themselves were given consecutively, many years previously. The Author's words, in his Preface to his second Volume, are,"Extraordinary events have marked this year 1848 in the annals of history, as one of the most remarkable epochs of the human race; these events had been pointed out in prophecy for many centuries, but the simple exposition of it which I gave some years ago to children, and which will be found in this Volume, might make some readers think that, having first read these facts in the events of this year, I then found them in the revelation of Daniel and St. John,—they might think that the Lessons were composed, and the Author was prophesying, after the event; I therefore content myself with recalling the fact that these Lessons were given more than ten years ago, and that nothing has been changed for the press.-All interpreters of prophecy, even those who have been of the greatest use, have made mistakes on many points.— Does it need to say that the Author remembers this, only in order to apply it to himself, and that he does not flatter himself that his labours have escaped the common infirmities. He has full conviction of the truth of his interpretation in its great features, but he dares not flatter himself that he has never erred in their details.—May all be done in reverence for the Scripture, in the love of God, and in the patient waiting for Jesus Christ."

Geneva,

July 30th, 1848.

LOUIS GAUSSEN.

THE

BOOK OF DANIEL.

LESSON XXXIV.

DANIEL VII. 8-11.

I HAVE this day to speak of two very solemn subjects, but as distinct from each other as heaven and earth. The first, then (in verse 8), is the little horn, which for the first time appears on the scene; and the second (in verses 9, 10), are the majestic preparations for its judgment and its ruin. You know, dear children, the design of God in this vision, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar and ending with Jesus Christ. An angel declares it to Daniel, who had asked him, in the 10th verse, "the truth," "the interpretation of all these things." He replied that four great monarchies should "arise out of the earth," and that at their end, "the saints of the Most High should possess the kingdom for ever and ever."-This, then, is God's great design, to teach us by what succession of revolutions will at last be established on the earth the blessed kingdom of the saints of the Most High.”—There shall, beforehand, be four cruel monarchies to succeed each other in the world's empire; and out of the fourth, an impious power, whose rule shall last longer than that of the three first monarchies taken together, shall rise against the faithful people of God, and shall be destroyed by the most terrible judgment; then, but not till then, "the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the saints of the Most High (verse 27). In the 8th verse is "the little horn, which comes up among the ten, and before whom were three of them plucked up; and which had a mouth that spake very great things"; this is the chief enemy of God in the West, and the persecutor of His people.-In the 9th verse the "judgment is prepared"; the Ancient of Days is seated, His throne is as flames, and His wheels as burning fire.-In the 10th verse, "the judgment is set"; millions of angels ministered before Him.-At last, in the 11th verse, the judgment is executed: "the beast is slain, his body destroyed and given to the burning flame." Well, then, was I

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