Dan 10.
1-21[2] Matt 17.
1-8[3] &
Rev 1. 10-18
I have
been greatly impressed recently by the very striking similarity of these
visions, and I think there is also a similarity of purpose. God had a work for
these men to do which necessitated faith, and I think we may say it needed an
extraordinary faith, and the vision had the desired effect. Both Daniel and
John on Patmos were called to pass on the specific prophecies and the three on
the Holy Mount were definitely called to preach the gospel of the grace of God,
and the visions were undoubtedly given to fit them for the work required of
them. I am sure you will agree with me that the vision was of one and the same
person and that’s none other than our adorable Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ.
And the need of the moment is as great as then. We would see Jesus[4] was the
words spoken by those Greeks just prior to His suffering upon the cross of
Calvary, and when the request reached the ear of our Lord, He gave what seemed
to be a very strange apply. Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die
it abideth alone[5].
What did He mean? Was the request to see Him perform some miracle? I think
probably the request was prompted by curiosity. And our Lord seems to say. You
may see me in my earthly life and even see me perform mighty miracles, but it
cannot benefit you one iota unless you see and understand that it is by my
death that my God given work is to be accomplished. And so Daniel is brought to
see the majesty of the Lord. What a picture. His face like lightning. His eyes
like lamps of fire: Two things are suggested by these two things. The absolute
holiness of His being, and the penetrating power of His eyes. It could only
have one effect that of making Daniel and every sinner of the earth feel the
greatness of their sin. Thou God seest me in all my vileness[6]. Vile
and full of sin I am. Thou art full of truth and grace[7]. When
lightning strikes any given object the power is such that the object is
consumed. Then his feet and arms like in colour to polished brass, all glorious
in appearance and the voice of His words like the voice of a multitude. We have
something of this recorded in Heb 12. 81-21. Even Moses said I exceedingly fear
and quake, and Daniel tells us in verse 8 Here remains no strength in me, for
my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
Here we have a statement on a par with those words Our righteousness is as
filthy rags[8].
Now let us make sure we do not misunderstand this statement. It did not make
Daniel more vile but it revealed to him how vile he really was. He was not
conscious of it, and what the Holy Spirit would teach us by this statement is
that the vision of the Lord in His glory does not make us vile but it shows us
how very vile we are by nature. And this is the condemnation that light is come
into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds
are evil[9]. And not
only so but Daniel confesses that he has no strength. I think presumably to
improve his condition. And left to himself he can do nothing about it. He is
conscious of a truth expressed in one of our hymns. How helpless and hopeless
we sinners had been If He never had loved us till cleansed from our sin[10], but
let us go on to verse 9. And let us not overlook the force of the first word
“Yet” heard I the voice of His words. Although all my comeliness is turned into
corruption and my position is utterly hopeless and I am helpless. Yet, He did
not cast me off forever as I deserve. He spoke words of love words of grace
words of encouragement to me, and He made me to hear them. And when I heard
them I was in a deep sleep on my face. My face was turned away from Him, and I
was fast asleep. Yet, heard I the voice of His words. The dead shall hear the
voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live. And not only did He
speak to me, but an hand touched me. Though I am vile indeed corrupt and
unworthy, yet He touched me. He touched her hand and the fever left her[11]. There
came a leper to Him and Jesus moved with compassion, put forth His hand and
touched him and said I will be thou clean[12]. Yes
the God of Daniel’s day was the saviour of New Testament times, and He is just
the same today. Now what happened He sets me up on my Knees and upon the palms
of my hands. We sometimes sing Satan trembles when he sees the weakest of
Saints upon his knees[13] and we
can use the word sinner here in just the same way. Daniel was upon his knees
and it is one of the sights that makes angels rejoice to see a poor sinner upon
his knees. And there is nothing that can bring a man to his knees like a vision
of the glory of God, but there is one truth set forth very clearly in this
passage that we must not overlook. We have not only a vision of the Lord in His
glory but we have another vision of the same glorious person in two verses 16
and 18. Here we have this wondrous being clothed with humility and appearing as
“one like the similitude of the sons of men touching my lips that were dumb,
and causing him to open his mouth and make confession of his own unworthiness
and need and again in v. 18 Again He touched me and it is still like the
appearance of a man and He strengthened me. And now he is listening to words of
love and grace of assurance. O man greatly beloved, fear not, peace be unto
thee be strong, yea be strong, and after this he is shown that a service is
awaiting him, and God will shew him that which is noted in the scriptures of
truth, and this may be taken in a duel light. A knowledge of the scriptures of
truth will establish himself and he will be able to pass it on to become a
blessing to others. And so let us seek for grace to take this words to our own
hearts and find blessing therein.
[1] There is a lower and upper Manor road in Milford, near Witley so this presumably was a cottage meeting located there. My family believes this was the house where Cecil Lanaway, Lloyd's brother-in-law, and his wife Esme lived.
[2] These pages are spotted in Lloyd's Scofield Bible!
[3] The Transfiguration which 'contains in miniature all the elements of the future Kingdom in manifestation' Cross-reference is made to Revelation but not Daniel [Scofield].
[4] John 12:21
[5] John 12:24
[6] This would appear to be a quote it is unclear where from – see next footnote
[7] cf Charles Wesley's hymn Jesus lover of my soul " Just and holy is Thy Name, I am all unrighteousness;
Vile and full of sin I am; Thou art
full of truth and grace." The word vile
is replaced with false in some modern
versions of this hymn. The word is used for the only time in Daniel at 11:21
[8] Isaiah 64:6 "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" AV
[9] John 3:19
[10] Arthur T Pearson 1874 a friend and contemporary of Moody, Spurgeon and
George Mueller
With harps and with vials, there stand a great throng
In the presence of Jesus, and sing this new song:
Refrain
Unto Him who hath loved us and washed us from sin,
Unto Him be the glory forever, Amen.
All these once were sinners, defiled in His sight,
Now arrayed in pure garments in praise they unite:
Refrain
He maketh the rebel a priest and a king,
He hath bought us and taught us this new song to sing:
Refrain
How helpless and hopeless we sinners had been,
If He never had loved us till cleansed from our sin:
Refrain
Aloud in His praises our voices shall ring,
So that others believing, this new song shall sing:
Refrain
[11] Matthew 18:15
[12] Matthew 8:3
[13] Hymn by William Cowper
What various hindrances we meet
In coming to a mercy seat;
Yet who that knows the worth of prayer,
But wishes to be often there.
Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw;
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.
Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the Christian’s armor bright;
And Satan trembles, when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.
While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Israel’s side;
But when through weariness they failed,
That moment Amalek prevailed.
Have you no words? Ah, think again,
Words flow apace when you complain;
And fill your fellow creature’s ear
With the sad tale of all your care.
Were half the breath thus vainly spent,
To Heav’n in supplication sent;
Your cheerful song would oft’ner be,
"Hear what the Lord has done for me."