Daniel 7:9–14

Verse 9. Ancient. The Son is born of the Father, and the Holy Ghost proceeds from both, yet all three are coeternal. Worthington.—Hence the Father is sometimes painted in this manner, though he be a pure spirit. His throne resembled that seen by Ezechiel, Calmet. 1. Bible.—He takes cognizance of all, and punishes accordingly. Calmet.

Verse 10. Fire. Psalms 96:3.—Thousands. Greek implies one million and one hundred millions. Menochius.—The angels are very numerous, particularly the highest, styled assistants. Saint Thomas Aquinas Worthington.

Verse 11. Spoke. I wished to see how the king would be punished. He felt the hand of God as he was going to destroy all the Jews, when he pretended to repent. 1 Maccabees 6 and 2 Maccabees 9:4. His successors could not much disturb the Jews. verse 13. Calmet.

Verse 12. Time. Each of the four empires had its period assigned. That of Rome attracted the prophet’s attention most, and is mentioned first. Menochius.

Verse 13. Heaven. Christ appeared about sixty years after the subversion of the Syrian monarchy. Yet these expressions literally refer to his second coming. Matthew 26:64. Calmet.—He had the form of man, as he had the nature. Menochius.—He is clearly predicted. by his power antichrist is overthrown. Worthington.

Verse 14. Destroyed. The eternal dominion of Christ could not be expressed in stronger terms. He seems to allude to them, Matthew 28:18. Calmet.