Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - Daniel 12:4 - 12:4
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
shut up ... seal the book - John, on the contrary, is told (Rev 22:10) not to seal his visions. Daniel’s prophecy refers to a distant time, and is therefore obscure for the immediate future, whereas John’s was to be speedily fulfilled (Rev 1:1, Rev 1:3; Rev 22:6). Israel, to whom Daniel prophesied after the captivity, with premature zeal sought after signs of the predicted period: Daniel’s prophecy was designed to restrain this. The Gentile Church, on the contrary, for whom John wrote, needs to be impressed with the shortness of the period, as it is, owing to its Gentile origin, apt to conform to the world, and to forget the coming of the Lord (compare Mat 25:13, Mat 25:19; Mar 13:32-37; 2Pe 3:8, 2Pe 3:12; Rev 22:20).
run to and fro - not referring to the modern rapidity of locomotion, as some think, nor to Christian missionaries going about to preach the Gospel to the world at large [Barnes], which the context scarcely admits; but, whereas now but few care for this prophecy of God, “at the time of the end,” that is, near its fulfillment, “many shall run to and fro,” that is, scrutinize it, running through every page. Compare Hab 2:2 [Calvin]: it is thereby that “the knowledge (namely, of God’s purposes as revealed in prophecy) shall be increased.” This is probably being now fulfilled.