Introductory: Key to the Chart

* (“HE chart accompanying this volume isare

production of a large one, used for the purpose of aiding to a clear apprehension of the structure of the book of Daniel when the following lectures were delivered in public.

A little careful study of the diagram will, it is hoped, make plain much that might otherwise be obscure to some who have given but littie attention to prophetic teaching.

The first chapter of Daniel, as noted, is introductory, and does not itself have a prophetic character, but it pictures, for our instruction, the moral condition suited to enlightenment in regard to the Divine ways and counsels eimphasizing the need of holiness as a prerequisite to growth in the truth.

Chapters two to nine are each complete in themselves, giving either actual prophetical instruction or typical lessons of a like character. All, as will be readily observed, culminate i, ‘the Time of the Bude

What is meant by this last expression will be inade clear, if it be noted that a parenthetical period in the Divine plan is indicated by the broad space between the two heavy lines running right

6 across the chart, near to the centre. Every: thing noted or pictured above the upper heavy Jine, represents fulfilled prophecy, or history already accomplished. The line itself, it will be noticed (see the column headed *‘Chapter IX.”’), is coincident with the cross of Christ. Below the second line we have the ‘‘ Time of the End.” This second line represents the close of the present ‘‘ Church-period,”’ at the rapture of the saints, or the Lord’s coming to the air. Between the two, we have the whole gospel age, or dispensation of the grace of God, in which He has been pleased to make known ‘‘for the obedience of faith,” the revelation of the mystery of Christ and the Church, ‘‘ which in other ages was not made known,” but was ‘*‘hid in God,” until the rejection and ascension of His beloved Son, followed by the descent of the Holy Spirit to baptize believing Jews and Gentiles into one body; thus securing, for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, a heavenly people who will share His throne as the bride of His heart, in the coming age, and through eternity.

Now all this was still hidden in the days of Daniel. If the chart were folded so that the two dark horizontal lines touched, the parenthetical period would be hidden, as was the mystery in Old Testament times. With this period covered, we have an outline of what was revealed to Daniei. The great image is then teen to be apparently continuous. and the ten-horned condition of the Beast of Chapter VIL follows immediately upon its first risiny up

Chapters X. to XII. form one prephecy. The division into past and future occurs betweep verses 35 and 36 of Chapter XI.

Daniel says very little about the Kingdom. as his special theme is ‘*The Times of the Gentiles’; but Chapters II. and VII., as also Chapter XII. lead us upto the Kingdom, though with little detail regarding it.

If the reader will refer from time to time bacx to the chart while reading the Lectures it hoped all obscurity will be removed.