"And I beheld, and I heard the voice of MANY ANGELS round about the throne; . . . and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands." Rev. 5:11.
2. What is their office-work respecting man?
"Are they not all MINISTERING SPIRITS, sent forth to minister FOR THEM WHO SHALL BE HEIRS OF SALVATION?" Heb. 1:14; see also Ps. 34:7; Matt. 18:10.
Note that these angels are not men or those who have once lived as men or women upon the earth; for (1) They lived before the earth was created (Job 38:4-7); (2) They were upon this earth before any human being died (Gen. 3:24); they are a distinct order of intelligences (Heb. 2:7). Cherubim belong to orders or divisions of angels.
Samuel and the Witch of Endor. An ancient Spiritistic seance, in which the "familiar spirit" comes in the guise of Samuel, and in which the king is so deceived that he believes the demon to be the prophet.
3. What being of malefic, evil influence is working against God's truth and children?
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary THE DEVIL, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8.
4. Who is associated with him in his fall and work?
"And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called THE DEVIL, AND SATAN, which DECEIVETH the WHOLE WORLD; he was cast out into the earth, and HIS ANGELS were cast out with him." Rev. 12:9.
NOTE.—This being, called by Ezekiel "the King of Tyre," because of his control of Tyre, was the highest of all created beings, one of the bright cherubim of God (Eze. 28:12, 14), and was called before his fall "Lucifer," the "Day-star" (Isa. 14:12-14). When he fell, he took with him a third part of the angels. Rev. 12:4; 2 Peter 2:4. These angels or messengers and minions of Satan are called "demons," rendered "devils" thruout the Gospels, but better demons. But one being, Satan, is rightly called the devil. Wherever it occurs in the plural, it is "demons." Satan sends these messengers out into all the world. Rev. 16:14. He has his throne, his synagogues where the worship of the false gods is taught, or the worship of the true God perverted. Rev. 3:9. In short, the devil has systematic, organized work in this world, with no vacations.
5. What did God tell man the consequence of his sin would be?
"In the day that thou eatest thereof, THOU SHALT SURELY DIE." Gen. 2:17.
6. How did Satan deceive man?
"Ye shall NOT surely die; . . . ye shall BE AS GODS." Gen. 3:4, 5.
7. What does the Lord say of the dead in His word?
8. But does not this refer to physical life alone?
"His breath goeth forth; he returneth to his earth; in that very day HIS THOUGHTS PERISH." Ps. 146:4.
"His sons come to honor, and he KNOWETH IT NOT; and they are brought low, but he PERCEIVETH IT NOT of them." Ps. 14:21. See Eccl. 9:6.
NOTE.—It is clearly evident from these scriptures that the dead do not communicate with the living upon this earth. They know naught of what is taking place. The sleep of death is absolutely unconscious.
9. What service does the Lord require?
"Thou shalt WORSHIP THE LORD THY GOD, and HIM ONLY shalt thou SERVE." Matt. 4:10.
10. What worship does the adversary of souls teach?
"All these things will I give thee, if Thou wilt fall down and WORSHIP ME." Matt. 4:9.
"Let us go AFTER OTHER GODS, . . . and let us SERVE THEM." Deut. 13:2.
11. What special classes of persons have always received honor?
The parents, the aged and great, and the dead.
NOTE.—Satan has ever used this regard, reverence, and love to deceive the race. He made them believe that the loved and honored were not really dead, but were exalted into demigods and gods. Thence came ancestor, and hero-worship; thence also the fallible human characters and dispositions attributed to the false gods.
12. How did the Moabites lead Israel astray?
"And they called the people unto the SACRIFICES OF THEIR GODS; and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods." Num. 25:2.
13. In whose behalf were these sacrifices offered?
"They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the SACRIFICES OF THE DEAD." Ps. 106:28.
14. How is this elsewhere spoken of?
"The things which the Gentiles sacrifice, THEY SACRIFICE TO DEVILS, and not to God; and I would not that ye should have fellowship with the devils." 1 Cor. 10:20. See also Deut. 32:17; Ps. 106:37; Lev. 17:7.
15. What special prohibition did God lay upon His people concerning these things?
"There shall not be found among you . . . an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a WITCH, or a charmer, or a CONSULTER WITH FAMILIAR SPIRITS, or a WIZARD, or a NECROMANCER. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord." Deut. 18:10-12. See also Lev. 19:31.
NOTE.—Necromancy was "the art of foretelling the future by means of pretended communication with the dead."—See Standard Dictionary. A wizard or witch is a person who has communication with spirits. "Familiar spirits" are those spirits of the dead supposed to be at the call of the necromancers or witches. See "Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia."
16. Because of the subversion of the entire nation by such teaching, and the consequent loss of many souls, what did God say should be done with witches under the Theocracy?
"Thou shalt NOT suffer a WITCH TO LIVE." Ex. 22:18.
17. What noted example is given of consulting familiar spirits?
King Saul consulting the witch of Endor. 1 Sam. 28:17-20. Read the account.
18. What was Saul's condition?
"The LORD answered him NOT, neither by DREAMS, nor by URIM, nor by PROPHETS." Verse 6.
19. To whom, then, when forsaken of God, did Saul seek?
"Seek me a WOMAN that hath a FAMILIAR SPIRIT, that I MAY GO to her, and INQUIRE OF HER." Verse 7.
20. How did God regard this act of Saul's?
"So SAUL DIED for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for ASKING COUNSEL OF ONE THAT HAD A FAMILIAR SPIRIT, TO INQUIRE OF IT." 1 Chron. 10:13.
NOTE.—The reader will observe: (1) That the woman was of a class forbidden a place in the kingdom. (2) She had a "familiar7spirit," a pretended spirit of the dead. (3) Saul called for Samuel; it was the business of the woman to pretend to produce him immediately. (4) This familiar spirit told the woman it was Saul the king. (5) Saul asked what SHE saw, and she replied that it was an old man who came up, with a mantle. (6) Then Saul "perceived," or understood, from the woman's description, that it was Samuel. (7) This pretended Samuel speaks as tho he were Samuel, and reproves Saul, and tells him that he will be killed on the morrow—a very doubtful thing. It was probably the day after. Now, was this Samuel?—No, thrice no; for (1) neither man nor woman has the power of the resurrection; (2) It was not a resurrection, for the woman dwelt in Endor, while Samuel was buried at Ramah, miles away. (3) It was not Samuel's soul, according to the popular view, for this old man "came up," while the souls are supposed to come down; and further, why should immortal souls be clothed with mantles? and, if with God, why "old"? (4) The first thing this spirit did was to warn the woman by telling who Saul was. (5) It is not to be believed that God would send a message to Saul thru forbidden agencies, when He had refused to answer him thru regular channels. (6) Neither would the Lord have punished Saul for consulting a witch if He had thus communicated with Saul. (7) "The dead know not anything." The fact is, this story of old is like many stories of spiritual seances set in ancient mosaics.
21. What was constantly met by our Lord at His first advent?
"THOSE WHICH WERE POSSESSED WITH DEVILS." Matt. 4:24, and elsewhere.
22. As we near His second coming, what are we told to expect?
"Now the SPIRIT SPEAKETH EXPRESSLY, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, GIVING HEED TO SEDUCING SPIRITS, and doctrines of DEVILS." 1 Tim. 4:1.
23. How will Satan work thru these evil angels?
"With all POWER and SIGNS, and LYING WONDERS, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they receive not the love of the truth, that they might be saved." 2 Thess. 2:9, 10.
24. How will the nations be affected by these malevolent agencies?
"They are the SPIRITS OF DEVILS, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to GATHER THEM TO THE BATTLE of that great day of God Almighty." Rev. 16:14.
NOTE.—Sherman well said, "War is hell." We may not wonder at this when we learn that it is the spirits of demons which stir it up.
25. What instruction does God give for those who are urged to seek unto spirits for information?
"And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have FAMILIAR SPIRITS and unto the wizards, that chirp and that mutter; should not a people SEEK UNTO THEIR GOD? ON BEHALF OF THE LIVING SHOULD THEY SEEK UNTO THE DEAD!" Isa. 8:19, A.R.V.
26. What is the great test by which we are to judge all teaching?
"To the LAW AND TO THE TESTIMONY! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them ["no light in them," Common Version]." Isa. 8:20.
NOTE.—Satan works in many forms to deceive, and wisely has he planned. He comes as "an angel of light." He comes in the guise of our loved dead. He laid the immortal-soul-theory track in the very beginning, and now, in these days, the mighty train-loads of persons of various sorts and cults, of many countries, numbering rulers, nobles, judges, politicians, bankers, scientists, among their many millions, are rushing with accelerating speed down grade to destruction. Every cult which is essentially based on the immortal-soul theory will sooner or later be found among the ranks of spiritists. We may ridicule and laugh at its claims. We may know there is deception, sham, and counterfeit; but there is also reality. God's angels will care for all those who are willing to follow His word.
Lessons from Deuteronomy
By Editor
The chapters of Deuteronomy which fall in this week's reading as a general thing will be fairly understood. There are repetitions of civil regulations pertaining to that people and time; there are repetitions of instructions regarding the yearly feasts and Sabbaths; there are excellent moral instructions. How God's regard for the poor and the oppressed stands out; how particular that His people should have a perfect standard of character, that their service and offerings to God should be perfect, without blemish. Justice should be executed between man and man notwithstanding the position or place of either party. Christ is predicted as the prophet like unto Moses in chapter 18.
No man should be condemned at the mouth of one witness. Men who were fearful should not be compelled to go to battle. Cities and towns were held responsible for crime committed near them. Chapter 21. Diverse things should not be so mingled as to have a benumbing effect on the moral sensibilities. Men of utterly perverse nations should not come in as counselors among God's people. Hygienic measures should be followed in all their encampments.
Chapters 27 and 28 are the records of the solemn utterances of the curses and blessings from Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal. In chapter 28 also is found a fearful prophecy of the things which would come upon the Israelites if they departed from God. The lesson of the week closes with the blessed assurance: "The things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." It is ever true that God reveals His will that we may do it.
This section of the Psalms is devotional and instructive. In No. 76, God's victorious power is called to remembrance. In No. 77, His mighty works are presented as a comfort. Man's unfaithfulness and God's faithfulness might well be the title of Psalm 78. What blessed assurances are given in all these songs of inspiration!
For Winter Evenings
Messages from the Dead.
THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES has for years pointed out from the basis of Scripture truth that Modern Spiritualism is based on the utterly wrong conception that the dead are not dead, that death is but the entrance into a higher life. If the claim that is made that man has, apart from his physical organization, an entity capable of a separate existence, that thinks, moves, etc., is true, then Spiritism itself is true. The Society of Psychical Research and other organizations are endeavoring to demonstrate the truth of spiritistic mediums by scientific research. They are investigating in such a way that they will invariably be deceived, because there are spirits malefic, evil intelligences which were once messengers of God, but are now fallen in the spiritual world as man has in his sphere. These evil angels come to men in the guise of spirits of the dead. They are what God's word calls "lying spirits." This is one of the ways by which Satan, their chief, will manifest himself to a deceived world "with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth."
Of course there are thousands who are deceived by Spiritism now. Some of the members of the Psychical Society are convinced, others contend that they are not yet convinced. But in a meeting held in England, January 30, Sir Oliver Lodge, the principal of Birmingham University, and a member of the Psychical Society, uttered the following words:
"Like excavators engaged in boring a tunnel from opposite ends, amid the roar of water and other noises, we are beginning to hear now and again the strokes of the pick-axes of our comrades on the other side."
In other words, these scientists have come to that place where they feel that the next thing will be direct communication with those who are dead. Among these evidences, Sir Oliver Lodge declares we find the late Edmund Gurney, and the late Richard Hodgson, and the late F. W. H. Myers, with some other less known names, "constantly purporting to communicate with us, with the express purpose of patiently proving their identity, and giving us cross correspondence between different mediums. We also find them answering specific questions in a manner characteristic of their known personalities, and giving evidence of knowledge appropriate to them."
That is, these supposed spirits of the dead deliver a part of their message thru one medium and make direct communication of the rest of the message with another medium, these mediums knowing nothing of each other's messages or conditions. This is considered excellent proof that the living are communicating with the one who professes to give the message, and some consider that the proof is absolute. Of course, such ones do not take into consideration the fact which the Bible reveals, that the evil spirits are not only able to counterfeit the dead, but are acquainted with the secrets of their lives while they lived here. The Bible declares that "the dead know not anything;" "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." And those who come in the place of the dead are the messengers of evil, who would set aside God's truth and deceive the world to its destruction.
THE thing most longed for by all humanity is life—normal, happy life.
Many long for it still with years of misery behind them, hoping somehow, somewhere, it will issue in happiness. The devil understood this longing in the human heart when he said, “Yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.” Job 2:4. But the Lord Jesus Christ expressed not merely man’s longing for life, but its exceeding worth when He said: “For what shall a man be profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and forfeit his life? or what shall man give in exchange for his life?” Matt. 16:26, A.R.V. Life is therefore conditional, for man may forfeit the boon.
The source of all life is God; for with Him “is the fountain of life.” Ps. 36:9. He is “the eternal God,” “even from everlasting to everlasting.” Ps. 90:2. His life is therefore everlasting, or perpetual, life; and from that great Fountain wells out for all the universe the eternal life of God.
But in giving that life to man He has made its perpetuity, its continuity, its persistence in man, dependent on law, and that law is His holy, perfect, immutable law of character, prohibiting all sin and embracing in its exceeding breadth all righteousness. For “sin is the transgression of the law,” and “all unrighteousness is sin.” 1 John 3:4; 5:17. Truly the inspired psalmist sings in praise of Jehovah:
“Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Thy law is the truth.” Ps. 119:142.
And the Lord thru the evangelical prophet declares:
“My salvation shall be forever,
And My righteousness shall not be abolished.
Harken unto Me, ye that know righteousness.
The people in whose heart is My law.”
Isa. 51:6, 7.
His salvation is forever, because it is broad, based in His righteousness; for “in the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.” Prov. 12:28. Therefore God’s prohibition to our first parents: “In the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Gen. 2:17. And therefore our Saviour’s words, “If thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matt. 19:17. In other words, the path, the channel, the current, of life is the righteousness of God.
On the other side, “Sin, when it is full grown, bringeth forth death.” James 1:15. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Eze. 18:4, 20. Perverted righteousness is sin; perverted life is death. And therefore when sin entered man’s fair Eden home, death entered, and his awful presence has been an abiding factor in the human problem ever since.
How may man regain the lost life?—The answer is obvious, he must obtain the lost righteousness, he must come into harmony with God’s eternal law of righteousness, the channel thru which flows perpetual life.
By no false claim to immortality can he do this. By no false claim to heirship in the Family of Life can he obtain the boon. By no false faith in that hoary lie of Satan, “Ye shall not surely die,” may he find perpetuity of existence. By no theory that he is a part of the Infinite, and is therefore incapable of destruction, will he persist forever. All these are subterfuges, Satanic lies, devilish deceptions, by which the arch-enemy of God and all good would delude unstable souls in lives of selfish ease and disobedience to the law of faith and life and righteousness.
There is one way, and only one, by which sinful, dying man may hope to live. That is God’s way, the reverse of the way in which man lost the boon of life. When Jehovah pointed out the way of obedience and life, it was man’s privilege as well as duty to BELIEVE, and thru FAITH OBEY. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Heb. 11:6. It is the great universal law of all God’s intelligent creatures. Forever it would lead man from the narrow confines of self-wisdom, self-righteousness, self-praise, self-exaltation, to the great unfenced fields of God’s righteousness and life. Unbelief closed the heart to the inflow of the unperverted Life, and sin and death entered instead of God.
Since that time God has been pouring out of His abundant life to sustain a dying world of dying men, who in great part preferred to live on the low scale of animal existence,—“Let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we die,”—in order that He might win them back to His plan in Christ Jesus. For by the gift of His only-begotten Son has God bridged the chasm. He became sin for us that we might by faith become righteousness in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21. And this is His name, because this is His character and work for us, Jehovah-tsidkenu, “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jer. 23:6. And all who by purpose and will of the whole heart abjure sin, break from its every bond and tendril, and receive Jesus Christ, in Him receive forgiveness of sin, and the gift of righteousness and life. For “he that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.
Reject Him we may; God gives us that awful choice. Identify ourselves with sin and selfishness and error and death we may. The choice is ours, and God gives power to make the choice. But in that choosing we also choose the destruction, everlasting and final, to which sin and error and selfishness and death are eternally and inevitably doomed. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life thru Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23.
It is not self-exalting to choose God’s way, but O, it is satisfying and glorious. Then, sinner, choose God’s way. Leave the old serpent falsehood with all its endless and humanly attractive dresses in which error has garbed it, and accept of the life of faith, the faith of obedience, the obedience of righteousness, the eternal righteousness and life of God in Jesus Christ our Lord. In that pathway, and in that alone, is joy supernal and full of glory.
“Give Ye Them to Eat.”
By M. H.
JESUS said unto them, “They have no need to go away; give ye them to eat.”
There was a great multitude of people; the place was a desert; and the time was late. Added to these discouraging features, the people were hungry, and no food could be purchased. The disciples advised the Saviour to send the people away to the villages where they could buy food. But the Saviour had compassion on them. He knew that many could not buy; He could not send them away empty, and so to the advice of the disciples He replied, “They have no need to go away; give ye them to eat.” The disciples insisted, “We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.” In their extremity, He could work gloriously, and calling for the loaves and the fishes, and “looking up to heaven, He blessed and brake, and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. And they all ate, and were filled.”
“They have no need to go away.” No soul was ever sent from His presence empty. In all His ministry our Lord turned none away. His counsel, His forgiveness, His blessing, His healing touch, were never refused. But the disciples were so slow to learn His unlimited love. The water became wine at His word, tho the deaf, the blind, the sick, the possessed, were healed at His touch, they saw no way to supply the need of the hour. Within reach of the boundless bounties of Heaven, they would send the hungry away to buy for themselves.
“Give ye them to eat.” A needy people stood before them, more than five thousand men, women, and children, but they said, “We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.” What a victory for them had they grasped the opportunity to use the power within the command, “Give ye them to eat.” Had they moved to obey, it would have been done at their word, for never does the Master give a command without the power to carry it out. Never does He ask His children to give but the supply is ready at the demand of faith.
To-day the world is a needy multitude, and the command is just as direct, “Give ye them to eat” not of man’s treasure, but of the treasure of heaven, the Water, the Bread, of life, the Gospel of salvation. His disciples now may, in the language of the Master, give the invitation, “Come unto Me;” “Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely;” “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters;” “Seek ye Jehovah while He may be found; call ye upon Him while He is near.” To every soul who has been called to be a son of God a work has been given, a work of winning other souls to Him. The storehouse of heaven is open at the call of His servants; therefore, expect much of Him, ask much of Him, even to the delectable riches of heaven.
M. H.
Studies in the Book of Daniel
God the Preserver
(Concluded)
Daniel in the Den of Lions.
The King Ensnared.
THEN the spies report to the king. They approach him by reminding him of a recent law of worship; and the king declares it true and unalterable. Then they present their charge against "that Daniel," the Judean captive, even he, O king, "regardeth not thee."
Too late the king saw his folly, and was "sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him." He doubtless plead with the officers to change the decree, with Daniel to yield to it; but his efforts were futile. How easy it is for man to bind with chains which he can not sunder! how easy to fetter the soul and body with shackles of sin that no human power can break! O, it is well for a human to be thoughtful. Each present moment is big with eternal possibilities. The king found himself powerless; his own law bound him; thru it he was held by the plotters against the good of his realm. "Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians, that no interdict nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed." Verse 15.
The Den of Lions.
Then, at the king's enforced command, Daniel was cast into the den of fierce lions, the king expressing his own hungry hope, and endeavoring to cheer Daniel, in the words: "Thy God whom thus servest continually, He will deliver thee." It expressed the dawning of a faith which we are fain to hope was perfected, and it was a royal certificate of Daniel's faithfulness.
Then the king closed the den, and sealed the stone, that no mortal interference might occur to deliver the criminal; and then he retired to his palace and spent the night in praying and fasting. In the early morning, after a sleepless night, with mind alternating between hope and fear, he hastens to the den of lions, and cries with a lamentable voice, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?" And Daniel is able to reply, prefaced with the courtesy due, "My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt."
It was a double lesson to the king. It showed to him, even as God taught it to Babylon, that there was one Ruler who could make of none effect the puny laws of men. It revealed to him that the God who could make and preserve character in the corrupt court of Babylon, could deliver from all physical ills. It bears the same lesson to plotters, politicians, statesmen, rulers, today. Jehovah is the living God, and rules above men.
Daniel was taken from the den of lions, "and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he had trusted in his God." He was kept by the power of faith; not that his faith furnished the power. Faith was the arm that reached up and made connection with the throne. It is like the pipe that taps the fountain. It is like the trolley that reaches up and connects with the live wire. The power of God flows forever from the Great Fountain; faith opens the heart and life to receive it. It was faith that brought, in the beginning, cleansing and power to Daniel. It was because he believed God that he formed in the beginning his noble purpose. It was faith that kept his character unstained, untarnished, thru all the years of his public service. It was faith that led him to devote time to the service and worship and word of God,—time all gained, because these things made him what he was. And it was wholly because of what faith had done for him morally that God could consistently deliver him physically. What a testimony is here left the young, aspiring men of the world and the church! There is as great need now as of old for Daniels. God is as able to make them. Where are the men who are willing to be what God wants to make them?
Daniel in the Lion's Den.
Visiting Human Justice.
The king was convinced, but not converted. He visited upon those who plotted against Daniel's life the same doom they planned for the Hebrew. Then he made a decree, commendable enough, indeed, for a heathen coming to the light; but no criterion for any ruler. It had this, however, that was indeed favorable, and that was the proclamation of the Gospel, the power of the true God to deliver. Here it is:
"Then King Darius wrote unto all the peoples, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for He is the living God, and steadfast forever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed; and His dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and He worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions." Verses 25-27.
The decree is foolish—that men tremble and fear before God. This may be their10duty; it is not in man's power to enforce it. But the reasons why men should fear God are indeed ample. "He is the living God," the self-existent One. Note how in this chapter the law of the Medes and Persians which altereth not is set in contrast with the living God,—steadfast forever, and His overruling kingdom enduring to the end. Note how man's purpose to destroy is set over against God's power to rescue and deliver. Happy they who can say, "This God is our God, forever and ever."
This chapter closes with: "So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian." Surely he was the "Grand Old Man" of the kingdom, simply and solely because he was, a few years before, the youth of a steadfast purpose. Steadfast toward God, he found God just what He eternally is,—steadfast in faithfulness and power to him. So will all find God who will trust Him.
