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indication that the period of the last seven of Dan. 9: is the setting, and as to what
"transgression" is to be "imprisoned":--
"The little horn . . . . . magnified himself against the prince of the host, and by him the
daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary was cast down. And an
host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression . . . . . the
transgression of desolation . . . . . in the latter time of their kingdom when the
transgressors are come to the full" (Dan. 8: 11-13, 23).
In Dan. 9: and Matt. 24: 15 it is "the abomination of desolation": here it is "the
transgression of desolation". This refers to the violation of the temple and it sacrifices,
and the desolation, once more, of Jerusalem. The day, however, is fixed when this
desolation shall for ever cease, and the Desolator be imprisoned. It does not require great
perception to see here a forecast of the incarceration of the Beast, the False Prophet and
Satan as revealed in the Apocalypse.
"To make an end of sins."--The word "chatham" occurs again in the sentence: "To
seal up the vision and prophecy." Job uses the expression: "My transgression is sealed
up in a bag and thou sewest up mine iniquity" (Job 14: 17). In Deut. 32: 34 the Lord
is quoted as saying: "Is not this laid up in store with Me, and sealed up among My
treasures?" and goes on to speak of the day of vengeance. In Dan. 12: 4 there is a
paronomasia, "shut up" being satham, and "seal" being chatham, and this is repeated in
verse 9, "shut up" being there "close up". It appears that the sense of "sealing" here is
not so much that of confirmation as of "closing" or "shutting up". The one other
reference to "sealing" in Daniel is in connection with the den of lions (6: 17), and the
object of that sealing is given: "That the purpose might not be changed concerning
Daniel." The statement as to the sealing up of Israel's sins must be read with such other
wonderful expressions as:--
"Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7: 19).
"Thou has cast all my sins behind Thy back" (Isa. 38: 17).
"I will remember their sin no more" (Jer. 31: 34).
The reason why God can righteously seal up Israel's sins, sew them in a bag, and cast
them behind His back, is that the great atonement has been accomplished by Christ.
"To make reconciliation for iniquity."--Here the word is kaphar, and means "to make
atonement". This is vital. This is precious. It belongs to no one section of the redeemed.
In spite of what certain words in the English translation may from a superficial reading
appear to teach, atonement belongs to both Old and New Testaments. This vital theme is
too vast to be dealt with here, but we have devoted some space to it in the series entitled
"Redemption", which should be consulted.
Thus end the first three blessings that are to come. Three more follow as a sequel:--
"To bring in age-abiding righteousness."
"To seal up the vision and prophecy."
"To anoint the Most Holy."