prophets and kings-第85节
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sters of state and as a prophet of the Most High。 A man whose heart is stayed upon God will be the same in the hour of his greatest trial as he is in prosperity； when the light and favor of God and of man beam upon him。 Faith reaches to the unseen； and grasps eternal realities。
Heaven is very near those who suffer for righteousness' sake。 Christ identifies His interests with the interests of His faithful people； He suffers in the person of His saints； and whoever touches His chosen ones touches Him。 The power that is near to deliver from physical harm or distress is also near to save from the greater evil； making it possible for the servant of God to maintain his integrity under all circumstances； and to triumph through divine grace。
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The experience of Daniel as a statesman in the kingdoms of Babylon and Medo…Persia reveals the truth that a businessman is not necessarily a designing； policy man； but that he may be a man instructed by God at every step。 Daniel； the prime minister of the greatest of earthly kingdoms； was at the same time a prophet of God； receiving the light of heavenly inspiration。 A man of like passions as ourselves； the pen of inspiration describes him as without fault。 His business transactions； when subjected to the closest scrutiny of his enemies； were found to be without one flaw。 He was an example of what every businessman may become when his heart is converted and consecrated； and when his motives are right in the sight of God。
Strict compliance with the requirements of Heaven brings temporal as well as spiritual blessings。 Unwavering in his allegiance to God； unyielding in his mastery of self； Daniel； by his noble dignity and unswerving integrity； while yet a young man； won the 〃favor and tender love〃 of the heathen officer in whose charge he had been placed。 Daniel 1：9。 The same characteristics marked his afterlife。 He rose speedily to the position of prime minister of the kingdom of Babylon。 Through the reign of successive monarchs； the downfall of the nation； and the establishment of another world empire； such were his wisdom and statesmanship； so perfect his tact； his courtesy； his genuine goodness of heart； his fidelity to principle； that even his enemies were forced to the confession that 〃they could find none occasion nor fault； forasmuch as he was faithful。〃
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Honored by men with the responsibilities of state and with the secrets of kingdoms bearing universal sway； Daniel was honored by God as His ambassador； and was given many revelations of the mysteries of ages to come。 His wonderful prophecies； as recorded by him in chapters 7 to 12 of the book bearing his name； were not fully understood even by the prophet himself； but before his life labors closed； he was given the blessed assurance that 〃at the end of the days〃in the closing period of this world's historyhe would again be permitted to stand in his lot and place。 It was not given him to understand all that God had revealed of the divine purpose。 〃Shut up the words； and seal the book；〃 he was directed concerning his prophetic writings； these were to be sealed 〃even to the time of the end。〃 〃Go thy way； Daniel；〃 the angel once more directed the faithful messenger of Jehovah； 〃for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end。 。 。 。 Go thou thy way till the end be： for thou shalt rest； and stand in thy lot at the end of the days。〃 Daniel 12：4； 9； 13。
As we near the close of this world's history； the prophecies recorded by Daniel demand our special attention； as they relate to the very time in which we are living。 With them should be linked the teachings of the last book of the New Testament Scriptures。 Satan has led many to believe that the prophetic portions of the writings of Daniel and of John the revelator cannot be understood。 But the promise is plain that special blessing will accompany the study of these prophecies。 〃The wise shall understand〃 （verse 10）； was spoken of the visions of Daniel that were to be unsealed
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in the latter days； and of the revelation that Christ gave to His servant John for the guidance of God's people all through the centuries； the promise is； 〃Blessed is he that readeth； and they that hear the words of this prophecy； and keep those things which are written therein。〃 Revelation 1：3。
From the rise and fall of nations as made plain in the books of Daniel and the Revelation； we need to learn how worthless is mere outward and worldly glory。 Babylon； with all its power and magnificence； the like of which our world has never since beheld；power and magnificence which to the people of that day seemed so stable and enduring； how completely has it passed away！ As 〃the flower of the grass；〃 it has perished。 James 1：10。 So perished the Medo…Persian kingdom； and the kingdoms of Grecia and Rome。 And so perishes all that has not God for its foundation。 Only that which is bound up with His purpose； and expresses His character； can endure。 His principles are the only steadfast things our world knows。
A careful study of the working out of God's purpose in the history of nations and in the revelation of things to come； will help us to estimate at their true value things seen and things unseen； and to learn what is the true aim of life。 Thus； viewing the things of time in the light of eternity； we may； like Daniel and his fellows； live for that which is true and noble and enduring。 And learning in this life the principles of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour； that blessed kingdom which is to endure for ever and ever； we may be prepared at His coming to enter with Him into its possession。
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After the Exile
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〃The Lord rebuke thee； O Satan； even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee： is not this a brand plucked out of the fire？〃 Zechariah 3：2。
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Chapter 45
The Return of the Exiles
The advent of the army of Cyrus before the walls of Babylon was to the Jews a sign that their deliverance from captivity was drawing nigh。 More than a century before the birth of Cyrus； Inspiration had mentioned him by name； and had caused a record to be made of the actual work he should do in taking the city of Babylon unawares； and in preparing the way for the release of the children of the captivity。 Through Isaiah the word had been spoken：
〃Thus saith the Lord to His anointed； to Cyrus； whose right hand I have holden； to subdue nations before him； 。 。 。 to open before him the two…leaved gates； and the gates shall not be shut； I will go before thee； and make the crooked places straight： I will break in pieces the gates of brass； and cut in sunder the bars of iron： and I will give thee the treasures of darkness； and hidden riches of secret places； that thou mayest know that I； the Lord； which call thee by thy name； am the God of Israel。〃 Isaiah 45：1…3。
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In the unexpected entry of the army of the Persian conqueror into the heart of the Babylonian capital by way of the channel of the river whose waters had been turned aside； and through the inner gates that in careless security had been left open and unprotected； the Jews had abundant evidence of the literal fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy concerning the sudden overthrow of their oppressors。 And this should have been to them an unmistakable sign that God was shaping the affairs of nations in their behalf； for inseparably linked with the prophecy outlining the manner of Babylon's capture and fall were the words：
〃Cyrus； he is My shepherd； and shall perform all My pleasure： even saying to Jerusalem； Thou shalt be built； and to the temple； Thy foundation shall be laid。〃 〃I have raised him up in righteousness； and I will direct all his ways： he shall build My city； and he shall let go My captives； not for price nor reward； saith the Lord of hosts。〃 Isaiah 44：28； 45：13。
Nor were these the only prophecies upon which the exiles had opportunity to base their hope of speedy deliverance。 The writings of Jeremiah were within their reach； and in these was plainly set forth the length of time that should elapse before the restoration of Israel from Babylon。 〃When seventy years are accomplished；〃 the Lord had foretold through His messenger； 〃I will punish the king of Babylon； and that nation； saith the Lord； for their iniquity； and the land of the Chaldeans； and will make it perpetual desolations。〃 Jeremiah 25：12。 Favor would be shown the remnant of Judah； in answer to fervent prayer。 〃I will be
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found of you； saith the Lord： and I will turn away your captivity； and I will gather you from all the nations； and from all the places whither I have driven you； saith the Lord； and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive。〃 Jeremiah 29：14。
Often had Daniel and his companions gone over these and similar prophecies outlin
