John Calvin Commentary Daniel 10:14

"Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days; for the vision is yet for [many] days:" — Daniel 10:14 (ASV)

The angel follows up the same sentiment. He states that he has arrived for the purpose of predicting to Daniel coming events, and these, also, for a long period. He further proves that Daniel's prayers were neither vain nor fruitless, as they produced this conflict with the kings of Persia, both father and son.

He now brings forward another proof of this, because God wished His Prophet to be instructed in waiting patiently for the unfolding of the events, after he was made fully aware that the elect people were under God’s care and protection. He would readily acknowledge this from the prophecies of the next chapter.

He next adds, at the end of the days. By this expression, the angel commends God’s grace towards the Prophet, as he was its special minister. His mission was not only to announce to him the occurrences of three or four years, or of any brief period, but he had to extend his predictions over many years, even to the very end of the days.

I readily interpret this period as referring to the renewal of the Church, which happened at the advent of Christ. When the Scriptures use the phrase 'the last days,' or 'times,' they always point to the manifestation of Christ, by which the face of the world was renewed. This is exactly like the angel saying he would make Daniel fully aware of all future events, until the final redemption of the people, when Christ was revealed for the salvation of His Church.

Therefore, the angel encompasses the 490 years of which he had spoken. For Christ’s advent determined the fullness of times, and the reason that follows fits the passage exceedingly well. The vision is yet for days, he says; some interpreters understand these words rather coldly. I am persuaded that the angel intends to show how God is now revealing future events to His servant, and thus these prophecies become like a lamp always shining in the Church.

The faithful complain in the 74th Psalm (Psalms 74:9) about the absence of all signs, because no prophets are left. We see no signs, they say; no Prophet exists among us. This was an indication that God had rejected and deserted them. However faintly the light of His doctrine may shine upon us, the slightest glimmer should be sufficient to produce patience and rest.

But when all the light of the Word is extinguished, we seem completely enveloped in utter darkness. Since the Israelites suffered so many afflictions for nearly 500 years, this remedy should completely restore them. For when the angel testifies, the vision is yet for days, it means that although God permits His people to be miserably afflicted, yet by this new proof He shows that He had not entirely cast them off.

Some vision remained; that is, by the light of prophecy He will always manifest His care for His chosen, and they may even anticipate a happy outcome from all their sorrows. We now understand the angel’s meaning when he says, the vision is yet for days.

Prophecies, indeed, ceased soon afterwards, and God no longer sent other prophets to His people. Yet their teaching always remained permanent, like a signpost, for this teaching covered the entire period leading up to the advent of Christ. His children were never destitute of all necessary consolation. For although there were no surviving prophets who could instruct the people in God’s commands by the living voice, Daniel’s teaching flourished for nearly 500 years after his death.

Daniel's teaching also performed its part in supporting the courage of the pious and showing them the firmness of God’s covenant, notwithstanding all opposition. Although the Church was agitated in a variety of ways, God remains consistent in all His promises, until the complete redemption of His Church by the advent of His only-begotten Son.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, since the weakness of our faith is such that it almost vanishes at the slightest occasion: Grant, I pray, that we may not hesitate to draw support from this remarkable and memorable example which You wish to set before us in Daniel, although for a time You hide Your face from us, and we lie prostrate in darkness. Still, remain near us; and with undoubting hope may we be steadfast in our prayers and groaning, until at last the fruit of our prayers appears. Thus may we constantly wage war against all kinds of trials, and persist unconquered until You stretch forth Your hand from heaven to us, and raise us to that blessed rest which is laid up for us there by Christ our Lord. — Amen.