John Calvin Commentary Daniel 8:26

"And the vision of the evenings and mornings which hath been told is true: but shut thou up the vision; for it belongeth to many days [to come]." — Daniel 8:26 (ASV)

The angel again confirms the assertion that no part of this vision was shown to the Prophet in vain, because not even the slightest portion of it would fail to have its effect. The necessity of this method of confirming our faith is well-known; because, although the events may be well known to us, yet we cannot rest in God’s word unless He repeatedly testifies to the truth of His assertions and by such repetition confirms whatever appears ambiguous to us.

When it becomes perfectly obvious that the angel speaks about obscure events, and events that were completely unbelievable at the time, it is not surprising that he announces again that the Prophet had seen nothing which God would not accomplish. This vision, therefore, he says, is truth. He calls it “the vision of the evening and morning,” because while the angel was speaking about the six years and almost a half, he used this form of speech.

And we said this was purposely expressed, so that no one would extend it to years or months, as some did; as if the angel had said—Look! By calculating single days up to six years and about a half, the completion of this prophecy, when the Temple will be cleansed, will be accurately discovered.

Again, it is asserted that the vision is certain, because God had computed day by day the time of the profanation of the Temple until the period of its cleansing. You, therefore, he says, seal or close the vision, because it is for many days. It may surprise us why God would wish what He had explained to His servant to remain concealed.

For Daniel was not instructed about the future for his own private advantage, but for the common benefit of the whole people. It seems, therefore, contrary to his office to be commanded to close up the vision and keep it in complete obscurity. But the angel means that if the greater part of the people were to reject this prophecy, this was no reason for Daniel to hesitate.

Therefore, be the guardian of this prophecy, as if God had deposited a treasure in the hands of His servant and had said: “Pay no regard to any who despise this prophecy. Many may deride you, and others think you are narrating fables, and very few will have confidence in you; but do not waver on this account, faithfully guard this treasure.” Since it is for many days; that is, although its effect is not immediately apparent—because God will suspend for some time the punishments the vision describes, and will not restore the Temple all at once, nor deliver His people immediately from the hand of the tyrant.

Consequently, because He defers His judgments as well as His mercy for many days, you close up this vision; that is, keep it to yourself, as if you are alone. Thus God does not simply command His Prophet to be silent or to conceal what he had learned, but rather confirms him in his consistency, lest he evaluate this prophecy according to the ordinary opinions of his countrymen. And at the same time, He shows that though the Jews did not pay attention to what Daniel announced to them, yet nothing whatever would be in vain.