Daniel and John

The Signs of the Times May 28, 1885

By G.C. Tenney

THE names of these two holy men are closely associated together in the minds of Bible students. There is much in common in their experiences, characters, and works, though their circumstances and positions were in many respects widely different. Daniel was a prince, "of the king's seed." He was educated, being "skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science." John, on the contrary, was born to the humble lot of a fisherman, and learned from uncouth men the elements of that knowledge which was enlarged and sanctified by the Spirit of God. Both of these men were identified with the cause of God in youth.

Daniel's experience is an especially varied one. He first appears as a captive youth far from home, and proves at the outset his loyalty to principle and God. He could say No to wrong and Yes to right under any circumstance. This was doubtless the principal element of his greatness. It is the foundation of manhood and character.

Then he was exalted to a position of honor and great trust, and retained that position under the Medes and Persians when Babylonian glory had passed away.

He was temporarily humbled through the envy of his fellow officers, and rather than yield one point of his principles he braved the lions' den. It is supposed that he remained an exile, and died at the age of ninety-two or more.

In looking for the secret of his success we meet but one fact: the blessing of God, which he obtained by humble and implicit trust in and obedience to his divine guidance and will. The Lord loved him dearly, and of this fact he was thrice assured by the angel from Heaven. I think there is no other Bible character, whose history is given, so nearly perfect as that presented in the life of Daniel. He proves the fact that in every situation and circumstance in life it is possible to fear and obey God and walk humbly with him. What a rebuke is this to those whose business or worldly position is presented as a barrier to their obeying God.

John also enters the service of the Master while a youth, but he emerges from obscurity and toil, though we infer, from Mark 1:19, 20, that his father was a man of some means and influence.

In his discipleship his course was different from that of doubting, questioning Thomas, and from the impulsiveness of Peter. His character is best illustrated by the language of his writings, which to an eminent degree reflect the true image of the Saviour. He leaned on Jesus's breast, and followed him from place to place, gathering eagerly the words and spirit of the Master. His life was one of vicissitude. Near its close, after bitter persecution and attempted martyrdom, he was banished to a solitary island of the sea, "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." In all these trying ordeals nothing shook his purpose, and he manifested the same faithfulness that characterized Daniel.

In writing his Gospel he omits the mention of many occurrences given by the others, and devotes his attention principally to those deep spiritual truths which formed the burden of the Saviour's teaching. He dwells at length on the last interview between Jesus and the disciples, and thus leads us to an infinite source of light and comfort left unrevealed by the other evangelists. The same spirit is breathed in his Epistles, where, in the most simple and sublime manner, he magnifies and exalts the heavenly principle of love,—that principle which characterizes him as the beloved disciple, and places him in the New Testament by the side of Daniel in the Old Testament as "that disciple whom Jesus loved."

We have traced a similarity in the lives and characters of these holy men, both of whom obtained the very highest evidence of divine esteem; but a closer relation exists in the great work which inseparably connects their names. This work was that of giving to the world one of the most thrilling portions of sacred revelation. Their writings cover a field peculiar to themselves, and of vast importance. They are standard bearers in the field of prophecy. Their lamp of inspiration lights the whole course of human governments; and having shone down many centuries, loses none of its brightness or certainty, but in these last days it shines with a light like that of the midday sun. Though for ages the truths here revealed were comparatively unheeded, like a ray of sunlight passing through empty air, touching here and there a passing object, till at last it strikes a bright reflecting surface, so these rays of divine light falling upon our days meet in the stirring events of our times their focal point, and these events reflect a light which glorifies this as the age of knowledge. There can be no doubt that God intended to honor these men. Some may scoff and reproach their work, but God has placed his blessing upon it. He will honor those who diligently heed the gracious warning, and will visit his wrath on those who persistently and wickedly reject and oppose it.

Study. Pray. Share.