The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

IV. Joye-Systematic Exposition of Daniel’s Symbols and Periods

GEORGE JOYE (d. 1553), expositor and associate of Tyndale, was born in Bedfordshire and educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge, receiving his M.A. in 1517. Accused of Reformed heresy in 1527, he was obliged to go to Germany, where he resided for several years. He assisted Tyndale in the translation of his Bible, and then superintended its printing in Antwerp. He was the author of several works, prominent among which was On the Unity and Schism of the Ancient Church (1534), and his systematic Exposition of Daniel (1545 and 1550). The latter was largely gleaned from Melanchthon’s and Oecolampadius’ teachings, but printed before either of their expositions was published, PFF2 361.4

in 1546 and 1567 respectively. He also translated Andreas Osiander’s Conjectures of the Ende of the Worlde (1545) in 1548.. PFF2 362.1

1. HOLDS EVERLASTING KINGDOM FOLLOWS DIVISION OF ROME.

Joye’s chapter-by-chapter “Exposycion” of Daniel, ac cording to the title page, is “diligentely to be noted of al Emperours & Kinges, in these laste dayes.” The prophecy of the four monarchies of Daniel 2 witnesses that “in the ende of the world the everlasting kingdom of ye faithful” shall be established. ²⁵ PFF2 362.2

The standard listing of the empires is given-with the “Romayn empyre,” as the fourth division, dispersed and decayed into “Germanye, Englande, Spayne, France,” et cetera, these “shalbe mixt together, but yet shall they not cleave,” either by confederations or blood affinities. “They shalbe confedered to make a newe and all one Monarchie, but all in vayne.” PFF2 362.3

2. DECLARES LITTLE HORN Is KINGDOM OF POPE

In chapter 7 the “iiii great beastes” are the same four kingdoms, and the ten horns the divisions of Rome—“Italy, Spayne, France, Ger many,” et cetera. Of the “lyttle home,” Joye is explicit: PFF2 362.4

“This lyttle home was, & is the Antichristes kingdom of the popes of Rome, with al their unclene clargye.” ²⁶ PFF2 362.5

John, in Revelation 13 and 17 and 1 John 2, and Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2, are cited as setting forth one and the same power. The Roman Empire had held back the emergence of Antichrist. Expanding on Revelation 13, Joye says, “The x. horned beast ascending out of the sea, is the spiritual Antichryst of Rome” with all his “lawes, rytes, tradicions, decrees and doctryne.” Reverting to Daniel 7, Joye expands on the plucking up of the three kingdoms, and on the Papacy’s lawless character. ²⁷ PFF2 362.6

3. PERSIAN RAM, GRECIAN GOAT, AND 70 HEBDOMADS

Coming to chapter 8, with Babylonia at an end, Joye discusses the Persian “Ram” and the Grecian “Gote,” with the notable horn signifying Alexander. ²⁸ Then in chapter 9 he deals with the 70 hebdomads and their three divisions as weeks of years. After referring to some as beginning the period with the second year of Darius, he states he inclined to begin them with Cyrus. ²⁹ PFF2 362.7

4. INCREASED KNOWLEDGE OF PROPHECY AND 1290 YEARS

Antichrist is also brought into Daniel 11 and 12. On Daniel 12:4 the increase of knowledge is of the prophecies, and comes from reading the book of Daniel—“diligently often studied and la bored.” And the 1290 days are interpreted as 1290 years, to end in the not distant future. ³⁰ PFF2 363.1