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A Study Of The Prophetic Visions Of DanielLesson Twelve –Chapter Eight– Vision Of Ram And He-Goat- Part Two
This lesson is a verse-by-verse look at Daniel the 8th chapter to add further insight to our previous lesson.
Daniel 8:1-2In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first. 2 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai
This vision came two years later than the one in Daniel 7, giving additional information on some questions. Each vision was complete in itself, but both were helpful to an understanding of the whole truth of the future. This vision was originally recorded in Hebrew, the Aramaic section (Daniel 2:4-7:28) having been completed. The time of the vision was at the end of the reign of Belshazzar, which corresponds to the time of the handwriting on the wall of Daniel 5, for he only, reigned a little more than two years. If Babylon had not fallen yet, then it must be understood that Daniel was on official business in Persia (Daniel 8:2). Shushan was the chief city of Persia.
The Hebrew name of a region lying east of Babylonia and extending to the mountains of Media to the northeast, and along the Persian Gulf to the borders of ancient Persia in the south. Its two divisions were Elam proper in the north and Anshan in the south, the latter being an independent kingdom until it was annexed by Persia about 600 B.C. Cyrus the Great was hereditary "Prince of Anshan." The capital of Elam was Susa or Shushan. The Elamites were from Shem (Genesis 10:22). Elam was a rival of Babylonia. They were allies for a long period due to a common enemy, the Assyrians, who under Assurbanipal conquered Elam and Babylonia about 645 B.C.
Susa was taken and many Elamites and others were deported to Samaria (Ezra 4:9; 2 Kings 17:24). Upon the breaking up of the Assyrian Empire by Nebuchadnezzar and the Medes about 606 B.C., the Assyrian Empire was divided among the Medes, Lydians, and Babylonians. About 553 B.C., Cyrus the Great, king of the Persians and a subject of the Median king, revolted and captured the Median king. The Persians conquered Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt and held sway over them until Alexander the Great, about 336 B.C. The river of Ulai is the Eulaeus canal, which divided Shushan from Elymais (or Susa); now called the Kerkah river. Daniel 8:3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.
The vision of the ram and he-goat is the 12th prophecy in Daniel. In the third verse Daniel sees a Ram with two horns. One horn was higher than the other and the highest came up last. There are 36 different facts about this vision: 1. A ram stood by the river Ulai. 2. He had two horns. 3. The horns were high. 4. One horn was higher than the other. 5. The higher horn came up last (Daniel 8:3). 6. The ram pushed westward, northward, and southward. 7. No beast could stand before him. 8. No beast could deliver from him. 9. He did according to his will. 10. He became great (Daniel 8:4). 11. A he-goat came from the west, covering face of the whole earth (Daniel 8:5). 12. He was going so fast he touched not the ground as he went. 13. He had a notable horn between his eyes. 14. He came to the two-horned ram. 15. He ran into him in the fury of his power (Daniel 8:6). 16. He was moved with anger against him. 17. He smote the ram and broke his horns. 18. There was no power in the ram to stand against the he-goat. 19. He cast the ram down to the ground and stamped upon him. 20. None could deliver the ram out of the hands of the he-goat (Daniel 8:7). 21. The he-goat became very great. 22. When he was strong the great horn between his eyes was broken. 23. In its place came up four notable horns toward four winds of heaven (Daniel 8:8). 24. Out of one of them came forth a little horn. 25. The little horn became exceeding great toward the south, east, and the pleasant land (Daniel 8:9). 26. The little horn became great even to the host of heaven. 27. It cast down some of the host of heaven to the ground. 28. It stamped upon them (Daniel 8:10). 29. The little horn magnified himself even to the prince of the host. 30. By him the daily sacrifice was taken away. 31. The place of his sanctuary was cast down (Daniel 8:11). 32. A host was given him against the daily sacrifice because of sin abounding on every hand. 33. The little horn cast down the truth to the ground. 34. He practiced and prospered (Daniel 8:12). 35. One saint speaking to another asked, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden down (Daniel 8:13)? 36. The answer was, Unto 2,300 days (evening morning sacrifices); then shall the sanctuary be cleansed (Daniel 8:14).
The phrase “two horns” refers to the kings of Media and Persia, Darius (Daniel 5:31) and Cyrus (2 Chron. 36:22-23). Daniel 5:31And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.
2 Chron. 36:22-23 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, [23] Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The Lord his God be with him, and let him go up.
The phrase “came up last” refers to Cyrus the Persian who was king of the Medes and Persians after Darius the Mede. Under him and his successors Persia attained to a greater power than ever under the Medes.
Daniel 8:4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.
The Medes and Persians conquered Lydia to the north, Babylon and other countries to the west, and Egypt to the south. Subduing all, they did according to their own will and became great.
Daniel 8:5And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.
As Daniel is watching the
ram move, he beholds a he goat come from the west. This “he-goat” is
acknowledged symbol of GREECE. The acknowledged symbol of Greece. Caranus, the
first king going with many Greeks to seek a new habitation in Macedonia, was
advised by an oracle to take goats for guides. Seeing a herd fleeing from a
storm, he followed them to Edessa and there built the seat of his empire. He
called the place Aegea, the goats' town and the people Aegeadae, the goats'
people, names derived from aigeos (GSN-122), goat. He chose a goat as the
emblem on his standards. Aegea was the The
phrase the “whole earth,” needs some explanation in this passage. Again
we have a whole put for a part of the earth, as is the case so The term “touched not the ground” symbolized the swiftness of Alexander's conquests (Daniel 8:5-6). In 13 years he conquered the whole known world. Then Daniel sees something strange – a horn “between his (the he-goat’s) eyes.” This is the first king of the Grecian Empire - Alexander the Great (Daniel 8:21).
Daniel 8:6-7 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.
The word “choler” comes from the Hebrew: “marar”, which means to become bitter (Daniel 8:7; Daniel 11:11). This shows the hatred of Mede-Persia by the Greeks who had been invaded by Xerxes 144 years before and the growing enmity between the two powers.
Daniel 8:8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.
The term “great horn was broken,” refers to Alexander the Great died at age 33. The statement “for it came up four notable ones,” speaks again of the four kingdoms formed out of Alexander’s empire: known today as Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Egypt. Daniel 8:9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
Out of one of these four divisions of the old Grecian Empire will come the little horn or future Antichrist who will become great in Egypt, Iraq, Iran, and Palestine (Daniel 11:40-45). The term “pleasant land,” means the land of Israel or the region known today as “Palestine” (Daniel 11:16,41; Ezekiel 20:6,15; Psalm 106:24; Jeremiah 3:19; Zech. 7:14). Daniel 11:16 But he that cometh against him shall do according to his own will, and none shall stand before him: and he shall stand in the glorious land, which by his hand shall be consumed.
Daniel 11:41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
Ezekiel 20:6 In the day that I lifted up mine hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands:
Ezekiel 20:15 Yet also I lifted up my hand unto them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands;
Psalm 106:24 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word:
Jeremiah 3:19 But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.
Zech. 7:14 But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate.
Daniel 8:10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
The word “host” comes from the Hebrew, “tsaba”, which means a mass of persons or things, especially organized for war. The words host and hosts are used 491 times of various armies of earth and of heaven, as well as the mass of stars, etc. The term "host of heaven" is used of the sun, moon, and stars (Deut. 4:19; Deut. 17:3; 2 Kings 17:16; 2 Kings 21:3-5; 2 Kings 23:4- 5; 2 Chron. 33:3-5); of the angels (1 Kings 22:19; 2 Chron. 18:18; Neh. 9:6); and here of the high priest, the priests and the Levites (Daniel 8:24-25; Daniel 12:7).
It is a technical term for the ministers of the temple
(Numbers 4:23-43; Numbers 8:24-25). The host may also include the worshipers (Rev. 11:1-2). They are pictured under the figure of stars of heaven (Daniel 8:10). The fact that the host will be trodden under the foot of man proves it refers to the Jewish people on earth, and not literal stars of heaven (Daniel 8:10,13).
Daniel 8:11Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and he took the daily sacrifice away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
The term “prince of the host” refers to the high priest himself. The phrase, “by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down,” means that the daily sacrifice will be taken away by the little horn or Antichrist (Daniel 9:27; Daniel 12:11; Matthew 24:15; Rev. 13) and the place of his sanctuary will be cast down (2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 11:1-2). The place where the sacrifices were offered (the altar) will be destroyed and taken away, and the image of the beast will be set up to be worshiped.
Daniel 8:12 And a host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered. A great many people who will stand against the daily sacrifice will be given to him because of abounding sin. This refers to many apostate Jewish believers as well as I’m sure Gentile ones. The Antichrist will have his helpers on earth just as the Lord has now and will have His during the Great Tribulation period. Then Daniel says, “and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered.” The Antichrist, or little horn, will cast down the truth to the ground and prosper for a season. It will seem that deception will reign at an all-time high. But neighbor sin only lasts for a season and the reign of Antichrist will only be for a season! The truth, which is a person, – THE LORD JESUS CHRIST – will come back and destroy the deception and power of the Antichrist.
Daniel 8:13 Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
Daniel sees two saints discuss the time table of these events concerning the sanctuary and/or temple of God. The question of Daniel 8:14 is: How long will the daily sacrifice be cut off and the transgression continue that makes the temple desolate of divine worship? The answer, “Unto 2,300 days,” which literally means, 1,150 evening and 1,150 morning sacrifices, Daniel 8:26), or 3 years, 2 months, and 10 days. Then shall the sanctuary be cleansed of the abomination of desolation (Daniel 8:14). This is 110 days short of the full 1,260 days that the 2 witnesses will be here and Jerusalem will be trodden underfoot by the Gentiles (Rev. 11:1-3); that Israel will flee into the wilderness (Rev. 12:6,14); and Antichrist will be given power over nations (Rev. 13:5; Daniel 7:25; Daniel 9:27). This explains Matthew 24:22, "but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened." These 110 days could be the last 110 days of the 1,260-day period during which time the Jews somehow will get control of the temple again by the help of the two witnesses and other means. Scripture teaches that the Jews will have control of Jerusalem again at the end of this time when Antichrist comes from the northern war to fight Armageddon (Zech. 14:1-5). There are four main subjects of this vision in Daniel 8: 1. The daily sacrifice cut off (Daniel 8:11-14) 2. The transgression of desolation (Daniel 8:13; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:45; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 13) 3. The sanctuary to be trodden underfoot (Daniel 8:13; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:45; 2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 11:1-3) 4. The host to be trodden underfoot (Daniel 8:13; note, §Daniel 8:10) This refers to the daily offerings and animal sacrifices of the Jewish temple (Daniel 11:31; Daniel 12:11; Numbers 4:16; Numbers 28:24; Numbers 29:6; Ezra 3:4; Ezekiel 45:23). The passage cannot be fulfilled until the Jews have a temple in Jerusalem and begin to offer such sacrifices again. It could not refer to the past, for it has a latter-day fulfillment (Daniel 8:19,23-25; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:40-45; Daniel 12; Matthew 24:15-31; 2 Thes. 2:1-12; Rev. 13 and Rev. 17). The statement “transgression of desolation,” actually refers to what Jesus called “the abomination of desolation.” Jesus was quoting Daniel. (Daniel 9:27; Daniel 12:11; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 11:1-3; Rev. 13:11-18) The Sanctuary
The term Sanctuary comes from the Hebrew word qodesh (kodesh),
which means “ a sacred place or thing.” Translated “sanctuary” 68 times Daniel is not referring to the Heavenly Sanctuary. The following is 14 reasons why we believe it is not: 1. Daniel is speaking of the Jewish temple on earth (Daniel 8:9-14; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 12:11; cp. Matthew 24:15; 2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 11:1-2). 2. The whole prophecy concerns earthly events (Daniel 8:3-25). 3. The sanctuary is to be in the kingdom of the little horn (Daniel 8:9-14). 4. He is the one who desecrates it, so it has to be on earth (Daniel 8:9-14). 5. No daily sacrifice is ever mentioned as being in heaven (Daniel 8:11-14). 6. No heavenly sanctuary could be made desolate by a man (Daniel 8:13). 7. Out of 136 times the word "sanctuary" is found, it is used only twice of the heavenly one (Psalm 102:19; Hebrews 8:2). 8. Elsewhere in Daniel only the earthly one is mentioned (Daniel 9:17,26; Daniel 11:31). 9. In no prophecy is the heavenly one referred to. 10. Only the earthly one is referred to as being cast down (Daniel 8:11-14). 11. No heavenly sanctuary could be cast down and trodden underfoot (Daniel 8:11-14). 12. Only an earthly sanctuary would need cleansing from an abomination (Daniel 8:14). 13. No cutting off of a daily sacrifice in a heavenly one could be possible by any man on earth (Daniel 8:11-14). 14. No man could cast down and tread underfoot ministers of a heavenly sanctuary (Daniel 8:1-14).
Daniel 8:14And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
At the end of the 2,300 evenings and mornings (3 years, 2 months, and 10 days; Daniel 8:11-13,26) the sanctuary shall be cleansed of the abomination of desolation (Daniel 8:13-14; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:45; Daniel 12:11; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 13:11-18). No scripture says that the abomination of desolation will actually be in the temple 1,260 days. So, if Daniel 8:14 says the daily sacrifices will be taken away after 2,300 evenings and mornings this settles the question, and we have to guess about the additional 110 days making up the 1,260 days of the whole period. Note All the Time Passages In Daniel: 1. War on the saints and having power to change the times and laws will last exactly 3 1/2 years (Daniel 7:25). 2. The daily sacrifices (evening and morning, Daniel 8:26) being cut off and the transgression of desolation will last 2,300 evenings and mornings (1,150 days) or 3 years, 2 months, and 10 days (Daniel 8:14). 3. In the midst of the week (7 years) Antichrist shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease (Daniel 9:27). It seems that the sacrifices will cease by the middle of Daniel's 70th week or at the beginning of the 1,260 days. 4. He shall make it desolate, "even until the consummation" (Daniel 9:27). This indicates until the age ends or until the full end of that which is determined to be poured out upon the one making the temple desolate; but it does not necessarily refer to the last day of the period. The end of cutting off the daily sacrifices could be 110 days before the actual judgment upon the Antichrist who is making the temple desolate. 5. All things shall be finished at the end of 3 1/2 years or the 1,260 days (Daniel 12:7), but the cleansing of the temple of the abomination could be 110 days before this (Daniel 8:14). 6. From the time the daily sacrifice shall be taken away shall be 1,290 days (Daniel 12:11) and 1,335 days (Daniel 12:12). This is an additional 30 and 75 days to the 1,260 (see notes, § Daniel 12:7-13). It is again emphasized that the daily sacrifices will be taken away at the beginning of the 1,260 and 1,290 day periods. 7. When you shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel (Matthew 24:15; Daniel 8:14; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 12:7-11), THEN let the Jews flee into the mountains (Matthew 24:16-21). They will flee for the whole 1,260 days (Rev. 12:6,14). Again it is clear that the daily sacrifices will be taken away at the beginning of the 1,260 days, so the 110 days before the end of this period for the cleansing of the sanctuary must be at the end of the 1,150 days (Daniel 8:14). 8. The temple will be given to the Gentiles, and the holy city they shall tread underfoot 42 months (Rev. 11:1-2). It does not say here how long the temple will be desolate during these 42 months, so we have to rely again upon the 2,300 evenings and mornings of Daniel 8:13-14 for this information. The city being trodden underfoot 42 months could simply mean that the city will not be completely rid of Gentile dominion until the 42 months are up. It does not say that the Jews could not, by the help of the 2 witnesses of Rev. 11 and by other means, get control of the city the last 110 days before it is finally delivered from the Gentiles. It is clear from Zech. 14:1-5,14 that the Jews do get back into the city at the end of these 42 months. It must be remembered that Antichrist by this time will have been at war with Russia, Germany, and other northern nations for nearly 42 months (Daniel 11:44). It may be that he will need all the available manpower of his armies to conquer these countries and will take most of the army from Jerusalem and Palestine. This would so weaken him in Palestine that the Jews could gain control of the city again. It is certain that they will be in the city by the time the Antichrist conquers the enemies of the north and east, for he will then gather his vast armies against Jerusalem to battle to retake the city and exterminate the Jews. Half of Jerusalem will be taken again by him before Christ suddenly appears in the heavens with all the saints to deliver Jerusalem and the Jews from the Gentile armies at Armageddon (Zech. 14:1-5,14; Joel 3; Rev. 19:11-21). This could explain the 110 days short of the 1,260 days of the whole period (Daniel 8:13-14). 9. The two witnesses will prophesy and do miracles to protect Israel and win her to God again for 1,260 days (Rev. 11:3-11). With their help, it can be seen how the Jews could get control of Jerusalem again for the last 110 days of this period. They will be the leaders of Israel during this time like Moses and Aaron were when Israel came out of Egypt (Ezekiel 20:33-38; Malachi 4:5-6; Rev. 11). 10. Israel will flee into the wilderness for 1,260 days (Rev. 12:6). This will exclude the remnant of the woman who remain in the land (Rev. 12:17) and many of the Jews who will return to get control of the city the last 110 days while Antichrist is in a death struggle with his enemies in the north and east (Daniel 11:44). 11. The time Israel flees from Judea into the mountains is stated as being a time (1 year), times (2 years), and half a time (1/2 year). She is helped by the Arabs during this time (Rev. 12:14). One thing is certain: Judah will have an army fighting at Jerusalem when Antichrist comes down from the north (Ezekiel 38-39) to retake Jerusalem (Zech. 14:14). 12. Antichrist will be given power over the nations for 42 months (Rev. 13:5). The 12 scriptures of this study are all that mention a definite time element in Daniel and Revelation. All refer to the 3 1/2 years, 1,260 days, or 42 months except Daniel 8:13-14, which gives 3 years, 2 months, and 10 days, or 110 days short of the 1,260-day period of the other passages. With these facts in mind we can see how the sanctuary could be cleansed 110 days earlier than the complete liberation of Jerusalem at the end of the 1,260 days. At least, nothing is said in any one of these 12 passages to indicate that the daily sacrifice will be cut off and the abomination of desolation placed in the sanctuary for the full 1,260 days. The only other theory is that the 2,300 days mean 3 years, 2 months and 10 days that Antiochus Epiphanes made the temple desolate, 165 B.C., and that this is a type of the future Syrian king making the temple desolate. However, since there are no grounds for inserting him into this plain revelation of events in connection with the little horn or future Antichrist, we must dismiss this theory. Only one man is involved in the language of Daniel 8:9-14,23-25, so it is unscriptural to insert Antiochus Epiphanes or any second man into the picture. Since this is true, and since it is unscriptural to make the 2,300 days mean years, we conclude that they will be literally fulfilled with the cutting off of 2,300 evening and morning sacrifices in the future Jewish temple by the coming Antichrist.
Daniel 8:15-16And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. 16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
Daniel, as usual, sought for the true meaning of his vision so as to pass on to us a picture of world events at the end time. Gabriel, one of God's chief angelic princes, was sent to give him the interpretation, and no man has a right to interpret the interpretation. He has only the right to comment upon it and relate facts to counteract the many false Daniel mentioned that Gabriel stood before him “as the appearance of a man.” All angels have the appearance of a man. God also has the same kind of appearance (Ezekiel 1:26-27), for man was made physically in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 9:6; James 3:9). “Between the banks of the Ulai,” is a peculiar place to have a voice speak. Whoever this individual was sounded exactly like a man and could have been, for there were at least two men in heaven—Enoch and Elijah—whom God could have used; or it could have been God or an ordinary angel. God used redeemed men to impart the Revelation to John (Rev. 19:10; Rev. 22:8-9), and the same could have been true of part of Daniel. If Gabriel had the ability to make the vision clear to Daniel, who had the ability to write it clearly, then we should have the ability to understand the vision without change or interpretation of it.
Daniel 8:17-18 So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision. [18] Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.
Note the effects of angelic and the Divine Presence (Daniel 8:17-18; Daniel 10:5-11; Genesis 15:12; Ezekiel 1:28; Matthew 17:6; Rev. 1:17). “Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision,” is the 13th prophecy in Daniel (Daniel 8:17, unfulfilled). This proves that the main object of the vision is to predict events at the end of this age in which we live, or just before the second coming of Christ and His eternal reign. There are six other examples of deep sleep in scripture: 1. Adam (Genesis 2:21) 2. Abraham (Genesis 15:12) 3. Saul and his army (1 Samuel 26:12) 4. Israel (Isaiah 29:10) 5. Daniel (twice, Daniel 8:18; Daniel 10:9) 6. Eutychus (Acts 20:9) <Compare Job 4:13; Job 33:14-16; Proverbs 19:15>
Job 4:13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
Job 33:14-16 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceives it not. [15] In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; [16] Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
Proverbs 19:15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.
Daniel 8:19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.
The statement “last end of the indignation,” means the last end of the wrath of God upon the one (the little horn) that will cause the wrath of God to be poured out. This will include: 1. Antichrist's wars (Daniel 8:9; Daniel 7:23-24; Daniel 9:24; Daniel 11:36-45; Rev. 19) 2. His martyrdom of saints (Daniel 8:10-14,24; Daniel 7:21; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:36-45; Rev. 13:11-18) 3. His taking away the daily sacrifices in the future Jewish temple (Daniel 8:11-14; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 12:7-11; Matthew 24:15; Rev. 13) 4. His placing the abomination of desolation in the temple (Daniel 8:11-14; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:45; 2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 11:1-2; Rev. 13) 5. His casting down the sanctuary or sacred place of sacrifice (Daniel 8:11-13) 6. His causing many to rebel against God (Daniel 8:12; Rev. 13:11-18; Rev. 16:2,10-11) 7. His increasing sins among men (Daniel 8:12,23; 2 Thes. 2:8-12; Rev. 13; Rev. 16:10-11) 8. His casting down the truth to the ground (Daniel 8:12; Daniel 7:25; 2 Thes. 2:4,8-12) 9. His trampling the host under his feet (Daniel 8:13,24-25; Daniel 7:21; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:40-45; Rev. 13) 10. His fierceness against God and man (Daniel 8:23; Rev. 13) 11. His yieldedness to the devil (Daniel 8:24; Daniel 11:36-39; 2 Thes. 2:8-12; Rev. 13) 12. His ruthless destruction of life and property (Daniel 8:24; Daniel 11:36-46; Rev. 13) 13. His deceptions (craftiness, Daniel 8:25; 2 Thes. 2:8-12; Rev. 13; Rev. 19:20) 14. His self-exaltation (Daniel 8:25; Daniel 7:25; Daniel 11:36-45; 2 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 13) 15. His stubborn stand against Christ (Daniel 8:25; 2 Thes. 2:8; Rev. 19:19-21). See other facts about him under Antichrist.
The statement “for at the time appointed the end shall be,” means at the end of this age and at the second coming, the time for the fulfillment of the vision is appointed (Daniel 8:19,23-25; Daniel 2:44-45; Daniel 7:23-27; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:36-45; Zech. 14; 2 Thes. 2:8-12; Rev. 19:11-21). The time of the end is stated in Daniel 8:25 as being when the little horn stands up against Christ. This passage is actually the 14th prophecy in Daniel.
Daniel 8:20-24 The ram which you saw having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
The 20th verse of this chapter begins the angelic interpretation of the vision we have already basically covered. Gabriel tells Daniel plainly that the ram he saw having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia, or Darius and Cyrus. This may be redundant but I don’t believe it will hurt you to hear again what we have basically seen in this 8th chapter. This vision deals with only 2 of the kingdoms represented by the metals of the image of Daniel 2, and 2 of the 4 beasts of Daniel 7—the Mede-Persian and Grecian empires. The purpose of the vision is to narrow down geographically the coming of the little horn or future Antichrist, from 10 to 4 of the 10 kingdoms, and to reveal that his kingdom will be the Revived Grecian Empire instead of the Revised Roman Empire. Since Antichrist is seen coming out of the 4 divisions of the old Grecian Empire, we can eliminate entirely the other 6 kingdoms of the Revised Roman Empire as being the area from which he will come.
In Daniel 7 he is seen coming out of 1 of the 10 kingdoms
of the Revised Roman Empire. He uses the 1 kingdom he comes from to overthrow 3
others of the 10 that are the 3 other divisions of Greece. (The 4 kingdoms of
the Grecian Empire of Daniel 8 make 4 of the 10 kingdoms of Revised Rome of
Daniel 7.) Thus, Antichrist revives the Grecian Empire by coming out of 1 of the 4 divisions of Greece and overthrowing the others. The 6 other kingdoms of Revised Rome, which were never a part of the Grecian Empire, will submit to him without further war, and his kingdom will then become the 8th of Rev. 17:8-17, which immediately succeeds the 7th or Revised Rome. The Antichrist arises at the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel (Daniel 9:27), and in 3 1/2 years conquers the whole 10 kingdoms that he will rule for the last 3 1/2 years of this week (Daniel 7:23-25; Daniel 11:36-46; Rev. 13:5; Rev. 17:8-17). Before he gets power over the 10 kings they reign as independent sovereigns and form the 7th, or Revised Roman Empire (Daniel 2:40-43; Daniel 7:7-8,23-24). After he gets control of them they continue as subordinate kings for the last 3 1/2 years of the week, making the 8th and last of the successive kingdoms in the times of the Gentiles (Rev. 17:8-17). There are 18 parts to the vision’s Interpretation: 1.The ram represents the old Medo-Persian Empire, the same as the silver on the image of Daniel 2:32,39 and the bear of Daniel 7:5. It is the 2nd of the 4 beasts of Daniel 7, and the 4th of the 8 kingdoms of Rev. 17:8-11 that make up the whole length of the times of the Gentiles (Daniel 8:20; notes on §Daniel 8:3 and Daniel 11:1-2). 2.The two horns on the ram represent the 2 kings of Media and Persia, the same as the 2 arms of silver of Daniel 2:32,39 and the 2 sides of the bear of Daniel 7:5 (see The Image Interpreted). They symbolize Darius the Mede (Daniel 5:31; Daniel 6:1; Daniel 9:1; Daniel 11:1) and Cyrus the Persian (Daniel 1:21; Daniel 6:28; Daniel 11:1-2; 2 Chron. 36:22-23; Ezra 1:1-4). 3.The "rough he goat" is the old Grecian Empire (Daniel 8:21; notes, §Daniel 8:5; Daniel 11:3-4), the same as the belly and thighs of brass in the image of Daniel 2:32,39, and the leopard of Daniel 7:6. 4.The "great" and "notable" horn between the eyes of the he-goat represents the first king, Alexander the Great, who founded the old Grecian Empire in 13 years (Daniel 8:21; note, §Daniel 8:5; Daniel 11:3). 5.The great horn "being broken" represents the death of Alexander the Great (Daniel 8:22; note, §Daniel 8:8; Daniel 11:4). 6.Four horns growing out of the head of the he-goat in the place of the great horn represent 4 kingdoms being formed out of the old Grecian Empire after the death of Alexander the Great (Daniel 8:22; note, §Daniel 8:8; Daniel 11:4).
7.The four kingdoms
arising not in Alexander's power represent the 4 generals of Four Divisions of the Grecian Empire: (1) Cassander took Greece, Macedon and the western parts of the empire.
(2) Lysimachus took Asia
Minor, or present Turkey and Thrace, the northern part of
(3) Seleucus took all
the eastern parts of the empire, including Syria and Babylon, or
(4) Ptolemy took the
kingdom of Egypt, the southern part of the empire. Thus All these divisions (except the extreme eastern part of the kingdom of Seleucus) were conquered by the Romans and made a part of the old Roman Empire out of which will be formed the 10 kingdoms of the last days. These 4 divisions of Greece will become 4 of the 10 kingdoms. They would be known today as Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Egypt. 8."In the latter time of their kingdom" reveals the time of the coming of Antichrist and the complete fulfillment of the prophecy. These kingdoms will not cease to exist before the little horn or the Antichrist comes from one of them (Daniel 8:23; note, Daniel 8:9; note, Daniel 7:24; Daniel 9:26-27; Daniel 11:36-45). Since they are all still in existence, and since the Antichrist has not yet come, his coming from one of them must be future.
9."When the
transgressors are come to the full" is the second statement here revealing the
time of the coming of the Antichrist. He will come in the last days when sin
and iniquity shall abound and the time has come for transgressors on earth to be
dealt with and put down (Daniel 8:23; Daniel 7:21-22; Daniel 9:27; Daniel
11:36-45; Matthew 24:4-26; 2 Thes. 2:3-12; 1 Tim. 4:1-8; 2 Tim. 3:1-13; 2 Tim.
4:1-4; Rev. 10.A king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up." This reveals the character of the Antichrist, showing the type of person the little horn will be when he comes out of Greece, Turkey, Syria, or Egypt in the latter time of their existence (Daniel 8:23; Daniel 7:20-25; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:36-45; 2 Thes. 2:3-12; Rev. 13:1-18; Rev. 14:9-11; Rev. 15:2-4; Rev. 16:13-16; Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:4-6). 11."His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power." This reveals that he will come after the working of Satan and have all the power Satan can endue a man with (Daniel 8:24; Daniel 7:25; Daniel 11:36-39; 2 Thes. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:1-5,12-18; Rev. 16:13-16; Rev. 19:20). 12."He shall destroy wonderfully." This means he shall be distinguished as a destroyer of men (Daniel 8:24-25; Daniel 7:21,25; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:36-45; Daniel 12:7; Matthew 25:15-22; 2 Thes. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:12-18; Rev. 14:9-11; Rev. 15:2-4; Rev. 19:19-21; Rev. 20:4-6). 13.He "shall prosper, and practice." These literally means prosper and push forward or cross over. The idea is that of a blitzkrieg, extremely rapid and violent in warfare (Daniel 8:24-25; Daniel 7:21,25; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:36-45; Daniel 12:7; Rev. 6:1-2; Rev. 13:1-18; Rev. 16:13-16; Rev. 19:19-21).
14.He "shall destroy the
mighty and the holy people." This refers primarily to the destruction of the
new and then powerful Jewish nation in Palestine (Daniel 8:24-25; Daniel
7:21,25; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:36-45; Daniel 12:7; Matthew 24:15-22; Rev.
13:1-18). Israel will be invincible until Antichrist is given power over them
by God who will allow them to be defeated and almost exterminated to bring them
to complete and eternal repentance so He can fulfill the everlasting covenants
made with their fathers (Psalm 60:8-12; Isaiah 16:1-5; Jeremiah 30:3-9; Ezekiel
20:33-44; Zech. 8:3-8,20-23). Fully two-thirds of Israel will be destroyed
(Zech. 12:2-3,9; Zech. 13:8-9; Zech. 14:1-15), as well as multitudes of
Christians (Rev. 7:9-21; Rev. 15."He shall cause craft (Hebrew: (HSN-4820), deceit) to prosper in his hand." This refers to his coming with all deceitfulness of unrighteousness to further his cause (Daniel 8:25; 2 Thes. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:14; Rev. 19:20). 16."He shall magnify himself in his heart" (Daniel 8:25). This refers to exalting himself even above God (Daniel 11:36-39; 2 Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 13). 17.He shall "destroy many" by peace (Daniel 8:25). This refers to his covenant of peace with Israel and his sudden breaking of it to destroy them (Daniel 8:25; Daniel 7:21; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:36-45; Rev. 12:13-17; Rev. 13:12-18). 18.He shall "stand up against the Prince of princes," but he shall be killed "without hand" (Daniel 8:25). This will be the battle of Armageddon (Daniel 11:45; Joel 3; Zech. 14; Rev. 16:13-16; Rev. 19:11-21).
Daniel 8:25-27 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. And the vision of the evening and the morning that was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.
This is the central truth of the vision—the cutting off of 2,300 daily evening and morning sacrifices by the future Antichrist. The phrase “shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days,” is a peculiar way of saying that the prophecy will not be fulfilled for a long time. In fact, it has been over 2,600 years since the prophecy was given and yet the main part of it remains to be fulfilled in the future great tribulation (Daniel 8:9-14,20-25; Matthew 24:15-22; Rev. 13). No doubt Daniel had fasted long to get this answer, like he did on some other occasions (Daniel 9:3; Daniel 10:2-3). Otherwise, seeing a vision in itself would not make one sick. The statement “the kings' business,” makes it appear that Daniel was in Shushan on business for Belshazzar or Nebonidus, rulers of Babylon (Daniel 8:1; cp. Daniel 1:21; Daniel 5:29-31; Daniel 6:28). “But none understood it,” is a very important statement in some respects for this entire chapter. Naturally, none would be able to understand the vision of empires and future events, apart from the interpretation given. This does not mean that the language was difficult to understand, but that comprehension of events in such distant future was difficult. Now, in the light of the history of many of these things, we can easily understand the last end of them if we will (Daniel 8:9-14,23-25). Continued ignorance of the plain facts comes from people changing what is written to what is not written in order to harmonize with past interpreters who understood little about these matters and who sought for a spiritual and mystical meaning instead of the literal. For example, some have claimed that the he-goat that “touched not the ground” as he went refers to the modern airplane. How ridiculous in view of Daniel 8:21 that says the he-goat is the kingdom Greece.
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