DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 8.24

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Eight

The Ram, He-goat, and Little Horn Vision

 

 

Preface

In the prior study, the archangel Gabriel informed Daniel the horns on the ram in his vision depicted two kings of Media and Persia, Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Great (8:20). The rough goat portrayed Greece (8:21). Four kingdoms that rose out of that nation represented the divided Greek kingdom (8:22). And, a king who emerges out of the Revived Roman Empire in the later time, he identifies by his character as the Antichrist (8:23). This is consistent with Daniel 7 and 2 Thessalonians 2.

 

Now in the following verses, a subtle transition is made in Daniel’s vision that focuses primarily on the Antichrist, even though some traits apply to both Antiochus and Antichrist.

 

 

(Verse 24)

 

And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

 

The Extent of His Power

In the end times, the Little Horn or Antichrist continues to exhibit more identifying characteristics in his rise to power:

1. He shall be mighty

A mighty warrior he will be: More powerful than Alexander the Great, Antiochus Epiphanes, and Adolf Hitler.

 

2. He shall receive demonic power

Antichrist will govern not by his strength, but his authority will come from the force of darkness, Satan. In other words, he will be fully energized by Satan. Case in point:

a.  Satan entered into Judas Iscariot (cf. John 13:2, 27)

 

b.  Satan (the Dragon) will give Antichrist his power (cf. Revelation 13:2)

 

Remember, God has sovereign control. He is the One permitting this to happen.

 

3. He shall destroy wonderfully

The word wonderfully is rendered in this context as extraordinarily doing something, beyond one's abilities or anyone's imagination.

 

4. He shall prosper wonderfully

Antichrist will be successful in any of his undertakings. No one will oppose or hinder him. Revisit some of the documentaries on Hitler to see how easily this comes about.

Revelation 13:7 - And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

 

5. He shall practice wonderfully

Through extraordinary measures, the Little Horn (Antichrist, the Beast) will do whatever he pleases and the results will be successful (read Revelation 13:1-5).

 

6. He shall destroy the mighty people

The mighty people denote people in authority, such as generals, noblemen, and other powerful leaders.

 

7. He shall destroy God’s people

Antichrist will seek to exterminate the believing Jewish nation and the saints of God. However, Israel will be brought to repentance so that a remnant of Israel will be saved (cf. Isaiah 45:17: Romans 11:26) and fulfill God’s everlasting covenant with them (cf. Genesis 12:1-3; Jeremiah 31:31-34).

 

 

(Verse 25)

 

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.

 

The Intent of His Policies

The list of Antichrist’s cunning actions continues, even in more detail. Through his policy i.e., deceit by treachery and sinister schemes:

1. He shall cause craft to prosper in his hand

2. He shall magnify himself in his heart

3. He shall destroy many through peace

4. He shall stand up against the Prince of Princes

5. He shall be broken without hand

 

He shall cause craft to prosper in his hand

Here, the King James Version uses the word craft (Hebrew, mirmâh: Strong’s 4820). Used only once in the Old Testament, it is likened to our word fraud.

 

So at the time of the end, the Little Horn will employ great craftiness, deceit, and diabolical diplomacy to achieve his agenda. Contemplate: Isn’t this the same tactic the serpent used to deceive Eve in the Garden (cf. Genesis 3:1-6)?

 

And he shall magnify himself in his heart

Pride is the key issue here. The antichrist will be proud and self-exalting. This attitude will lead him to claim deity. After all, this was Lucifer's intention from the beginning (cf. Isaiah 14:13-14). Not only that, but Antiochus Epiphanes exalted himself in the same fashion (see discussions of Daniel 8:11 and Revelation 13:4, 12, 15).

 

And by peace shall destroy many

Through peace, not war, he will present a peace plan that will launch him into power. But, by a false peace, many will be destroyed. The rider on the white horse in Revelation 6:2 is an example of this. He will enter peaceably and present a false peace program which he will break.

 

He shall also stand up against the Prince of princes

This phrase in verse 25 presents the strongest evidence Gabriel is referencing Antichrist. The language of the text fails to apply to Antiochus Epiphanes mainly because nothing in his life was about peace. It was only epitomized by murder and detestation.

 

The Prince of princes is none other than Jesus Christ, our Messianic hope. Antichrist will rise in opposition against Him (cf. Daniel 8:11).

 

But he shall be broken without hand

However, after all his efforts, Antichrist will be destroyed without human agency or intervention. The Stone cut without hands (2:34) destroys all earthly and spiritual powers in opposition to Him.

Revelation 19:20 - And the Beast was taken, and with him the False Prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the Beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a Lake of Fire burning with brimstone.

 

 

(Verse 26)

 

And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.

 

A Word of Instruction

Daniel was given a vision of the future concerning his people, Israel. Gabriel underscores the vision’s accuracy by telling him it was true. It was in hindsight fulfilled in Antiochus Epiphanes and its perfect fulfillment is yet future – at the Second Coming.

 

Most commentators agree with the phrase the vision of the evening and the morning is reverting to verse 14. It is a confirmation of the 2300 evenings and mornings void of the daily sacrifices (8:14). And then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated (NIV), or cleansed.  

 

Wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days

Daniel was told to shut thou up the vision, a euphemism meaning to simply preserve the vision. It was not for now, but for a time far into the future before it could come to pass. In other words, Daniel will not live to see this prophecy fulfilled.  

 

 

(Verse 27)

 

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.

 

Daniel’s Physical Reaction

The prophet, recipient, and author of God’s revelation, Daniel (God is my Judge), was so overwhelmed and traumatized by what had just transpired that temporary exhaustion and sickness fell upon him. Undoubtedly he had received all he was able to bear.

 

Upon his recovery after several days, Daniel, being faithful to his responsibilities, returned to King Belshazzar’s service. Recall, Daniel was in Babylon, but his vision was in Suza.

 

Daniel’s Psychological Reaction

These revelations made centuries before their fulfillment astonished Daniel even more due to the nature of their content. Unlike the prior statue, animal, and beast visions, Daniel was given privy to the divine revelation of Satan’s demise, and the destruction of his demonic spiritual forces at the end of the age.

 

The Key to Understanding

None understood the vision in Daniel’s day does not mean the language was difficult to understand. Nor are the events of the future incomprehensible. Presently, many things in light of history are easily understood. And, with further divine revelation from God, such as the book of Revelation, these visions are even more understandable.

 

                                     In Retrospect

Having all the power of Satan behind him, the Antichrist will be the ultimate false messiah who will deceive the world at the end of the age and persecute the people of God beyond the Holocaust atrocities. However, be encouraged as Paul inspired the Thessalonians:

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 - For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

In Prospect

Daniel’s final giant vision encompasses Chapters 9 through 12. It entails more detail about the future, especially concerning Israel and Jerusalem.

 

Chapter 9 begins with one of the finest prayers recorded in Scripture, thus making it the greatest chapter in the book. It is Daniel’s intercessory prayer for the restoration of Israel. And, it certainly exists as a role model for prayer. Read ahead verses 1-19.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. What elements characterize the Little Horn?

2. How is the Little Horn empowered?

3. How does the Little Horn enter into the future?

4. Who is the Prince of princes?

5. How does the Little Horn obtain his power?

6. Why was Daniel told to short up the vision?

7. What was Daniel’s reaction to Gabriel’s interpretation?

 

 

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 DANIEL SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 8.20

Gleanings from the Book of Daniel:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

DANIEL

Chapter Eight

The Ram, He-goat, and Little Horn Vision

 

 

Review

Daniel has been shown a duel prophecy, one that has a future double fulfillment. Verses 20 through 23 appear to indicate a near historical fulfillment since Persia and Greece succeeded the Babylonian Empire. However, from verse 23 and following, emphasis on the latter days is indicative of a futuristic fulfillment.

 

Gabriel submits to Daniel a chronological focus:

1. The first phase foreshadows a period of oppression on the people of God by Antiochus Epiphanes

 

2. In the second phase, there is a period of oppression of the people of God by the Antichrist

 

Daniel is overly cautious in restating his prophetic vision so that when its fulfillment occurs, it is not coincidental, but an assurance of the accuracy of God. Be mindful, synchronization of the two stages of chronological events are necessary, however, with a stronger prominence on the latter of which both Israel and the Church are recipients.

 

 

1. The Revelation of the Vision (Vv. 1-2)

2. The Presentation of the Vision (Vv. 3-14)

       a. A Ram (Vv. 3-4)

       b. A He-Goat (Vv. 5-8)

       c. A Little Horn (Vv. 9-12)

3. The Investigation of the Vision (Vv. 13-14)

4. The Interpretation of the Vision (Vv. 15-25)

       a. A Description of the Ram (V. 20)

(Verse 20)

 

The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.

 

The Ram

The angel Gabriel begins the interpretation of Daniel’s vision by explaining the meaning of symbols to leave no doubt in his mind. Simply stated, the ram signifies the Medo-Persian Empire. It is the equivalent of the breasts and arms of silver in Nebuchadnezzar’s statue dream (2:32b; 39a), and the one-sided bear of Daniel’s first vision (7:5a).

 

The Two Horns

The ram was depicted as having two horns. Two horns represented two kings, Darius of Media and Cyrus of Persia. Darius the Mede (cf. Ezra 4:5; Daniel 5:31) and Cyrus II the Great (cf. 2 Chronicles 35:22; Ezra 1:1; Daniel 1:21; 6:28; 10:21) held a duel monarchy, however, Persia became the more dominant horn. This is evidenced by the phrases it (the bear) raised up itself on one side (7:5) and the two horns [of the ram] were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last (8:3b).

 

Noteworthy: Persia expanded the neo-Babylonian Empire north to Macedonia and southward to Egypt. And, it remained in power for about 200 years.

 

 

        b. A Description of the He-goat (v. 21a)

(Verse 21a)

 

And the rough (male) goat is the king [kingdom] of Grecia:

 

The Hebrew translates king as a kingdom. So, the kingdom referred to is the Grecian Empire. It is representative of the belly and thighs of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (2:32b, 39b) and the leopard in Daniel’s vision (7:6a).

 

          c. A Description of the Little Horn (Vv. 21b – 25)

(Verse 21b)

 

And the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

 

The Little Horn

Undisputedly, the single large horn between the male goat's eyes portrays the first king of the newly acquired Greek Empire under Alexander the Great. Between 335 B.C. – 331 B.C. Alexander of Macedon swiftly conquered the Medo-Persian Empire and Hellenized the then-known world.

 

Etymology

Interestingly, the word for Greece in Hebrew is rendered Yavan and is taken from the root word yayin meaning wine. However, Javan was one of seven sons of Japheth, a grandson of Noah (see Genesis 10:2). Javan and his descendants occupied the area of Ionia and the islands of the Aegean Sea, the land of the Greeks.

 

 

(Verse 22)

 

Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.

 

Four Notable Horns

As for the broken horn, four notable ones (8:8) formed out of the great horn, which is descriptive of Alexander’s Empire after his death. The divided kingdom encompassed, Cassander to the West, Lysimachus to the North, Ptolemy to the South, and Seleucus to the East. Furthermore, the phrase not in his power indicates neither ruler had the power nor the direct family lineage of Alexander.

 

All of these divisions, except for a small part of the eastern kingdom of Seleucus, later became the Old Roman Empire. This area will also form the ten kingdoms of the last days, i.e., the Revived Roman Empire (cf. Daniel 7:7-8; Revelation 17:12).

 

 

(Verse 23)

 

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.

 

Explanation of the Final Horn

Addressing his question from verse 15 as Daniel sought the meaning of his vision, Gabriel said, “I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be” (Daniel 8:19).

 

NOTE: All scholars recognize Antiochus IV Epiphanes fulfilled historically what Gabriel had predicted. However, Antiochus is merely a shadow of the Antichrist who is to come.

 

Since the phrase in the later time of their kingdom is preceded by a conjunction, it is joining the previous sentence. Therefore, he is referring to the events surrounding the final phase of the Roman Empire, i.e., the Revived Roman Empire. Ten nations or regions will emerge that would be submitted to a one-world government in Europe.

 

In eschatological terms, the frame reference is just before the Second Coming of Christ. So, it occurs in the latter days of the times of the Gentiles, encompassing the seven-year Tribulation Period.

 

Timeline of events

·        The death of Alexander the Great (323 B.C.)

·        The independence of the four Greek kingdoms. i.e., the Hellenistic period (312 B.C. - 63 B.C.)

·        The rise of the Roman Republic (509 B.C. - 27 B.C.) under Julius Caesar began to assert themselves in the Mediterranean world as the Greek kingdoms entered a period of decline during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes (165B.C. – 174 B.C.)

·        Antiochus IV Epiphanes became ruler of the Seleucid Empire (175 B.C.)

·        The desecration of the Temple (167 B.C.)

·        The Maccabeans restored the Temple (December 25, 165 B.C.)

·        The death of Antiochus Epiphanes (164 B.C.)

·        The rise of the Roman Empire (27 B.C. – 476 A.D.)

·        The European Common Market comes into being in 1958, thus setting the stage for the final ten-nation alliance

 

When the transgressors are come to the full

A Time of His Coming

Gabriel is further describing a time when their sin is at its height (NLT), when sin has fully transgressed, or when sin has reached its limit. Although Antiochus Epiphanes and his reign of terror match the description, the prophecy goes beyond him and alludes to a time when someone more powerful and evil is in control toward the end of the world.

 

A king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up

The Mark of His Character

So, when wickedness has fully reached its apex, the final horn will appear in the latter days of Israel’s history. This king will have two identifying traits:

1. He will be of fierce countenance

The character of the Antichrist will be distinguished by his fierceness and stern-faced personality

 

2. He will be able to understand dark sentences

Another distinguishing feature will be his ability to solve complex problems or intriguing riddles, i.e., those with hidden meanings. Two such instances found in the Bible include:

a.  That which Samson tested the Philistines to solve within seven days for a reward of fine clothes (cf. Judges 14:12)

 

b.  Those which the Queen of Sheba tested the wisdom of Solomon (cf. 1 Kings 10:1-9)

 

Antichrist

From the final ten-nation conglomerate of the Revised Roman Empire (the ten toes), another horn or king shall arise and come into power in the middle of the seven-year Tribulation Period (cf. Daniel 7:24). This figure is the same little horn of Daniel’s second dream (cf. Daniel 8:9) and also the king in verse 23 who will stand up in power. He is known as Antichrist.

 

Antichrist is derived from the Greek word antichristos. Anti is defined as being against, antagonistic, in place of, or false. Christos, on the other hand, means anointed, as in Christ is the Anointed One. Interestingly, the Greek word christianos translates, to the anointed ones or Christians.   

                                                               

The word antichrist occurs four times in John’s epistles. Speaking about the time of the end, the last hour, he is introduced as such:

1 John 2:18 - Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we [may] know it is the last hour (BSB).

 

The Apostle Paul adds some further insight as to his coming:

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 - Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition (destruction); Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the Temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

 

 

As Gabriel’s interpretation continues and comes to a close in the following study, the characteristics and actions of the Antichrist during the last days are more pronounced.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1. Who were the two kings of the Medes and Persians?

2. What does the rough goat represent?

3. Who depicts the great horn between the rough goat’s eyes?

4. Name the four divided Hellenistic kingdoms.

5. How does the little horn obtain his power?

6. What is meant by the term dark sentences?

7. When does the little horn appear in the last days?

 

 

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