DANIEL SIMPLIFIED
CHAPTER 8.15
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
In an area known as Shushan, the
capital of the Persian kings, where the events recorded in Esther took place seventy
years later, the prophet Daniel had a second vision two years after his first
(see Daniel 7:1). Whereas the first vision foretold the succession of Gentile
world leaders after the Babylonian Empire, the second vision, narrow in scope,
depicted the transfer of power from the Medo-Persian Empire to the Grecian
Empire under Alexander the Great followed by its fourfold division upon his
death.
Emerging from the divided Greek Empire,
a little horn waxed exceedingly great
(cf. Daniel 8:9). Historically, Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175 B.C. - 164 B.C.) was
the realization of Daniel’s prediction. However, a double fulfillment of his
prophecy will take place during the Tribulation Period in the person of the
Antichrist.
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)
(Verse 15)
And 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.
Being deeply perturbed no doubt by
prayer Daniel sought a true understanding of his vision. Then suddenly, it came
about that an awesome encounter between Daniel and the supernatural occurred.
There stood before Daniel someone who
had the appearance of a man. In this
instance, the word for a man used in
this passage is gaber (Strong’s
1397) meaning a mighty or valiant one as
opposed to adam (Strong’s 120), a human being or mankind, and ish
(Strong’s 376) an individual or a male person (cf.
Daniel 10:5, 18). In this particular case, a
man is an angelic being in human form.
(Verse 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.
The Archangel Gabriel
While standing at the river of Ulai, Daniel heard a man’s voice coming from the
middle of the canal in his vision. Although the voice is not specified, there
are three interpretations as to whom the voice belongs:
1. Some say it is the voice of God
2. Some say it is the voice of the Messiah
3. Some say it is the voice of Michael the
archangel.
The word for voice is in the masculine singular and is attached to the One who
had an appearance of a man (cf. verse
15). So, it is highly likely that the voice is from either a Theophany (an incarnate appearance of
God) or a Christophany (a
pre-incarnate appearance of Christ).
Notwithstanding, a voice called upon
Gabriel to give Daniel a clear understanding of his vision. The name Gabriel specifically means strong man of God.
This is the first time one of the two angels
is mentioned by name in the Bible. There are other occurrences such as:
1. When 13 years later Gabriel revealed the
70-week prophetic plan for Israel:
Daniel
9:21 – Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in
the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of
the evening oblation.
2. When 500-plus years later Gabriel
appeared to Zechariah and informed him, John the Baptist would be his son:
Luke
1:19 – And the angel
answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to
speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.
3. When 6 months after that Gabriel
announced to Mary she would conceive the Son of God:
Luke
1:26 - And in the sixth
month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth.
Later, the archangel Michael will be identified:
Daniel
10:13 - But the guardian angel
of Persia opposed me for 21 days. Then Michael, who is one of the strongest guardian angels, came to rescue me from the kings of
Persia (CEV).
(Verse
17)
So he (Gabriel)
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.
The Encounter
Manifested in the form
of a human being, Gabriel approached Daniel where he was standing. Immediately
Daniel became affrighted. Not only was Daniel terrified, but he also prostrated
himself to the ground. This seems to be a common reaction when confronted by a heavenly
being, including:
1. When the glory of the
Lord appeared to Ezekiel in the form of a rainbow:
Ezekiel 1:28 - As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day
of rain, so was the
appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a
voice of one that spake.
2. When the disciples heard
a voice out of a bright cloud speak to them at the Lord’s transfiguration:
Matthew 17:6 - And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
3. When the apostle John
saw images of Christ while in a spiritual state:
Revelation 1;17 - And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet
as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear
not; I am the First and the Last.
But he said unto me, Understand, O son of man:
for at the time of the end shall
be the vision
Even though Daniel was
gifted with understanding visions and dreams (cf. Daniel 1:17), he needed more
instruction from the Lord. Surely, how was Daniel able to grasp the sheer
marvel and magnitude of God’s purpose and plan for Israel? So, Gabriel proceeded
to enlighten him with specific wisdom and understanding, not only of the
precise meaning of the vision but also of when the vision would have its
fulfillment.
Notice also, Gabriel addressed
Daniel as O son of man, and not the Son of Man. Ezekiel
frequently used this term in his writings to indicate the weakness and humility
of man.
(Verse 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.
The Reaction
Before Gabriel was
able to give Daniel a further explanation of the vision, Daniel fell into a
deep heavy sleep while he was on the ground. No doubt, Daniel became completely
overpowered by the majesty of God's holy messenger.
While in his helpless condition, the angel restored Daniel to consciousness and empowered him to stand upright.
Notice, Gabriel touched him. It is not clear, however, whether the touch was
physical, spiritual, or both.
Recall, in Jesus’
transfigured state, Thomas was able to touch the resurrected Lord:
Luke 24:39 - Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself:
handle Me, and see; for a spirit hath
not flesh and bones, as ye see Me have.
(Verse 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 Response
Although confusing, Gabriel
further explained to Daniel of a double fulfillment of his vision, i.e., where
the near fulfillment of a prophecy foreshadows the far. In other words, there
is a type and an antitype, or a partial historical fulfillment in Antiochus
Epiphanes that depicts a futuristic fulfillment of the Antichrist during the
Tribulation.
Dual Prophecies
A duel messianic prophecy concerning
Christ is proclaimed in Scripture, the most recognized:
Isaiah
9:6-7 - For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is
given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall
be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The
Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government
and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of
David, and upon His Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with
judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD
of hosts will perform this.
Jesus was the historical fulfillment
of Isaiah’s prediction when He came to earth to set up His Kingdom. However, since
He was rejected by His people, Jesus will therefore return at His Second Coming
to completely fulfill the futuristic part of the prophecy.
Additionally, a remnant survives
double prophetic tribulation:
Isaiah 37:32 - For out of Jerusalem
shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.
Remnants of Israel endured many
tribulations, especially Shoah, a Hebrew word for total desolation (cf. Job
30:14; Isaiah 47:11; see Zephaniah 1:15), such as the Holocaust during World
War II. But, a future remnant will escape the Tribulation, the greatest destruction
yet to take place (cf. Matthew 24:21: Romans 11:25 -26a).
I [Gabriel]
will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the
indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be
Three phrases in this passage need
further clarification:
1. The last end of the indignation
Indignation (za’am, Strong’s 2195) refers to God's anger, rage, or
figurative fury, particularly against sin. To the Hebrew mind, it indicates not
only the end of God's anger and punishment against them but also the end of
Israel's expulsion from the land (cf. Daniel 11:36). Accordingly, from the New
Testament perspective, it denotes the end of the Tribulation.
2. The time appointed
This phrase conveys an appointed
time when God has determined will be the end of the Age (cf. Daniel 11:27;
Matthew 24:36-41).
Zechariah 14:7 - But it shall be one
day which shall be known to the LORD, not
day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at
evening time it shall be light.
3. The end shall be
The end
is a prophetic eschatological expression dealing with Christ’s Second Coming
and the final Great White Throne Judgment. Several are listed:
a. The end (cf. Daniel 12:13; Matthew
24:28; Luke 17:37)
b. The time of the end (cf. Daniel
11:35, 40; 12:4, 9)
c. The end of this age (cf. Matthew
13:49; 28:20)
d. The end of the world (cf. Psalm
19:4; Isaiah 62:11)
e. The end of all things (cf. 1 Peter
4:7)
f. The time of the punishment of the
end (cf. Ezekiel 21:25, 29; 35:5)
Next, the ram, he-goat, and little
horn prophecies are further clarified to Daniel by Gabriel, significantly as it
pertains to double fulfillment.
QUESTIONS:
1. Who did Daniel see in his vision?
2. What did Daniel hear in his vision?
3. What was Daniel’s reaction?
4. What was Gabriel’s response?
5. What is the meaning of duel prophecy?
6. What does indignation mean?
7. When is the time of the end?
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