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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