Daniel 2: Faith on Trial Lesson 5: Ram, Goat & Little Horn Rev. Christopher J. Respass Antioch Bible Institute Spring 2016
Review. The End of the Goat (v.8) A. The Goat became great, but at the height of his strength, the great horn was broken. B. Four (4) other horns came up in it s place and spread toward the 4 winds of heaven. C. At the height of his reign, Alexander had an empire that consisted of 1.5 million square miles. 1. He died at 32, but left a language and culture that has influenced the world.
D. After Alexander s death, his empire was divided and given to four generals (see, 1 Macc 1:1-9) 1. Seleucus 2. Ptolemy 3. Lysimachus 3. Cassander
I. A little horn becomes great (v.9) A. This little horn grows out of one of the four kingdoms resulting from the division of the Greek Empire by Alexander the Great. B. This little horn grew by expanding his territory by conquest toward the South, East and the Glorious Land. C. This little horn is Antiochus IV Epiphanes
Antiochus Epiphanes
And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. 1 Macc. 1:10
II: Little Horn: Antiochus IV Epiphanes (175-163 BC) A. 8th ruler of the Seleucid Greek Empire who gained his position through bribery and flattery. B. He made notable conquests in the South (Egypt), East (Persia, Parthia, Armenia) and the Glorious Land (Palestine) (see, Dan. 8:9, 1 Macc. 1:16-28) C. Palestine was coined the Glorious Land or Beautiful Land because of the spiritual significance of Israel and Jerusalem as the center of YHWH s operations. Miller, Stephen R. Daniel. The New American Commentary, 225
II. The Arrogant Persecutor of God s People (v.10) A. Host is normally a reference to an army particularly the armies of God, but here it refers to the saints of God (see, v. 24). B. Stars/starry host also refer to the Jewish saints. C. Threw down to the ground trampled on them refers to fierce and severe persecution of the people of God.
D. Read: 1 Macc. 1:29-31, 37-40 This little horn began to bring havoc upon the people of God, persecuting them and defaming the temple of God. When Antiochus attacked Jerusalem 80,000 men, women, children were killed in the span of 3 days. (2 Macc. 5:11-14).
III. The Little Horn Dispenses with YHWH Worship (v.11). A. Antiochus Epiphanes became great as great as the Prince of Hosts (i.e., God). B. Antiochus decreed that worship of YHWH was unlawful and burnt offerings should cease. C. The Little Horn, desecrated the temple and altar of God by erected idols in the temple and offering defiling sacrifices on God s altar.
D. Antiochus insisted that the Jews refrain from following their religious laws pertaining to diet, circumcision, the Sabbath and feasts. He required allegiance to himself and the Greek gods rather than to YHWH. E. Read 1 Macc. 1:41-53 One World, One Government, One Religion doesn t sound so cool now. Does it?
IV. The Little Horn attempts to eliminate God s Word from the World (v.12). A. A host will be given over to it refers back to the Jewish people (v.11) who will be subject to persecution by Antiochus along with the cessation of regular burnt offerings because of transgression. B. The transgression likely refers to sins of the Jewish people in abandoning the laws of God in favor of the laws of the Greeks (see, 1 Macc. 1:11-15).
C. Throw Truth to the ground points to how the Little Horn will strive to rid the world of God s word in favor of emperor worship. D. And it will act and prosper the empire of the Little Horn (Antiochus) will do as it pleases without hindrance or opposition. It will prosper. E. Read 1 Macc. 1:54-64
V. How long will this all last (v.13-14) A: 2300 days (about 6 years and 4 month) B. Timeline 1. 170 BC Onias III, a former high priest, was murdered at the urging of Menelaus who was appointed by Antiochus. 2. 169 BC Antiochus loots temple and murders Jews. 3. 167 BC Antiochus erects altar of Zeus in temple
164 BC On December 14, 164 BC, Judas Maccabeus cleansed and restored the temple to it s rightful state just over 3 years after the altar to Zeus was erected and a little over 6 years following the beginning of the reign of terror caused by Antiochus Epiphanes. Annually, the Jews celebrate the cleansing of the temple. This Feast is called: Hanukkah
Take Aways 1. The Little Horn in Daniel 8 gives an idea of the spirit of the Little Horn in Daniel 7 behaves. 2. Antiochus Epiphanes is the first of many antichrists throughout history who have sought to eradicate God s people and God s word from the world. 3. Arguments that claim that religion is the problem and if we didn t have religion, we could have world peace sound a bit little hornish doesn t it?
Take Aways 4. The saints of God really suffered under Antiochus and are likely to suffer under the beast of the Revelation. 5. We must choose between God and the World, temporal life and eternal life. Which will you choose?
Questions?