Series: The Book of Daniel Ram, Goat, the Little Horn and the End-Times Daniel 8:1-27 By Dr. Gary M. Gulan, 1980 (Rev. 84,02,04,11) Introduction: This chapter takes place around 551BC. 1 This chapter also occurs out of sequence in time. This chapter takes place two years after the dream of chapter 7, but before chapter 5. This chapter adds a third installment to the prophetic dream of chapter 2 and a second installment to the dream of chapter 7. 2 This chapter also marks a change in the book by a change of language. Daniel 2:4 to Daniel 7:28 was written in Aramaic and in Daniel 8:1 the text returns to Hebrew. This may indicate the introduction to the times of the Gentiles effect on the nation of Israel. 3 This chapter gives prophetic end-time information as we can see the emphasis on time (1.) time of the end (Dan. 8:17); (2.) end (Dan. 8:19); (3.) Latter time (Dan. 8:19,23); (4.) appointed time (Dan. 8:19); and (5). many days in the future. High criticism denies the authenticity of all of Daniel s prophecies including chapter 8. Premillennialism sees the literalness of the prophecy of Daniel 8 in a two fold sense: (1.) as a reference to Antiochus Epiphanes (175BC-163BC) who foreshadows the last-day anti-christ; and (2.) the antichrist of the tribulation period. 4 1. PLACEMENT FOR THE VISION (Dan. 8:1-2) A. Timing of the vision (in the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar ) B. Additional facts ( A vision appeared after the one that appeared the first time ) C. The vision came while I was looking I was by - Shushan Shushan is the chief city of the Medo-Persian Empire, about 250 miles east of Babylon and 150 miles north of the head of the Persian Gulf. This was the home of Esther and the city from which Nehemiah came to Jerusalem. 5 - Citadel - Province of Elam One can see God s hand on the author because of the accurate knowledge of sixth-century events as would not have been open to a second-century writer. The city of Shushan is described as being in the province of Elam back in the time of the Chaldeans. But from the Greek and Roman historians we learn that in the Persian period Shushan or Susa, was assigned to a new province which was named after it, Susiana. It is reasonable that only a very early author would have known that Susa was once considered a part of the province of Elam. 6 - River of Ulai Ulai Susa was situated between Choaspes and Coprates Rivers. Near the junction of the two rivers a fortress was built to protect the capital city. A large canal connecting the two rivers and measuring appromiately 900 feet wide was built to one side of the fortress. The canal was called Ulai. 7
2. PANARAMA OF THE VISION (Dan. 8:3-12) A. A ram (Dan. 8:3-4) - two horns - they were high - one higher than the other - the high one came up at last - pushes westward, northward, southward - no one could withstand it - no one could deliver from his hand - he did according to his will - became great B. A male goat (Dan. 8:5-8) - suddenly came up from the west - across the whole earth - without touching the ground - notable horn between his eyes - goat with rage, moves after, and confronts the ram with furious power - broke the ram s horns - Ram had no power and fell - Goat trampled the ram and no one could deliver him - Goat grew very great and became very strong - large horn broken and replaced by four notable horns C. A little Horn (Dan. 8:9-12) - grew out of the four horns that replaced the one horn of the goat - grew great toward the south and east - grew toward the Glorious land - grew to the host of heaven - cast down some of the hosts and stars and trampled them The word stars (Dan. 8:10) has two interpretations: (1.) hosts of heaven, (2.) Jewish people. With the Jews the Bible uses stars as figures of the Jews (Gen. 12:3; 15:5; 22:17; Ex. 12:41; Deut. 1:10) When defeated the stars (Isa. 14:13, Jewish people, will fall under the tyrants dominiation. 8 - Exalts himself as high as the Prince of the host The word Prince refers to Christ. 9 - takes away the daily sacrifices - casts down the place of God s sanctuary and tramples under foot (8:13) - creates the transgression of desolation (8:13) - by an army opposes the daily sacrifices - casts down truth - prospered by all he did The word little ( tse irah Same idea from 7:8, 24-26) Began small literally means went out from littleness. 10
Some see this little horn in chapter 8 (grows out of one of the four horns of the third kingdom, Greece) as different from the one in chapter 7 (uproots three of the 10 horns of the fourth kingdom, Rome). Though they may be, their qualities all relate or typify the final form of the little horn. 11 3. PARTICIPATION OF THE HOLY ONES (Dan. 8:13-14) The words holy ones, there are two possible interpretations: (1.) saints, or (2.) holy ones angels 12 A. I heard a holy one talking (Dan. 8:13) - The question is how long will the abomination of desolation continue? B. Another holy one said (Dan. 8:14) - He gives the length of the abomination of desolation 4. PONDERING OVER THE VISION (Dan. 8:15-16) A. Daniel saw the vision and sought the meaning (Dan. 8:15) B. Sudden appearance of one having the appearance of a man (Dan. 8:15) C. A man s voice calls to Gabriel to make known the vision to Daniel (Dan. 8:16) 5. PREPARATION FOR THE INTERPRETATION OF THE VISION (Dan. 8:17-19) A. Daniel s fear of Gabriel (Dan. 8:17) B. Daniel fell on his face (Dan. 8:17) C. Daniel was told the vision referred to the time of the end (Dan. 8:17) D. Daniel fell into a deep sleep (Dan. 8:18) E. Daniel was touched by Gabriel and he stood upright (Dan. 8:18) F. Daniel was told to look at what will happen in the latter time (Dan. 8:19) 6. PARTICULARS OF THE VISION (Dan. 8:20-25) A. The ram represents the Medo-Persian kingdom (Dan. 8:20) - The two horns are the two kings, one of Media and one of Persia. B. The male goat represents the Grecian kingdom (Dan. 8:21-22) - The large horn between the eyes is the first king. - The broken horn represents the Grecian kingdom. - The four horns are four kingdoms that rise out of the large horn. C. The king that arises (Dan. 8:23-25) There is a great division of who this refers to. - He arises in the latter time of the kingdom - He arises when transgressions have reached their fullness - He will have fierce features - He understands sinister schemes - His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power
- He shall destroy - He shall prosper and thrieve - He shall destroy the mighty - He shall destroy the holy people - He shall use cunning and deceit to prosper - He shall exalt himself - He shall destroy many in their prosperity - He shall rise against the Prince of princes - He shall be broken without human means 7. POSTULATING AT THE END OF THE VISION (Dan. 8:6-27) A. The vision is true B. The vision was sealed up C. The vision refers to many days in the future D. The vision causes Daniel to faint and be sick for days. E. The vision caused Daniel to be astonished F. The vision was not able to be understood by others Conclusion: Daniel gives us insights into some important details about the future end-times. He will add to these things in the next few chapters. End Notes: 1 The Most High God, by Renald Showers, Bellmawr: Friends of Israel, 1989, p. 95 2 Daniel, The MacArthur Bible Commentary, John MacArthur, Nashville: Nelson, 2005, p. 961 Daniel, An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets, Hobart Freedman, Chicago: Moody, 1968, p. 283; Daniel, John Walvoord, Chicago: Moody, 1971, p. 179 3 Daniel, Unger s Commentary on the Old Testament, Merrill Unger, Chicago: Moody, 1981, p. 1649; Daniel, Charles Lee Feinberg, Winona Lake, BHM, 1981, p. 99; Daniel, John Walvoord, Chicago: Moody, 1971, p. 179 4 Daniel, Unger s Commentary on the Old Testament, Merrill Unger, Chicago: Moody, 1981, p. 1654; Daniel, J. Dwight Pentecost, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Wheaton: Victor, 1985, p. 1358 Daniel, Gleason Archer, The Expositor s Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids; Zondervan, 1985, Vol. 7, p. 99; A Commentary on Daniel, Leon Wood, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976, p. 206 5 Daniel, J. Dwight Pentecost, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Wheaton: Victor, 1985, p. 1355; Daniel, John Walvoord, Chicago: Moody, 1971, p. 180; The Most High God, by Renald Showers, Bellmawr: Friends of Israel, 1989, p. 97 6 Daniel, A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, Gleason Archer, Chicago: Moody, 1974, p. 400 Elam means highland Daniel, Unger s Commentary on the Old Testament, Merrill Unger, Chicago: Moody, 1981, p. 1650 7 The Most High God, by Renald Showers, Bellmawr: Friends of Israel, 1989, p. 97 8 Daniel, The MacArthur Bible Commentary, John MacArthur, Nashville: Nelson, 2005, p. 960; Daniel, Unger s Commentary on the Old Testament, Merrill Unger, Chicago: Moody, 1981, p. 1651 Daniel, Gleason Archer, The Expositor s Bible Commentary, Grand Rapids; Zondervan, 1985, Vol. 7, p. 99; Daniel, John Walvoord, Chicago: Moody, 1971, p. 185 9 A Commentary on Daniel, Leon Wood, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976, p. 214 10 A Commentary on Daniel, Leon Wood, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976, p. 212
11 Daniel, An Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets, Hobart Freedman, Chicago: Moody, 1968, p. 284-285; Daniel, Unger s Commentary on the Old Testament, Merrill Unger, Chicago: Moody, 1981, p. 1651; Daniel, Unger s Commentary on the Old Testament, Merrill Unger, Chicago: Moody, 1981, p. 1654; ; Daniel, J. Dwight Pentecost, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Wheaton: Victor, 1985, p. 1359; Daniel, John Walvoord, Chicago: Moody, 1971, p. 185, 192, 194; Daniel, Charles Lee Feinberg, Winona Lake, BHM, 1981, p. 108 12 Daniel, John Walvoord, Chicago: Moody, 1971, p. 188