Daniel 8:1
“In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.”
Daniel 8:1
“In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar”
- This vision occurred in the 3rd year of Belshazzar’s reign prior to his capture that year
“a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.”
- This vision occurred after the prior vision of chapter seven
Daniel 8:2
“And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.”
Daniel 8:2
“when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam;”
- Daniel was in the palace at Shushan when he had this vision (some think he was there in “vision” however, this was a captured city of Babylon’s)
- Shushan or Susa was the capital city of Elam
“I was by the river of Ulai.”
Daniel 8:3
“Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.”
Daniel 8:3
“behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns:”
- Daniel’s second vision begins with a ram
- This ram has two horns
- This Ram represents the combined kingdom of Medo- Persia and the two horns represent the two kings of Medo-Persia (Dan. 8:20)
- This prophecy does not begin with Babylon since it is about to fall to Medo-Persia (vision given the same year as it fell)
“and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other,”
- The two horns are the two kings of Medo-Persia
- One “higher” means that one king would be stronger than the other: Persia overthrew the Medes in 553 B.C. and became dominant
“the higher came up last.”
- Persia did not initially dominate the Medes but eventually overthrew them
Daniel 8:4
“I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.”
Daniel 8:4
“I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward;”
- Persia was East of Babylon and Jerusalem
- Persia went East and conquered Lydia then Babylon and then went South against Egypt
- Persia also went North against the Scythians
“that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand;”
- Persia actually conquered the then known world from India (East) to Ethiopia (South)
- No beasts (kingdoms) were able to stand up to Persia
- Persia actually conquered much more of the world than Babylon
“and became great.”
- Did great things or magnified himself
Daniel 8:5
“And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.”
Daniel 8:5
“behold, an he goat came from the west”
- This he goat represents Greece (Dan. 8:21)
- Greece is the Macedonian Empire which arose west of the Persian Empire
“on the face of the whole earth,”
- Greece became the next world kingdom after Persia
“and touched not the ground:”
- This refers to the speed of the he goat
- Greece conquered the whole world in about 5 years (336 B.C. – 331 B.C.)
“and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.”
- This horn refers to the first king (Dan. 8:21) of the Greek Empire
- This was Alexander the Great, who was 25 years old when he conquered the world
Daniel 8:6
“And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.”
Daniel 8:6
“And he came to the ram that had two horns”
- Alexander the Great came to Persia in 334 B.C. with 35,000 men and one month of supplies: by 331 B.C. he had conquered both Persia and Egypt
“ran unto him in the fury of his power.”
Daniel 8:7
“And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.”
Daniel 8:7
“moved with choler against him,”
- Choler : old English word meaning “anger”
“smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him:”
- Alexander totally overran Persia and completely destroyed Persia’s power
Daniel 8:8
“Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.”
Daniel 8:8
“Therefore the he goat waxed very great:”
- Greece became a very great kingdom
- Waxed very great can be translated “magnified himself greatly” or “did great things”
“when he was strong, the great horn was broken;”
- Shortly after Alexander conquered the world he died
- He died at age 32 of fever (possibly malaria) complicated possibly by alcohol
“and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.”
- The Greek Empire was dived into four parts and taken over by four generals after the death of Alexander:
- Ptolemy – Egypt (South)
- Cassander - Macedonia (West)
- Seleucus - Persia (East)
- Lysimachus - Thrace (North)
- Note: Seleucus would take over the North from Lysimachus in about 20 years
Daniel 8:9
“And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.”
Daniel 8:9
“And out of one of them”
- “one of them” can refer to either the four “winds” or to the four “notable ones” (horns)
- From the four winds suggests that the little horn came from one of the four points on the compass
- From the four horns would suggest that the little horn came from one of the four divisions of Greece which is incorrect
- The Aramaic gender of the words used here seems to support the four winds as the better translation
“came forth a little horn,”
- This little horn refers to the kingdom that would follow Greece
- This is the same kingdom that was described in Daniel chapter seven that would be worldwide and both political and religious
- This kingdom is Pagan Rome which becomes Papal Rome
“which waxed exceeding great, toward the south,”
- This kingdom became “exceeding great” (very powerful)
- “toward the south” refers to Egypt which became a Roman protectorate
“toward the east,”
- This refers to old Persia (Seleucid Empire) which became the Roman province of Syria (65 B.C.)
“and toward the pleasant land.”
- Hebrew: “sebi” can be translated “glory”
- The pleasant land or glory land refers to Palestine and Jerusalem
- Palestine became a Roman province in 63 B. C.
Daniel 8:10
“And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.”
Daniel 8:10
“And it waxed great,”
- Beginning with this verse there are two parallel applications both of which can apply
- One application is predominately historical and the second is a last days application
- Both applications are important in order to fully understand last day events
“even to the host of heaven;”
- The host of heaven refers to God’s people (Daniel 8:24 :“the holy people”)
“it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.”
- Both host and stars are connected to heaven and refer to God’s people
- God’s people will be overran and persecuted by this power
- This power historically represents the persecution of God’s people by Pagan Rome and then later by Papal Rome
- In the last days this power represents the false Christ who will also persecute God’s people and kill them
Daniel 8:11
“Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of the sanctuary was cast down.”
Daniel 8:11
“Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host,”
- The “prince of the host” is “the Prince of princes” (Dan. 8:25) who is Jesus Christ
- Jesus is the Prince of God’s people (host)
- “magnified”: historically, this refers to Pagan Rome which magnified itself above Jesus by crucifying Him
- “magnified” can also refer to Papal Rome’s attempt to place itself above Jesus by claiming to forgive sins and making the Pope equal or above God on earth
- “magnified” in the last days refers to the false Christ who will claim to be Christ on earth and forgive sins and claim to be God on earth
“and by him”
- Some translations connect this phrase to the Prince of the Host however most translations connect it to the little horn
- The little horn is more consistent with other portions of Daniel (Dan. 9:26,27; 11:30,31; 12:11)
“the daily sacrifice was taken away,”
- The Hebrew word “tamid” translated daily means “continual” or “regular”
- This continual sacrifice or “daily” can be thought to represent at least four different things:
- (A) Paganism: this suggests that Pagan Rome and Paganism (the daily) were replaced by Papal Rome (the abomination)
- (B) Temple sacrifices in Jerusalem: this could have occurred in 167 B. C.- 164 B.C. when Antiochus Epiphanes desecrated the temple or in A.D. 70 when Rome overran Jerusalem and destroted the temple
- (C) The priestly ministry of Christ in the heavenly temple which was replaced on earth with a substitute religion which allowed men (priests) to forgive sins and provided a false God (Pope). This concept also allowed for a literal interpretation of the “daily” to apply to Pagan Rome when it destroyed the temple in Jerusalem
- (D) Last day application: the replacement of Jesus’ true sacrifice by Satan acting as the false Christ and ministering in the temple in Jerusalem
- If you interpret “by him” to apply to Jesus than Jesus is taking away the daily sacrifice (referring to the Old Testament sacrificial services which are no longer necessary) however, this does not fit with the context which is describing the little horn’s activities
- If you interpret “by him” to refer to the little horn than one of the above four possibilities (A,B,C,D) is more likely
- Historically, option (C) has been favored which suggests that Pagan Rome and Papal Rome are both represented by the little horn:
- Pagan Rome overran the temple (A.D. 70) ending the “daily”
- Papal Rome took Jesus’ role away ending the “daily” replacing salvation by faith with salvation by works
- However, in the last days this prophecy will apply again
- When the false Christ finally reigns in Jerusalem he will take away the “daily” by substituting his false religion for the worship of the true Christ
“the place of the sanctuary was cast down.”
- The Hebrew word “makon” means “site”
- Historically, this was thought to refer to the destruction of Jerusalem by Rome in A.D.70
- However, in the last days Jerusalem which is the “site” of the temple will be destroyed prior to the rebuilding of the temple (see 2nd & 3rdtrumpet: Rev. 8:8-11)
Daniel 8:12
“And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.”
Daniel 8:12
“And an host”
- Host: Hebrew “saba” can mean “army” or “host”
- Host here can refer to either those who work with this power or those who were persecuted by it (see RSV “host was given over to it”)
- Host can refer to God’s people who would be overran by this horn power
- Host can also refer to the armies which will help this power take over Jerusalem
- He will become mighty but “not by his own power” (Dan.8:24)
“against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression,”
- This phrase suggests that the host would work against the “daily”
- This also suggests that they would support this power because of transgression (they would be deceived into supporting this power)
- The RSV suggests that the host and the “burnt offering” would both be given over because of or “through” transgression
“host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression,”
- Both applications apply:
- God’s people will be given over to this power as well as the “daily” because of its lies
- The world’s armies will support this power and help it take away the “daily” again because of its lies
- Historically, both of these were fulfilled by the Papacy
- In the last days both of these will occur again when Satan appears as the false Christ and the world attempts to set him up in Jerusalem
“it cast down the truth to the ground;”
- Historically, the Papacy cast down truth and replaced it with tradition (including changing the Sabbath to Sunday and changing the Ten Commandments)
- In the last days Satan will also cast down truth (see Rev. 11:7-10) when he ascends as the 8th king (false Christ)
“and it practised, and prospered.”
- Historically, the Papacy prospered and became wealthy and ruled the world
- In the last days Satan will also prosper and rule the world (Rev. 9:2,4,5,11)
Daniel 8:13
“Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?”
Daniel 8:13
“Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake,”
Daniel now hears two saints (angels?) talking
“How long shall be the vision”
- The question asked is simple: how long will this last?
- In the Hebrew this verse is very terse: “How long the vision, the continual, the desolating transgression, to give both sanctuary and host to trampling.”
- It is important to note that the continual (daily) and the desolating transgression and the trampling of the host and sanctuary all occur together. They all happen during the same time period.
“concerning the daily sacrifice,”
- The daily sacrifice refers historically to Pagan Rome destroying the temple in Jerusalem (literal application) and to Papal Rome taking away the daily in heaven by making a substitute religion (spiritual)
- In the last days both will occur again when Satan occupies the temple in Jerusalem (literal) and substitutes worship of himself as the false Christ (spiritual)
“the transgression of desolation,”
- Historically, this has been applied to both Pagan Rome and Papal Rome in conflict with the religion of God
- In the last days this refers to Satan as the false Christ
“both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?”
- Historically the trodding under of the sanctuary has been applied to Pagan
Rome when it destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (literal) and to Papal Rome when it took the place of the heavenly sanctuary (spiritual)
- In the last days this will occur again when Satan occupies the temple as the false Christ (literal) and pretends to be God on earth (spiritual)
- Historically, the host referred to God’s people who were trodden under by both Pagan Rome and Papal Rome during the time of this vision
- In the last days, the host also represents God’s people when they are trodden under by Satan as the false Christ during the time of the vision as it applies to the last days
Daniel 8:14
“And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”
Daniel 8:14
“Unto two thousand and three hundred days;”
- “days”: Hebrew “ereb boqer” which is literally “evening morning” Since an evening and a morning make up a day (Gen. 1:5) the King James version translated this “days” However, the more accurate translation would be “evenings and mornings”
- Thus the actual text reads “Unto two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings”
- “days”: since one prophetic day can equal one literal year (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6) this time period prophetically is 2300 years
- Historically, this time period has been applied from 457 B.C. to A.D. 1844 (for the beginning date see Daniel 9:24-26) and covers the final days of literal Israel as well as the reigns of Pagan Rome and Papal Rome
- In the last days this time period probably is best interpreted as “evenings and mornings”
- If considered as evenings and mornings then this may be seen as a total figure (2300 evenings and mornings: 1150 evenings and 1150 mornings equals 2300 evenings and mornings)
- 1150 evenings and 1150 mornings equals 1150 days
- In the last days 1150 days would clearly fit but 1150 years would not
- It is important to note that in the last days application the sanctuary is literal as is the daily sacrifice and therefore a literal application of the time period is consistent with the rest of the application
“then shall the sanctuary”
- Historically, the sanctuary here referred to was considered to be the heavenly sanctuary since the earthly sanctuary was destroyed in A.D. 70
- In the 1800’s it was thought that the sanctuary here referred to was the earth itself and that Jesus would return to cleanse the earth in 1844. This led to the Great Disappointment.
- In the last days the sanctuary refers to the literal sanctuary (temple) in Jerusalem which Satan will occupy as the false Christ
“be cleansed.”
- The Hebrew verb form used here is only found once in the Old Testament
- It has been translated “cleansed” or “restored” or “put right”
- This cleansing of the sanctuary refers to the yearly cleansing of the earthly sanctuary as opposed to the daily sacrifices (daily)
- The yearly cleansing of the sanctuary was called the Day of Atonement
- The Day of Atonement cleansed the earthly sanctuary of the sins that were brought to it by repentant sinners
- The Day of Atonement on earth typified the heavenly cleansing of the temple in heaven
- Just as the earthly temple was restored from sin so must the heavenly temple be restored to its pre sin state
- The process of that restoration in heaven was previously described by Daniel in Dan. 7:9,10,26,27 as a judgment process: (see also Rev. 14:7)
- phase (1) the investigation (Dan. 7:9,10) (investigative judgment)
- phase (2) the reward (Dan. 7:26,27) (executive judgment)
- The investigative judgment in heaven involves the vindication of God and making sure that sin will never occur again by restoring absolute trust in God
- This restoring of trust will occur because God will allow all of His decisions regarding those who are saved to be reviewed by the universe (see Rev. 4&5)
- This cleansing process resembles our appellate court process where the judge and legal system are on trial as opposed to our criminal court system where the defendant is on trial
- God’s character will be shown to be righteous and just
- Historically , this cleansing began in heaven in 1844
- In the last days, the literal temple on earth will also be cleansed of Satan (the beast that ascends) (see Rev. 11:7-13)
Daniel 8:15
“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.”
Daniel 8:15
“had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning,”
- Daniel is saying that he saw the vision but did not understand it
- The prophet’s duty is to relay the message even if he does not understand it
“then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.”
- This “man” probably is the Son of Man since He is described telling Gabriel what to do
- This same Man is seen in Daniel 10:5,6; 12:6,7
Daniel 8:16
“And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.”
Daniel 8:16
“And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called,”
- This “man” is now going to tell the angel Gabriel what to do suggesting that this “man” has more authority than the angel
“and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.”
- Gabriel is mentioned twice in the Old Testament (Dan. 8:16;9:21) and two times in the New Testament (Luke 1:19;1:26)
- E.G.W. states that Gabriel took Lucifer’s place in heaven and was the angel that brought the messages to John in Revelation (Rev.2:1)(D.A. pp.99,693)
Daniel 8:17
“So he 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.
Daniel 8:17
“when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face:”
- Daniel was afraid when he saw Gabriel
- Daniel fell on his face ( fainted?)
“but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man:”
- Gabriel tries to reassure Daniel that he is here to help him understand
“for at the time of the end shall be the vision”
- Gabriel is here giving Daniel a very important message about this vision
- This vision does not directly affect Daniel even though it begins in Daniel’s time
- This vision is about “the time of the end”
- The portion of the vision that was so upsetting to Daniel was the attack on God’s people (host) and on the Prince (Jesus) as well as the attack on God’s sanctuary and its “daily”
- Gabriel is telling Daniel that this attack will occur as part of the time of the end
- Historically, it has been suggested that since this prophecy reaches to 1844 that this requirement is fulfilled (they define any time after 1844 as the time of the end)
- Historically, this verse is used to eliminate any interpretations that do not reach to the time of the end (for example, applying the prophecy to Antiochus Epiphanes in 167 – 164 B.C.)
- However, it is critical to attempt to identify what Daniel refers to as the time of the end
- In Daniel 11:35 Daniel suggests that God’s people will die “until the time of the end” and in Dan. 11:44- 45 and Dan.12:1he links the time of trouble to this same time of the end
- This suggests that Daniel’s time of the end is somewhat different from the historical time of the end which begins after 1798 or 1844
- Daniel’s time of the end involves those events that occur just prior to Jesus’ Second Coming and include the final battles described in Daniel 11 and the time of trouble and the close of probation
- In the last days application of this prophecy all of these issues are included since they will occur after Satan reigns as the false Christ which is the transgression that makes desolate
- Therefore, the first issue is when will this prophecy apply and Daniel is told that it belongs at the end of time which is where we are now living
Daniel 8:18
“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.”
Daniel 8:18
“Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground:”
- Daniel had passed out while listening to Gabriel!
- Daniel was overcome by this message and all he had heard so far was the timing!
“but he touched me, and set me upright.”
- Gabriel wakes up Daniel so he can continue his explanation
Daniel 8:19
“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.”
Daniel 8:19
“And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation:”
- Gabriel is now reiterating what the time frame is in case Daniel missed it (when he fainted)
- The time period of concern is the “last end” (RSV “latter end”) of the indignation
- Not the beginning of the indignation!
- This clearly suggests the end of time again!
- This suggests a last days application!
“for at the time appointed the end shall be.”
- The RSV translates this “it pertains to the appointed time of the end”
- This vision pertains or relates to the time of the end
- The phrase “the time appointed” clearly connects to the end of time
- Gabriel has now said this three different ways: this vision applies to the end of time
- This vision relates to last day events which occur just prior to the Second Coming when God will break him “without hand” (Dan. 8:25)
Daniel 8:20
“The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.”
Daniel 8:20
“The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.”
- Kings often refers to kingdoms
- The ram is the kingdom of Medo –Persia
- The two horns are its kings
Daniel 8:21
“And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.”
Daniel 8:21
“And the rough goat is the king of Grecia:”
- “rough” means “hairy” or “he”
- This is the he-goat and represents Greece
“the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.”
- The great horn is the first king of Greece which was Alexander the Great
Daniel 8:22
“Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.”
Daniel 8:22
“Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation,”
- “that being broken” refers to the breaking of the great horn which was the death of the first king Alexander the Great
- Four of Alexander’s generals divided up his kingdom (it did not go to his heirs)
“four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.”
- The Greek Empire was divided into four parts and taken over by four generals after the death of Alexander:
- Ptolemy – Egypt, Palestine (South)
- Cassander - Macedonia, Greece (West)
- Seleucus - Persia, part of Asia Minor (East)
- Lysimachus - Thrace, part of Asia minor (North)
- Note: Seleucus would take over the North from Lysimachus in about 20 years
- These kingdoms would not be as powerful as the original kingdom of Greece
Daniel 8:23
“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.”
Daniel 8:23
“And in the latter time of their kingdom,”
- This suggests that this final king described will come up after these kingdoms are declining
- Historically, this has been applied to Pagan Rome which arose out of the declining Grecian Empire and seems to fulfill some of this prophecy and then some of this prophecy is applied to Papal Rome (Dan.8:25)
- However, the final phrase of Dan. 8:25 suggests the destruction of Satan (broken without hand) since the Papacy is destroyed prior to the Second Coming (see Rev.18 & 19)
- However, the latter time has previously been connected to the time of the end (Dan. 8:19) and will also be connected to last day events in Dan. 10:14
- Also Gabriel has told Daniel three times that this vision relates to the time of the end
- Also the end of this king is done without hand (Dan. 8:25)
- These facts suggest that this king may refer to a last day king as well
“when the transgressors are come to the full”
- Some have suggested that this could refer to Israel’s close of probation when its seventy times seven was completed (see Matthew 18:22 compared to Dan. 9:24)
- This would be consistent with the historical application to Pagan Rome which reigned when Israel’s probation ended (just after Jesus’ death)
- In the last days, this will also occur
- Just prior to the end the world it will be as it was in the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-39)
- In Noah’s day their transgressions were also full
- Just prior to the Second Coming the worlds cup of transgressions will also be full
“a king of fierce countenance”
- RSV translates “bold countenance”
“and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.”
- “dark sentences” Hebrew “chidoth” means
“perplexing questions” or “enigmatic statements” or “riddles”
- This king would appear to have the answers to life’s hardest questions
- Historically, this has been applied to the Papacy
- In the last days, Satan will appear as the false Christ and claim to be able to solve everyone’s problems
Daniel 8:24
“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.”
Daniel 8:24
“And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power:”
- Historically, this has been applied to the Papacy which relied on other political powers to control the world
- In the last days, Satan as the false Christ, will convince the world powers to accomplish his plans (mainly using the Christian controlled powers)
“and he shall destroy wonderfully,”
- Better translated “cause frightful destruction”
“and shall prosper, and practise,”
- This power will prosper and will succeed in what he does (RSV)
“shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.”
- This power will specifically attack God’s people and succeed
- Historically, Pagan and Papal Rome both did this (millions were killed)
- In the last days, Satan and his followers will do the same (see Rev. 13:7; 12:17)
Daniel 8:25
“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.”
Daniel 8:25
“And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand;”
- “craft” better translated “deceit”
- This king would prosper through deceit
- This applies well to the Papacy
- This applies even better to Satan at the end of time (see Matthew 24:4,5)
“he shall magnify himself in his heart,”
- This applies well to the Papacy which claims to be God on earth
- This also applies to Satan at the end of time when he claims to be God as the Christ returned
“by peace shall destroy many:”
- Many believed the lies of the Papacy and were lost forever
- Many will believe the lies of Satan as the false Christ and be lost forever
“he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes;”
- Historically, this has been applied to Pagan Rome which killed Jesus and to Papal Rome which replaced Jesus with its false religion of works
- In the last days, this refers to Satan actually taking Jesus’ place on earth as the false Christ
“but he shall be broken without hand”
- Historically, this has not yet occurred
- This phrase refers to Dan. 2:34,44,45 which describes God destroying the final world kingdom, and occurs at the Second Coming
- This clearly applies to the last days!
Daniel 8:26
“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.”
Daniel 8:26
“And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true:”
- This phrase “evening and morning” refers to Dan. 8:14 and the 2300 days
- The emphasis on “evenings and mornings” is not accidental!
- The angel could have said “days” here but reminds us that it is “evenings and mornings” thus opening the possibility of a second application involving evenings and mornings
“which was told is true”
- Gabriel is affirming to Daniel what Daniel did not want to hear: this vision is true
“shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.”
- Notice that the vision is shut up but not the whole book
- “shut up” means that the vision does not apply to Daniel’s day but will apply in the distant future (at the end of time)
Daniel 8:27
“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 8:27
“And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days”
- This the third time in this chapter that Daniel appears to have fainted
- This message was a shock to Daniel, it especially would have upset him to see Satan ministering in God’s temple
“afterward I rose up, and did the king's business;”
- Daniel eventually regained his health and went back to work
“and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.”
- “astonished” means appalled
- Daniel was sickened and appalled by what he had seen
- Daniel did not understand this vision but would receive his explanation in the next chapter
Summary
- Daniel chapter eight describes a vision of a ram, he-goat, and a little horn
- Daniel eight’s vision parallels Daniel’s vision of chapter two
- The ram represented Medo-Persia
- The he-goat represented Greece
- The little horn represented Pagan and Papal Rome
- The little horn was described as attacking God’s people (the host), taking away the daily, attacking the Prince of the host (Jesus), and casting down the sanctuary
- The little horn would cast the truth down and cause the transgression of desolation
- These events would last for 2300 days or 2300 evenings and mornings
- The angel Gabriel was sent by Jesus to explain the vision to Daniel and the first thing he emphasized was that the vision applied to the time of the end
- Historically, this vision has applied the 2300 days to 2300 years (day = year) 457 B.C.- 1844 A.D. and applied some portions to Pagan Rome and some to Papal Rome
- In the last days, this vision applies even better to Satan as the false Christ and also stays consistent with Gabriel’s caution that it applies to the end of time
- Satan as the false Christ will trod over God’s people, take away the “daily” sacrifice by applying it to himself, trod over God’s sanctuary by ministering in it as the false Christ, and will himself be the transgression of desolation or the abomination that makes desolate
- Satan as the false Christ will appear as a king of bold appearance (see EGW G. C.p. 634), will answer mankind’s most difficult questions, will persecute God’s people, will cause deceit to prosper, will magnify himself as God on earth, will replace Jesus by being the false Christ, and finally will be broken by God (not by human hand)
- The vision of Daniel eight has clearly two applications: one historical which applies to Pagan and Papal Rome and one for the time of the end which applies to Satan as the false Christ
- The vision of Daniel eight also has a time period which has two applications: one historical and relates to the 2300 years between 457 B.C. and 1844 A.D. and one which applies to the time of the end