Daniel 8

Bible study with Dr. Chuck Missler

THE RAM AND THE GOAT (Daniel 8:1-8)

The focus is back on Israel

This vision, like the vision of Daniel 7, is given before the fall of Babylon, during the reign of Belshazzar. Starting with Daniel 8, however, the narrative switches back to Hebrew, a hint that the focus of the subject has now switched from the Gentiles back to the Jews.

The Ram is the Persian Empire (Daniel 8:3-4, 20)

The Persian Empire started out as Media Persia because Cyrus was both a Mede and a Persian, and under his rule, he united both peoples. However, as the empire grew, Persia became greater. Cyrus conquered like no other kings before him and established a great empire (Daniel 8:4).

The Goat is the Grecian Empire (Daniel 8:5-8, 21)

The Goat attacked so fast, it doesn't touch the ground. The Ram is a larger animal and stronger than the Goat. Yet with speed, the Goat nails the Ram (Daniel 8:5-6).

Alexander the Great, at 20 years old, assumed the throne of his father, Philip of Macedon. Within 6 years, Alexander the Great swiftly conquered the great Persian Empire with his skills and great speed (Daniel 8:7). At 30 years old (just another 4 years), Alexander the Great's kingdom stretched from the Mediterranean to the Hindu Cush. And just as quickly as he came up, Alexander the Great died at the very young age of 32 years old. He had a very short but impressive career, conquering many nations in a short amount of time. It was said that at 29 years old, Alexander the Great fell to his bed crying that there was no more worlds left to conquer!

At its peak, the Goat's large horn is broken (Daniel 8:8, 22)

Alexander the Great rose to greatness at 32 years old and died. When he was on his death bed, he told his advisors that his throne shall be given to the strong (as opposed to his heir). This led to the division of his empire among his top four generals (Cf. Daniel 7:6, where the Leopard had 4 heads, stressing again the 4 kingdoms that rose out of Alexander the Great's empire).

The Four Kingdoms after Alexander the Great

Cassander (Macedonia, including Greece)

Antigonus (Asia)

Seleucus (Asia)

Ptolemy (Egypt)

ANTIOCHUS IV EPIPHANES IS THE LITTLE HORN (Daniel 8:9-14)

The Little Horn of Daniel 8:9 is not the same as the one that arises out of the 10 kings (Daniel 7:7-8). For an obvious reason, the two horns are of different time periods.

Satan is the power behind kings of the earth (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28)

Antiochus Epiphanes is mentioned here for historical reasons but also prophetic reasons. He will set the stage for the final world leader.

Antiochus Epiphanes reigned as the 8th king of the Syrian Empire from 175-164 BC. He messed around with God's rituals, preventing sacrifices, etc. He went out of the way to make the lives of Israelites miserable. He outlawed Mosaic Judaism and murdered God's people who chose to continue to follow God.

2300 "Days" (Daniel 8:14, KJV)

The Hebrew text for "day" should really be translated as "evenings and mornings" (which is reflected in the NIV translation).

Are the days 24-hour days? There aren't currently any precise data to suggest it is. However, if it were, it would fit loosely with the desecration of the Temple by Antiochus Epiphanes that eventually led to the Macabbean revolt and the cleansing of the Temple within 6-7 years (Daniel 8:9-14).

Antiochus Epiphanes's deeds culminated at the erecting of an idol in the Holy of Holies. The Macabbeans took that as the last draw, and in three years, they successfully revolted against and overthrown Antiochus Epiphanes. The Temple was then re-dedicated, and this successful revolt is celebrated every year as Hanukkah.

The "evenings and mornings" could also be referring to offerings, aka evening and morning offerings. Thus, 2300 evening and morning offerings would actually be 1150 days. This is 110 days short of 1260 days (the most documented period of time known as the Great Tribulation). Scholars therefore suspect that this is using Antiochus Epiphanes as a type of Antichrist.

ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES FORESHADOWS THE ANTICHRIST (Daniel 8:15-25)

The purpose of this vision is not just the Ram or the Goat. It is also to provide insight on the character of Antiochus Epiphanes. Why? Because he foreshadows the coming world leader, the Antichrist to come.

Daniel 8:19

This vision is related to the end times. 

Daniel 8:23

There is a switch in tone here. The focus switches to talk about the LATTER DAYS, where transgressors have come to full.

THE ANTICHRIST

"King of fierce countenance" (KJV)

This is one of the 33 titles used in the Old Testament to describe the Antichrist.

"Not by his own power" (Daniel 8:24)

The Antichrist, just as Antiochus Epiphanes was, will be powered by Satan (Revelation 12:9, 13).

"By peace he shall destroy many" (Daniel 8:25)

The Antichrist will not come as a military leader but a peacemaker who eventually becomes very powerful. 

The Antichrist will... (Daniel 8:24-25)

- Achieve great power by subduing others 

- Rise to power by promising false security

- Be intelligent and persuasive

- Be controlled by another, namely Satan

- Be a great adversary of Israel

- Subjugate Israelites to his authority 

- Rise up in opposition to the Prince of princes, Jesus Christ 

- Be terminated by divine judgment