The Book of DANIEL Chapter 8 From now till the end of the book, Daniel wrote in Hebrew and

the visions were meant for Israel. This chapter will focus on 3 As: Big horn (Alexander the Great), the little horn (Antiochus Epiphanes), and the ultimate horn (Anti-Christ), were three distinct characters with startling similarities. Daniel is introducing us to the ultimate antichrist, the ultimate pseudochristos, antichristos, the false messiah, none other than the son of perdition, the man of sin that we know as antichrist. But along the path of chapter 8, he introduces us to two other individuals in history. Two who have not even lived when he wrote this, but who would live and would fulfil explicitly the prophecies indicated in this chapter. It is not only a prophecy of the antichrist, it is a prophecy of two who will come as other false messiahs, and by their own lifestyle and pattern, they will reveal something of the power and the character of that final antichrist. They're like signposts along the way to remind society as it moves through history to its consummation of what the false messiah will be like. (MacArthur) 1 In the third year of Belshazzar around 551 BC when the mighty Babylonian Empire was still secure and prospering. A vision appeared unto me this time Daniel was not asleep and he was standing (8:17). After the first after the first year of the reign of Belshazzar 2 Shushan named from its abundant lilies. About 200 miles east of Babylon is this insignificant town in the province of Elam, South-Western Iran today. Cyrus' conquest transferred Shushan to Persia. Darius Hystaspes and the Achaemenian princes made it the capital. He founded the grand palace described in Esth 1:5-6. Near Persia, cooler than Babylon, and having excellent water, Shushan was a suitable metropolis of the Persian empire. Shushan lay between the two streams of the Eulaeus and the Shapur. Canals joined the two and so surrounded the citadel of Shushan. The Coprates or "river of Dizful" and the right branch of the Choaspes ("Kerkhah") flowed a few miles E. and W. of the city. Hence arose its famed fertility. (Fausset Dictionary in E-sword) Shushan was mentioned in Esther and Nehemiah. Palace castle, citadel or palace. By the river Ulai Eulaaeus? "The Ulai [Canal] can best be identified with an artificial canal which connected the rivers Choastes [or Choaspes, modern Kerkha] and Coprates [modern Abdizful] and ran close by Susa."(Montgomery) 3 Daniel saw a ram which had two horns but the one that grew last was longer than the other. Horns means power, dominion or strength. The Medes helped Babylonians to crushed Assyria, was longer in power before the Persians. The higher horn springing up last denotes Persia that became the more mighty power of the two when Cyrus became the king and united the two empires into the Medo-Persian Empire (verse 20). Kings and generals from Persia going to war wore headgear made of ram s head. Persia celebrates its new year when the sun enters Aries. Also, in the ancient world, different zodiac signs represented various nations. Aries, the ram, stood for Persia, and Capricorn (Latin caper, goat, and cornu, horn) was Greece. 4 I saw the (singular) ram pushing westward, and northward and southward - this Medo-Persian power is represented as coming from the east. On the west, the conquests embraced Babylonia, Mesopotamia, Syria, and Asia Minor; on the north, Colchis, Armenia, Iberia, and the regions around the Caspian Sea; and on the south, Palestine, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Lybia - Lengerke (Barnes). The reference point was Sushan. He did according to his will and became great - in his early conquests from 549 to 539 BC Cyrus met with no successful opposition. (Isa 45:1) 5 Daniel saw a He-goat agility / speed (touched not the ground), tough (rough v21) and aggressive (fury of his power v6), came from the west west of Medo2 Persia Empire. The goat had a notable horn between his eyes interpretation given in v21. 7 Rammoved with choler Alexander was motivated with bitterness against the Medo-Persians who previously invaded Greece with cruelties. Battle after battle, Alexander, the military genius overcame the Persians with numerical superiority.

Alexander won two significant battles in Asia Minor in 334 B.C. and in 333, first at the Granicus River and then at Issus in Phrygia. Alexander finally subdued Persia with a decisive victory at Gaugamela near Nineveh in 331 B.C.314. 8 When he was strong, the great horn was broken Alexander was about twenty years old when he began his wars. When he was about twenty-six he conquered Darius, and became master of the whole Persian empire; but when he was about thirty-two or thirty-three years of age, when he was strong, in his full strength, he was broken. He was not killed in war, in the bed of honour, but died of a drunken surfeit, or, as some suspect, by poison. (M Henry) The empire was in full strength at Alexander s death by fever at Babylon, and seemed then least likely to fall. (JFB) Came up four notable ones The Greek Empire was divided among four of Alexander s generals: Seleucus, in the east, obtained Syria, Babylonia, Media, etc.; Cassander, in the west, Macedon Thessaly, Greece; Ptolemy, in the south, Egypt, Cyprus, etc.; Lysimachus, in the north, Thrace, Cappadocia, and the north parts of Asia Minor. 9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn out of the four horns came forth a little horn. This little horn is not to be confused with the little horn of Dan 7:8 Which waxed exceeding great - Which became exceedingly powerful. It was comparatively small at first, but ultimately became mighty. All commentators were unanimous that the little horn was Antiochus Epiphanes. The extant Syriac version of the Old Testament has inserted here, in the Syriae manuscript, the words Antiochus Epiphanes, and almost without exception expositors have been agreed in the opinion that he is referred to. (JFB and Barnes). Pleasant land land of beauty and splendour, referring to Judah / Israel. Antiochus, on his return from Egypt, turned aside and invaded Judea, and ultimately robbed the temple, destroyed Jerusalem, and spread desolation through the land. See 1 Macc. 1. (Barnes) What is the reference point for these directions? History has identified this little horn as Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), the eighth king of the Seleucid dynasty. He ruled Syria from 175 to 164 B.C. (cf. 1 Macc. 1:10; 6:16), and he conducted military campaigns in all of these directions (cf. 1 Macc. 1:20). Therefore, the point of reference must be Syria. (Constable) 10 It waxed great it became very powerful. Even to the host of heaven - the natural idea would seem to be that he wished to place himself among the stars, or to exalt himself above all that was earthly. Cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground the horn seemed to grow up to the stars, and to wrest them from their places, and to cast them to the earth. Antiochus, in the fulfilment of this, east down and trampled on the princes, and rulers, and people, of the holy host or army of God. All that is implied in this was abundantly fulfilled in what he did to the Jewish people. Compare 1 Macc. 1, and 2 Macc. 8:2. (Barnes) And stamped upon them the picture of indignation and contempt. 11 Prince of the host interpreted as either the High Priest or God Himself. The lamb for the morning and evening daily sacrifice was taken away either from the priest offering or from God to it was offered. Sanctuary was cast down when the sanctuary was torn down or profaned which rendered the worship of God useless (1 Macc 1:4449). Antiochus (lit. illustrious one) effectively exalted himself to a position of superiority over Yahweh, the commander (or prince) of the host (the Jews). Antiochus did take to himself the boastful name "Theos Epiphanes," which means "[divine] manifestation" as 3 seen in the many coins excavated bearing this title. The Jews changed his name slightly to Epimanes, meaning "madman." 12 An host was given referring to a segment of the Jews betrayed the people of God by reason of transgression to abort the daily sacrifices. The word of God as preserved in the OId Testament scrolls (truth) was cast down to the ground. The little horn continued its practice and prospered. 13 The events of the last two verses prompted one (unnamed) saint (angel in Strong s) to ask how long the atrocities will continue. 14 Another angel gave answer to the last question to Daniel. Unto two thousand and

three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed after 2,300 days, the sanctuary shall be cleansed. On December 25, 164 B.C., Judas Maccabaeus, a Jewish nationalist, led the Jews in rededicating the temple to Yahweh. This is the event that Jews have celebrated with Hanukkah ever since. (Constable) "A persecutor of the Jews in Russia asked a Jew what he thought the outcome would be if the wave of persecutions continued. The Jew answered, 'The result will be a feast! Pharaoh tried to destroy the Jews, but the result was the Passover. Haman attempted to destroy the Jews, but the result was the Feast of Purim. Antiochus Epiphanes tried to destroy the Jews, but the result was the Feast of Dedication - Hanukkah.'" (Campbell Decoder of Dreams) 15 The interpretation of Daniel's vision, as given by the angel, falls within the vision itself and Daniel sought for the meaning of the vision. A man H1397 _ geber gheh'-ber From H1396; properly a valiant man or warrior; generally a person simply: every one, man, X mighty. This man is not the normal man (Adam), human being that God created. 16 A voice from an invisible speaker came forth from the river Ulai addressing Gabriel, Gods PR Executive to enable Daniel to understand the vision. 17 This son of man is referring to Daniel, a man. For at the time of the end shall be the vision undoubtedly to inform Daniel that this vision would be about the events in the future, at its very end. Yet does it refer to the time of Antiochus Epiphanes exclusively, or does it refer to the end times before Jesus Christ returns, or both? 18 Daniel became comatose (deep sleep on my face toward the ground) before the presence of the holy angel, Gabriel or the content of the vision was overwhelming him with exhaustion. But he touched me, and set me upright the angel touched Daniel and strengthened him to stand on his feet like Saul of Tarsus in Acts 26:16. 19 What shall be in the last end of the indignation In the future time when the Divine indignation shall be manifest toward the Hebrew people; to wit, by suffering the evils to come upon them which Antiochus would inflict. It is everywhere represented that these calamities would occur as a proof of the Divine displeasure on account of their sins. Compare Dan 9:24; Dan 11:35; 2 Macc. 7:33. (Barnes) 22 Not in his power - No one of these four generals empire had at any time the power which was wielded by Alexander the Great. 23 When the transgressors are come to the full when the zenith of the sinfulness is reached. Fierce countenance fierce looking face. Understanding dark sentences The meaning seems to be that he would be politic and crafty, seeking to make his way, and to accomplish his purpose, not only by the terror that he inspired, but by deceit and cunning. (Barnes) Or, it could also mean that he was able to communicate with demons of the dark underworld. 24 He shall be powerful by being empowered by dark forces. Wonderfully extraordinary manner. Holy people the godly Jews. 25 His policy will be made with wisdom and craft / cunningness for personal gain (prosper in his hands). And he shall magnify himself in his heart - shall be lifted up with 4 pride, or esteem himself of great consequence. Peace In Hebrew, it means security, abundance and quietness. Here the phrase seems to mean in the midst of security (Gesenius, Lexicon); that is, while they were at ease, and regarded themselves as in a state of safety, he would come suddenly and unexpectedly upon them, and destroy them. Prince of princes God. But he shall be broken without hand - alluding to his being a horn; it is expressive of his death and the manner of it; that he should not die by the hand of an enemy in battle, nor be assassinated by the hand of a ruffian, but be cut off by the immediate hand of God. (2 Mac 9:5) Wherefore shut thou up the visions Seal it up. Make a record of it, that it may be preserved, and that its fulfilment may be marked (Barnes). 26 Daniel returned to his job as one of the three presidents of the Medo-Persian Empire after his medical leave of several days. "There is a price to be paid in physical

terms for spiritual revelation." (Baldwin) He also went around telling others (Jews) about the vision but none understood it. THE CONQUERORS Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three. One lived and died for self; one died for you and me; The Greek died on a throne; the Jew died on a cross; One's life a triumph seemed; the other but a loss. One led vast armies forth; the other walked alone. One shed a whole world's blood; the other gave His own. One won the world in life and lost it all in death; The other lost His life to win the whole world's faith. Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three. One died in Babylon, and one on Calvary. One gained all for himself; and one Himself He gave, One conquered every throne; the other every grave. The one made himself God, the God made Himself less, The one lived but to blast, the other but to bless. When died the Greek, forever fell his throne of swords; But Jesus died to live forever Lord of lords. Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three. The Greek made all men slaves; the Jew made all men free. One built a throne on blood; the other built on love. The one was born of earth; the other from above. One won all this earth, to lose all earth and heaven. The other gave up all, that all to Him be given. The Greek forever died; the Jew forever lives. He loses all who gets, and wins all things who gives. Charles Ross Weede

By Elder Lee ST