The Book of DANIEL Chapter 8 “THE VISION REFERS

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The Book of DANIEL Chapter 8 “THE VISION REFERS TO THE TIME OF THE END!” Introduction: The prophecy of this chapter will take place between 551 – 0 B.C. This chapter gives details of the second and third kingdoms, which are the silver and bronze, also known as the bear and the leopard, which is the Medo-Persian and Grecian empires. There’s also a dual revelation of two desolations in the Temple against the Jews and the God of Israel. The first will be under Antiochus IV Epiphanes in approximately 170 B.C. and the later is during the time of the final Antichrist of the last days (2 Thess. Ch. 2; Rev. 13).

I)

Daniel’s Vision of the 2nd & 3rd Empires (a detailed report) (v1-14) -

The RAM- Medo-Persian Empire The MALE GOAT- Grecian Empire “large broken horn”- Alexander the Great (died at 32 to 33 years old) “four notable ones” – Four Generals divide the Grecian Empire: - Lysimachus- Asia Minor - Cassander- Europe - Seleucus- Asia - Ptolemy- Egypt & North Africa “the little horn”- Antiochus Epiphanes- The “little horn” of this chapter is not the same as described in the previous chapter. There the little horn arises out of the fourth kingdom; here the little horn comes out of the third kingdom. This little horn is historical, with the little horn of chapter 7 is to be revealed in the future. The little horn being presently considered came out of Syria from the Seleucid dynasty. He was Antiochus IV, or Epiphanes, the son of Antiochus the Great. He is sometimes called Epimanes, “the madman”—he was another demented ruler. Antiochus came to the throne in 175 B.C. and he made an attack on Jerusalem. It was against him that the Maccabees were raised up in Judah. Anti-Semitic to the core, he tried to exterminate the Jews. He placed an image of Jupiter in the Holy Place in the temple in Jerusalem. This was the first “abomination of desolation.” He also poured swine broth over all the holy vessels. Antiochus was a devotee of Jupiter of whom he may have thought himself an incarnation. He chose for himself the title Theos Epiphanes, meaning “God manifest.”1 “Glorious Land” is Israel “cast truth down to the ground”- The devil will always use people to cast truth to the ground, (John 18:28-38) “2300 days”- Antiochus’ persecution, Sept. 6, 171 B.C. to Dec. 25, 165/4 B.C. After his death, Jews celebrated the cleansing of their holy place in the Feast of Lights, or Hanukkah, in celebration of the restoration led by Judas Maccabeus. In John 10:22 we read: “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication [rededication or Lights], and it was winter.” This was one of the holy days celebrated at the time of Christ and which is still remembered by the Jews. It is a feast not mentioned in the Old Testament at all, because it was established in the intertestamental period between the Old and New Testaments. (2300 day sidenote on 7th Day Adventistism)

II)

Angel Gabriel’s Interpretation (Preview of the Antichrist) (v15-22)

Two Ends: (v17) “time of the end” (v19) “in the latter time of the indignation for at the appointed time the end shall be.” Scofield writes, Two “ends” seems to be in view here: (1) historically, the end of the third empire (Grecian) of Alexander, out of one of the divisions of which (Syria) the little horn of v.9 (Antiochus Epiphanes) arose; and (2) prophetically, the end of “the times of the Gentiles (see Lk. 21:24 and Rev. 16:19)—Daniel’s final time of the end (see Dan. 12:4).

III)

The Future Antichrist (Great Tribulation) (v23-27) “fierce features”- The Beast “sinister schemes”- Political prowess “not by his own power”- Satanic “destroy fearfully”- A war machine “deceit to prosper”- Economic plan “destroy prosperity”- Mark of the Beast “666” “exalt himself”- Declare himself to be God “rise against the Prince of princes”- Blasphemies “broken without human means”- Smashed by a stone from Heaven (Jesus the Victor!)

1

J. Vernon McGee- Thru the Bible Commentary, pg. 579,580