Dave Burnette's Commentary

Daniel Chapter 8

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Daniel
Date Penned: BC 536 (Covering Events BC 605-536)
Overview: Daniel's Visions (c 7-12)
Theme: Daniel's Visions testify that God is in Control (c 7-12)
Message: Daniel Dreams of a Ram and Goat (v 1-27) 

 
Daniel: Chapter 8 Commentary 
 
(8:1) As with chapter 7 this chapter precedes chapter 5 chronologically, the dream probably occurred in 551 BC when Daniel was about 70 years old. It gives us more details about the Medo-Persian and Greek Empires, the two world powers that followed Babylon.

(8:2) Susa (Sushan) was one of the Babylonian Empire's capitals at this time. Located in what is now Iran, it was a well developed city. The earliest known code of law, the code of Hammurabi, was found there. Susa rivaled Babylon itself in cultural sophistication. 

(8:3) The 2 horns were the kings of Media and Persia. The longer horn represented the growing dominance of Persia in the Medo-Persian Empire. 

(8:5-7) The goat represented Greece, and its large horn, Alexander the Great. This is an amazing prediction because Greece was not considered a world power when this prophecy was given. Alexander the Great conquered the world with great speed indicated by the goat's rapid movement. Breaking off both horns symbolized Alexander breaking both parts of the Medo-Persian Empire.

(8,8) Alexander the Great died in his thirties at the height of his power. His kingdom was split into 4 parts under 4 generals.

(8:9) Israel ("the pleasant land") was attacked by Antiochus IV Dpiphanes (the"little horn") in the second century BC He overthrew the High Priest, looted the Temple, and replaced worship of God with a Greek form of worship. A gutther fulfilment of this prophecy will occur in the future with the coming of the Antichrist.

(8:11) The "prince of the host" here refers to a heavenly authority, perhaps an angel, found also in Joshua chapter 5.

(8:14) The 2300 days refers to the time from the desecration of the altar in the Temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes to the restoration of Temple worship under Judas Maccabeus in 165 BC

(8:17) The time of the end, in this case, refers to the whole period from the end of the exile until the second coming of Christ. Many of the events that would happen under Antiochus IV Epiphanes would be repeated on a broader scale just before Jesus Christ's Second coming. During these times, God Deals with Israel in a radically different way, with divine discipline coming through Gentile nations.. This period is sometimes referred to as the "times of the Gentiles" found in Luke chapter 21.

(8:23) This fierce king may describe both Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the Antichrist at the end of human history.

(8:25) The Prince of Princes is God himself. No human power could defeat the king Daniel saw in his vision, but God would bring him down. Anticochus IV Dpophanes died insande in Persia in 164 BC  

 


David Burnette's Life Application


No Need to Worry

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue with the Book of Daniel with Chapter 8. In our text today we see more prophecy that has and will come to pass even the future of Alexander the Great. What catches my eye is how the Lord used all of our efforts, both good and bad to accomplish His Will. In making application we see that the Lord is in total control. We need not fret or worry for we know who holds tomorrow. Yes, we do reap what we sow and we need to make wise decisions but we are in the Lord's hands and He will protect and provide us. How about you? Do you worry? Let us learn from our text today and the fulfilled prophecy of Daniel to see that Lord is in total control and we need not worry but simply need to be obedient to our Heavenly Father who provides and protects us every day.

 

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Daniel 8

Daniel 8

 1In 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.

 2And 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.

 3Then 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.

 4I 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.

 5And 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.

 6And 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.

 7And 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.

 8Therefore 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.

 9And 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.

 10And 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.

 11Yea, 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.

 12And 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.

 13Then 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?

 14And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

 15And 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.

 16And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

 17So 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.

 18Now 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.

 19And 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.

 20The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.

 21And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

 22Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.

 23And 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.

 24And 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.

 25And 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.

 26And 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.

 27And 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.