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Today we will try to finish Dan 8. Last week we noted the chapter could be divided into three parts:
- The Vision, verses 1-14.
- The Interpretation, verses 15-26.
- The Conclusion, verse 27.
As a quick review,Daniel 8 opens with a vision described in verses 1-14. The vision can be divided as follows,
- The Historical background, verse 1-2.
- The Ram, verses 3-4.
- The He-goat, verses 5-14.
Today we will address the final two sections of the chapter, the interpretation and conclusion.
The Interpretation, verses 15-26.
Since Daniel did not understand what he had seen, an angel comes to give him the interpretation of the dream. This section can be outlined as follows.
- The Appearance of Gabriel, vs 15-18.
- The Interpretation of the time, vs 19.
- The Ram, vs 20.
- The He-goat, vs 21-22.
The Anti-Christ, vs 23-25.
- The Affirmation, vs 26.
The Appearance of Gabriel, vs 15-18.
Vs 15, While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man.
As Daniel is pondering what he has seen and trying to understand what it meant (the word for trying to understand is longing) a being who looks like a man appears before him. This is not a man but has a man’s appearance.
Vs 16, And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.”
As Daniel sees this man, he hears a voice from the canal calling. We are not told whose voice it is. Some have speculated it is the voice of God the Father, some the Pre-incarnate Christ, others claim it to be Michael the archangel as he and Gabirel are often associated together (see Dan 10:13, 10:21, and 12:1). Whoever it is, the voice identifies the being in front of Daniel as Gabriel. Gabriel is the first good angel named in scripture to this point. Gabriel is an important angel and was the messenger to both Zacharias regarding the birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary regarding the birth of Christ. The word for man here is Adam and is reference to man in his frail humanity as dust. We see Gabriel is to tell Daniel the meaning of the vision.
Vs 17, As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. “Son of man,”[b] he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”
As Gabriel approaches Daniel becomes terrified and falls. This response is seen elsewhere in scripture as noted in Josh 5:14, and Ez 1:28. Hebrews 13:2 states we are to show hospitality to strangers for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. Obviously, angels can appear in different forms, and as men both terrifying and ordinary.
Gabriel then notes the vision concerns the time of the end. This phrase time of the end only occurs in Daniel (8:17, 11:35, 40, 12:4, 9). In chapters 11 and 12 it refers to the days of the Anti-Christ. In this verse we can take it the same way. In other words, Daniel’s vision extended beyond the time of Antiochus.
Vs 18, While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and raised me to my feet.
This verse explains the effect Gabriel had on Daniel. The phrase I was in a deep sleep, is better thought of as a response of fear and awe to Gabriel’s voice. It is not that Gabiel put him to sleep, it is rather the voice of Gabriel knocked him out. Gabriel then revives Daniel by touching him and raising him to his feet.
The Interpretation of the time, vs 19.
Vs 19, He said: “I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end.
Gabriel now defines for Daniel what the time of the end means. The phrase “later in the time of wrath” only appears here. What time is Gabriel discussing? From Daniel’s perspective, the reign of Antiochus was still future, and this could have been the later time of wrath, but in the original language the phrase reads the wrath. It is a specific time of wrath and Gabriel tells Daniel that the wrath is appointed to the time of the end.
In Dan 7:24-26, the angel who interpreted Daniel’s vision (some think this was also Gabriel) dealt with the final king of the Gentiles, the Anti-Christ. In Dan 8:9-14 we see a description of Antiochus. Now in Dan 8:19, we see a connection between the two.
The ruler described in 8:9-14 was a type of the Anti-Christ and will be the focus of 8:23-25. What Antiochus did in history, the Anti-Christ will do in the prophetic future as verse 19b states, it will occur at the appointed time of the end.
Here is a quote from Dwight Pentecost, professor of Bible Exposition, DTS,
“The key to understanding chapters 7-12 of Daniel’s prophecy is to understand that Daniel is focusing his attention on this one great ruler and his kingdom which will arise in the end time. And while Daniel may use historical references and refer to events which to us may be fulfilled, Daniel is thinking of them only to give us more details about this final form of Gentile world power and its ruler who will reign on the earth. In Dan 8 we have another reference to this one. Daniel describes a king who is going to conquer the Medo-Persian Empire. This is a historical event that took place several centuries after Daniel lived. There was an individual that came out of the Grecian Empire who was a great enemy of the nation of Israel. We know him as Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus Epiphanes was a ruler who sought to show his contempt for Israel, the Jews, and the Jewish religion by going to the temple in Jerusalem with a sow which he slaughtered and put its blood on the altar. This man was known as one who desolated, or the desolater. But this passage in Daniel 8 is speaking not only of Antiochus in his desolation and desecration of the temple: it is looking forward to the great desolator who would come, the one who is called the “little horn” in Dan 7. In Dan 8:23 we read of this one and his ministry”
So, to summarize. Daniel 8:9-14 contain prophecies regarding Antiochus Epiphanes. Historical accounts show how these verses were fulfilled. Verse 23-25 describe things that were not true of Antiochus but will be true of the Anti-Christ.
Hence, we could paraphrase verse 19 as follows (directly from Fructenbaum), “by explaining verses 9-14 I (Gabriel) will cause you (Daniel) to understand what will happen in the time of the wrath (the tribulation) at the appointed time of the end (a set time in the tribulation period). This coming time will have been foreshadowed by Antiochus Epiphanes, who serves as a type of the Anti-Christ. His oppression and persecution of the Jews was predicted in verses 9-14, and like Antiochus, the Anti-Christ will persecute the Jews in the prophetic future, at the appointed end of the times of the Gentiles.”
The Interpretation of the Ram, vs 20.
Vs 20, The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.
In verse 20, Gabriel provides the interpretation of what Daniel saw in verses 3 and 4. The two horns represented the Medes and the Persians, yet they belonged to one animal signifying the unity of both peoples into one empire. This also supports what Daniel saw in 7:5, the bear with two sides. So, to sum it up, we have one bear with two sides, one ram with two horns, therefore one empire composed of two peoples.
The Interpretation of the He-Goat, vs 21-22.
Vs 21, The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between its eyes is the first king.
Verse 21 discusses Alexander the Great while verse 22 discusses the breakup of Alexander’s empire. The translation for shaggy is also hairy or rough. The large horn was the first king, who as we know, was Alexander.
Vs 22, The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power.
Gabriel now confirms what history has shown. Upon Alexander’s death, and 20 years of infighting, his kingdom was divided into four kingdoms among four of his generals. As we have noted before, Lysimachus took Bithynia and Thrace, Cassander took Macedonia and Greece, Ptolemy took Egypt, Israel, and Arabia Petrea, and Seleucus took Syria, Babylonia, and lands eastward. However, none of these four kingdoms achieved the power or influence of Alexander’s empire.
The Anti-Christ, vs 23-25.
Logically, the next element to be interpreted would be the little horn of verses 9-14, which we have seen referred to Antiochus Epiphanes. But Gabriel does not do this. Rather, he goes into the distant future. Antiochus thus becomes a type of another persecutor (the Anti-Christ) who will come against the Jewish people. Verses 23-25 describe some characteristics and activities of this person.
Vs 23, In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise.
The phrase, latter part, indicates the prophetic future.
Now note the phrase, their reign. The ASV and KJV has their Kingdom. Now stick with me. The antecedent of the personal pronoun “their” should be the four kingdoms of verse 22. Thus, the later part of their reign (or Kingdoms) should refer to the later part of the reign of the four generals who succeeded Alexander. However, the word for reign/Kingdom in verse 22 is in the plural whereas the word for reign/ Kingdom in verse 23 is in the singular. The switch from plural to singular indicates Gabriel was not referring to the four kingdoms of the four generals. Rather he is referencing a future singular kingdom from which the Anti-Christ will arise.
Note he will come when rebels have become completely wicked. The word, rebels, is also translated transgressors, and means one who sins. The gist of the verse is that sinners will be sinning to the fullest.
Gabriel now gives a 12 -point description of this coming person. The first characteristic of him is he will be fierce looking. He will have a fierce countenance. He will be insolent.
Second, he will be a master of intrigue. The KJV translates this as understanding dark sentences. The word for dark sentences means riddle or perplexing question. The corresponding Hebrew term was used to describe Daniel being able to solve riddles and untie knots in 5:12. Daniel could solve difficult problems because the Spirit of God enabled him. In the case of this man, he will be able to solve complex problems because he is empowered by Satan as noted in verse 24.
Vs 24, He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people.
The third characteristic of this man is he will become very strong. The phrase become strong can mean having both physical and military strength. In this case it means both. He will be strong in stature and strong militarily.
Fourth, he will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will be animated and powered by Satan.
Fifth, He will cause astounding devastation. He will be extremely destructive because he is supernaturally destructive.
Sixth, he will succeed in whatever he does. The ASV says he shall prosper and do his pleasure. This person will be able to achieve what he sets out to do. He will be willful and politically and militarily successful.
Seventh, He will destroy those who are mighty, the holy people. Some have interpreted the mighty as the leaders of Israel and the holy people its citizens. Others said the mighty are the holy people. Regardless, the Anti-Christ will attack Israel, and according to Zech 13:8 2/3rds of the nation will be wiped out.
Vs 25, He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.
Eighth, He will cause deceit to prosper. The ASV translates this phrase as through his policy he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand. In other words, the Anti-Christ will be cunning and use deception to gain political power and advantage.
Ninth, he will consider himself superior. The Anti-Christ will magnify himself. He will be prideful and arrogant. So much so he will claim to be God as 2 Thess 2:4 states, He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God (see also Rev 13:1-8).
Tenth, when they feel secure, he will destroy many. The Anti-Christ will use deception to make the people of Israel feel secure (we will study this in more detail in chapter 9), then he will attack them and destroy many.
Eleventh, he will take his stand against the Prince of princes. This simply means he will have a special antagonism against Christ.
Twelfth, he will be destroyed, but not by human power. The word destroyed means to be broken into pieces. This will not happen by conventional means; God will personally destroy him. It is like the rock of Dan 2 that will be cut out and smash the statue into pieces which the wind will blow away as chaff. 2 Thess 2;8 expounds on this event, and then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.
The Affirmation, vs 26.
Vs 26, The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.
Gabriel now affirms Daniel’s vision. First, he affirms the prophecy regarding Antiochus and the 2300 days in verses 9-14 are true (the vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given to you is true), and then Gabriel asserts the prophecy regarding the Anti-Christ is true (it concerns the distant future). Gabriel then tells Daniel to seal up the vision. The phrase seal up means to preserve. And indeed, this is what Daniel did as he wrote it down for his people to read and for us to read today.
Conclusion, vs 27.
Vs 27, I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.
Verse 27 records the tremendous impact this vision had on Daniel. When Gabriel first appeared (vs 17) he fell prostate and fainted (vs 18). After the vision he is exhausted. He is physically and mentally drained. Note he got up and attended the King’s business. This means he was working for King Bel but as we know from chapter 5, Bel did not know him, so he must be in a lower position than when he was working for Neb. The verse says he was appalled. The word is also translated wonder, or astonished. Then he notes it was beyond understanding. Other translations have but none understood it, which means he shared it with others, but they did not understand it either. Indeed, it would be difficult to fathom the kingdoms that were to come as embodied by wild and fanciful beasts.
