[:en]SCRIPTURE: DANIEL 8
“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. The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat is the king of greece, and the large horn between his eyes is the first king. 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” (Daniel 8:19-22)
“In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 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 the mighty men and the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and feel secure, he will destroy many and take the stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power” (Daniel 8:23-25)
DANIEL’S VISION OF A RAM AND A GOAT
Daniel was in Susa, the province of Elam when he got this vision. There was a ram with two horns. He was so great that no animal could stand against him. Suddenly, a goat with a prominent horn between his eyes came and attacked the ram shattering his two horns. The ram was knocked down to the ground. But at the height of his power, the goat’s horn was broken off. Four prominent horns grew up.
Then, there came another horn which grew its power until it reached the host of the heavens. It trampled down the starry host and set itself as the Prince of host. The daily sacrifices were given to it and it prospered in everything it did.
Then the holy one spoke: “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings before the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.
THE INTERPRETATION OF THE VISION:
Daniel was in Persia. In this vision, God pictured Persia as a ram and Greece as a male goat (vs. 19-22). The prominent horn (v. 5) is Alexander the Great, who conquered many nations including Persia and built great kingdom. After his death, this kingdom was divided into four parts by four of his generals (v. 8). The “little horn” (vs. 9-14) represents the evil general, Antiochus Epiphanes, who invaded Palestine, defiled the Jewish temple and captured the Jews. He is a picture of the world ruler to come – the Anti-Christ (vs. 15-26)
The vision made Daniel exhausted. He became sick for several days before returning to work. He was appalled by the vision because it was beyond understanding (v. 27)
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