End Times Series
Daniel Chapter Eight
By Liaf
Up to now, we’ve seen the various empires that would arise to power, and the introduction of the "little horn" (Antichrist) in Daniel chapters 2 and 7. We shall now focus on Daniel 8 where we shall see even more detail about end time empires and Antichrist. For those who know something about end times, they may ask me, "Liaf, aren’t you jumping to conclusions regarding the brass claws and the origin of the Antichrist?" In and of itself, I’d say, "Yes, that’s a possibility. However, I will show more supporting scripture about Antichrist’s origins and the Grecian Empire." After all, the horrible beast in Daniel chapter seven represents an empire whereas Antichrist is a person who is somehow involved with this empire. Physical features of the beast that represents the empire applied to a person may be unjustified. Some ministries do teach that Antichrist is a system rather than a person and such a conclusion would not seem so illogical. Before I continue, I want to emphasize again that when I am talking about the Grecian Empire, I am not referring to a little peninsula with the lovely city of Athens. Again, we must not limit our thinking to a little area. I want folks to realize that when I say "Israelites", I am not referring to Jews in a little area of Palestine. That’s what all these Lost Tribe messages try to address. Likewise, when I say "Roman Empire" or "Grecian Empire", we must not limit our thinking to those known little countries of today. The Grecian Empire back in Alexander the Great’s time encompassed a vast area of land involving many people of different backgrounds. These Empires were meant to conquer and subdue many nations. The Grecian Empire encompassed areas south where modern Egypt is today, and all the way East to modern day middle Eastern countries (including Israel), Iraq, and portions of Iran amongst other regions. Back in the days without airplanes and other fast mode of transportation and communication, that was an extremely large region. Let’s turn to your King James Bibles to Daniel 8. Before I continue, King James by the way was the same King that was James VI of Scotland and became James I of Britain (the third overturn). This scholarly King desired the translation of the Bible into English from the original languages with "diligent comparisons and revisions" as the introduction goes. That’s another reason I like the translation.
Daniel 8:1-12: In 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.
And 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.
Then 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.
I 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.
And 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.
And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had there seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.
And 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.
Therefore 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.
And 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.
And 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.
Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
And 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.
In a nutshell, we have a ram with two horns. One horn is higher than the other. This ram is the Medo-Persian Empire symbolized by the two horns and the dominant one (that larger horn) was the Persian Empire. While this ram was pushing his way about, a "he-goat" with such speed and ferocity that his feet did not touch the ground smote the ram, broke his two horns and stamped upon him. Now this goat became great. Notice he had a "notable horn" (Alexander the Great"). This horn was broken and four new ones came up. Alexander the Great had an untimely death by disease and his four generals inherited the Grecian Empire. Out of one of these horns came that little horn. Here is that "little horn" mentioned again and we know that he will come from one of the four regions of the Grecian Empire (although it does not state which one at this point). Again, this little horn is a powerful and arrogant character and notice the phrase "daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down". Later on we shall see that this arrogant ruler will one day befriend the Israelites and allow the sacrificial system again in Jerusalem but will interrupt it, seat himself and an image in the temple, and he will turn suddenly against the Israelites. This is known as the "abomination of desolation" of the (rebuilt) temple in end times. Many theologians who take a historical perspective claim that this little horn is not Antichrist, but a very real ruler of the Selucid portion of the Grecian Empire that once existed called Antiochus Epiphanes. This wicked ruler desecrated the temple, placed an abominable image in the temple, and severely persecuted the Jews. The result was the revolt of the Maccabees that overcame his forces. They cleaned up and rededicated the temple. This is the origin of the feast of Hanukkah that we observe near Christmas time (hence another connection to end time events). Further evidence, the historical theologians say, is that the time frame of this desecration fits in well with Daniel 8:14. I will not argue with the traditional interpretation, but prophecy often has double fulfillment. These passages later on say this is the time of the end. Besides, Jesus said in Matthew 24:15-16, When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains. The abomination of Antiochus already occurred when Jesus made this prophecy. Therefore, it will happen again in the end times. What me must therefore understand is that Antiochus was a prototype Antichrist. These passages in Daniel definitely can apply to the time of the end as well. Let’s continue reading Daniel chapter eight.
Daniel 8:16-27: And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
So 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.
Now 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.
And 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.
The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.
And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.
Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
Actually, I already went over the interpretation and the Bible itself said the same thing. Somebody may ask, "How do you know that the ‘time of the end’ and the ‘latter time’ are not just references to the end of that kingdom?" These phrases are indicative of end times because later on we shall see in Revelation that the Grecian Empire will come back to power, or I should say the "beast" of that empire will arise again. Notice that if we take scripture at face value, the angel calls this Antichrist a "king of fierce countenance". This king is definitely compared to the "little horn" and thus makes Antichrist a person and not just a system although I will agree that Antichrist is part of the workings of a system. This king will ultimately be "broken without hand" by the returning Christ. In other words, it will be Christ and his Kingdom and not mere man who will finish Antichrist. Also notice I said "angel". Gabriel is a powerful angel of God. What we must understand is that as these empires came and went, they were more than powerful armies, great geographical regions and strong kings. There was a supernatural element working behind each king of an empire. These were demonic beings that empowered each ruler. This is why the apostle Paul stated, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. God allowed each one to rule to accomplish his purpose, and Satan is the "god of this world" trying to establish his kingdom and dominion contrary to God’s rule. This is a BIG cosmic chess game, my friends, and we (even rulers) are merely the pawns! Want proof? Turn to Daniel chapter ten. Daniel was left in a severely weakened state after seeing a vision, and he prayed for interpretation of the vision. An angel came to him three weeks later. Daniel 10:12-13: Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Michael is a powerful angel. He is called a "prince" and this powerful angel had to help the angelic messenger from the "prince of the kingdom of Persia". The demonic forces behind each human king were also called "princes". According to the Bible, an angel of the Lord smote 185,000 Assyrians in one night! Therefore, if an angel has this much power, do you thing some human middle-eastern satrap could withhold an angel for twenty one days? No way! But an angel may have trouble if he has conflict with another angel (demon).
We must understand that in the end times, a similar and powerful demonic force will empower Antichrist. Some Christians even refer to Antichrist, his cohort, and Lucifer as the "Satanic Trinity". Antichrist will be endowed with powers beyond the imagination compared to kings of past empires. With this being said, the next message will focus more on this Antichrist and the covenant he will make with Israel in the end times. We will then conclude our study showing exactly which one of the four regions of the Grecian Empire where Antichrist will come from.