The first seven chapters of the Book of Daniel have been mainly occupied with the Gentile powers, whether as they appear in the sight of man, or as viewed by God. From chapter eight to the end of the Book the visions and interpretations in a very special way concern the Jews; many details are given that would have little interest or even meaning for the Gentile powers.
This may account for the fact that, from Dan. 2:44Then spake the Chaldeans to the king in Syriack, O king, live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation. (Daniel 2:4) to the end of Dan. 7, the Spirit of God has used the Aramaic dialect, this portion of the book being more directly concerned with the Gentiles. In Dan. 8 the Spirit of God again reverts to the Hebrew language, which is used to the end of the Book, this part of the prophecy being specially concerned with the Jews.
In Dan. 8 we have the record of Daniel's vision of the ram and the he-goat (vv. 1-14); and the interpretation of the vision (vv. 15-27).
We have seen that the second and third world empires have been pre-figured in the image by the breast and arms of silver, and the belly and thighs of brass, setting forth their imposing character in the sight of men. Again, in the visions of Dan. 7, they come before us under the figure of beasts— the bear and the leopard— to set forth their moral character in the sight of God. Now, again, in Dan. 8, the second and third empires pass before us under the figure of two animals— the ram and the he-goat— to set forth their history in relation to men. That these figures respectively set forth the Empires of Persia and Greece is not a matter of conjecture but revelation, according to the interpretation given by Gabriel in verses 20 and 21.
As these empires have passed away, the question might arise, What use can these details serve? Two things have to be borne in mind in answering this question. First, these empires, in the day of their power, had to do with God's people, and whatever concerns His people touches His glory, and is of deep and lasting importance. Secondly, we have to remember that though these empires have "had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time" (Dan. 7:1212As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. (Daniel 7:12)). Thus, to the end of the times of the Gentiles, there will still exist nations that represent these once powerful empires, and, at the time of the end, these nations will be found in opposition to the people of God— the Jews. This it is that gives such importance to the details of Dan. 8. It prophetically gives the history of these two empires in the day of their power, and their connection with the people of God— prophecies which have already been fulfilled. At the same time their past history foreshadows their opposition to the people of God in the time of the end.
In reading these Scriptures, let us, as one has said, hold these two thoughts, "that Christ is the aim and end of all the counsels of God, and that the Jews are the objects of His counsels here below." It is true that God's earthly people have broken down, and, under the chastening of God, have been scattered and are no longer publicly owned as His people. Nevertheless, they are still the people beloved for the fathers' sake, and, when the time of their judicial blindness is past they will be restored to their land and re-established in blessing. "The gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Rom. 11:2929For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Romans 11:29)). Moreover, if the everlasting love of God is still toward Israel, His eyes are still upon the Land and the Temple. The land may be desolate and trodden under foot of the Gentiles, but it is still the "land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year" (Deut. 11:1212A land which the Lord thy God careth for: the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year. (Deuteronomy 11:12)). Again, the word carne to Solomon, "I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put My name there forever; and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually" (1 Kings 9:33And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. (1 Kings 9:3)).
Keeping these thoughts before us, we can understand that everything that concerns God's earthly people, whether in the past or future, is of the deepest importance to God, for in and through this people the glory of Christ on earth will at last be maintained, and all the counsels of God for the blessing of the nations be fulfilled.
Through their sin and failure the earthly people of God have come under the indignation and chastening of God, whereby they have fallen into the bondage of the nations. Nevertheless, God is not indifferent to the ill-treatment of His people by those who have taken occasion by God's chastening to exalt themselves and persecute God's people.
The prophecies of Daniel, as other Scriptures, clearly show that in the time of the end the opposition to and persecution of God's people will take a threefold form.
First, there will be the persecution arising from the revived head of the Roman Empire, brought before us under the figure of the little horn of chapter 7. (see vv. 21, 25, and Rev. 13:1-101And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 3And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 4And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 5And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. 6And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 9If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:1‑10)). Secondly, there will be the persecution arising against the Jews, when back in their land, from their northern enemy, as set forth in the little horn of chapter 8. Thirdly, there will be persecution from the Antichrist in their midst, brought before us in Dan. 11:36-3936And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. 37Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. 38But in his estate shall he honor the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. 39Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain. (Daniel 11:36‑39) (see also Rev. 13:11-1811And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (Revelation 13:11‑18)).
It is the second form of the persecution of God's earthly people that passes before us in Dan. 8, that is to say, the persecution that comes from the Assyrian, or king of the north, referred to by so many of the prophets.
a. The vision of the ram and the he-goat (vv. 1-14)
Verses 1-2—This fresh vision appeared to Daniel in the third year of the reign of Belshazzar. The period of the first world empire was within three years of its close. In the palace of Shushan, in the province of Elam, Daniel in vision stood by the river Ulai.
Verses 3-4—He sees a ram with two horns, one being higher than the other, and this higher horn appearing after the other. This, we know from verse 20, is a figure of the Medo-Persian Empire, the two horns setting forth the dual character of the empire. One horn being higher than the other prophetically sets forth that one part of the empire would gain ascendancy over the other, and this dominating power would rise last. This we know is exactly what carne to pass. Darius the Mede who crushed the power of Babylon, gave place to Cyrus the Persian, who rapidly gained the ascendancy in the Persian Empire. The victorious career of Cyrus, and the directions of his conquest, are foretold by the ram pushing toward the west, and north, and south. No power could stand against him or thwart his will.
Verses 5-7—As Daniel was considering this ram, he saw an he-goat come from the west, moving with such swiftness that he did not appear to touch the ground. Between the eyes of the goat was a notable horn. This rough goat, we know from verse 21, is a figure of the Grecian kingdom, and the great horn a figure of the first king. In few and striking words the passage sets forth the career of Alexander the Great.
The he-goat attacks the ram with such overwhelming force that there was no power in the ram to withstand the onslaught. The ram was cast down, ruthlessly crushed with none to deliver. The figure vividly sets forth the rapidity and ferocity of the conquests of Alexander by which the Persian Empire was crushed and carne to its end as a world power, the Grecian Empire being established in its place.
Verse 8—Further, in the vision Daniel saw that the he-goat became very great, but at the summit of its power the great horn was broken, and in its place four notable horns carne up towards the four winds of heaven. Again it is impossible not to see in this picture exactly what carne to pass in history. Alexander's brief but victorious career was cut short in the midst of his triumphs, and eventually the empire was divided into four kingdoms, Syria, Egypt, Greece and Thrace.
Verses 9-10—Out of one of these four horns there carne forth a little horn. Evidently this little horn sets forth a king that arises in the north, for he pursues his conquests towards the south, the east, and the pleasant land.
This "little horn" is not to be confounded with the "little horn" of Dan. 7. The expression "little horn" may indicate that the person thus figured arises from the mass, and, apart from his own genius, would be a person of no consequence. The little horn of Dan. 7 is evidently the head of the revived Roman Empire, while the little horn of Dan. 8 is a figure of the king of the north, who is the subject of many prophecies and who will play such a leading part in connection with God's earthly people in the time of the end. For this reason, doubtless, the vision and interpretation are mainly occupied with this little horn.
It will help to notice that the portion of the vision to the end of verse 8 has already been fulfilled. At verse 9 we pass to that part of the vision the fulfillment of which is yet future. In the time of the end (v. 17), there will exist a nation north of Palestine that will attack the Jewish nation then gathered back in their land. The "host of heaven" would seem to be figurative of the people of God— those who own the rule of heaven. The "stars," as in other Scriptures, set forth those who hold a place of subordinate authority under God amongst His people (see Rev. 1:20; 2:1; 3:120The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:20)
1Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; (Revelation 2:1)
1And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (Revelation 3:1)). This northern power will be allowed, for a time, to overrun the "pleasant land," and cast down those in authority among God's people.
Verses 11-12—Here the prophet speaks more particularly of the head of this northern power, for he no longer says "it"— the power— but "he" —a person. This person will exalt himself against Christ, the Prince of the host, and "from him" (not "by him" as in our translation) "the daily sacrifice was taken away." The sacrifice will be taken from Jehovah and His sanctuary destroyed. The opening clause of verse 12 should read, "A time of trial was appointed to the continual sacrifice by reason of transgression" (JND). The meaning appears to be that the little horn will be allowed to take away the sacrifice because of the transgression of God's people. Then the vision indicates that "it," the northern power, will cast down the truth and, for a time, be allowed to prosper and accomplish great things.
Verses 13-14—At this point in the vision Daniel heard one saint speaking to another, and asking how long will the state of things of which the vision speaks be allowed to continue. Speaking to Daniel, one says that the sanctuary and the host will be trodden underfoot for two thousand three hundred days, or nearly six and one half years.
b. The interpretation (vv. 15-27)
Verses 15-18—In the verses that follow, the meaning of these visions is made known to Daniel by the Angel Gabriel. As ever, the interpretation adds further details to the vision. First, Daniel is definitely told that the vision looks on to the time of the end. Daniel, who is overcome by the vision of that which will happen to his people in the latter times, is strengthened to face the truth.
Verse 19—He is told that the vision speaks of the events that will terminate the "indignation," and that whatever sorrows intervene they will have a definite end— "at the time appointed the end shall be." The term "indignation" is a well known expression in prophecy setting forth the time during which God's indignation is aroused against His people on account of their idolatry (see Isa. 5:25; 9:19; 10:5, 2525Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people, and he hath stretched forth his hand against them, and hath smitten them: and the hills did tremble, and their carcases were torn in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still. (Isaiah 5:25)
19Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother. (Isaiah 9:19)
5O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. (Isaiah 10:5)
25For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction. (Isaiah 10:25)).
Verses 20-22—Then follows the definite application of the vision to the second and third world empires—Persia and Greece, and the division of the Grecian Empire into four kingdoms.
Verses 23-24—Further details are then given as to the little horn. He will be a person characterized by boldness and knowledge of occult mysteries. His activities will be great and yet not by his own power. Apparently, he will have the support of some other power, being himself the instrument of foreign policy. He will attack and destroy the godly of those days, the saints of God—"the mighty and the holy people.”
Verse 25—Apparently, his triumph over the people of God will not be by force of arms, but by craft, and his policy will seem to secure peace by corrupting many of the professing people of God. In his daring he will stand up against the Prince of princes. This defiance of Christ will be his ruin. Christ will destroy this wicked man "without hand," or apart from human means.
Verses 26-27—Daniel is told that the vision is true, but that its fulfillment will not be for many days to come. It is possible that the future actions of this king of the north have been foreshadowed in the history of the vile Antiochus Epiphanes who, in his day, attacked the people of God by craft and corruption, desecrated the temple, and set aside the law. Nevertheless, for the fulfillment of the prophecy we must, according to the word of Gabriel, wait for the time of the end.
The effect of these visions upon Daniel was such that he fainted and was sick certain days. In spite of the interpretation, none but Daniel appeared to understand the vision.