Daniel 8:9

Daniel 8:9 says, 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.  We now have the little horn that became powerful against the south and east.  Matthew Henry says that Daniel saw a little horn which became a great persecutor of the church and people of God; and this was the principal thing that was intended to be shown to him in this vision, as afterwards.  Matthew Henry then says that "All agree that this was Antiochus Epiphanes (so he called himself) - the illustrious, but others called him Antiochus Epimanes - Antiochus the furious."  He also defeated that pleasant land, which referred to the Jews.  Verse ten adds, 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.  According to Matthew Henry the host of heaven refers to those who believe in Christ and the stars cast down refer to their being killed, though they will never be truly defeated.  I know there are other interpretations, but I do not claim to know enough to support or dispute them.  I believe that the main message is the persecution of the church.  Verse eleven continues, 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.  This ruler will make himself the object of worship and will take away the worship of all other gods, especially the one true God.  Verse twelve states, 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.  Daily worship of God was denied.  This was all going to occur because God's people had become profane in their worship of Him. Their daily sacrifices would become ritualistic instead of being based on a personal relationship with God.  This is why God would allow them to be defeated.  Verse thirteen adds, Then 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?  Matthew Henry says that here the saints refer to two angels.  The question was asked how long this transgression against God's temple would last.  If we are suffering because of our faith in God, we may well ask how long this will last.  However long it is, it will not be forever, even if it lasts for the rest of our earthly existence.  Verse fourteen continues, And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.  Daniel did not ask the question, but the answer was given to him.  We can be certain that God knows our questions and concerns even before we express them.  This oppression would be limited to two thousand three hundred days.  The oppression of God's people will always be for a limited time, but God's deliverance of His people is for time without end.