Daniel 8:20

Daniel 8:20 says, The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.  Gabriel begins to give Daniel the interpretation of the horns that he saw. He said the two horns were the Medes and the Persians.  That was a specific interpretation of what the two horns represented.  If we are given a specific interpretation of what God means when He speaks to us, by whatever method, then we don't need to be concerned about what else might be implied.  Sometimes, we have to interpret what the Bible means in a specific passage.  Hopefully we will do this under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Verse twenty-one adds, And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Daniel was told that the rough goat represented Greece.  Matthew Henry says that the great horn represented Alexander the Great.  He was indeed a great ruler and conquered most of the known world.  Verse twenty-two continues, Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.  The great horn was broken in to four parts, none as powerful as the original.  Verse twenty-three declares, 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.  Matthew Henry says this refers to Antiochus.  He states, "Concerning Antiochus, and his oppression of the Jews. This is said to be in the latter time of the kingdom of the Greeks, when the transgressors are come to the full (Dan 8:23); that is, when the degenerate Jews have filled up the measure of their iniquity, and are ripe for this destruction, so that God cannot in honour bear with them any longer then shall stand up this king, to be flagellum Dei - the rod in God's hand for the chastising of the Jews."  I believe that the message for us today is that above all else we cannot afford to pervert God's word to fulfill our own desires, because judgment is coming.  Verse twenty-four adds, 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.  This ruler would be mighty and destroy the holy people, those who put their faith in God.  He will also have allies who assist him in his wielding of power, even some of those who are God's people in name only.  There are always those who will ally themselves with those in power simply to gain as much as they can for themselves.  Verse twenty-five continues, 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.  He will gain this power through deceit and trickery.  For the promise of peace people will willingly give up their rights.  We should never surrender our freedom through Christ simply to live at peace in the world.  We must stand for what is right in the eyes of God, no matter the cost.  This ruler would think himself capable of standing up to the Prince of pinces, because he had magnified himself in his heart.  He would not be broken by any other person, but would fall into the hands of God, and would die a miserable death.  Verse twenty-six says, 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.  Daniel was instructed to not share the vision yet, though it would come to pass.  Matthew Henry says this is because it foretold the destruction of Persia, which was soon to defeat the Chaldeans.  This could have led to the punishment or destruction of the Jews.  God's prophecy is always to be shared at the correct time.  Verse twenty-seven adds, 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.  Daniel fainted and was sick for number of days, then he rose up and did the kings business.  Daniel could have felt that since Belshazzar was soon to be defeated that it was senseless to continue to do his business, but he didn't.  We likewise must be about the King's business today, and not let the prophecies of the coming return of Christ keep us from doing His work.  Even though we know the ultimate outcome, we are not exempted from witnessing and working for God.

Daniel 8:15

Daniel 8:15 says, And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.  Daniel had seen the vision, and then wanted to know the meaning of it.  He did not rely on his own interpretation, and neither can we rely on ours.  We must look to God for the interpretation of His word, especially when it comes to prophecies of the future.  Verse sixteen adds, And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.  Daniel said he heard a voice telling the angel Gabriel to make this man, Daniel, understand the vision.  Daniel always looked to God for the interpretation of dreams and visions of others, and he did the same for his own.  God never failed Daniel, and He will never fail us.  Verse seventeen continues. 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.  Daniel said that he was afraid and fell on his face when Gabriel came close, but Gabriel only came to help Daniel understand the vision.  When God sends His help, we do not need to be afraid, but simply need to listen to what God has to say to us.  Verse eighteen states, 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.  Daniel said he was in a deep sleep with his face down.  It sounds more like he had passed out, but Gabriel set him upright.  When we are spiritually asleep face down, God will set us upright if we listen to Him.  As Matthew Henry points out, we are no good to God if we are spiritually asleep.  Verse nineteen adds, 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. He assures him that he shall be made to know what shall be in the last end of the indignation.  Matthew Henry says that we should take comfort in the fact that even if we live during these times of calamity, that they will pass.  These days may be intermittent, but there is coming a day when God's enemies will be defeated forever.  Daniel was only told that this would be at the time appointed for the end.  Only God knows when this time will be, so we need not be concerned.

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.

Daniel 8:1

Daniel 8:1 says, 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.  The book of Daniel is not chronological, and this vision, like the one in the last chapter, occurred during the reign of Belshazzar.  When this vision occurred, Daniel seemed to be awake and the vision did not come in a dream.  God does indeed speak to us in many different ways.  Matthew Henry says it was most likely during the last year of his reign.  Matthew Henry also says that these events will also occur soon, affecting only the kingdoms of Persia and Greece.  We know that some of God's prophecies are fulfilled quickly, while others are yet to be fulfilled.  Verse two adds, 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.  Daniel states that he saw a vision and that when he saw the vision he was at Shusan palace in the province of Elam, but in the vision he was by the river of Ulai.  This was one of the palaces of Persia, and Daniel was still in Babylon, so he was there spiritually and not physically.  We as followers of Christ are already spiritually in the kingdom of God, but we may never be there physically in this lifetime.  Yet, just as the fulfillment of Daniel's prophecies was or is certain, so is the coming of God's kingdom.  Verse three continues, 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.  Daniel begins to relate his vision.  He saw a ram with two horns, one of which was higher than the other.  This was really nothing all that unusual.  Sometimes God speaks to us through ordinary things, if we are listening to Him.  Verse four states, 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.  Daniel said the ram became great and none could stand against him.  Matthew Henry says this represented the Medes and the Persians, of which the Persians were greater.  Verse five adds, 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.  There is still nothing truly extraordinary about what Daniel saw, other than maybe the fact that the goat didn't touch the ground and had a notable horn.  Matthew Henry says this refers to Alexander the Great and the Grecian empire, which defeated the Persians.  Verse six continues, And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.  Matthew Henry says this refers to the Medes and Persians, who had greater numbers in battle, but were no match for Alexander's army.  Sometimes, victory does not come to the army with the largest number.  Verse seven says, 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.  This is still a reference to Alexander's defeating the Medes and Persians.  Verse eight adds, 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.  Like all the others, Alexander's kingdom, again which Matthew Henry says this refers to, came to an end and was divided into four parts.  He said these were Syria, Egypt, Asia and Greece.  The one message that I am sure that we can get from this is that no earthly kingdom, no matter how powerful, will never last forever.

Daniel 7:24

Daniel 7:24 says, And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.  Though still dealing with this fourth kingdom, Daniel is now told that the ten horns represent ten kings, and the little horn a king who will subdue three kings.  Matthew Henry says that the understanding of what kingdom and kings this represents is not agreed upon, and I believe there may be even more views today.   He then states, "Now I cannot prove either side to be wrong; and therefore, since prophecies sometimes have many fulfillings, and we ought to give scripture its full latitude (in this as in many other controversies),"  As I have said before, I believe that the important thing to realize is that there will be many rulers, or kingdoms, that will oppose Christianity and that before the return of Christ there will be one who is especially brutal to Christians.  We may assign this last kingdom, and even this last ruler, or little horn, to any nation or ruler today who opposes and persecutes Christians, but this should never change our faith in God.  Verse twenty-five adds, And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.  When this last ruler is in power, he will speak boldly against God and wear out the saints.  He will attempt to change laws and customs, especially those relating to the word of God.  I don't believe the changing of times relates to something like daylight savings time, but to the times of the worship of God.  I know a lot of this is already happening in the world today, and it is only going to get worse as we get closer and closer to the return of Christ.  Verse twenty-six continues, But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.  This is what we as followers of Christ need to understand most of all.  Christ is already victorious, and as His followers so are we.  Verse twenty-seven states, And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.  I believe that this will really just be a restoration of the way things were supposed to be from the beginning.  People were supposed to worship and serve God while having communion with Him. When Christ returns, this will be the way it is for the saints, those who have accepted salvation through faith in Christ.  Verse twenty-eight adds, Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.  Daniel said that the matter was settled, but he was still troubled but kept the matter in his heart.  We may not always understand everything about the prophesies of God, but we can be certain of the most important one, and that is that Christ will return victorious.

Daniel 7:19

Daniel 7:19 says, Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet;  This fourth beast was different than the others, seemingly being indestructible and very cruel.  Verse twenty adds, And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.  The beast had ten horns, then another horn came up and overcame three of the other horns.  Daniel really wanted to know about the little horn with eyes and a mouth that spoke great things.  Verse twenty-one continues, I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;  Daniel saw the little horn making war against the saints and prevailing.  I believe that Daniel was wondering if God's kingdom was some day going to be defeated.  Until this fourth beast, it had been an earthly kingdom against an earthly kingdom, but now it was an earthly kingdom against the saints of God and the earthly kingdom prevailed.  We can be certain that such a time is coming when there will be all out war by the world against the saints, the followers of Christ, but I do not profess to know when that will occur, but I believe there will be little doubt when it does.  Verse twenty-two states, Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.  Daniel was told that even though it seemed that the little beast had defeated the saints that this was not the case.  This would end when the Ancient of days, God Himself, judges the world at the second coming of Christ.  Then we, as followers of Christ, will truly possess the kingdom.  Verse twenty-three adds, Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.  Daniel was told this fourth kingdom would be different than all the others and would devour the whole earth, treading it down and breaking it into pieces.  I believe that this means that this kingdom will have no concern for the world but will destroy anything and everything to carry out its purpose, especially against the saints of God.  Though we can see where this might seemingly apply to certain countries today, so could the early Christians see it as applying in their day.. 

Daniel 7:15

Daniel 7:15 says, I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.  Daniel had interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dream and the hand writing on the wall for Belshazzar, but his own dreams left him troubled.  I will never claim to understand all of Daniel's dreams and visions, but do know that they represented certain kingdoms that would rule the earth.  The most important point is the coming kingdom of Christ, when all other kingdoms will pass away.  Verse sixteen adds, I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.  Daniel had always relied on God to allow him to interpret God's message, whether in dreams or writing.  We must do the same.  Daniel asked one of those that stood by, an angel, what this dream meant.  We may not have an angel to help us understand God's word, but we have the Holy Spirit, which is even better.  Daniel was given the interpretation.  I believe that we can always rely on God to help us understand His word to us.  Verse seventeen continues, These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.  The great beasts represented four great kings, or kingdoms.  They were earthly kingdoms, and would pass away, as Matthew Henry says, like dust.  We can name four certain kingdoms that this applies to, but I don't believe that is not the main point.  Verse eighteen concludes, But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.  For me, this is what I really need to know.  We, as followers of Christ, will live forever and ever in the kingdom of God when Christ returns.  Earthly kingdoms come and go, but God's kingdom is everlasting.  Daniel then asks for a better understanding of the fourth beast, so we will look at it separately.