Daniel 8:1-27
Q.1. How do the future kingdoms compare with God’s reign? How do we know that these kingdoms will oppose the nation of Israel? – (Dan.8:1-14)
Daniel was given a terrifying prophecy of the future kingdoms that will dominate the earth (Dan.8:20-21). Daniel was exhausted by what he saw because these kingdoms are arrogant and crush all before them – I saw the ram butting westward, northward, and southward, and no other beasts could stand before him nor was there anyone to rescue from his power, but he did as he pleased and magnified himself … – and there was none to rescue the ram from his power. Then the male goat magnified himself exceedingly (Dan.8:4, 7-8). Though these empires will rule the world, they will especially persecute ‘the Beautiful Land’ … the description Daniel gave to his homeland, Israel (Dan.8:9). As always, these kingdoms, especially the last, do not acknowledge the sovereignty of God. It – magnified itself to be equal with the Commander of the hosts (Dan.8:11). The description in Daniel 8:9-13 accords with Paul’s insights in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, and John’s overview of history in Revelation 12:1-4.
Q.2. How do we know that the visions are to be applied to earthly kingdoms? – (Dan.8:15-22)
Initially Daniel was confused by the vision and sought to understand it. He was promised that the archangel Gabriel had been commissioned to give him an explanation. Whatever we make of the prophecies, they cannot be dismissed as incomprehensible allegories. This is because Daniel was told that the beasts described actual kingdoms of the world – 20 The ram which you saw with the two horns represents the kings of MEDIA AND PERSIA. 21 The shaggy goat represents the kingdom of GREECE, and the large horn that is between his eyes is the first king (Dan.8:20-21 c.f. Mt.24:6-9).
Q.3. How do we know that the vision is especially applicable to the End Times? What was Daniel to do with the message? – (Dan.8:19-27)
As indicated previously, the descriptions given to Daniel were repeated by the New Testament writers, by which time some of the kingdoms had come and gone. Daniel was told to seal the vision because it pertained to the Last Days – The vision of the evenings and mornings which has been told is true; But keep the vision secret, for it pertains to many days in the future (Dan.8:26). This is the refrain given by Gabriel – 17 …Son of man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end. … 19 He said, “Behold, I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation, for it pertains to the appointed time of the end (Dan.8:17 & 19). John, in his Endtime vision that wraps up this age, referred to this seal that is broken by the Lamb, and ushers in the Great Tribulation (Rev.5:5 & Rev.Chpt.6) – 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing.” (Rev.5:11-12).