A Gruff Goat

Daniel is now going to experience another vision in which God continues to use animals to represent empires or kingdoms. In chapter 7, in Daniel’s previous vision, God gives insight into future world history with a focus on the end times. The focus then narrows specifically to the terrible things which the Antichrist will do.

This vision, which probably happened 2 years after chapter 7’s vision, seems to be a warning God shares about another terrible danger to the chosen people, the Jews that will take place 400 years after Daniel. In fact, history today recalls this terrible person as Antiochus IV Epiphanies. Many historians label him as an absolute madman. It seemed that though he ruled for only 12 or so years, it seemed his sole purpose was to destroy anyone who dared to follow the One True God.

It seems that this vision which Daniel experiences in chapter 8 may have been for him to encourage followers of God to be encouraged during one of the darkest times of their history.

We can be encouraged even amidst discouragement.

Setting - 8:1-2

The time or the setting of this vision helps us to establish a few bits of information. It’s about this point in time that Cyrus put into motion the Medo-Persian Empire. It is this Medo-Persian Empire that will wipe out Babylon and take over in about 12 years time. Again, you will remember that this vision is before chapter 5.

We do know that this is a vision which came from God. It appears that in the vision, Daniel found himself in Susa, most likely a palace or a fortified location. This is over 200 miles away from Daniel’s workplace in Babylon. Some of you may feel as though you’ve heard of this city before. That would be understandable. According to the Bible, Esther and Nehemiah lived in Susa. The Ulai Canal was actually a very large body of water. Historians suggest that it was 900 feet wide and was on the northeast side of the city.

So we’ve got the setting or location being in another Empire from where Daniel actually is; now let’s look at the vision, itself.

Subject - 8:3-14

Verses 3-4 describe a ram with two horns. From what we’ve learned already, it would be logical to understand this as the Medo-Persian Empire. This seems appropriate symbolism, since history states that the Persian ruler carried the gold head of a ram when he went out in front of his army.

Most of you would agree that most rams have two horns. However, this situation is different in that one horn came up later and grew longer than the other. Again, you recall that one part of the empire, Persia, though it started smaller and later, ended up much stronger and more powerful, making it the more important of the two.

We find a picture of the ram charging in the three directions where it didn’t yet hold territory. It seems that not one country or empire could stand against the Medo-Persian Empire.

Next, we’re introduced to the goat in verses 5-8. As Daniel is pondering the vision of the ram, there is a goat which comes into the picture. It’s interesting that it seems to be incredibly fast, in that its feet didn’t touch the ground. This goat from the West has its sights on the ram.

Later in verse 21, the angel Gabriel explains that the goat represents the Greek Empire. The conspicuous or prominent horn would symbolize the first king. And, of course, we remember the first king to be Alexander the Great.

Now for some further insight into the symbolism with this goat, we look to history, since the text does not give much explanation. Since it was coming from the west, we would understand that the Kingdom of Greece was west of the Medo-Persia Empire and Palestine. Crossing the whole earth shows that every area between them was being conquered by Alexander the Great. Without touching the ground shows the incredible speed with which Alexander the Great conquered.

Alexander was actually quite an intellectual. He is known as one of the great military strategists of history. He was educated under the teaching of Aristotle. He was only 20 years old when he took over the kingdom from his father who had been murdered. A year and a half later, he began his attacks against the Medo-Persian Empire. Within a three year period, Alexander had conquered the entire Near East.

There are some emotional descriptions made about this goat that are telling; mighty wrath . . . enraged. According to historians, there was absolute hatred because of a couple of invasions which had taken place by the Persians 140-150 years earlier. Alexander’s one driving desire was to avenge those attacks. You see how verse 7 shows total defeat of the Persian armies by the Greek armies.

This made Greece the greatest nation on the earth. Now some of you have heard of the phrase Achilles heel which is used to describe a weakness in someone. Let me give you a little interesting background on this. Alexander had become very proud because of his amazing success. This was the beginning of his Achilles heel. His hero was Achilles, who was considered to be the mightiest warrior for the Greeks in the Trojan war. Somewhere, Alexander the Great got the idea that Achilles and the false god Hercules were his ancestors. One day, Alexander the Great issued that all the provinces must worship him as a god. For obvious reasons, the Greek troops, in particular, were very resentful towards that type of order.

Interestingly, as he was coming back from Babylon, he contracted a severe fever and died when he was only 32 years of age. Yet, God even used this for the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Greek language was spread all over the world, as a common language. This common language is not classical Greek, but Koine Greek, which is the language of the New Testament.

There were two sons who were the heirs of Alexander, but they were both murdered. There was fighting and feuds in the Empire until finally it was divided into four smaller Empires led by four military leaders. This is where the four prominent horns come into the picture.

But we’re not done; for now, out of the four comes another little horn. As we look at this in verse 9-14, there is a lot of symbolism which helps to bring clarity to many other facets of our understanding of the Bible. This horn starts small (literally, as insignificant). Thus, this “little horn” in 8:9 comes out from one of the four horns; that is, he is a leader who comes out of one of the four divisions of Alexander’s kingdom. So, this “little horn” is not the Antichrist of the “latter days,” although he has a definite connection with him. He is seen as a type or shadow of the future Antichrist. History lets us know that this would be Antiochus IV Epiphanes. We’ll revisit him later in chapter 11 in Daniel. He is known because of the horrors and atrocities against those who lived in Palestine.

Antiochus called himself Epiphanes, which means God manifest. However, the Jews called him Epimanes, which means madman.

Antiochus was actually not the one who was the rightful heir to the throne, yet he gained it through bribery and lying. His conquests covered a great deal of territory. The beautiful land is called that because of its spiritual importance. This is what God had given to his chosen people.

The word for host is often used to describe angels, or celestial bodies or stars. The symbolism here, as explained in verse 24, refers to the saints. Thus, this arrogant ruler goes against God’s chosen people and even against God. Threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them shows how Antiochus would persecute the Jews; it would be quite severe. During a six-year time period, Antiochus executed thousands of Jews who would not follow his ungodly regulations.

How brutal was he? In 169 BC, he plundered the temple in Jerusalem, slaughtered 80,000 men, women, children, and infants. In December 167 BC, he put up an alter to Zeus in the temple area and offered pigs on it. In verse 1, it shows that Antiochus dared to make himself equal with God. He felt that he and the Greek gods were greater than Yahweh. Antiochus forbade the Jewish people from following the Jewish religious laws. He had copies of the Law torn and burned. If a person was found with the book of the covenant in their possession or practicing it, they would be put to death. Antiochus repressed the true Hebrew teachings and practices. He even had circumcised babies hanged.

Just as tyrants have tried to destroy the Word of God and those who practice its principles, they continue to do so.

Then the question is asked by one of the angels in the vision as to how long this will continue. This question seems to be asked for Daniel’s benefit. 2300 evenings and mornings could cover about six years and almost four months. Then, the last part of verse 14 states that the holy place will be properly restored. Interestingly, within this time frame of persecution, Judas Maccabeus cleansed and rededicated the temple on December 14, 164 BC, or possibly December 25, 165 BC. This is the feast of dedication which we read about in John 10:22. Today, the Jews celebrate this as the Feast of Hanukkah. By the way, this was not commanded by God, but initiated by the Jewish people.

But let’s go on and get a clearer interpretation of this vision in verses 15-26.

Substance - 8:15-26

While Daniel is reflecting on this vision to try to understand it better, suddenly an imposing, mighty man is in front of him. It would seem that this would be God at this point. God tells Gabriel to explain the vision.

This vision pertains to the time of the end. Some scholars hold that this is in reference to the time of Antiochus, not the end of time in general. However, others believe that there is a double fulfillment found which includes Antiochus IV and the Antichrist. Antiochus may be seen as a type of Antichrist.

Verse 18 finds Daniel in a deep sleep. Then he was roused by the angel and given further explanation. It seems that God’s wrath or indignation will take place against Antiochus, as well as those Israelites who were unfaithful to God.

As we look at verses 23-26, I am reminded of one theologians comments about why God gives visions and revelation to His people: Biblical revelations of the future are given by the Lord to his people to exhort faithfulness, to encourage during difficult days, and to comfort in suffering.

Transgressors are those who have rebelled against God and God’s ways. It is at a certain point that punishment must come. Sadly, this punishment comes in the form of a very harsh leader, Antiochus IV. It seems from the wording here that this leader is a master of intrigue. Scholars suggest that political intrigue was a strong suit for Antiochus IV. When he began his rule, his kingdom was considered fairly weak. However, it appears that God allowed him to rise to a place of power. Yet, what empowered Antiochus IV? It would seem that it came from Satan. Interestingly, the Antichrist will also be empowered by Satan. Antiochus would be extremely shrewd and would use deceit to get whatever he wanted. That which is false and full of deceit would be lifted as superior. Sounds almost like calling good, evil; and evil, good.

How self-exalting was Antiochus? On his coins he had inscribed Antiochus—the God manifest. He understood that he was the earthly representative of deity. Interestingly, we see at the end of verse 25 his demise: he will be broken without human agency. According to history, Antiochus died in 163 BC of grief and remorse when he received the news that his army had been thoroughly defeated by the Jews in Palestine.

This was going to be fulfilled as promised by God. This information was to be sealed for preservation, not hidden as a secret. Daniel was to make sure this information would not be destroyed and would be available for future generations. Interestingly, these things spoken would take place nearly 400 years after Daniel was gone.

Side Effects - 8:27

You will recall that Daniel is probably around 70 or so by this time. This frightful vision would cause an extremely powerful emotional and physical reaction. Daniel was so exhausted that he became ill from several days. After awhile, he went back to his work for the Babylonian Empire.

Daniel still seemed flabbergasted by this vision. Even today, scholars cannot fully explain this vision.

Summary

This vision in chapter 8 has to do with a time several hundred years removed from Daniel. Also, we recall that verse 17 seems to show that this is a shadow or type of what is to happen in the end. Let me try to show how there are some relevant truths for God’s people today.

One of the things I believe we can all see here is the fact that God is omniscient. He knows everything. He knows the future. My friends, we are warned that there is coming a time that Christians will have to endure suffering for Christ. There may be some of us here today or others who are listening or watching over the internet who will end up being martyred in the Name of Jesus. We can be encouraged even amidst discouragement.

Another thing which I believe is relevant is that it appears that Antiochus IV is certainly a type of the Antichrist who will arise in the end times. As we look at how horrific Antiochus was, I believe we can see what the character of the Antichrist is going to be. There are obviously many parallels between the two.

It is also helpful to understand that the little horn in chapter 8 refers to Antiochus. He comes from the third kingdom. He is a fifth horn which comes out of one of the four horns. Also, the time of persecution would be over six plus years.

The little horn of chapter 7 would refer to the Antichrist. He comes from the fourth kingdom. He will be the eleventh horn, which takes over three of the ten horns. The time of intense persecution is for 3 1/2 years.

In all of this we’ve learned today, don’t forget the main idea: We can be encouraged even amidst discouragement.