Daniel, Chaper 8

Content of Daniel

Chapters 1 — 6: stories . . . fiery furnace, handwriting on the wall, lion’s den

chapter 7-12: dreams and visions

Dual Fulfillment

A double fulfillment or dual fulfillment of a Bible prophecy is the circumstance in which the prophecy has both a short-term and long-term fulfillment.

A prophecy is made, and the first fulfillment comes to pass relatively soon thereafter. Later, there is a second fulfillment to the prophecy, and that second fulfillment is usually fuller and more literal.

So, there is a “near” fulfillment and a “far” fulfillment . . .prophecy relating to the dual events

Chapter 7 Review

Daniel had dreams and visions of 4 beasts (4 empires)

Empires: #1Babylon - #2Medo/Persian Empire - #3Greeks - #4Romans

same basic meaning as the king’s dream of the statue but with more detail

Daniel, Chapter 8

Time frame:

Daniel had vision

400 years later first fulfillment of today’s main vision comes to pass

160 years later Jesus is born

we get to look back and marvel at the accuracy (so super accurate that people scoff)

Vision #2 and explanation

Babylon

chapter 2, King’s dream - head of gold

chapter 7 - lion wings of an eagle

chapter 8 - Babylon is not mentioned, headed toward its end anyway

starts off with Medo-Persian Empire

chapter 2, King’s dream - chest and arms of silver

chapter 7 - bear

chapter 8 - Ram with two large horns (one longer than the other) . . . Medes/Persians (Persians ended up being stronger)

no one could stand against the ram, and he did as he pleased . . . they were running things

Greece - this is the focus on the vision (we get more details)

chapter 2, King’s dream - thighs of brass

Chapter 7 - leopard with four heads, and four wings

chapter 8 - but then male goat with one horn came from the west, moving very fast, and defeated the ram, and he did as he pleased . . . (from the west under Alexander the Great)

at the height of his power, the large horn broken an replaced by 4 horns (Alexander died young and in his prime, 4 Generals from his army divided the empire and took over)

Daniel 8:9 NIV

Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land.

During this time, from on of the four sections, history shows us that a man named Antiochus IV Epiphanes became King who ruled over Syria and Israel’s land (not supposed to be king, didn’t start off very powerful, but worked his way to the top

murdered his brother

bribed his way to the top . . . called the madman by the Jews

Based on explanation given later in this chapter by the ange

he would come against Israel/Jews

stars to fall - toppled many leaders

made himself equal with God, destroyed his temple and stopped sacrifices

Antiochus Called himself illustrious

demanded they worship him as God

persecuted and hated the Jews

he stopped sacrifice in the Temple

he erected an altar to Zeus in the temple

sacrificed a pig on the altar, sprinkled the blood around and made the Jews there eat the meat

temple was desecrated

Daniel 8:12 NIV

Because of rebellion, the Lord’s people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.

Why was this guy allowed to do this? Why was he allowed to be successful?

Because of rebellion/transgression/sin. Example the high priest was a job given to the highest bidder

Daniel 8:13–14 NIV

Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled—the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot of the Lord’s people?” He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.”

two holy ones talking, How long will this last? Answer 2,300 evenings and mornings

Bible scholars debate if this means 2,300 days or 1,150 (2,300 sacrifices)

Both work! - Maccabean Revolt against Antiochus IV (hero in Jewish schools)

2,300 between persecution and temple cleansed

1,150 days between actual defilement of the temple and it being cleaned by Judas Maccabeaus

so accurate!

Daniel 8:15–16 NIV

While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man. And I heard a man’s voice from the Ulai calling, “Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision.”

Angel Gabriel is told to explain (same Gabriel that talked to Mary 500 years later)

Daniel 8:17 NASB95

So he came near to where I was standing, and when he came I was frightened and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Son of man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end.”

time of the end . . .

back to dual fulfillment

fulfilled 400 years later to Antiochus iV

rest waiting to be fulfilled

This is what the Antichrist will do

will come to power when the world is turned to evil

persecute the jews and God people

Antichirst will demand to be worshipped as God

stop worship in the temple

Angel goes on to describe the success and the defeat of the evil leader

Daniel 8:25 NIV

He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.

Antichirst is known for deciet

destroyed but not by human power

Jews record that he was killed by a painful disease that overcame him after his army was defeated

Daniel 8:26 NIV

“The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.”

written in HEbrew?

distant future hints at Antichrist and not Antiochus as the final fullfillment

Daniel 8:27 NASB95

Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up again and carried on the king’s business; but I was astounded at the vision, and there was none to explain it.

we have historical info to help us

we have the entire life of JEsus and the New Testament

Daniel only had this to go on

Three main lessons for tonight!

Lesson - the Word of God is reliable

accurate

so accurate its prophecies can often be fulfilled more than once

others are never fulfilled

You can live by it, trust it, be lead by it

so study it carefully, thoroughly, adjust your life and thinking to it

Lesson - God is in control!

God already knows what is coming

every evil person is judged in the end

God and his people win in the end

God is not surprised by anything that is happening to the world or to you

For his own reasons and purposes, sometimes evil is allowed to have a period of success . . . don’t be discrouaged

ex. some evil rulers are punishments to people who have been evil

Lesson #3 - God’s plan are next level, so just trust God

his plans and your role in those plans are really high

so you will NOT understand everything in your life, just trust God

even the great prophet was confused after speaking to an angel!

Daniel had no idea about Jesus, Christian, church, Christ coming back

Extra Lesson - repeating of dreams

we get a repeated reference: these same 4 empires referenced in King’s dream of a statue

Genesis 41:32 NASB95

“Now as for the repeating of the dream to Pharaoh twice, it means that the matter is determined by God, and God will quickly bring it about.

Announcements

Communion practice at 10am Ladies that help with communion, and the Deacons

Israel War

Genesis 12:2–3 NASB95

And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

Zechariah 2:8 NASB95

For thus says the Lord of hosts, “After glory He has sent Me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye.

Treat like a person you love/favor; like a good parent does a child

Call out evil, but looking out for best interest