Shadows of the Future

1. The Vision

· Daniel is between 65 and 70 years old. (approx.. 550 B.C.)

· The things in this prophecy have both a near and far fulfillment.

· The Ram is the Median-Persian Empire.

· The Goat is Greece – Alexander the Great

o Charles Ross Wede poem.

2. The Interpretation

· The king that would rise – Antiochus Epiphanes a foreshadow of the antichrist. (theos ephiphanes – God manifest)

· He came to power approximately 175 B.C. from obscurity.

· Notice the precision of the prophecy. For 7 years he persecuted the people of Israel.

· Temple was cleansed Dec. 14, 164 B.C. Judas Maccabeus.

3. Application

· God wants you to know his purposes. (v 17)

i. He is omniscient – knowing everything in the future.

ii. He is Sovereign, nothing happens outside of his control and evil men only reign until they fulfill his ultimate purpose.

· God is at work in your life at the present.

i. God knew right where Daniel was and used him to record his purposes and plans.

ii. Daniel 8 was later used by to witness to Alexander and gain relief for Israel.

· Be comforted and continue to work for his glory.

Jesus is the fulfillment of it all, and He knows His sheep - John 10:22–30 “At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.””

The feast of the dedication was the fulfillment of Daniel 8.

Christ Vs. Alexander

Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three,

One lived and died for self; one died for you and me.

The Greek died on a throne; the Jew died on a cross;

One’s life a triumph seemed; the other but a loss.

One led vast armies forth; the other walked alone;

One shed a whole world’s blood; the other gave His own.

One won the world in life and lost it all in death;

The other lost His life to win the whole world’s faith.

Jesus and Alexander died at thirty-three

One died in Babylon; and one on Calvary.

One gained all for self; and one Himself He gave,

One conquered every tongue; the other triumphed o’er the grave.

The one made himself God; the other made Himself less;

The one lived but to blast; the other but to bless.

When died the Greek, forever fell his throne of swords;

But Jesus died to live forever Lord of Lords.