Sermon Tone Analysis
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The Vision
(vs. 1) Daniel saw this vision in the third year of Belshazzar’s reign in Babylon.
(Vs.
2) Daniel saw this vision while he was in Shushan, in the province of Elam, by the river Ulai.
Daniel’s Map
Daniel’s Map - Closer Look
Why was Daniel in Shushan and not in Babylon?
You may realize that Shushan later is the residence of Queen Esther during the rule of Ahasueras, the king of the Medes & Persians.
The vision of Daniel chapter eight took place around 550 B.C. which places it near the end of Daniel’s life.
Therefore, it could be that Daniel was in “retirement” or, seeing that the Medes & Persians were already, at that time, gaining power, Daniel could have been in Shushan on official, government business.
(Vs. 3) Daniel saw a ram with two horns.
The second horn was higher than the first.
(Vs.
4) This ram, coming from the east, pushed in all directions.
No one was able to stop the ram.
(vs.
5) Daniel then saw a “he goat” rapidly coming from the west.
This “he goat” had a “notable horn” (It was very distinguished and notable.) between its eyes.
(vs.
6-7) The “he goat” destroyed the ram.
(vs.
8) The “he goat” became great.
However, its one horn broke and four other horns took its place each facing one of the four corners of the earth, north - south - east - west.
(vs.
9) Out of one of those four horns came a little horn (Note: This little horn is not the same as the little horn in Daniel chapter 7.).
This little horn became great toward the south, east, and toward the “pleasant land.”
(This “pleasant land” is a reference to Israel, the Promised Land.”
(vs.
10) This little horn become great.
(vs.
13-14) Daniel hears two angels (saints - “holy one”) speaking.
One asks, “How long?”
The other responds, “2,300 days.”
The Interpretation
Then, in vs. 19...
This is the first time that we are introduced to the angel, Gabriel, the messenger of God.
He it is that gives the interpretation of the vision to Daniel.
Gabriel gets straight to the point and pretty much wraps up the interpretation in just a few verses
Now, all of that prophecy has already been fulfilled.
History records for us the very facts that Daniel 8:20-22 record.
It is because of this very precise and accurate prophecy, that some have tried to discredit it.
For , there are those who do not believe that God was able to reveal future events through His prophets.
But, if God is God; if He has always been and always will be; then He should have no problem revealing future events because He has already been there.
God is limited by time.
He created time.
At times, prophecy can have a present fulfillment and a future fulfillment.
Almost all conservative Bible scholars agree that this is the case with the little horn of Daniel chapter 8.
Present Fulfillment
Most Bible scholars agree that the little horn described in this chapter found its present fulfillment in Antiochus IV (Epiphenes), the grandson of Alexander the Great.
(The inscription on the pictured coin reads, “King Antiochus, image of God, bearer of victory.”
Antiochus gave himself the name, “Epiphanes,” which is Greek for, “God Manifest.”
Antiochus IV captured Jerusalem in 167 BC and desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem by erecting a statue of the Greek god, Zeus, and then offering the sacrifice of a pig on an altar to Zeus.
In seeking to put down the Jewish rebellion, Antiochus forbade the Jews religious practices and commanded that copies of the Law be burned.
This all leads us the the future fulfillment...
Future Fulfillment
While Antiochus Epiphanes is a tyrannical figure in Jewish history, he is also a foreshadowing of the coming Antichrist.
The actions in this chapter find their fulfillment in Antiochus IV but will also find their fulfillment in the Antichrist of the Tribulation period.
The Application
God’s Word is True
We see this truth time and time again in the book of Daniel.
In fact, I have preached about this truth numerous times as of late.
Fulfilled prophecy proves God’s Word to be true.
What is the test of a prophet?
Whether their prophecy come to pass.
Daniel’s prophecy have come to pass and they will come to pass just as the other prophecy in God’s Word.
Why? because it is God’s Word.
However, as I was preparing for this message, the question kept coming to my mind, “So, what can Daniel chapter 8 teach us?
How can we apply Daniel chapter 8?”
Well, Bro.
Ron Faulk answered that question for me and he doesn’t even realize that he answered it.
The Iowa Hawkeyes were playing a terrible game.
I thought, “What’s the point of watching the game?
They’re just going to lose.”
It was then that Ron Faulk sent me a text message that simply read, “Iowa - 79 Cincinnati - 72 Final.”
When I saw that, it gave me a reason to watch the rest.
I wanted to find out how they did it!
God’s Word is Comforting
Most of Daniel’s life was spent in the “secular world.”
I’m sure that, at times, he got discouraged as he saw the mess that society was in.
This vision made Daniel sick.
In a sense he was overwhelmed at what was to happen to his people and to the Temple in Jerusalem.
(“The Temple is going to be rebuilt only to have it desecrated!?!?!?”)
There was no “good news” in Daniel chapter 8.
At times, I’m sure, he had to remind himself of the final outcome!
He had to find comfort in God’s Word.
Maybe, like Daniel, we find ourselves “losing the game” and there doesn’t seem to be any reason to keep going.
In fact, we can get to the point where we almost convince ourselves that we would be better off simply giving up.
We think, “What’s the use?!?!”
At those times, we are able to go to God’s Word.
God’s Word gives hope; God’s Word gives comfort.
Turn to and read Psalm 119:50-56.
In spite of everything that is around us and even in us that is shouting, “Just quit!
Just give up!” with a renewed hope in God, let’s keep pressing on!”
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