Rise and fall of a Kingdom
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Keeping things in context and perspective
Keeping things in context and perspective
We have seen the rise of the Babylonian kingdom under Nebuchadnezzar, and Belshazzar. Today we look at the rise of the Medo-Persian empire under Darius then Cyrus with a view of the Grecian empire under Alexander and then his generals and a pesty little horn who historically I believe you will find to be Antiochus Epiphanes IV from the Seleucid kingdom (part of the Grecian empire after Alexander).
Babylonian Kingdom: Head of Gold, a lion
Medo-Persian Empire: Chest of silver, bear, ram
the others are
Grecian Empire = legs of bronze, shaggy goat
Roman Empire = Feed of iron, clay, dreadful beast
This chapter that we are looking at today, as well as the book of Daniel as a whole, is written to encourage the people, the people of God (the Jews) who were under pressure,under persecution, under judgment to be sustained and encouraged that eventhough it may not seem like it, God is in control.
Date and location of vision
Date and location of vision
Ah, this one is pretty straight forward and easy to discern from the scripture.
1 In the third year of the reign of Belshazzar the king a vision appeared to me, Daniel, subsequent to the one which appeared to me previously. 2 I looked in the vision, and while I was looking I was in the citadel of Susa, which is in the province of Elam; and I looked in the vision and I myself was beside the Ulai Canal.
So, what do we know, learn, are reminded of from the scripture.
Takes place 3rd year of reign of Belshazzar
Belshazzar was coregent with his Father, Nabonidus as of 553BC, so the 3rd year would make this 550BC.
This vision follows the previous vision (subsequent)
This is now the 2nd vision given directly to Daniel, not someone else for Daniel to interpret, but to Daniel directly
The first being in chapter 7 of the four beasts
lion, bear, leopard, and then the dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong one.
It also had a presentation of the Ancient of Days and Son of Man.
Daniel needed, wanted, to know the interpretation and that was given to him.
Location: Citadel of Susa
Susa was believed to be the summer palace, vacation place of Belshazzar
This is also going to be the palace and home of Xerses as you can read about in book of Esther.
Just an interesting fact that the palace of Xerses was located and excavated between 1880-1890 with many artifacts recovered and are displayed in different museums today, including museum of the Bible.
(Transition): Now we get to the vision itself and this is a longer portion of scripture so be sure you look at your bible as I read it through. Most of the facts in the vision we have already seen before in chapter 7, the focus of this vision is the Ram and the he-goat.
The vision related
The vision related
A ram, a goat, a little horn and a holy one, lots of information packed in this subsequent vision to Daniel.
3 Then I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a ram which had two horns was standing in front of the canal. Now the two horns were long, but one was longer than the other, with the longer one coming up last.
4 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.
5 While I was observing, behold, a male goat was coming from the west over the surface of the whole earth without touching the ground; and the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes.
6 He came up to the ram that had the two horns, which I had seen standing in front of the canal, and rushed at him in his mighty wrath.
7 I saw him come beside the ram, and he was enraged at him; and he struck the ram and shattered his two horns, and the ram had no strength to withstand him. So he hurled him to the ground and trampled on him, and there was none to rescue the ram from his power. 8 Then the male goat magnified himself exceedingly. But as soon as he was mighty, the large horn was broken; and in its place there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.
9 Out of one of them came forth a rather small horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 It grew up to the host of heaven and caused some of the host and some of the stars to fall to the earth, and it trampled them down.
11 It even magnified itself to be equal with the Commander of the host; and it removed the regular sacrifice from Him, and the place of His sanctuary was thrown down.
12 And on account of transgression the host will be given over to the horn along with the regular sacrifice; and it will fling truth to the ground and perform its will and prosper.
13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to that particular one who was speaking, “How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply, while the transgression causes horror, so as to allow both the holy place and the host to be trampled?”
14 He said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be properly restored.”
Wow, look at all that information so let’s break it down some
The Ram (Dan8:3-4, 20)
A ram that had two horns
One horn higher then the other
One represents the Medes (under Darius)
One represents the Persians (under Cyrus)
This information is found in the interpretation (v.20)
20 “The ram which you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia.
The higher horn represents the Persians who were the Persians since it states came up last and that is under Cyrus the Great
The male-goat (Dan8:5-8)
Coming from the West (Greece) and coming across the whole earth
Alexander came with speed, veracity and in 3 short years was believed to have conquered the known world. He died at age 33 of malaria.
In (Dan5:8) you see the large horn was broken (death of Alexander) and four notable horns came toward the winds of heaven.
Egypt under General Ptolemy I
Syria under Seleucus
Asia minor under Lysimahus
And Macedonia under Cassander
The Little horn (Dan8:9-14)
It came from the south (Syria- under Seleucus)
I mentioned earlier who I believe, ID as the little horn is Antiochus Epiphanies IV, and where that conclusion is drawn from is books of 1&2 Macabees (Catholic Bible) as well as the historical writings of Josephus, there will be more to follow on that.
This little horn came to the the glorious land (v.8) which is Jerusalem it took out some of the stars (believed to be the saints)
The throwing down, or casting down noted (v.10) was to believe to have started with the assassination of the high priest (Onias III) and you can read more on that in 1Mac1.
According to the Maccabees this uprising, this usurping, this desecrating took place between 170-167BC
There was a great slaughter that transpired as well as in December, or believed to be December of 168 the temple was desecrated by Antiochus and an idol was set up with sacrifices then being given to the drunken God Dionysius as well as idol of Zeuss was erected in the temple .
He exalted himself to the place of the Prince of the host of heaven (v.11) to equal self with the commander of the Host of heaven (hello, who is that? It is God)
The little horn removed daily sacrifices (v.11) and with that I need to now bring you to a section of Maccabees. It will give us some more historical information for us to understand the little horn.
11 In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow.
The transgression of Israel, the breaking of covenant lead to them being handed over
12 And on account of transgression the host will be given over to the horn along with the regular sacrifice; and it will fling truth to the ground and perform its will and prosper.
Now more about little horn
20 And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude,
20 And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude, 21 And entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof,
22 And the table of the shewbread, and the pouring vessels, and the vials. and the censers of gold, and the veil, and the crown, and the golden ornaments that were before the temple, all which he pulled off. 23 He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels: also he took the hidden treasures which he found.
24 And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly.
There could be no more worship, no more sacrifice in the temple for the temple had been desecrated and in idol had been set up,set up for a time and we will get to the time in a minute.
God is just and deals with sin (transgressions) and He used Antiochus to persecute (pass judgment) on a rebellious Israel. Don’t be surprised, He used the Chaldeans to chasten (bring judgment) against Israel and you can read about that in Hab2.
More of the vision (Dan8:13-14)
I think I should read the verses again to be safe and refresh our minds
13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to that particular one who was speaking, “How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply, while the transgression causes horror, so as to allow both the holy place and the host to be trampled?”
14 He said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be properly restored.”
Sees two holy ones (angels); How long is this going to be? (v.13)
We see the answer to the question, 2300 days (v.14)
What are the end results (v.14); the sanctuary will be cleansed.
(transition) I don’t know about you, but if we stopped there, well there would be more questions than answers, there is with Daniel, he still wants to know more.
Vision Interpreted
Vision Interpreted
Questions are OK, it is OK to seek information and then we need to be patient and know that the Lord will answer in His way and in His time.
15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it; and behold, standing before me was one who looked like a man.
16 And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, and he called out and said, “Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision.”
17 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.”
18 Now while he was talking with me, I sank into a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me and made me stand upright. 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.
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.
22 “The broken horn and the four horns that arose in its place represent four kingdoms which will arise from his nation, although not with his power.
23 “In the latter period of their rule, When the transgressors have run their course, A king will arise, Insolent and skilled in intrigue.
24 “His power will be mighty, but not by his own power, And he will destroy to an extraordinary degree And prosper and perform his will; He will destroy mighty men and the holy people.
25 “And through his shrewdness He will cause deceit to succeed by his influence; And he will magnify himself in his heart, And he will destroy many while they are at ease. He will even oppose the Prince of princes, But he will be broken without human agency.
26 “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.”
27 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.
Lot’s to glean from this section, now let’s pull right from the scripture together.
Daniel seeks meaning (v.15)
God sends a servant with the answer (v.16)
Daniel fear; servants reassurance (v.17)
Vision interpretation begins (vv.17-22)
(End times picture inserted here)
Times of the end, interesting phrase and to be honest an interesting topic and much debated one. But did you know that the term “time of the end” is used many times in scripture and it must be defined by the context in which it is used. I want to give you a few to consider in your own study on the subject.
End of ones life (Mk13:13)
End of Jewish age (Heb9:26)
End of hour (1Jn2:18)
End peace in Jerusalem (Dan8:17)
End of Daniels life (Dan12:13)
End of peace in Israel is our subject at hand
Antiochus Epiphanies IV was going to desecrete the temple after a time of peace there, but, there was going to be an end to time, an appointed time for the end of the indignation (judgment) as noted back in (v.19)
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.
Here is an interesting historical fact for you, free for today. Epiphanies demanded to be worshiped as a deity; though the Jews would refer to him as Epimanies which means “mad one”
Gabriel description of the smaller (little horn) (vv.24-26)
He would be powerful, but not his power; for it is God’s power to bring judgment and Epiphanies is God’s tool
He would be a great deceiver
He would be a great destroyer
Gabriel gives instructions to Daniel (v.26)
seal it up for it is for many days in the future
(2300 days picture inserted here)
For many days in the future, let me remind you we have already been told it the sanctuary shall be cleansed after 2300 days let me give you something to think about. Now you can look out there and study and find many theories about the 2300 days and no matter what you chose this is not a salvation issue, but it is a history issue, So let me give some history.
Many days in the future, food for thought.
Prophesy given 550 BC (Dan8:1)
Selecuid Empire did not rise until 312 BC (1Mac1)
Antiochus Epiphanies was king in 175BC (Josephus)
He died in 163, so here we have 2300 days
Started in 550, ended in 163, there you have 2300 days
Daniel 8 was a sealed vision for many days in future
Now, Revelation is not a sealed book, check this out
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, 2 who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.
The subject matter at hand had to do with the rise and fall of an empire, the Grecian empire, and the rise and fall of a king and judgment on Jerusalem. There is nothing in this chapter that points to anything but what we have looked at the Ram, the goat. Context matters, history proves itself and God is faithful and one day the judgment passed on the world, the sentence is going to be carried out. And thank You Lord for His full counsel that gives us the promises, the assurance and the instructions on what to do.
(Prayer slide inserted here)
prayer