Daniel 8

A Type Of The Coming Beast (8:1 – 8:27)

In this chapter Daniel relates a vision similar to the previous ones. He sees a ram with two horns; with one horn longer than the other and growing up after the first (8:3). The ram clearly fits all the descriptions of the Media-Persian Empire and is so identified in 8:20. Faussett adds that the king of Persia actually wore a jeweled ram’s head instead of a diadem. [13] Truly this ancient united kingdom became great in the earth, expanding outward in all directions, especially toward Greece in the west, and toward Egypt in the south (8:4). The one horn higher than the other speaks of the later dominance of the Persians over the Medes in this dual kingdom.

Suddenly, Daniel saw in his vision a goat with a prominent horn. As he watched, the goat crossed the whole earth without touching the ground and crashed with great speed and fury into the ram (8:5-7). The goat is clearly meant to represent Alexander the Great and the Greek/Macedonian empire (8:21). Apparently, the goat was often used as a symbol of the Greek empire and is even found on its coins. [14] Much of the goat’s fury no doubt was brought about by the two abortive invasions of Greece made by the Persians in 490 and 480 B.C.

At twenty-two years of age Alexander, the charismatic leader of Greece, crossed the Hellespont and began a conquest that changed the course of world history. He broke the power of mighty Persia in the famous Battle of Arbela in 331 B.C., and went on to conquer much of the known world. Reportedly he wept because there was no more world to conquer. Alexander died in 323 B.C. at the young age of 32. Again as in 7:6, his four generals replaced him (8:8) because he had no suitable heir to the throne.

Now we see someone who looks very much like the Beast of chapter 7, but it is apparent that he is not, since we see this madman coming out of the third kingdom or the divided Greek Empire, and not out of the fourth kingdom which was to be the Roman Empire. Historians and Bible scholars are generally agreed that this “little horn” is the Seleucid king, Antiochus IV “ Epiphanes.” His nickname “ Epiphanes” meant “illustrious” in the Greek language. He is sometimes referred to as “the Antichrist of the Old Testament.” Antiochus ruled from 175-164 B.C., and just as Daniel predicted, he reached out to touch the “Beautiful Land,” the land of Israel (8:9). We can certainly see in this “little horn” a type of the beast ruler who is to come in the last days. Obviously, this man also had a supernatural power behind him and we are told that his evil work even affected some of the hosts of heaven (8:10).

Antiochus, in his ambitious campaigns, had invaded Egypt, but when he was repelled by the Roman fleet, he returned to vent his rage upon tiny Israel (11:30). He was determined to “Hellenize” Israel once for all and to do away with the stubborn adherents to Judaism. In order to accomplish this, Antiochus stripped the Temple of its treasures and then desecrated it by offering a pig upon the altar (8:11). He then erected a statue of the Greek god Zeus and banned circumcision, observance of the Sabbath and study of the Torah (Law). Antiochus had his soldiers rip to pieces any copy of the Bible that was found, and any person possessing the word of God was cruelly murdered. There were some in Israel who compromised and joined with the Greeks, but Antiochus’ harsh measures moved others to take a stand for God, even to face martyrdom.

The Greek-Syrian soldiers were sent throughout Israel’s countryside, setting up altars and holding official ceremonies that included the sacrifice of pigs. In the village of Modiin, not far from present day Ben Gurion Airport, the representative of the king appeared and demanded that the Jews there make sacrifice. An aged priest, by the name of Mattathias, refused and killed the king’s messenger. He then fled to the mountains with his five sons, and began a guerrilla war against the Seleucid Empire. His war-cry was this: “Let every one who is zealous for the law and supports the covenant come out with me!”

(1 Maccabees 2:27).

Mattathias died during the first year of the revolt and was succeeded by his son, Judah – known as the Maccabee, usually translated “hammer.” Down through history the family became known as the Maccabees or Hasmoneans. Judah proved to be an exceptionally brilliant commander, and with his small band he began to repel the vast armies sent against him. Judah was a leader who depended wholly upon God. He once said: “For in the sight of Heaven there is no difference between saving by many or by few. It is not on the size of the army that victory in battle depends, but strength comes from Heaven” (1 Macc. 3:18-19). He was not afraid to attack vast armies many times the size of his own. As God rewarded him with victory after victory, the terror of God fell on the surrounding Gentiles.

At last, the Temple was retaken, cleansed and rededicated. The Menorah was lit again after years of being extinguished, and the faith and nation of Israel were both preserved. According to legend, when the Maccabees reentered the Temple, they found only enough undefiled oil to fuel the great candlestick for one day. Miraculously, however, it lasted for eight days, until fresh oil could be procured. In memory of this miracle, the festival of Hanukkah was begun and continues to last for eight days.

It is interesting that the main period of oppression under Antiochus Epiphanes continued for approximately 3 1/2 years, from 168-165 B.C. Some scholars feel that this period is reflected in the 2,300 evenings and mornings mentioned (8:14). Others feel that the 2,300 evenings and mornings reflect the whole period of about seven years in which the Beast or Antichrist will be in power. The three and one-half year period is mentioned in many other places in the scripture, including Daniel 12:11 and Revelation 11:3. It is generally accepted as the final phase of Antichrist’s reign, and is known as The Great Tribulation. We are assured later that all this information really concerns the time of the end (8:17).

What can we learn from these events of history? It becomes apparent that the situation in the end times will closely parallel that of the Maccabeean period. When humanity has become totally wicked another “stern-faced” king and “master of intrigue” will arise (8:23). There will be a similar short period of great oppression. The true worship of God will be prohibited, with the newly-constructed Temple being defiled once more. The people of God will be persecuted mightily with many falling from the faith ( 8:24; cf. 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5), but some will stand against this Beast and serve their God (7:18). Daniel says of these, “ the people who know their God will firmly resist him “ (11:32).

Some readers may wish to consult the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, to learn all they can about the Maccabeean wars and the festival of Hanukkah or Dedication as it was later called. Jesus seemed to give special significance to this non-biblical holiday by attending the festival as recorded in John 10:22. The story of these brave men can be an inspiration for us to keep our lamps burning (Luke 12:35) and to keep the temple of our own heart cleansed as the forces of darkness and lawlessness close in for their final attack upon Israel and the church.

We see that this evil Antichrist will be destroyed but not by human power (8:25). Paul makes plain that this evil one will be destroyed by the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. In 2 Thessalonians 2:8 we read: “ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.”

Daniel was exhausted and lay ill for days after seeing the vision. Probably a part of his discomfort was in seeing the great suffering that was destined for his people (8:27; cf. 8:24 ). He no doubt began to compare his awesome visions with the scripture. One passage of scripture he certainly knew was Jeremiah 25:9-12 (9:2). In verse 12 of that passage it is mentioned that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. It is also possible that Daniel was familiar with Isaiah 44:28 (written centuries before), where it is mentioned that King Cyrus would command the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple. At this time Cyrus was already king of the Persian Empire, and had been so for a number of years.

Footnotes

13. Jamieson R. Fausset, et al., A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, (Oak Harbor, WA, Logos Research Systems, 1997) Comment on 8:3.

14. Charles Dailey, “Daniel –Concise Presentation Notes,” Internet electronic media, comments on Daniel 8:7. Dailey titles this section: “Galloping goat encounters rambunctious ram.” He states, “The national emblem of Greece was a goat and is found on ancient Greek coins. The ancient capital of Macedonia was called Aegae – the goat city.” He also states that the waters next to Greece were called the Aegean, or ‘Goat Sea.’ Fausett also mentions this linguistic connection in his comments on Daniel 8:5.