The book from this chapter on is not written in Aramaic, the common language. It is now written in Hebrew so it is now distinctly a message to the Jews!
551 BC – Daniel is about 68 years old.
Acts 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:1 – It is not for us to know when the day of the Lord will come. The fulfillment of these prophecies offer proof of God’s existence and that He speaks to and through His people. Their fulfillment also offers hope to us as we wait for His return – patiently – so that no one may be lost.
8:1 – precedes chapter 5. Dream probably occurred in 551 BC. (Life App SB/NIV SB) 550 BC. (Blueprint – Arthur)
8:2 – Susa is where Esther lived prior to moving to the Persian king’s palace.
8:3 – Two horns of ram are the kings of Media and Persia (8:20). The higher horn represented the growing dominance of Persia within the empire. (Life App SB/NIV SB)
8:5 – crossing the whole earth without touching the ground – what doesn’t touch the ground? Ideas, teachings, language, philosophies, The Gospel, things not of this world. Perhaps this is another reference to speed in conquest.
8:5-7 – the goat represented Greece and the notable horn, Alexander the Great (8:21). This prediction is amazing because Greece wasn’t considered a world power when the prophecy was given. The goat’s rapid movement is symbolic of how quickly Alexander conquered the world. (see Daniel 7:6 notes regarding Alexander’s speed) The destruction of the ram’s horns symbolized Alexander breaking both parts of the Medo-Persian empire. (Life App SB)
8:8 – the large horn was broken - Alexander the Great died in his 30s at the height of his power. In place of the large horn, four notable ones came up toward the four winds - His kingdom was split into 4 parts under 4 generals: (Life App SB)
Ptolemy I Egypt and Palestine (Egypt & parts of Asia Minor)
Seleucus (I – NIV SB) Babylonia and Syria (Syria, Israel, Mesopotamia)
Lysimachus Asia Minor (Thrace & parts of Asia Minor)
Antipater (& Cassader – NIV SB) Macedon and Greece
Seleucus is important because he rules over Israel. (Daniel – Beth Moore) …and because Antiochus IV (“another horn”) comes from this lineage.
Beth Moore did not identify Antipater at all, and named the other Macedon/Greece General “Cassander”. (Daniel – Beth Moore)
8:9 –The Beautiful Land - The Glorious Land (Israel) was attacked by the little horn (Antiochus IV Epiphanes) in the 2nd century BC. He was the 8th ruler of the Seleucid Empire. A further fulfillment of this prophecy of a powerful horn will occur in the future with the coming of the antichrist (see 8:17, 19, 23; 11:36, 2 Thess. 2:4). (Life App SB)
another horn – Don’t confuse this character with the little horn of Daniel 7. This “little horn” is coming from one branch of the Greek Empire, not the Roman Empire, so this character does not refer to the antichrist. (Daniel – Beth Moore) The NKJV calls Antiochus the little horn.
Epiphanes is also translated as “the illustrious one”. (Daniel – Beth Moore)
Antiochus IV died insane. (Daniel – Beth Moore) Interesting contrast to King Nebuchadnezzar being delivered from insanity.
8:10 – host of the heavens – refers to godly believers (NIV SB)
starry host – see Daniel 12:3 – stars refer to the wise who lead many to righteousness. (Daniel – Beth Moore)
8:11 – set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host – set himself up to be the equal of God. (NIV SB)
took away the daily sacrifice – the daily sacrifice allowed the Jews to approach God in worship. Taking away the daily sacrifice took away their ability to approach God!!! (Daniel – Beth Moore)
8:13 – rebellion that causes desolation – when Antiochus IV desecrated, then set up worship of his god in the temple of God. See Matthew 24:15-18 – this is yet to come! (Daniel – Beth Moore)
8:14 – “2300 evenings and mornings” – refers to the now past terror of Antiochus (Daniel – Beth Moore)
@ 2 sacrifices per day – 1150 days - the number of days refers to the time from the desecration of the altar in the temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes to the restoration of temple worship under Judas Maccabeus in 165 BC. (Life App SB/NIV SB)
Judah the Hammer’s family name was Hasmoneans. (Daniel – Beth Moore)
NKJV says “two thousand three hundred days” – so, perhaps it means 4600 sacrifices.
8:15 – man – valiant or mighty man. (Daniel – Beth Moore)
8:16 – from the Ulai – between the banks of the Ulai River. The voice was hovering over the water…God. (Daniel – Beth Moore)
Gabriel – his name means “strong man of God” – this is the first mention of an angel by name. (Daniel – Beth Moore)
8:17 – “time of the end” – the whole period from the end of the Exile until the second coming of Christ. (Life App SB)
8:18 – deep sleep – coma-like sleep.
8:23-25 – the foreshadowing of Daniel 8. (Daniel – Beth Moore)
8:23 – this king with fierce features describes both Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the antichrist. (Life App SB)
master of intrigue – this is the antichrist.
Intrigue = riddles. See Daniel 5:12. (Daniel – Beth Moore)
8:23-25 – Also describes Antiochus IV’s deceitful rise to the Seleucid throne – he wasn’t the rightful successor. (NIV SB)
8:24 – not by his own power – the antichrist receives his power from Satan. See Revelation 13:2.
8:25 – Prince of princes – Jesus. See Daniel 10:21 – Michael, your prince; and Daniel 12:1 – Michael, the great prince. Michael is a powerful angel, and is being called a prince. Since the Prince of princes outranks him, He must be God! (Daniel – Beth Moore)
he will be destroyed by supernatural power. See Revelation 19:20 – he will be thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulphur. Ouch! (Daniel – Beth Moore)
8:26 – concerns the distant future – end times?
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