Bible Studies
A Vision of the End (Dan. 8:1-8)
Series: There is a God in Heaven (Studies in the Book of Daniel)Introduction:
1. When I read the apocalyptic visions of Daniel I am reminded of the disciples’ question to Jesus.a. He had been speaking to the multitudes in parables.
b. The disciples asked, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”
c. Jesus’ response, “While seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor understand” (Matt. 13:13).
d. The point—He spoke in parables to reveal a clear message to some, and to leave the message veiled to others.
2. Apocalyptic literature has a similar effect. 3. But just like a parable the meaning of an apocalyptic vision is often given right in the text itself. 4. Such is the case in Dan. 8. 5. So what is the meaning of this vision of the ram and the goat?Discussion:
I. In interpreting apocalyptic literature you must remember, “context is everything.”A. The historical setting is critical.
1. Many people go wrong in their interpretations of apocalyptic literature by overlaying their historical context on the vision. Ex. WW I; WW II; what is currently going on in Syria.
2. This text defines the historical setting.
a. In the third year of Belshazzar the king of Babylon (v. 1a).
b. Would we not expect that the vision would relate in some way to that time period rather than to our modern time period since the text specifically identifies the vision with that time period?
c. When you read a newspaper do you not consider the date that the newspaper was written? Datelines are critical. Place is important.
B. The textual context is critical.
1. Daniel associates the vision of the ram and goat with the previous vision that he has seen (v. 1b).
2. A vision of four beasts (chap. 7). They represent four kings (7:17).
a. A lion.
b. A bear.
c. A leopard.
d. A dreadful beast.
3. But God will establish His everlasting kingdom in spite of these kingdoms because He is the sovereign King.
4. The same message was communicated in Daniel chap. 2 (see 2:44ff).
C. The first kingdom was represented in Neb. king of Babylon. Belshazzar is now serving on that throne.
1. The next dominating power was the kingdom of the Medes and the Persians. King Darius and King Cyrus are both mentioned by Daniel.
2. The next dominating power was the Macedonian kingdom associated with Alexander the Great. After Alexander’s death his kingdom was divided into four smaller kingdoms.
a. Macedonia under the leadership of Cassander.
b. Thrace and Asia Minor under the leadership of Lysimachus.
c. Syria under the leadership of Seleucus.
d. Egypt under the leadership of Ptolemy.
3. Based upon this developing context the kingdom of Rome is the next dominating world power.
II. If “context is everything” there is only one other thing more important in understanding apocalyptic literature: the inspired interpretation of the vision (8:15-17).A. At first even Daniel did not understand the vision.
B. His understanding would come from Gabriel.
1. Gabriel said, “The vision pertains to the time of the end.”
2. Some jump to the conclusion that he is talking about the end of the worldand quickly put in their perceptions of a premillennial kingdom in light of modern 21st century events.
C. But notice what verse 19 says.
1. Gabriel says, “Behold, I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation.” That is, when God’s wrath comes on these nations.
2. Gabriel goes on to identify the nations.
a. Media and Persia represented by the ram with the two horns (v. 20).
b. And the kingdom of Greece is the goat (lead by Alexander from Macedonia) (v. 21).
1) The horn is the first king (Alexander) (21).
2) The four horns represent the four kingdoms (Macedonia, Thrace and Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt).
D. The end of the world is not the consideration here, but the end of these kingdoms and the manifestation of the wrath of God against them.
E. The other king referenced in 23ff, is almost universally recognized as Antiochus Epiphanes (god manifest) that ruled over Syria (215-164 B.C.). The people called him the “mad one” because of his eccentric behavior and capricious actions. "On one occasion thinking that Judea was in revolt. Raging like a wild animal, he set out from Egypt and took Jerusalem by storm. He ordered his soldiers to cut down without mercy those whom they met and to slay those who took refuge in their houses. There was a massacre of young and old, a killing of women and children, a slaughter of virgins and infants. In the space of three days, eighty thousand were lost, forty thousand meeting a violent death, and the same number being sold into slavery." —?2 Maccabees 5:11–14 According to the book of 2 Maccabees he persecuted the Jews mercilessly, forbade their worship and attempted to force them to worship Zeus instead.
F. He opposes the Prince of princes (God himself? See v. 11), but is broken without human agency (but by God’s agency?) (v. 25).
G. The inspired interpretation may not answer all our questions. But the bottom line is clear. God is in control. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords.
III. What is the significance of this for us?A. Like the people of Daniel’s day we need to recognize that God is in control.
1. Circumstances became very difficult for them. They were to remain faithful to God recognizing that He is in control.
2. We can apply that same message to our day and age.
3. This is not a new message. From the days of Job to the day of the church at Smyrna the message is the same. “You will be tested… be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).
B. Peter said to those of the first century, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you” (1 Pet. 4:12). He spoke of the sufferings of Christ and of our sharing in those sufferings and he called on us to entrust our souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right (1 Pet. 4:13, 19).
C. Let us not grieve as those who have no hope for God has not destined us to wrath, but for salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Thess. 4:13; 5:9).
D. All these ancient kingdoms have passed away: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, but the kingdom of God remains.
Conclusion:
1. Are you a part of that kingdom? 2. The disciples went everywhere preaching entrance into the kingdom after Jesus was raised from the dead to sit on the throne in that kingdom. 3. They preached Jesus as king (Acts 17:7) and said, “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:28). 4. Will you turn from the dominion of Satan to God (Acts 26:18) and be sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 26:18)?
