Scripture Reading: Daniel 8:1-39
Memory Verse: “‘And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their fullness, a king shall arise, having fierce features, who understands sinister schemes.’” (Daniel 8:23)
INTRODUCTION:
In Belshazzar’s reign, Daniel was given the vision recorded in Daniel 8. He had been a captive nearly 70 years and was probably about ninety years of age. He knew that the end of the seventy-years captivity would bring release to many Jews. It then would be only natural for him to be thinking of the future of his people. From the dream of Nebuchadnezzar and the vision of the seventh chapter, Daniel learned something of the political and ecclesiastical affairs of future kingdoms. How the Jews would fare in the coming changes of future governments must have been of much concern to him.
The vision of Daniel 8 was given to show Daniel the troubles that would come to the Jews within about four centuries, in the end of the Grecian Empire. He saw in vision the ram; the he-goat with the great horn; the breaking of that horn and four others coming in its place; the little horn that damaged the sanctuary; and the time period of desolation, all of which he did not understand.
The marginal reading of Daniel 8:14 is “evening-mornings” in the place of day. The passage “For two thousand three hundred days,” indicates 2300 evening and morning sacrifices, or perhaps that many twenty-four-hour days. In either case, this desolation surely had both its beginning and ending between 172-165 B.C.
There are clearly evident references in the Bible to our time and the very end of this age (end of the world), but it is most apparent that the vision of Daniel 8 is not one of them. However, it is not so unlikely that Jesus may have had this desolation of Daniel 8, along with Daniel 9:26-27, in mind when warning of the coming destruction of the temple and city of Jerusalem by the Romans (Matthew 24:15-18) –typical also of end-time troubles and destruction.
LESSON QUESTIONS:
- Describe the first beast of the vision and tell what it did. Daniel 8:1-4. What did the ram represent? Daniel 8:20.
- What was the second beast, and what did it do? Daniel 8:5-7. What power did this goat represent? Daniel 8:21.
- What happened to the “great horn” on the goat? Daniel 8:8-21. What followed? Daniel 8:22. Who was symbolized by the “great horn?”
- From where did the “little horn” come? Daniel 8:9. When? Verse Daniel 8:23. (Note: Antiochus Epiphanes did spring from one of the four divisions, the Syrian division of the Greek Empire.)
- State the main deeds of this “little horn,” as given in Daniel 8:9-12. (Note: The Jews considered the high priest as the highest dignitary on earth–hence the term “Prince of princes.” But Antiochus debased him, selling the office to the highest bidder.)
- Who in history fulfilled the prophecy of this “little horn”? When did he reign? See various historical source books, including “The Hebrew Commonwealth” and II Maccabees 9.
- What feast of the Jews followed the cleansing of this sanctuary and restoration of sacrificial service? John 10:22. What time of year was it? (Note: This “Feast of Lights” is presently celebrated by the Jews.)
- How long was the abomination (desecration) of the temple sanctuary and host to last? Daniel 8:13-14.
- According to history, when was the fulfillment of the “two thousand and three hundred days?”
- Along with that of Daniel 9:26-27, is it likely that Jesus may have referred also to the “little horn” prophecy of Daniel 8, by His words in Matthew 24:15? (Note: Jesus had predicted the destruction of the temple of His day, and it so happened in 70 A.D., by the Romans in one of the worst military sieges in history, typical of conditions at Jesus’ return and Armageddon.)