1. The Ram and the He- Goat
Study of Daniel 8

2. Daniel’s Second Vision
“In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me-to me, Daniel-after the one that appeared to me the first time.”
Daniel’s Second Vision

3. Daniel’s Second Vision
“I saw in the vision, and it so happened while I was looking, that I was in Shushan, the citadel, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in the vision that I was by the River Ulai.”
Daniel’s Second Vision

4. Daniel 8:3
“Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river, was a ram which had two horns, and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.”
The Ram

5. Daniel 8:4
“I saw the ram pushing westward, northward, and southward, so that no animal could withstand him; nor was there any that could deliver from his hand, but he did according to his will and became great.”
The Ram

6. The Time of the Vision
From here to the end of the book, the language is Hebrew—not Aramaic.
The vision…
The time of the vision
“3rd year of Belshazzar ‘s reign.” This is two years after the vision in chapter 7.
Both chapters 7 and 8 chronologically precede the events in chapter 5. Therefore, the vision occurred shortly before the night of Belshazzar’s fatal feast.

7. The Place of the Vision The place of the vision
Shushan the palace (fortress)
Susa was the chief capital of the Persian Empire.
Shushan as “Fortress” is not part of the city but used for the city itself.
Province of Elam by the river Ulai.
The river Ulai flowed by Susa.
Evidently, a man-made canal, 900 feet wide, which connected two rivers--the Choaspes and the Coprates.

8. The Ram Literally one ram Two horns on the ram
Daniel “lifted his eyes up.”
Daniel is awake during this entire revelation.
The ram is an emblem of princely power.
Ezekiel 34:17; 39:18
The “higher horn” speaks of the supremacy of the Persian element
“Higher horn” came up last.

9. The Ram
The two horns
Symbolize the people (country) of the Medes and Persians.
Higher represents the Persians under Cyrus. These Persians, who lived during Babylon’s destruction of Assyria, were raised among the Medes.
Head down, the ram is pushing (butting) his way westward, northward, and southward.

10. The Ram Rapid conquests of Darius and Cyrus.
Notice he doesn’t push eastward—not until Darius did the Persians make many eastern conquests, and these had no lasting value.
Greatest Medo-Persian conquests:
The West: Babylon, Syria, and Asia Minor
The North: Armenia and the lands about the Caspian Sea
The South: Egypt, Ethiopia.

11. The Ram No beasts could stand before him.
No kingdom could resist his power
He did “according to his own will.”
He conquered as he wished
He overwhelmed those he chose.
No one could deliver out of his hand.

12. Daniel 8:5
“And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.”
The He-Goat

13. Daniel 8:6, 7
“Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power. And I saw him confronting the ram; he was moved with rage against him, attacked the ram, and broke his two horns…”
The He-Goat

14. Daniel 8:7
“… There was no power in the ram to withstand him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled him; and there was no one that could deliver the ram from his hand.”
The He-Goat

15. Daniel 8:8
“Therefore the male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven.”
The He-Goat

17. The He-Goat Attacks the ram angrily.
The He-Goat represents the Grecian Empire.
A fitting symbol of power.
The “Notable Horn” refers to Alexander the Great.
“On the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground.”
In Maccabees 1:3—”He went through to the ends of the earth and took spoils of a multitude of nations; and the earth was quiet before him.”

18. The He-Goat Remember the leopard’s “four wings” in chapter 7.
The rapidity of his victories is recorded in history.
The goat comes near the ram. This signifies the conquest of Alexander the Great over the Persian Empire.
In the very seat of the ram’s power! A complete overthrow.

19. The He-Goat
Verse 7 is a concise, precise statement of the Medo-Persian empire’s utter destruction.
As others had once been helpless before the ram, the ram is now defenseless before the he-goat!
According to history, by the time he was 33 years old, Alexander the Great had conquered the known world—then he died!

20. The He-Goat
At the height of the He-Goat’s great strength, his notable horn is broken, and four notable horns come up in its stead.
The He-Goat magnified himself exceedingly.
The horn’s breaking symbolizes the death of a mighty young conqueror--Alexander. Divine providence played a part in this breaking.
Four notable horns replaced the one single horn.

21. The He-Goat
The four horns represent four kingdoms into which Alexander’s empire is broken. Alexander’s generals reigned over the following:
Antipater (Cassander) over Macedonia-Greece
Lysimachus over Thrace
Seleucius over Syria, Babylonia
Ptolemy over Egypt
Originally, there were FIVE, but Antigonus was soon overthrown.

22. The He-Goat The four winds… Four points of the compass:
North, South, East, and West
The vast empire, founded by Alexander, was dispersed to the four winds.
Secular history also verifies the accuracy and truth of these facts!

23. Daniel 8:9,10
“And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.”
The Little Horn

24. The Little Horn
The little horn and the trodding underfoot of the sanctuary (vs.9-14)
Came out of “them” on the four horns
“Grew exceedingly”—the horn, from a small beginning, grows to a great power
Greatness is toward the south, east, and the “Glorious Land.”
Designation of the Land of Canaan or the Promised Land (Ezekiel 20:6; Jeremiah 3:19)

25. The Little Horn
The little horn, Antiochus Epiphanes, waxed exceeding great toward:
South—Egypt
East—Elymais and Aremenia
Third location—Canaan—lies between the two (Isaiah 19:23ff)
Information also found in:
Josephus Antiquities X:11:7
1 Maccabees 1:16ff; 3:31,37; 6:1-4

26. The Little Horn
The little horn, becomes great “even to the host of heaven.”
Figure typically used of God’s people the “mighty ones of the holy people.”
Daniel 12:3; Isaiah 14:13; Jeremiah 33:22
Faithful true believers under the Old Covenant
Antiochus Epiphanes’ wickedness against the holy people is really against heaven and God Himself!

27. Daniel 8:11,12
“He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered”
The Little Horn

28. The Little Horn The “Prince of Hosts” would be deity itself!
He “waxed great” “even right up to God.”
Removal of temple sacrifices
Daily “morning and evening sacrifices”
The temple was not actually torn down, but he so corrupted and desecrated it that it was unfit for use.
Maccabees 1:44-47; 3:45
Josephus agrees…

29. The Little Horn Thus far, the following picture has unfolded:
Ruler made mighty territorial conquests (vs.9)
Persecution of God’s people (vs.10)
Insult and opposition of the Lord Himself (vs.11)
People were evil
On “account of transgression”
As long as the heathen are flourishing and trampling the place ordained for true sacrifices, TRUTH IS CAST DOWN!

30. Daniel 8:13
“Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, ‘How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled under foot?’”
The Holy One Speaks

31. Daniel 8:14
“And he said to me, ‘For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.’”
The Holy One Speaks

32. Vision’s Voice and Length
The vision passed from that which is seen to that which is heard.
Daniel hears a holy one—an angel—speaking. (Zechariah 1:12ff).
A second angel addresses the first one.
Sought an answer to the “length of the vision.” Of what?
The continual transgression which desolates, the giving up of both the sanctuary and host for trampling.

33. Time Period
“Two thousand three hundred days;” then the temple will be cleansed.
2300—evenings and mornings
Literal or figurative?
If literal, the days refer to the history of Antiochus Epiphanes.
If literal, Covers 6 years and 4 months
A period a little short of 7 years
Return from Egypt—171 B.C.
Death in 164 B.C.
Abominations lasted until 165 B.C.
Persecution for definite period of time

34. Daniel 8:15 Seeking Explanation
“Then it happened, when I, Daniel, had seen the vision and was seeking the meaning, that suddenly there stood before me one having the appearance of a man.”
Seeking Explanation

35. Daniel 8:16
“And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, who called, and said, ‘Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.’”
Seeking Explanation

36. Daniel 8:17
“So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, ‘Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.’”
Seeking Explanation

37. Daniel 8:18
“Now, as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me, and stood me upright.”
Seeking Explanation

38. Daniel 8:19
“And he said, ‘Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be.’”
Seeking Explanation

39. The Visitor Daniel was beholding the vision—he sought an explanation.
Suddenly there appeared an angel in the form of a man.
Gabriel (man of God) commanded by God to interpret the vision for Daniel.
An authoritative voice—identity of the “man’s voice.”
Clearly, this is a message sent from God.

40. Gabriel
This is the only Old Testament book that names “angelic” beings and Gabriel.
Daniel 8:16; 9:21
We know he stood in God’s presence
Luke 1:19,26; (Jude 9—Michael the archangel)
Nothing more is known of him, and he is mentioned only as bearing messages to Daniel, to Zacharias the father of John the Baptist, and Mary.

41. Gabriel’s Message
Direct contact with a heavenly being wrought great fear and dread.
Why? Could a person’s sense of his own sinfulness overwhelm him?
“Time of the end.” (“Day of the Lord.”)
A time appointed by God
An end of a vision
Completing of the elements of a vision at a time appointed by God—not men
Sure fulfillment

42. Habakkuk 2:2,3 God’s Timetable
“Then the LORD answered me and said: ‘Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.’”
God’s Timetable

43. Gabriel’s Message Daniel’s loss of consciousness
Key to interpreting phrase in vs.19
End of the OT time period
Permission for afflictions or indignations upon Israel.
End of OT time and ushering in of the NT era
Restricted to the special afflictions which came upon the Jews before the Messianic period.
Does NOT mean the final period of earthly history.

44. Gabriel’s Message “The latter (or last) time of indignation.”
Designates God’s wrath
Season of indignation
The subject (Antiochus abominations) of the vision is to take place in the last portion of this period.
When it does happen, that will be the evidence that the “last time” of the “period of wrath” has begun.
“Ultimate issue of things” is not under consideration.

45. Daniel 8:20
“The ram which you saw, having the two horns-they are the kings of Media and Persia.”
God’s Interpretation

46. Daniel 8:21
“And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king.”
God’s Interpretation

47. Daniel 8:22
“As for the broken horn and the four that stood up in its place, four kingdoms shall arise out of that nation, but not with its power.”
God’s Interpretation

48. Proper Interpretation
The ram with two horns
Kings of Media and Persia
To the successive kings of this kingdom
Rough he-goats and single horn
He is the king of Greece.
First king is Alexander the Great, as represented by the “notable horn.”
Broken horn refers to Alexander’s death

49. Proper Interpretation
Four kingdoms will arise from Alexander’s one empire.
Therefore, out of “a nation” (not “the”) where the great horn once ruled will come four empires, but not equipped with the strength of the first king—Alexander the Great!
Never equal in power like that which Alexander enjoyed during his tenure.

50. Daniel 8:23
“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.”
God’s Interpretation

51. Daniel 8:24
“His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; he shall destroy fearfully, and shall prosper and thrive; he shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.”
God’s Interpretation

52. Proper Interpretation
“A king’s fierce countenance…” (growing little horn)
Rising of king Antiochus Theos Epiphanes is in the “latter time” of the kingdoms of Alexander’s four generals. Their rule--Jews or Greek?
When “transgressors have run their course” are “come to the full,” he arrives on the scene.

53. Proper Interpretation
These transgressors are apostate Jews.
Introduced heathen rites among the Jews
Hand will be unyielding and insolent
Word used in a bad sense here.
“Understanding sinister schemes”
Practiced deceit; master of dissimulation; skilled at disguising his purposes.
King masterfully cunning.
At the same time, one who himself would not be easily deceived.

54. Proper Interpretation
This king can only be Antiochus Epiphanes.
Ruled Syria between 175 and 163 B.C.
Strong devotee of Hellenistic culture.
Imposed Greek culture and deities upon all subjects.
Saw Hebrew religion as a strong foe and was determined to crush it.
Conquered Jerusalem; set up a false image in the temple, offering swine on the altar, holding pagan orgies in and on the holy premises.

55. Proper Interpretation
King can only be Antiochus Epiphanes.
Forbade the Jews to circumcise their children.
Forbad them to observe the Sabbath.
Forbad possession of a copy of the scriptures.
Appointed a high priest who favored the Hellenistic movement.
Put a stadium in Jerusalem.
Encouraged the Hebrew children to compete in the gymnastic exercises in the nude.
Enforced all laws with utmost cruelty!

56. Proper Interpretation
His destroying power (vs.24)
His power not being his own seems to indicate it’s under God’s power and permission.
Destroy wonderfully—to an astonishing and remarkable degree.
Destroy “mighty ones”-- rivals to the throne, or political enemies.
Destroy the saints where they lived!

57. Daniel 8:25
“Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; and he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means.”
God’s Interpretation

58. Proper Interpretation
Caused graft to prosper in the land
Employed deceit and caused it to prosper
In one sustained raid, caused 40,000 to be slain by one he sent “in peace”
Magnified himself in his heart—full of pride
Had presumptuous, arrogant, and self-glorifying plans
Destroyed many in their false security

59. Proper Interpretation
He shall stand opposed to God Himself—”the Prince of Princes”
Shall be broken “without hand.”
Without human hand
God’s hand would bring it about
Would bring comfort to the saints
He rose up against God; God will overthrow him!
The created cannot defeat the Creator!

60. Daniel 8:26
“And the vision of the evenings and mornings which was told is true; therefore seal up the vision, for it refers to many days in the future.”
Seal up the Vision

61. Seal up the Vision The visions of the “evenings and mornings”
The part of the vision that was spoken and heard (vs.13,14)
John was given the opposite command about his vision.
Revelation 22:10
Solemnly declared to be true
Would not occur for “many days in the future”
This is because it’s a prophecy.

62. Seal up the Vision Daniel was told to shut up the prophecy.
Not to “keep it secret” but to preserve it (would be made known in future times)
These events would take place in less than 400 years, but the Lord said it would be “many days to come.”
Does not fit in any of the details espoused by the Premillennial Theory held by many today!

63. The Prophet’s Sickness
Daniel 8:27
“And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king's business. I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it.”
The Prophet’s Sickness

64. The Prophet’s Sickness
Daniel was exhausted!
He had heard about difficult days that were ahead for his people.
Daniel was without understanding of the vision’s application.
Nations not yet risen and events that had not yet transpired.
Daniel will claim to understand Jeremiah’s prophecy (9:2). Some more difficult…