FRAMEWORKS:
Daniel 8: The Second Vision in Belshazzar's
reign
v.1,2
Two years later, a second vision
v.3,4
A Ram – two conquering leaders
v.5-8
A Goat that Conquers the Ram
v.9-12
Another horn for the Goat that prevails over the people of God
v.13,14
The Question is raised in heaven how long this will last
v.15-18
Gabriel's approach reduces Daniel unconscious
v.19-22
Gabriel Explains
v.23-27
Gabriel explains about the last horn
v.1,2
Two years later, a second vision
v.1
In the
third year of King Belshazzar's reign, I, Daniel,
had a vision, after the one that had already appeared to me.
v.2
In
my vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa in the province
of Elam; in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal.
v.3,4
A Ram – two conquering leaders
v.3
I looked
up, and there before me was a ram with two horns ,
standing beside the canal, and the horns were long. One of the
horns was longer than the other but grew up later.
v.4
I watched
the ram as it charged toward the west and the north and the south.
No animal could stand against it, and none could rescue from its
power. It did as it pleased and became great.
[Notes:
The next vision has Daniel in Susa and it is some two years after
the previous vision. A ram [a kingdom] with 2 horns [?2 leaders]-
conquering.] The Interpretation is given later in v.19-25]
v.5-8
A Goat that Conquers the Ram
v.5
As I
was thinking about this, suddenly a goat with
a prominent horn between its eyes came from
the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground.
v.6
It came
toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal
and charged at it in great rage.
v.7
I saw
it attack the ram furiously, striking the ram
and shattering its two horns. The ram was powerless
to stand against it; the goat knocked it to the ground and trampled
on it, and none could rescue the ram from its power.
v.8
The goat
became very great , but at the height of its power the
large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent
horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven.
[Notes:
The ram is attacked by a goat who comes speedily who
overcomes it.]
v.9-12
Another horn for the Goat that prevails over the people of God
v.9
Out of
one of them came another horn , which started
small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward
the Beautiful Land.
v.10
It grew
until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of
the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them.
v.11
It set
itself up to be as great as the commander of the army of the LORD;
it took away the daily sacrifice from the LORD, and his sanctuary
was thrown down.
v.12
Because
of rebellion, the LORD's people and the daily sacrifice were given
over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown
to the ground.
[Notes:
From one of the horns [strong leaders] comes a further
small horn that quickly grows in power and spreads across the
area towards Israel. He (it) stops worship in the temple for a
time.]
v.13,14
The Question is raised in heaven how long this will last
v.13
Then
I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him,
“How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled—the vision
concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation,
the surrender of the sanctuary and the trampling underfoot of
the LORD's people?”
v.14
He said
to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary
will be reconsecrated.”
[Notes:
Within the vision Daniel now hears discussion about how long this
last horn will prevail, and a relatively short period is indicated.]
v.15-18
Gabriel's approach reduces Daniel unconscious
v.15
While
I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it,
there before me stood one who looked like a man.
v.16
And I
heard a man's voice from the Ulai [
canal v.2 ] calling, “Gabriel,
tell this man the meaning of the vision.”
v.17
As he
came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and
fell prostrate. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that
the vision concerns the time of the end .”
v.18
While
he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to
the ground. Then he touched me and raised me to my feet.
[Notes:
Daniel first falls before the approaching Gabriel as he tells
him what this is about and then he loses consciousness. The question
of v.13 asks how long will this last horn prevail and so ‘the
end' of v.17 probably means the end of that period.]
v.19-22
Gabriel Explains about the Ram & the Goat
v.19
He said:
“I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of
wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end.
v.20
The two-horned
ram that you saw represents the kings
of Media and Persia.
v.21
The shaggy
goat is the king of Greece,
and the large horn between its eyes is the first king.
v.22
The four
horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent
four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation
but will not have the same power.
[Notes:
Gabriel explains who the two animals are, the two kingdoms that
will follow. We have already seen in chapter 5 that on Belshazzar's
premature death, Cyrus takes defeated Babylon and later Darius
takes over leading the Persian empire. Thus the fulfilment is
not far off.]
v.23-27
Gabriel explains about the last horn
v.23
“In the latter
part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked,
a fierce-looking king, a master of intrigue, will arise.
v.24
He will
become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding
devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy
those who are mighty, the holy people.
v.25
He will
cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior.
When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand
against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not
by human power.
v.26
“The vision
of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true,
but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.”
v.27
I, Daniel,
was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up
and went about the king's business. I was appalled by the vision;
it was beyond understanding.
[Notes:
Gabriel goes on to explain about the last horn, a powerful
deceiver, but who will eventually be destroyed by God. This experience
exhausts Daniel.]