RISE AND FALL OF WORLD KINGDOMS

DANIEL 8:1-27


      The Lord amplified to Daniel the vision of the rise and fall of world kingdoms (2nd and 3rd). The fulfillment of the vision proved the total accuracy of Bible prophecy. Daniel saw history in reverse.


      Walter C. Kaiser noted, “According to the calculations of J. Barton Payne, there are 8,352 verses with predictive material in them out of 31,124 verses in the whole Bible–a staggering 27 percent of the Bible that deals with predictions about the future.” Kaiser said, “Altogether, these 8,352 verses discuss 737 separate prophetic topics!” Endnote


  I. Second vision (8:1-2)


      A. When (1)


          1. 1st year–vision of four kingdoms


          2. 3rd year–vision of two kingdoms (handwriting on the wall, 549 B.C.)


      B. Where (2)

 

•          Hebrew not Aramaic (Dan. 2:4-7:28)

•          Spirit not body


          1. Citadel of Susa (future royal citadel of the Persian kingdom Endnote )


          2. Province of Elam (at the foot of the highlands of Iran. . . between Persia and Babylon Endnote )


          3. Canal of Ulai (name of canal Susa built on)


 II. Symbolic vision (8:3-12)


      A. Ram (3-4)


          1. Horns (Media-Persia, 539-331 B.C.)


          2. Hostility


              a. Pursuit (three ribs of Dan. 7:5)


                  (1) Toward the west (Babylon, Syria, Asia Minor)


                  (2) Toward the north (Armenia, Scythia)


                  (3) Toward the south (Egypt)


              b. Power


      B. Goat (5-12; Greece–from the west; Dan. 7:6, 331-320 B.C.)


          1. Large horn (Alexander the Great)

 

•          Alexander defeated the Persians at the battle of Arbela in 331 B.C.

•          Alexander spread Greek culture–Hellenism from Egypt to India.


              a. Furious


              b. Fought (strike, shatter, stand, stomp)


              c. Fallen


      Keil wrote, “The reference of the words to the sudden death of Alexander in the prime of his days, and when in the very height of his victorious career, cannot be disputed; and by the breaking of the horn we can only understand Alexander's death, and the breaking up of the kingdom founded by him. . . .” Endnote


      At the death of Alexander (323 B.C., ten years after the defeat of Persia) Greece divided the kingdom among four generals.


                  (1) North–Lysimachus: Thrace and Bithynia


                  (2) West–Cassander: Macedonia and Greece


                  (3) East–Seleucus: Syria, Babylonia, eastern countries to India (ended in 64 B.C. with the victory by Pompey)


                  (4) South–Ptolemy: Egypt, Palestine, and Arabia Petrea Endnote (ended in 30 B.C. at the death of Cleopatra)

 

•          Ptolemy I took Egypt in 323 B.C. and added Palestine in 320 B.C.

•          Many Jews transferred to Egypt (Alexandria).

•          72 Jewish scholars translated the Old Testament (Septuagint, LXX).

•          Syria defeated Ptolemy V at Mt. Hermon in 198 B.C. Endnote


          2. Little horn


      Keil commented, “The one of the four horns from which the little horn grew up is the Syrian monarchy, and the horn growing up out of it is the king Antiochus Epiphanes, as Josephus (Ant. x. 11. 7) and all interpreters acknowledge, on the ground of 1 Macc. 1:10.” Endnote


              a. Dominate


                  (1) To the south (Egypt, Dan. 11:5)


                  (2) To the east (Babylon)


                  (3) To the holy land (Jer. 3:19; Ezek. 20:6-15)


              b. Desecrate (claim equality with God, Is. 14:13 Endnote )


                  (1) Saints (Ex. 19:6)


                  (2) Sacrifice (Ex. 29:38-42)


                  (3) Sanctuary


                  (4) Sacred (objective truth, the worship of God Endnote )


III. Sealed vision (8:13-26)

 

•          Saint (13)

•          Angel (15; Dan. 8:16, 9:21; Lk. 1:19-26)


      A. Date fulfilled (13-19)


Rev. 6:10. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?


          1. Days


      Young explained, “It may be that the beginning of the period is to be placed in the year 171 B.C., c. one year before the return of Antiochus from his second expedition to Egypt. In this year began the laying waste of the sanctuary. The termination would then be the death of Antiochus (164 B.C.). The 2300 days cover a period of six years and about 4 months.” Endnote


          2. Distant


      B. Double fulfillment (20-26)


      Fee and Stuart noted, “Some of the prophecies of the near future were set against the background of the great, eschatological future, and sometimes they seem to blend.” Endnote


      William H. Stephens explained, “Old Testament prophecy often has more than one application and fulfillment. Jesus Himself demonstrated this double application of prophecy when He referred to the abomination of desolation as a future event even though the prophecy was fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes (Mt. 24:15).” Endnote


          1. Antiochus (Syrian, Seleucid)


              a. Stern-faced king


              b. Deceitful king

 

•          Antiochus IV (175-163 B.C.) Epiphanes (incarnation of Zeus) tried to force Hellenism in Jerusalem by force. Antiochus outlawed the sabbath and circumcision.

•          Unable to take Egypt, Antiochus turned fury on Jerusalem in 169 B.C. Antiochus plundered the altar of incense, seven-branched lampstand, and table of shewbread.

•          In 167 B.C. Antiochus ordered a statue of Zeus in the Temple and sacrifice of a sow on the altar (1 Macc. 1:54; 2 Macc. 6:2).

•          Opposition arose by those called the Hasidim–the pious ones.

•          Matthias of Modin sparked revolt in 167 B.C.

•          Judas, son of Matthias, regained religious freedom, recaptured the Temple, and consecrated the altar again on 25 December 164 B.C. (celebrated as Hanukkah, Feast of Lights; Jn. 10:22). Endnote

•          Jews celebrated the renewal of temple worship by lighting lamps in their homes for eight days (festival of lights).


          2. Anti-christ


              a. Abomination (Mt. 24:15)


              b. Armageddon (Rev. 19:19)


 IV. Shocking vision (8:27)


      A. Exhausted


      B. Astonished


      Baldwin said, “There is a price to be paid in physical terms for spiritual revelation.” Endnote


      Daniel saw the rise and fall of world kingdoms.

•          God causes the rise then fall of world kingdoms to work a purpose (Is. 45:1; Hab. 1:6).

•          God causes the rise then fall of world kingdoms to fulfill a promise (Jer. 33:14-17).

•          God causes the rise then fall of world kingdoms to demonstrate a prophecy (Jer. 32:17, 37).

•          God causes the rise then fall of world kingdoms to glorify a Person (Gal. 4:4).


NIV

 1. In the third year of King Belshazzar's reign (Dan. 8:1-20-21-23-27, 9:6-8, 10:1-13, 11:2-3-5-6-7-8-9-11-13-14-15-25-27-36-40), I, Daniel, had a vision (Dan. 8:1-2-13-15-26, 9:21-23-24, 10:14, 11:14), after the one that had already (Dan. 8:1, 9:21-23) appeared (Dan. 8:1-2-3-4-6-7-15-20, 9:18-21, 10:5-7-8, 12:5) to me.

 2. In my vision (Dan. 8:1-2-13-15-26, 9:21-23-24, 10:14, 11:14) I saw (Dan. 8:1-2-3-4-6-7-15-20, 9:18-21, 10:5-7-8, 12:5) myself in the citadel of Susa (Neh. 1:1; Est. 1:2; Dan. 8:2) in the province of Elam (Is. 11:11; Jer. 49:39; Dan. 8:2); in the vision (Dan. 8:1-2-13-15-26, 9:21-23-24, 10:14, 11:14) I was beside the Ulai (Dan. 8:2-16) Canal (Dan. 8:2-3-6).

 3. I looked (Dan. 8:1-2-3-4-6-7-15-20, 9:18-21, 10:5-7-8, 12:5) up, and there before me was a ram (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-20) with two horns (Dan. 8:3-5-6-7-8-9-20-21), standing (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-15-18-22-23-25) beside the canal (Dan. 8:2-3-6), and the horns (Dan. 8:3-5-6-7-8-9-20-21) were long. One of the horns (Dan. 8:3-5-6-7-8-9-20-21) was longer than the other but grew up later.

 4. I watched (Dan. 8:1-2-3-4-6-7-15-20, 9:18-21, 10:5-7-8, 12:5) the ram (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-20) as he charged (Dan. 8:4, 11:40) toward the west (Dan. 8:4, 11:45) and the north (Dan. 8:4, 11:6-7-8-11-13-15-40-44) and the south (Dan. 8:4-9, 11:5-6-9-11-14-15-25-29-40). No animal could stand (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-15-18-22-23-25) against him, and none could rescue (Dan. 8:4-7) from his power (Dan. 8:4-7-25). He did as he pleased (Dan. 8:4, 11:3-16-36) and became great (Dan. 8:4-8-9-10-11-25).

 5. As I was thinking (Dan. 8:5-16-17-23-27) about this, suddenly a goat (Dan. 8:5-8-21) with a prominent (Dan. 8:5-8) horn (Dan. 8:3-5-6-7-8-9-20-21) between his eyes came from the west, crossing the whole earth (Dan. 8:5-7-10-12-18) without touching (Dan. 8:5-7-18, 9:21, 10:10-16-18, 12:12) the ground (Dan. 8:5-7-10-12-18).

 6. He came toward the two-horned (Dan. 8:3-5-6-7-8-9-20-21) ram (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-20) I had seen (Dan. 8:1-2-3-4-6-7-15-20, 9:18-21, 10:5-7-8, 12:5) standing (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-15-18-22-23-25) beside the canal (Dan. 8:2-3-6) and charged at him in great rage (Dan. 8:6, 9:16, 11:44) (Dan. 8:6-7-22-24, 10:8-16-17, 11:6-15-25).

 7. I saw (Dan. 8:1-2-3-4-6-7-15-20, 9:18-21, 10:5-7-8, 12:5) him attack (Dan. 8:5-7-18, 9:21, 10:10-16-18, 12:12) the ram (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-20) furiously (Dan. 8:7, 11:11), striking the ram (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-20) and shattering (Dan. 8:7-8-22-25, 11:4-20-22-26) his two horns (Dan. 8:3-5-6-7-8-9-20-21). The ram (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-20) was powerless (Dan. 8:6-7-22-24, 10:8-16-17, 11:6-15-25) to stand (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-15-18-22-23-25) against him; the goat knocked (Dan. 8:7-11-12) him to the ground (Dan. 8:5-7-10-12-18) and trampled (Dan. 8:7-10) on him, and none could rescue (Dan. 8:4-7) the ram (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-20) from his power (Dan. 8:4-7-25).

 8. The goat (Dan. 8:5-8-21) became very great (Dan. 8:4-8-9-10-11-25), but at the height of his power (Dan. 8:8-24, 11:23) his large horn (Dan. 8:3-5-6-7-8-9-20-21) was broken (Dan. 8:7-8-22-25, 11:4-20-22-26) off, and in its place four (Dan. 8:8-22) prominent (Dan. 8:5-8) horns (Dan. 8:3-5-6-7-8-9-20-21) grew up toward the four winds of heaven (Dan. 8:8-10).

 9. Out of one of them came another horn (Dan. 8:3-5-6-7-8-9-20-21), which started small but grew in power (Dan. 8:4-8-9-10-11-25) to the south (Dan. 8:4-9, 11:5-6-9-11-14-15-25-29-40) and to the east (Dan. 8:9, 11:44) and toward the Beautiful Land (Dan. 8:9, 11:16-41-45).

 10. It grew (Dan. 8:4-8-9-10-11-25) until it reached the host (Dan. 8:10-11-12-13, 10:1) of the heavens (Dan. 8:8-10), and it threw some of the starry host (Dan. 8:10-11-12-13, 10:1) down (Dan. 8:10-17, 9:18-20, 10:7, 11:12-19-26) to the earth (Dan. 8:5-7-10-12-18) and trampled (Dan. 8:7-10) on them.

 11. It set itself up to be as great (Dan. 8:4-8-9-10-11-25) as the Prince (Dan. 8:11-25, 9:6-8, 10:13-20-21, 11:5, 12:1) of the host (Dan. 8:10-11-12-13, 10:1); it took away the daily sacrifice (Dan. 8:11-12-13, 11:31, 12:11) from him, and the place of his sanctuary (Dan. 8:11, 9:17, 11:31) was brought low (Dan. 8:7-11-12).

 12. Because of rebellion (Dan. 8:12-13, 9:24), the host (Dan. 8:10-11-12-13, 10:1) of the saints and the daily sacrifice (Dan. 8:11-12-13, 11:31, 12:11) were given (Dan. 8:12-13) over to it. It prospered (Dan. 8:12-24-25, 11:27-36) in everything it did (Dan. 8:12-24), and truth (Dan. 8:12-26, 9:13, 10:1-21, 11:2) was thrown (Dan. 8:7-11-12) to the ground (Dan. 8:5-7-10-12-18).

 13. Then I heard a holy one (Dan. 8:13-24) speaking, and another holy one (Dan. 8:13-24) said to him, "How long (Dan. 8:13, 12:6) will it take for the vision (Dan. 8:1-2-13-15-26, 9:21-23-24, 10:14, 11:14) to be fulfilled—the vision (Dan. 8:1-2-13-15-26, 9:21-23-24, 10:14, 11:14) concerning the daily sacrifice (Dan. 8:11-12-13, 11:31, 12:11), the rebellion (Dan. 8:12-13, 9:24) that causes desolation (Dan. 8:13-27, 9:18-26-27, 11:31, 12:11), and the surrender (Dan. 8:12-13) of the sanctuary (Dan. 8:13-14, 9:16-20-24-26, 11:28-30-45, 12:7) and of the host (Dan. 8:10-11-12-13, 10:1) that will be trampled underfoot?"

 14. He said to me, "It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary (Dan. 8:13-14, 9:16-20-24-26, 11:28-30-45, 12:7) will be reconsecrated (Dan. 8:14, 12:3)."

 15. While I, Daniel, was watching (Dan. 8:1-2-3-4-6-7-15-20, 9:18-21, 10:5-7-8, 12:5) the vision (Dan. 8:1-2-13-15-26, 9:21-23-24, 10:14, 11:14) and trying (Dan. 8:15, 9:3) to understand (Dan. 8:15, 9:22, 10:1) it, there before me stood (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-15-18-22-23-25) one who looked like (Dan. 8:15-16-17-26-27, 10:1-6-16-18) a man.

 16. And I heard a man's voice from the Ulai (Dan. 8:2-16) calling, "Gabriel (Dan. 8:16, 9:21; Lk. 1:19-26), tell this man the meaning (Dan. 8:5-16-17-23-27) of the vision (Dan. 8:15-16-17-26-27, 10:1-6-16-18) ."

 17. As he came near the place where I was standing (Dan. 8:17-18), I was terrified and fell (Dan. 8:10-17, 9:18-20, 10:7, 11:12-19-26) prostrate. "Son of man," he said to me, "understand (Dan. 8:5-16-17-23-27) that the vision (Dan. 8:15-16-17-26-27, 10:1-6-16-18) concerns the time of the end (Dan. 8:17, 11:6-13-35-40, 12:4-9) (Dan. 8:17-19, 9:26, 11:6-13-27-35-40-45, 12:4-6-9-13)."

 18. While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep (Dan. 8:18, 10:19), with my face to the ground (Dan. 8:5-7-10-12-18). Then he touched (Dan. 8:5-7-18, 9:21, 10:10-16-18, 12:12) me and raised (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-15-18-22-23-25) me to my feet (Dan. 8:17-18).

 19. He said: "I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time (Dan. 8:19-23, 10:14, 11:4, 12:8) of wrath (Dan. 8:19, 11:36), because the vision concerns the appointed time (Dan. 8:19, 11:27-29-35, 12:7) of the end (Dan. 8:17-19, 9:26, 11:6-13-27-35-40-45, 12:4-6-9-13).

 20. The two-horned (Dan. 8:3-5-6-7-8-9-20-21) ram (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-20) that you saw (Dan. 8:1-2-3-4-6-7-15-20, 9:18-21, 10:5-7-8, 12:5) represents the kings (Dan. 8:1-20-21-23-27, 9:6-8, 10:1-13, 11:2-3-5-6-7-8-9-11-13-14-15-25-27-36-40) of Media and Persia.

 21. The shaggy goat (Dan. 8:5-8-21) is the king (Dan. 8:1-20-21-23-27, 9:6-8, 10:1-13, 11:2-3-5-6-7-8-9-11-13-14-15-25-27-36-40) of Greece (Dan. 8:21, 10:20, 11:2), and the large horn (Dan. 8:3-5-6-7-8-9-20-21) between his eyes is the first king (Dan. 8:1-20-21-23-27, 9:6-8, 10:1-13, 11:2-3-5-6-7-8-9-11-13-14-15-25-27-36-40).

 22. The four (Dan. 8:8-22) horns that replaced the one that was broken (Dan. 8:7-8-22-25, 11:4-20-22-26) off represent four kingdoms (Dan. 8:1-20-21-23-27, 9:6-8, 10:1-13, 11:2-3-5-6-7-8-9-11-13-14-15-25-27-36-40) that will emerge (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-15-18-22-23-25) from his nation (Dan. 8:22, 11:23, 12:1) but will not have the same power (Dan. 8:6-7-22-24, 10:8-16-17, 11:6-15-25).

 23. "In the latter part (Dan. 8:19-23, 10:14, 11:4, 12:8) of their reign (Dan. 8:1-20-21-23-27, 9:6-8, 10:1-13, 11:2-3-5-6-7-8-9-11-13-14-15-25-27-36-40), when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king (Dan. 8:1-20-21-23-27, 9:6-8, 10:1-13, 11:2-3-5-6-7-8-9-11-13-14-15-25-27-36-40), a master (Dan. 8:5-16-17-23-27) of intrigue, will arise (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-15-18-22-23-25).

 24. He will become very strong (Dan. 8:6-7-22-24, 10:8-16-17, 11:6-15-25) (Dan. 8:8-24, 11:23), but not by his own power (Dan. 8:6-7-22-24, 10:8-16-17, 11:6-15-25). He will cause astounding devastation (Dan. 8:24-25, 9:26, 11:17) and will succeed (Dan. 8:12-24-25, 11:27-36) in whatever he does (Dan. 8:12-24). He will destroy (Dan. 8:24-25, 9:26, 11:17) the mighty (Dan. 8:24, 11:25) men and the holy people (Dan. 8:13-24).

 25. He will cause deceit (Dan. 8:25, 11:23) to prosper (Dan. 8:12-24-25, 11:27-36), and he will consider himself superior (Dan. 8:4-8-9-10-11-25). When they feel secure (Dan. 8:25, 11:21-24), he will destroy (Dan. 8:24-25, 9:26, 11:17) many and take his stand (Dan. 8:3-4-6-7-15-18-22-23-25) against the Prince (Dan. 8:11-25, 9:6-8, 10:13-20-21, 11:5, 12:1) of princes. Yet he will be destroyed (Dan. 8:7-8-22-25, 11:4-20-22-26), but not by human power (Dan. 8:4-7-25).

 26. "The vision (Dan. 8:15-16-17-26-27, 10:1-6-16-18) of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true (Dan. 8:12-26, 9:13, 10:1-21, 11:2), but seal up (Dan. 8:26, 12:4-9) the vision (Dan. 8:1-2-13-15-26, 9:21-23-24, 10:14, 11:14), for it concerns the distant future."

 27. I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill (Neh. 2:2; Amos 6:6) for several days. Then I got up and went about the king's (Dan. 8:1-20-21-23-27, 9:6-8, 10:1-13, 11:2-3-5-6-7-8-9-11-13-14-15-25-27-36-40) business. I was appalled (Dan. 8:13-27, 9:18-26-27, 11:31, 12:11) by the vision (Dan. 8:15-16-17-26-27, 10:1-6-16-18); it was beyond understanding (Dan. 8:5-16-17-23-27).