Words in italic type have been added for clarity. They are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic.

Daniel 8

Vision of a Ram and a Goat

Daniel 8:¹ In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar (Immediately prior to Belshazzar’s party and demise) a vision appeared to me—to me, Daniel—after the one that appeared to me the first time.

Daniel 8:² I saw in the vision, and it so happened while I was looking, that I was in Shushan (Or Susa), the citadel (Or fortified palace), which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in the vision that I was by the River Ulai.

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.

Daniel 8:⁶ 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.

Daniel 8:⁷ And I saw him confronting the ram; he was moved with rage against him,

The goat attacked (Lit. struck) the ram (Darius III), and broke his two horns (powers of the Medes and the Persians). 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.

Daniel 8:⁸ Therefore the male goat (Alexander the Great) grew very great; but when he became strong, the (one) large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven.

• The four winds of heaven represent the spiritual realm whereas the four winds of earth in Revelation 7:1 represent the physical realm.
• The four winds mean “everywhere”; north, south, east and west.
• Wind is an indicator of change, especially a change of powers.
• These are the “powers of the air” or “spiritual forces of evil” of which the apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:12:
  • For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
• Ezekiel 37:9 “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’”

The Last Kingdom Before Jesus Returns: The Kingdom of the Antichrist

Daniel 8:⁹ And out of one of them (the four notable horns) came a little horn (A “power” from Seleucus’ Syria), which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land.

Daniel 8:¹⁰ And it (the “little horn” Antichrist indwelt by Satan) grew up (in power) to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.

Daniel 8:¹¹ 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 (temple) was cast down.

Daniel 8:¹² Because of transgression (sin), 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.

Alexander the Great

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.

Daniel 8:²³ “And in the latter time (end of days): of their kingdom (the seven year tribulation),
When the transgressors have reached their fullness,
A king shall arise (The Antichrist, the type Antiochus IV),
Having fierce features (Lit. Countenance),
Who understands sinister schemes.

Daniel 8:²⁴ His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power (indwelt by Satan);

He shall destroy fearfully (Or extraordinarily),
And shall prosper and thrive;
He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people (the Jews).

Daniel 8:²⁵ “Through his cunning
He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule (Lit. hand);
And he shall exalt himself in his heart.
He shall destroy many in their prosperity.
He shall even rise against the Prince of princes (Jesus who is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords);
But he shall be broken without human means (Lit. hand).

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.”

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 (amazed) by the vision, but no one understood.

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Daniel 8 {1 of 5} Daniel 8-History
Daniel 8 {2 of 5} Daniel 8-Antiochus IV and the Antichrist
Daniel 8 {3 of 5} Daniel 8-Mystery of Daniel’s 1,335 Days
Daniel 8 {4 of 5} Daniel 8-Symbolism
Daniel 8 {5 of 5} Daniel 8-End Time Prophecies

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