Daniel, page 6

                        CHAPTER EIGHT

     God reveals unto Daniel some events which were to take place
between the fall of Babylon and the coming of the Roman Empire. The
period pertains to the time after the wrath had ended, that is, it
would follow the time of the Babylonian captivity (vs 17, 19). This
chapter gives further information concerning the two kingdoms that
follow the fall of Babylon:
     (1) "Ram" -- Medo-Persian Empire (vs 20). (Same as the "breast
               and arms of silver in 2:32,39 and the "bear" in 7:5.)
     (2) "He-goat" -- Greece, under Alexander ("notable horn," vs 5,
               21) the Great, broke the Persian empire in 331 B.C.
               (Same as the "belly and thighs of brass in 2:32,39,
               and the "Leopard" in 7:6.) Upon the death of
               Alexander, his kingdom was divided into four kingdoms
               (vs 22, note 7:6), all inferior to his.

     During the latter stages of these four kingdoms, a "king of
fierce countenance" (vs 23) shall arise:
     ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES (175-163 B.C.) -- A strong devotee of the
Hellenistic culture, and determined to cement his kingdom into a unit
by imposing Greek culture and Greek deities upon all his subjects.
Judah had to be controlled because it stood between him and Egypt.
Therefore, he set about to crush Judah and its religion.
     "Antiochus conquered Jerusalem, set up an image in the temple,
desecrated the worship by offering swine flesh upon the altar, and
encouraged the Greek soldiers, with their paramours, to carry on a
most licentious worship, with its pagan orgies, in and on the holy
premises. To further enforce his purpose, he forbade the Jews to
circumcise their children, to observe the Sabbath, and to possess a
copy of the scriptures, which he sought to destroy. Added to this
effort he appointed a high priest who was favorable to the
Hellenistic movement, built a stadium in Jerusalem, and encouraged
the Hebrew youths to participate in the gymnastic exercise in the
nude, as practiced by the Greeks. Laws pertaining to these matters
were enforced with the most cruelty." (Homer Hailey)

(vs 14) "2300 days" -- probably refers to the period of Antiochus
            Epiphanes (171-165 B.C.). The statement in verse 26 that
            the number of days "is true" suggest this number was not
            symbolical, but real, a period of just over six years.
            This was the length of time the temple was desecrated.

     Daniel "wondered at the vision, but none understood it," (vs
            27.) The vision dealt with nations yet unborn, and was
            not understood until it was fulfilled. God was preparing
            His people for the difficult days of Antiochus, and
            assuring them that the evil ruler would be overcome.
            Fulfilled prophecies continue to be mighty evidence to
            the inspiration of the Word of God.

Return to Index
Home