Lesson 25

Basic outline of ch-8

8:1-14 the vision described

8:15-26 the interpretation of the vision by Gabriel.

8:27 the impact of the vision on Daniel

8:1-14 the vision described

8:1-4 is the vision of the ram.

1. The first thing that is given is the time of the vision.

2. Place of the vision

3. Notation of the position of Daniel gives us an important lesson.

a. Daniel was physically in Babylon.

b. The revelation of the vision transported Daniel all the way down to Susa, the future capitol of Persia. (the next kingdom)

c. Demonstrates the principle that knowing God's Word puts us a step ahead of the rest of humanity.

d. One of the neat things about the Word of God is that it can inform us about the past, the present and the future.

e. What is the best that man can do??

f. For Daniel the info in these visions will help him deal with the present because he knew what was coming next.

4. 8:3 What he saw; A Ram which had 2 horns one larger than the other.

a. Not much problem figuring out what the 2 horns represent;

b. The longest horn; came up last; but was larger than the first.

c. From history, archaeology we know that this depiction as a ram is appropriate.

5. In 8:4 we see the activity of the ram.

- 2 aspects; conquest and success.

** The accuracy of this prophecy is embarrassing to the critic who does not want to accept a 6th century BC writing of this book.

6. 8:5-8 Daniel sees a goat coming from the west.

> Characteristics of this Goat and its conquest:

> "The conspicuous horn" right between his eyes

> The conquering of M-P by Greece then is what is detailed here in vs:6-7.

> Then in vs:8 we see the demise of the "conspicuous horn".

"In its place there came up 4 conspicuous horns"

- Ptolemy took Egypt; Cyprus; Palestine; Arabia (South)

- Seleuchus took Syria; Babylonia and the lands to the East

- Cassander took Macedonia and Greece (West)

- Lysimachus took Thrace and Western Asia Minor (North.)

> If this book was written when it claims to be written, as I believe it was, then we have something absolutely remarkable.

7. The rise of another "little horn" 8:9-14

a. In vs:9-10 we see its emergence.

The identity of this king is that of Antiochus IV Epiphanies, the eighth king of this dynasty. 175-164 BC.