Daniel Study Notes Lesson 26

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.

   8:10 Question here is what does "stars" refer to!

- In Scripture Jews, particularly "righteous Jews";   believing Jews are sometimes symbolized by stars.     Gen. 15:5; 22:17;  Dan 12:3;  Rev 12:1

Also are used to refer to angels; Job 38:7; Rev 12:4

 

- What is being emphasized here in vs:10 is that this horn, Antiochus Epiphanies would persecute and kill many Jews.

 

b.  In vs:11-14 we see his blasphemy.

         What does it say that he did?

1.  He magnified himself to be equal with the Prince of the host.

 

2.  He removed regular sacrifice from Him.          

 

3.  In 169 BC he arrogantly entered the Temple of God,  stripped it of its sacred furniture; ordered the sacrifices ended and the Temple polluted, plundered the temple treasury.

 

 

 

8:13-14  Daniel overhears 2 angels talking;   discussion is about How Long will this go on?

 

 

8:15-26  Interpretation of the vision Given to Daniel.

In 8:15-19 we meet the one who is to give the interpretation and some introductory observations to prepare Daniel for the main thrust of the vision.

"standing before me was one who looked like a man."

- word for man; rb,G<   strong man, a hero, one at the peak of his powers;

 

 

Ø      8:17-18  We learn about Daniel's reaction to the appearance of Gabriel and the vision.

 

Now with vs:17, 18, & 19 we have something that indicates that the vision goes beyond the historical fulfillment as we have noted in the first 14 verses.

          - rise of M-P by the ram

          - the rise of Greece by the goat

          - the conquering of M-P by Greece

          - the swift conquering of the world by Greece

          - the split up of Greek Empire into four divisions after the death of "first large horn" Alexander the Great.

          - the rise of the "little horn" out of one of the 4 divisions of the Greek Empire; Antiochus Epiphanies.    (171-165 BC)

 

Gabriel says that this "little horn" personifies a future ruler who will come on the scene  "at the time of the end."    Vs:17

And in vs:19 "...to the appointed time of the end."

 

 

   Law of Double Reference: which observes the fact that often a passage or block of Scripture is speaking of 2 different persons or 2 different events that are separated by a long period of time. But in the passage itself they are blended into one picture, and the time gap between the 2 persons or 2 events is not presented in the text itself.

Ex:  Zech 9:9-10;  Isa 11:1-5

 

 

Ø      We need to know what the phrase "final period of the indignation" actually refers to in 8:19.

 

This term takes on a nuance of a title of God's dealing with Israel; consequence of their negative volition; rebellion against God.

 

Gabriel says that the vision's focus is on the final portion, of the Indignation.

 

 

The use of "appointed"  in vs:19 indicates once again that God is in control of history and that there are no accidents.

The timing and the length of the Indignation, the chastisement of Israel is in God's hands.