Daniel 8:13-14 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled — the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, and the surrender of the sanctuary and of the host that will be trampled underfoot?” 14 He said to me, “It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.”
 
DANIEL hears two holy ones –angelic representatives of God – speaking to each other. It’s as if the question is spoken for Daniel’s benefit.
    When asked, “How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled?” the angel’s reply is 2,300 evenings and mornings. The two morning and evening sacrifices are generally considered one day. Thus, this refers to 1,150 days –  three years (360 days each) plus 70 days. This is the time of Antiochus’ desecration of the temple mentioned in our previous lesson. It began on December 16, 167 B.C. and ended on December 25, 164 B.C. and into early 163. That is when Judas Maccabaeus, a Jewish nationalist, led the Jews to rededicate the temple and to renew the worship to the LORD God. Jews have celebrated this event as Hanukkah ever since. Out of darkness comes the light.
    Here again is the demonstration of God’s justice and authority. God allows corruption and evil to reign for reasons we cannot fully fathom, Perhaps it is his judgment. Possibly he is awakening us to our need for his salvation. But he ends the tribulation. Times of trial become times of triumph. Times of distress become times of joy. Times of doubt become times of faith.
    What time is it for you? In each season, there is a time to call on God, to seek, to pray and to hear from his messenger, the Holy Spirit. Is it time to see God’s justice, grace and mercy through the salvation of Jesus Christ? Is it time to give thanks to God he has brought his great light to shine throughout time and into eternity.
 
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.
 
   

Daniel 8:9-12 Out of one of the four horns came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. 10 It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. 11 It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it took away the daily sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low. 12 Because of rebellion, the host [of the saints] and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.
 
Daniel 8:22-25 “The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power. 23 In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. 24 He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. 25 He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.”
 
HERE, for the first time in Daniel’s visions, Israel is mentioned with the term “Beautiful Land”. What will happen in Israel?
    Gabriel (We know from verse 16.), speaking for God, reveals there will be a powerful and terrible ruler arising from one of the four horns – four generals – who replaced Alexander. This ruler would completely control a vast area, including Israel, the Beautiful Land. He would arise to be as the Prince of the host. This means he would refer to himself as a god. This ruler will cause great harm to the Jews, the host of the heavens, as he trampled on them.
    This vision became reality through a Greek tyrant Antiochus IV Epiphanes. From 175 – 164 BC, he killed tens of thousands of Jews and attempted to remove Israel’s worship and sacrifices. One Sabbath in 167 BC, his army desecrated the temple when they erected idols to the Greek god Zeus and sacrificed swine. For three years the daily sacrifice were given over to it. The powerful Antiochus prospered in everything he did. The prophecy also points to Scripture’s destruction as truth was thrown to the ground.
    The vision’s remarkable detail should cause us to pause and think of our own future. Millions of Christians face persecution from hostile rulers, families and communities. They are prohibited from worship. Churches are burned. Their Bibles are vilified and thrown to the ground. Some of you reading this personally know of persecution and hatred against God, His Savior, His Church and you his ministers.
    Furthermore, Revelation describes similar events to occur until Jesus comes again. How do we respond to evil against God? Are we prepared for such days?
    We can learn very much from the Jews, who suffered and from Christians, who are persecuted. Many express the joy of their love for Jesus as persecution threatens. They joyfully live in the apostle Paul’s words: Romans 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  
    Indeed, how sweet and comforting to know the details of God’s future for us.
 
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  
 
 

Daniel 8:1-4 & 20 In the third year of King Belshazzar's reign, I, Daniel, had a vision, after the one that had already appeared to me. 2 In my vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa in the province of Elam; in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal. 3 I looked up, and there before me was a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal, and the horns were long. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later. 4 I watched the ram as he charged toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against him, and none could rescue from his power. He did as he pleased and became great…20 The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.”
 
YOU may be wondering why the Lord brings to Daniel a third vision of nations to come. (Daniel 2 & 7 also) This is also the second vision to point to the end of time. In truth, God repeats his promises and visions often. For example, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God affirmed their future with repeated visions and encounters that pointed to his plan “make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky” (Gen 26:4), which is the church, to cover the globe. In the repeated visions, God gives more specific evidence of the nations to come. Thus, we can more plainly see his sovereignty over all of history. When we know how God has fulfilled his Word in the past, we faithfully trust he will complete his Word for the future.
      God affirms again the Mede-Persian empire will replace Babylon. First, he takes Daniel in the Spirit a long distance to Susa. Babylon is in today’s Iraq. Susa is in today’s Iran. Susa would become the capital of Persia. Susa is where Esther’s story occurred (Esther 1:3). In addition, the angel Gabriel (v. 16) defines the ram in verse 20. Third, a ram was the image of the idolatrous guardian spirit of Persia. Persian leaders took its image into battle. The two horns represent the power of Mede and Persia. Third, in the ancient world the Zodiac sign of Aries, a ram, was Persia. Daniel’s contemporaries reading and hearing his visions, would fully understand the images. God glorifies his name in the details of his visions to the prophets.
    Are you listening to God’s repeated teachings in Scripture? The details of God’s character, commands, grace, sacrifice and salvation are repeated many times. He has given you this knowledge as a means to prepare for the eternal future he has ordained.
    In the meantime, you have work to do. As you confess Christ, you know his command is to make ready a world in need of salvation. The Lord has given you gifts and skills to be a purposeful Christian in your vocation, family, community and church.
    What will be in God’s book regarding your life? Will the details of your life be praised in heaven?
 
Matthew 25:23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!’”        
     
   

Daniel 7:13-14 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
 
THIS scripture is a glimpse of the Father’s and the Son’s glory. “Son of man” was a phrase in the Hebrew language to define a representative of people before an authority. The term is often used to name Ezekiel, a prophet who represented the Jews before God. In Daniel’s vision, “son of man” transforms from a common reference to “Son of Man”, an exalted, eternal name. The Ancient of Days, who is the eternal God, bestows on the one who comes into his presence all authority, glory, and sovereign power to forever rule all kingdoms. All will worship him. Son of Man can only be the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
    Why is the Son of God also called Son of Man? In fact, Jesus most often identified himself as the Son of Man, even to the point this title condemned him: Matthew 26:63 The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.”
    To the Jewish rulers, it was blasphemy for Jesus of Nazareth to align himself with the image of Daniel’s dream. The Jews condemned Jesus under God’s law that instructed the guilty party to be stoned. Apparently the Jews desired a more horrible death than even stoning for the Christ.
    Jesus is the Son of Man, mankind’s representative before he Father, because he first fulfilled the Father’s will on earth. Second, he now sits on the Father’s right hand to intercede for us in prayer before he Father. Third, Jesus is the Son of Man because we worship him. Fourth, Jesus will come in glory: Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.” “Son of Man” is Jesus’ affirmation of Daniel’s visions fulfilled.
    Knowing these visions builds our faith. God’s visions to Daniel reveal real world nations rising and falling. They explain the spiritual warfare of Satan’s rule opposing God’s church. And the visions proclaim the majesty of the Christ, who has come and the Christ, who will come.
 
Please Note: Next lesson on Monday October 14.

Daniel 7:9-10, 26 “As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened … :26 But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.” 
 
FROM our previous lesson, we are reminded the Bible is consistent with its descriptions and prophecies of the battle between God and Satan. Here we see Scripture is also consistent with its description of the Holy God and heaven’s worship. Compare this passage to Revelation 1:14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. Then read Revelation 5:11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. Ezekiel, Daniel’s contemporary, had similar visions. Jesus also gave the same glorious view to his three favored disciples: Mark 9:2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 
    What a glorious, overwhelming vision this would be for God’s favored servants! How encouraged and joyful they would be in their glimpse of God’s holy glory! Eagerly, they wrote to witness to us, so we will know to await this great view before us one day.
    Be alert, also, to know this is a true reminder to God’s judgment. Know in the final days, the book will be opened. Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.
    In all things – his appearance, his holiness, his judgment and his salvation – God reveals his glory. He is holy. He is eternal. He is faithful to prepare his creation for eternity.
 
Isaiah 6:3 And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
   
 

Daniel 7:6-7 “After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule. 7 After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast — terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.”
 
THE leopard-like beast in is prophetic of Greece. History notes Alexander the Great’s army moved with leopard-like speed to conquer parts of Asia, Asia Minor, the Near East and India. The four wings and the four heads represent the four generals who led the Greek armies. Each had authority over sections of Greek’s empire. When Alexander died, the one empire became smaller, competing nations.  would exist until the Romans would conquer this territory.
    Those who led the area of Judea and Jerusalem would do great harm to Israel, to even removed all worship form the temple. This is one reason the Pharisees were formed and the synagogue system established. Jewish leaders desired to maintain the teaching of God’s Word to the Jews.
    Rome is considered most often as the fourth beast. Its image is too terrible to compare to any animal. Rome was by far the most violent of the empires represented in the visions.
    Let’s return again to Daniel 2. The metal statue’s legs in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream were iron. And the 10 toes were of clay, indicating Rome and 10 lesser nations. The horns are the same. We will look at these images of the fourth beast as we continue. God is repeating to Daniel what Nebuchadnezzar has seen. The prophecy is told twice now and will be given a third time. This is a sure and true prophecy of the earth’s future.
    You might say, “Why be concerned with God’s prophecies of events that have happened? Isn’t the future all we need to know?” Our first response is to know it is essential we understand God’s sovereignty to move events to his purpose. As we look into the future, we can only have hope when we know God has acted in the past to realize his promises. Second, these historic prophecies, as we will see, do relate to the future as well. As described in the Bible’s many prophecies, God is at work to show himself to the kingdom of this world to prepare us for the kingdom of our Lord.
 
Psalms 119:89 Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. 90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.