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Email: <lelgee@voicenet.com>Copyright © L. L. Griffith, 1996. ISBN 0-929554-06-X. This document may be reproduced in whole or in part provided that this copyright notice is reproduced on each copy made.
On Daniel's account, Chapter Eight reintroduces the questions which first troubled Nebuchadnezzar. What shall be in the latter days? What will the final end be like for the nations of the whole dominion? ...(The remainder of Daniel is written in the Hebrew tongue.)
Daniel wants to know especially about Israel... Now he is about to be counseled concerning the last "little horn" of the last dreadful and terrible beastly dominion which will subdue and rule over the nation of Israel for "a short while."
A vision appears to Daniel in the third year of Belshazzar. The year, now, of the vision is 535 B.C. Three years before, in 538 B.C., in vision Daniel had been shown the summary vision concerning the four dominant powers of the Land - powers which would change within the land to develop into the final "beast" forms that will arrive before the finish of all things concerning Israel.
Now he is about to be shown a vision of the last warfare which shall bring forth the appearance of "the horns" and the "king of fierce countenance." Daniel is informed as to how the final end for Israel will differ from the end which followed the last proximate restoration of the Jewish people from among the nations.
The changes and appearances of the last different forms - the changes between the first end during Daniel's lifetime and the final end - are the things to seek for in the words of this prophecy. For, God, at the final end, swiftly implements the last changes in the domains of the Middle East in order to accomplish His own good pleasure and eternal purpose for Israel. See Romans 9:28; Isaiah 10:23.
As the ancient antagonism between the dominions of Greece and Persia once existed, so in the "last days" the ethnic hatreds between those two ethnic territories revive. Agitation - unrest and rebellion within their nations involving greed and hatred of the (Jewish) peoples - speeds the catalyst for war. However, the warfare's out-working toward "the controversy of Zion" will not come about as it once did in the ancient days. During the passage of long time over the Gentile nations, the national territories of the Middle East have been influenced and changed by the influences of the major powers of the world which developed their own economic interests in these nations. Colonial factors -- under the guidance of "the four winds of the heavens" -- have helped to shape the presently existing political, military, religious, and economic structures of all the present Middle East countries.
From the last domain of the four notable ones the "little horn" ascends to power in the last days. In Daniel 8:8-9, the text reads:
"Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant [land]."
The traditional interpretation of these two verses makes the "little horn" to be one of the "four notable ones" of pre-Christian times, but in reality this is not what v. 9 states.
The verse specifies that "out of one of them" the "little horn" comes forth. Alexander's dominion over the empire of Nebuchadnezzar was "broken" into "four notable" parts - parts overtaken to rule by his four generals - Macedonia, Egypt, Thrace/Asia Minor and Syria/Phoenicia. The prophecy simply does not explicitly say WHEN the pertinent little horn should "come forth." Now, by following the "continuous historical" philosophy, the whole time period of the existence of these four partitions of the empire ought to be assigned to the dominion of Rome - for the philosophers say that Babylon was succeeded by Medo-Persia, and Medo-Persia by Greece, and then Greece was succeeded by Rome.
On the surface this allegation seems true. When history is examined, the truth is somewhat different. Alexander's empire was broken into parts by agreement, not by any strife upon the Great Sea which immediately brought up four other beasts from the Sea. An end came to the Jewish people, but it was not the true and final end as Daniel's "last days" prophecy indicates. That future, final end is yet to come. At this final end, the little horn will come out of one particular site - from one of the first four "notable ones" - from within the domain of the ancient empire of Nebuchadnezzar.
The land mass of Nebuchadnezzar's ancient empire has never been moved from its place upon the earth! Although, Lord Bacon's theory would direct our eyes toward Rome and toward a philosophy of the history of "continuing Church Age." The hope of Israel and of the true Christian believer has always been the inheritance of the Promised Land, not a nebulous, heavenly reward in the skies, or even in Europe!
With all the wars which have intervened since the partitioning of the great horn's empire, the ancient territory remains, but now having independent countries in the lands of Greco-Macedonia, Asia Minor, Assyria and Egypt. Within these parts, the ancient elements of Iran and Iraq, with Saudi Arabia are independent lands today. Assyria also contains Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and the Jordanian lands, along with the lesser nations of the Middle East. Rome left no mark upon any of these countries with the exception of Macedonia, which has retained the Orthodox religion from Rome. Unlike Greece, Rome left no other culture in the lands, nothing except her so-called "Christian" churches.
At the final end all "the powers of the heavens" shall be used by God who intervenes against the last "little horn" ruler of the Land. Michael resumes his work on Israel's behalf. God also sends Abaddon with the brimstone volleys to rain from the heavens, (Daniel 2:34-35,45; Zechariah 9:9-16; Psalm 83; 2 Peter 3:7-13).
Neither the Persian nor the Greek states obtain the last dominion over the ancient Babylonian lands. Although the mouthy "fierce king" outsmarts the nations and the kingdoms of the Middle East by his deceptive negotiations and disguised intention concerning the land of Israel, and the city of Jerusalem, he nevertheless provokes the Greater Power of the heavens and brings about the Divine intervention.
God sends His armies of the heavens with their commanders, Abaddon and Michael, and "the Stone," (Isaiah 8:14; 28:16-22), who is placed on Israel's throne, from where he proceeds to subdue the remaining nations of the Land and earth to obey the LORD. The "stone" will smite the image (Daniel 2:35) upon its (bear) feet (Daniel 7:5; Revelation 13:2).
The identification of the "rough goat" as the Greek king (8:21-22) is critical to the understanding of this chapter, so the prophecy identifies the nationality of that ruler. Vv. 21-24 state the case of the king of Greece whose "great horn" was broken into four kingdoms. But the last emerging two "horns" are "not in its power" at the final end. This conclusion is assured because the next verses set the angel's statement in apposition. Thus; the position and dominion of the last "horn" is contrasted with the first position and dominion of the ancient (Greek; gentile) "great horn."
Before the national affiliation of "the horn" is confirmed, the vision also indicates his lack of power over the nations, [but, the vision explains the reason for this lack]. Out of either the Greek or the Persian lands rises the horn's power base at the final end, not from Babylon. ...More will be said about the "horns" and the "little horn" in Chapter Eleven.
Because of the last horn's position of political and military weakness over the Middle East nations, the last "little horn" devises a plan to gain control over the lands. His advancement is implemented with the help of the Treaty of Rome. For with the Vatican State and the Roman Church the practice of political power is inseparable from the exercise of her religious power. Religion is her visible business, while making secret pacts with the nations is her only practical way to gain political power. The Church's secret knowledge and benevolent influence is invaluable in over-riding the political affairs of the (Middle East) nations. The Church has also claimed the power to make kings.
The last "little horn" rises up out of this Gentile dominated area to gain control over the other one who is subdued (i.e., overcome by deceitful dealing; negotiation). This is what Daniel 8:9-14 says concerning the ascension of the little horn's influence over Israel:
"And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great toward the south and toward the east, and toward the pleasant. And it waxed great against the host of the heavens. And it cast down of the host and of the 'stars' to the ground, and stamped upon them. Yea, he acclaimed [himself] even against the prince (Daniel 12:1, in charge) of the host. And by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the basis of the consecrated things were thrust away. And a host was given [to him] with the daily [sacrifice] by reason of transgression; and it cast off the truth to the ground, and it practiced and prospered. Then I heard one saint speaking and another saint said unto that certain [saint] which spake, How long is the vision [concerning] the daily [sacrifice], and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed."
The LXX of Daniel 8:9-14 reads:
"And out of one of them came forth one strong horn and it grew very great toward the south and toward the host [dunamin] and it magnified itself to the host of heaven; and there fell to the earth of the host of heaven and of the stars and they trampled on them, (even) until the chief captain shall have delivered the captivity; and by reason of him the sacrifice was disturbed, and he prospered; and the holy place shall be made desolate. And a sin offering was given for the sacrifice and righteousness was cast down to the ground, and it practiced and prospered. And I heard one saint speaking and a saint said to a certain one speaking, How long shall the vision continue of the sacrifice that has been removed and the sin of desolation brought in, and [how long] shall the sanctuary and host be trampled? And he said to him, Evening and morning days, 2,400; and the sanctuary shall be cleansed."
Note the difference between the two texts!
Both the sanctuary and its service must exist at the time when the cleansing is done. See Ezekiel 45:18 about the sanctuary, and 43:18-27 re the altar's cleansing. Compare with Daniel 12:11. During the last days the one horn "prospers" after he sets up the abomination for the end duration of the 1,260 days.
These verses describe the appearance of the last "two [little] horns" of the ["another"] beast of Revelation 13:11, and of the "another" of Daniel 7:24. He amasses a power and an authority - not his own - for some time before the final 1,260 days of Daniel 12 and The Revelation begin to come to pass. His activity is aimed primarily against the Jewish religion; for, finally, pleading with the force of his host - the armies which he is given - he is able to change the established temple service. The means by which he does these things is confirmed in Revelation 13:2b,4-9: "...and the dragon gave to it his power," [i.e., the host; the army, dunamin, LXX], "his throne and great authority."
This "little horn" comes out of the beast which rises out of the Sea with the "ten horns and upon its horns, ten diadems," 13:1, upon its "head."
The character of this militant "little horn" has never been clearly defined in any treatise on Daniel's prophecy, but a close examination of the words of the above verses gives these main ideas of his coming and his subsequent activity. His deportment is that primarily of a military commander who is a "puppet."
Daniel 8:23-25 speaks further of the last "king of fierce countenance:"
"And in the last of their kingdoms when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power, and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand, and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many, he shall also stand up against the prince of princes, but he shall be broken without hand."
This last "head" is of "the seven (heads)," and probably is its chief head, of the 666 "number of the beast: for it is a number of a man," per Revelation 13:18. The power over "the number" is not his, he only being, so to speak, the chairman of the (666's) board.
This "king of fierce countenance" has his last appearance in the events of the book of The Revelation during the last 1,260 days. Before his rising up as the "head" ruler among "the heads," this "head" had appeared "as if it had been slain to death, but the wound of its death was healed," 13:3. Also given to him is the power to make war with the holy ones and to overcome them, 13:5,7. How this happens is described by the "another beast" form:
At the finish of Israel, when fully developed, the "another beast" has only the two lamb-like little horns upon its head. In addition to all the power of the first ruler, this last "other" beast is given the host (the army) and the power to exercise all the authority of the first beast. This last one is given the signs to work, and it is given the power to give breath to "the image" of the beast.
At that end time the worldwide cry has become strident for 'Peace. Peace and security.' This cry of the final end's time follows the theme of Daniel 7:7-12.
The Middle East countries in the time of the final end are pragmatically, albeit unstably, established together when the other "ten horns" are seen on the "head" of "the beast." In their last worsened state the unruly "ten horns" receive "power as kings"; and (having been continually blasphemed by the "mouth" and trampled upon by the "bear feet" of the "leopard body,") become aligned together with the chief "head" for only "one hour."
At the end the last leopard-body "beast" will have assimilated the other dominions of the Land, which in turn are joined together in "one mind" under the last 'little horn' which has gained the power over the lands of "the seven," (Revelation 17:9, 11). The seven "heads" of the beast turn against the ten horns to destroy them when Israel's power is scattered. (The surrounding nations are indignant, and are very angry with the remnant of Israel, 8:19. In turn, Israel hates the whore - the great secret Babylon - who sits upon the beast.) It is a time of great hostilities, anger and wrath.
Thus, in the concluding days of the "exceedingly strong" beast, the leopard body 'little horn' king comes into a power which is not his own except after the "ten horns" appear on his head, and after the last "other beast" receives its authority from "the seven" domains whose first head was of gold.
Watchers of prophecy should be looking at all the alliances between the nations of the world, and of the nations of the Middle East. Specifically, watch for an economic alliance that effectively controls the Middle East market system which has no use for any God except its Mammon. When the image is set up, the system will be a revival of Nebuchadnezzar's "great image" worship, hailed as a "god" but made for the profit of ungodly men.
Some say that the 666 system will be a latter day totally Holy Roman Empire. But Daniel's prophecy and The Revelation both speak of things concerning the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, and of the last days in the Land which lead up to that end time. The Old Testament prophecies have nothing to say about Catholic domination of the European nations. On the contrary, these things all happen in and about the Promised Land in the Middle East. How can any watcher discount the Islamic proximity and the Islamic influence round about Jerusalem?
Many in Christendom, because they are in heart supercessionist and unconvicted of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, still follow Lord Bacon's philosophy of the "continuous historical" path in viewing "the last days." The fondness for sensual and profane history may feed one's hatred for Catholicism but it does not help to interpret the Bible prophecies; it does not promote the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom. Titillation for unclean things, and a predilection toward the enjoyment of profane writings hides the truth of the Word behind "a vail," Isa. 25:7, "that is spread over all the nations," and 2 Corinthians 3;14, "in the reading of the Old Testament, (a vail) which is done away in Christ."
At the final end the powers of Greece and of Persia (Iran) are drawn together into conflict. The final strife upon the Great Sea brings the powers of the "wind" from the north, the south, the east and the west; [i.e., from "the four winds of the heavens"] to engage the nations of (at least) three continents in battle.
The appropriate time of the strife seems to be indicated in Ezekiel's prophecy of the Gogian hosts which turn southward "to take a spoil and to take a prey" of the Middle East countries at the time when Israel confidently thinks to "dwell safely" in the Promised Land.
A constant teaching from Daniel's prophecy is that the powers of the heavens do indeed rule, and that any king ought to recognize and appreciate the factual existence of a living God and act accordingly, if he wishes to be established upon his throne.
...Both Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar had this teaching dinned into their heads until each man finally 'got the message' about the power behind his throne. Has there ever been a change in the Bible's doctrine concerning the powers of those who now rule, or, shall rule in the dominion of the One God? Never. Bible translations may be revised to suit the taste of the times, but the original Bible text remains unchanged by God.
The "four winds" are invisible tools of the unseen powers of the heavens. Authority over the visible power of each "wind" apparently is assigned to certain angels of God, and these angels in turn employ other different powers of the heavens for help in the doing of the Father's business. The greater powers of the heavens are undoubtedly ruled by specific angels who have been delegated with the authority to oversee one specific "work." The Father's "business" is well organized and well managed.
The "day of the LORD" in which the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ occurs, [it is called "the day of the Lord" in the New Testament] is an undesirable time of woes and of darkness, see Amos 5:18-20. Both the Father and the Son, who is our advocate and who mediates for those called of the LORD, work together in "the day" of the world's judgment. This authority has been delegated to the Son for its execution.
The heavenly powers are both seen and unseen in the Book of The Revelation. The Book of The Revelation itself is written is such a manner as to openly show the working of the heavenly powers as the four living creatures, the 24 elders, and all the different angels go about the business of saving and redeeming Israel during the great tribulation of the last days.
Within the prophecy the text further shows how the Lamb with his "holy ones" will proceed to war against the ungodly on behalf of the LORD's new covenant with men.
Below are some examples of similar occurrences related to Daniel's prophecy to compare with things seen when the apocalypse of Jesus Christ unfolds at the final end.
In Revelation Nine, Abaddon is placed in authority over a most peculiar army of "cavalry" which from the heavens tramples and bites the ungodly. Also in The Revelation we meet again with Michael, as he and his companies of angels go about the work of battling against the dragon and his angels, in order to oust the dragon and his evil "powers" from any further permitted working, or favor, through the heavenly ordained powers.
In Revelation Nine we see the "four winds" of Daniel 8:8 at work. Or rather, in A.D. 95-96, in Revelation 7:1 we see the "four winds" were still held in abeyance from the appointed end's work. Then again, in Revelation 9:13; (16:12), the same four powers of the heavens are later commanded to be loosened from their restraint "above the great river Euphrates." The river's water is dried up as the consequent result of "the four winds" working. The nations which share the river's water are already concerned about the possibility of the river being "dried up." The Ataturk Dam controls its head waters. A war over water rights is not out of the question. In Daniel we were first made cognizant of the reason for Michael's works of power at the end - the defense of Israel. ...Only Israel will have her own water.
It is somewhat startling to note that, within the context of Daniel 8:1-27, the "last days" conflict between a Greek power and a Persia power most possibly would take place in the north "above the great river Euphrates." And especially when it is known that the bear's "feet" are assimilated under the leopard form's "head" in the manner in which Russia has distributed military and technological help to her southern provinces, and to Iran and Turkey, to Syria , to Egypt, etc.
Ezekiel's prophecy certainly invites the interested Bible reader to watch the movements and works of these two powers above the Euphrates.
The character and personality traits of the last "little horn" king compares with the first Babylonish king, Nebuchadnezzar. The man is bold-faced and skilled in cunning use of language - "a mouth speaking great things," 7:8; a master of deceit. Militarily he cares little about the wanton destruction of human life (with the power not truly his). Both he and his power are destroyed after "the transgressors are come to the full" during the last days. His attitude compares (at the first appearance of Jesus Christ) with the rulers and Pharisees, who said, "These people who know not [...] are accursed."
As a matter of fact, the 'king' flourishes and goes about his 'work' in destroying both powerful people and, specifically, "the holy people."
The manner of his evil working accounts for his accomplishments: he uses the intelligence secretly obtained in order to further his own hand. He makes himself to be 'a great one' and by a deceitful, peaceful means brings about the greatest destruction of humanity ever known. This is the man who shall rise up against the 'Prince of princes' - and (by the consequence of Michael's opposition against his forces, the Dragon has no more heavenly favor) - the Evil Entity is broken to pieces without "a hand."
Daniel is assured that at the final end of this time that "the sanctuary shall be cleansed," (i.e., vindicated from wrongdoing, as both Ezekiel's prophecy at 43:18-27 and Malachi 3:1-4 show).
The duration of the last "little horn" king's supremacy appears to climax just five months prior to the appearance of the 'Prince of princes,' a duration co-extending with the earth's confrontation with the first hail of the brimstone from the heavens. (The hail comes somewhat like the "blast" which annihilated the 185,000 enemies during Hezekiah's reign). The king's duration is defined in Daniel 8:13-14 as an ending which follows a period of (indefinite) "thousands," but continues for the "300 evenings-mornings." The death-dealing stones swiftly end his control over the armies of the powers not his, (see Psalm 83:9-15). There is no way to reclaim this power after the destruction by a calamitous "natural disaster."
A parallel duration of time, the time period which concludes the first woe, is shown in the Book of The Revelation just before the arrival of the cloud-and-light clothed messenger from heaven, Revelation 10:1. Here the same duration of initial woe and torment is limited to the five months, per 9:5, of 150 days of 300 evenings-mornings.
The last "other beast" is annulled. His entire 'work' is negated for all practical purposes. The "other beast" is finally destroyed "with the brightness of the Lord's coming," per 2 Thessalonians 2:8. For, this shaking of the powers of the heavens, Luke 21:26-28, is the only sure and certain sign of the Lord's swift coming to save his people from annihilation and to redeem the nation of Israel to God.
As a corollary of Michael's battle against the dragon and his angels during the 1,260 last days of the woman's "great tribulation," at the warfare's end the great dragon, Israel's adversary and enemy, is bound and cast into the earth for the thousand years of Christ's rule.
Figuratively the serpent/dragon/devil's power dies and is buried after its two chief manifestations - the beast and the false prophet - are literally "cast alive" into the burning flame of Gehenna after the battle at Armageddon.
These are the things which God has designed to come to pass against the enemies of Israel; against all their adversaries and against all the ungodly workers against "the Truth."
Daniel is still concerned about what is the final end for Israel. He makes this a matter of prayer. It is this prayer which is to be considered in the next chapter of the book of his prophecy.