DANIEL - Chapter 8: 8-27- THE LITTLE HORN
DANIEL – Chapter 8: 8-27
THE LITTLE HORN
Taught by: Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Sunday Evening Service, November 27, 2011, The Year of Our Lord
As we continue our study of the Book of Daniel, one of my quests is to expose the spirit of antichrist that “even now already is it in the world” (1 Jo. 4:3). Anyone against Christ is antichrist. In this sense there are many. However, the Apostle Paul teaches us that satan will embody an individual man of the very worst character instigated by the devil to try to palm himself off as God. (2 Th. 2:3-10- Strong’s Concordance). The Little Horn, Daniel 8: 8-27 is a dualistic prophecy of the “time of the end” (vs. 17) and the manifestation of this individual.
In this vision described in Chapter 8, Daniel was taken in the spirit to Susa which is at the foot of the highlands of Iran at the beginning of the Ulai River (Tigris River Valley). It is of interest that the Lord would choose to take Daniel by vision to Iran in view of the present spirit of anti-christ over Iran. (David was in Babylon.) Susa is what is now known as Khuzestan Province of Iran. It is in Southwest Iran bordering the Persian Gulf. It is the area of Iran known as ancient Elam.
As I studied about this province in Iran, I also discovered Iran’s Second Nuclear Reactor is located in this province. It is one of the major oil producing region of Iran. This is the location of the Yadavaran Oil Field.
It has to be very significant that the Lord would choose to translate Daniel by vision to this particular region in Iran to give Him this prophecy “for the time of the end” (Vs. 17).
This becomes even more fascinating as I study the vision of the great horn described in Daniel 8:8. This horn was broken and historically we know this to be the untimely death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C.
“Out of the broken horn came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven” (North, South, East and West); to whom the kingdom was divided one toward each of the four winds of the heavens.
The wind here again denotes the Lord’s providence and God’s sovereignty over human history. The four horns are the four generals we discussed in chapter 7. The territory controlled by the four generals is known to us as Greece, Turkey, Syria and Egypt. Two of the four eventually emerged as major forces: Syria, taken by Seleucus and Egypt, taken by Ptolemy. These two kingdoms were constantly engaged in hostile actions.
Israel was sandwiched geographically between the two kingdoms. When Egypt came up to fight Syria, Israel was trampled underfoot and likewise when Syria went down to fight Egypt. Thus the sufferings of Israel were beyond description
A LITTLE HORN: (8: 9-12)
“And out of one of them came forth a rather small horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Beautiful Land. And it grew up to the host of heaven and caused some of the host and some of the stars to fall to the earth, and it trampled them down. It even magnified itself to be equal with the Commander of the host; and it removed the regular sacrifice from Him, and the place of His sanctuary was thrown down. And on account of transgression the host will be given over to the horn along with the regular sacrifice; and it will fling truth to the ground and perform its will and prosper.”
This story about a little horn is quite mysterious and difficult to understand. This little horn seems to be different from the one which appeared in chapter 7. Scholars and theologians have differing theories. This second prophecy of a little horn has been fulfilled historically, but at the same time it has a dualistic interpretation because it stands for the “King of fierce countenance”; (“The antichrist that shall come” 1 Jo. 2:18); “ The Man of Sin; The Son of Perdition: That Wicked 2 Th. 2: 1-12).
2 Th. 2: 9-11: “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie.”
A little horn came up out of one of the horns. The description that follows in Daniels account fits perfectly a king of Syria named Antiochus Ephiphanes, who was eighth in the Seleucus dynasty (175-164 B.C.).
We can also identify him with the prophecies in Isaiah concerning “The Assyrian”, another name for the antichrist.
1 John 2:18: “Little children, it is the last time; and as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.”
Antiochus rose to prominence among the four horns from the horn of Syria. He defeated Egypt, and on his way home, he subdued Jerusalem. After Jerusalem surrendered, he set himself up against God and cruelly trampled Israel under foot.
Some scholars believe “the host” refers to the Jews whom this conqueror cast down in defeat. (“The host”---Strong’s #18659 Tsaba--- army, war, warfare, soldiers angels, sun, moon, stars of whole creation”).
Antiochus murdered several of the political and religious leaders of Israel, including the high priest Onias III, the religious star of the Jews in that day. Moreover, he set himself up to be as great as the Prince of the host---that is God. He forbade the daily sacrifice in the temple. He desecrated the sanctuary with an altar offered to the Greek deity he worshipped. On it he sacrificed swine’s blood, an abomination to the Jews.
He abolished the Mosaic Law. He forbade circumcision and imposed a pagan life-style upon them. Anyone who refused to obey Antiochus or rebelled against him was subject to death.
These events paralled what will come to pass "at the time of the end" (Vs. 17); the rise of the antichrist, his conquest and cruel treatment of Israel.
Rev. 17:17: “For God has put in their hearts to fulfill His will, and to agree, and give their kingdom to the beast, until the words (G4483-rhema) of God shall be fulfilled.
THE BLASPHEMY OF THE LITTLE HORN (8: 13, 14):
“Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to that particular one who was speaking, “How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply while the transgression causes horror, so as to allow both the holy place and the host to be trampled”. And he said to me, “For 2300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be properly restored.”
These words of the angels came true in history. The persecution against the Jews began in 171 B.C. and continued until Antiochus finally died on an expedition to Media in 164 B.C. As soon as he died, Israel was released from Syrian bondage. The temple was purged, and the daily sacrifice was restored. The exact number of days from Antiochus’ conquest of Israel to his death was exactly 2300, the number prophesied here in Daniel.
This connection of the Little Horn to Syria is the basis for many scholars’ theory that the anti-christ will come from Syria. Again in view of the fact that the Lord chose to translate Daniel to Iran to give this vision, I am fascinated by the present alliance between Iran and Syria and their unity of purpose to destroy Israel.
It is interesting to note that Antiochus was struck with an incurable plague after he swore to make Jerusalem a common burial place after the Jews cast the image of Jupiter out of the temple. Despairing of his recovery, he acknowledged his injuries to the Jews, released them to worship God without persecution. Still he died admitting that he had set himself in competition with God.
Because this is a dualist prophecy which has been fulfilled historically yet will be fulfilled “again at the time of the end”, this passage shows clearly that some day the antichrist, like Antiochus Epiphanes, will arise to destroy Israel.
GABRIEL’S INTERPRETION OF THE VISION (8: 15-27):
“And it came about when I, Daniel, had seen the vision, that I sought to understand it; and behold, standing before me was one who looked like a man. And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai(Tigres river in Iran), and he called out and said, “Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision”
"The one who looked like a man" would be Jesus Christ, for no one but He had the authority to give orders to Gabriel. Gabriel is an archangel. We meet him throughout scripture as one used to send messages of great importance.
“So he came near to where I was standing, and when he came I was frightened and fell on my face; but he said to me, “son of man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end.” Now while he was talking with me, I sank into a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me and made me stand upright. And he said, “Behold I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the Indignation, for it pertains to the appointed time of the end. The ram which you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Medan ad Persia. And the shaggy goat represents the kingdom of Greece, and the large horn that is between his eyes is the first king. And the broken horn and the four horns that arose in its place represent four kingdoms which will arise from his nation, although not with his power.”
Here Gabriel explains the significance of the vision according to the historical outline we have been studying throughout Daniel. Then he went on to say that at the latter part of the period of the four kingdoms rising out of Alexander’s kingdom would arise a fierce enemy of the Jews. This was Antiochus Ephiphanes, but because he was a type of the antichrist, what is said here about this one can also be applied to "the man of sin, the son of perdition" who is to come.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE ANTICHRIST:
“And in the latter period of their rule, when the transgressors have their run their course, a king will stand up “of fierce countenance” insolent and skilled in intrigue. (He will understand dark sentences.) His power will be mighty, but not by his own power. He will destroy to an extraordinary degree. He will prosper and perform his will. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. Through his shrewdness (craftiness), He will cause deceit to succeed by his influence. He will magnify himself in his heart. He will destroy many while they are at ease. (By peace shall destroy many); He will even oppose the Prince of princes, He will be broken without human hand” (8: 23-25).
The antichrist will suddenly turn into the beast, claiming that he is God. Having his own idol built in the sanctuary, he will force the people to worship it. But monotheistic Israel will never obey that command. Consequently, this will lead to the campaign against the Jews:
Referring to this Jesus said:
“Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; let him who is on the housetop not go down to get the things out that are in his house; and let him who is in the field not turn back to get his cloak. But woe to those who are with child and to those nurse babes in those days! But pray that your flight may not be in the winter, or on a Sabbath; for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall. And unless those days have been cut short, no life would have been saved; but the sake of the elect those days shall be cut short.” (Mt. 24: 15-22)
"These words of jesus reveal a picture of the twelve tribes (the sons of Jacob) and the fall of national Israel. The Jeiwsh nation fell from their greatness, and the blessing of Abraham came upon all the nations through faith.
When will this antichrist fall? During the war of Armageddon (Rev. 16:14-16) “They are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth to the kings of earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty…And he gathered them together into a placed called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.”
THE END OF THE AGE:
“And the vision of the evenings and mornings which has been told is true; but keep the vision secret, for it pertains to many days in the future.” Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up again and carried on the king’s business; but I was astounded at the vision, and there was none to explain it.”
Israel has risen again, regaining her nationhood. The fig tee is a symbol of Israel, and Jesus said: “Now learn the parable from the fig tree; when its branch has already become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; even so you too, when you see all these things, recognize that he is near, right at the door”
Scripture gives us 15 titles of the Antichrist: “Even now there are many antichrists” (1 John 2:18) Strong’s G500 ---“opposing God; the adversary of the Messiah, a most pestilent being, corrupt power and influence hostile to Christian interests, especially that which is at work in false teachers who have come from the bosom of the church and are engaged in disseminating error. Paul teaches that Antichrist will be an individual man of the very worst character, instigated by the devil to try to palm himself off as God. The author of the Apocalypse discovers the power of antichrist in the sway of imperial Rome and his person in the Emperor Nero.”
Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible: 15 titles of Antichrist:
- Antichrist (l Jn. 2:18)
- The Assyrian (Isa. 10: 20-27; 30: 18-33; 31: 4-32; Mic. 5: 3-15)
- The King of Babylon (Isa. 14:4)
- The Spoiler (Isa. 16:4)
- The Extortioner (Isa. 16:4)
- Gog, the chief Prince of Meshech and Tubal (Ez. 38: 2-3)
- The little horn (Dan. 7:8, 24; 8:9, 23)
- King of Fierce Countenance (Dan. 8:23)
- the Prince that shall come (Dan. 9: 26-27)
- The King of the north (Dan. 11: 5-45)
- The Man of sin (2 Th. 2: 1-12)
- The Son of Perdition (2 Th. 2: 1-12)
- The Wicked (Isa. 11:4)
- That Wicked (2 Th. 2: 8-12)
- The Beast (Dan. 7:11; Rev. 13)
While teaching this, I retold an interesting story of Alexander the Great as related by Josephus. I add it not that it is relative to the above context, but because it is an inspiring and uplifting story.
THE GOAT FROM THE WEST (8:5-8):
This goat refers to the Greek empire, and the horn between the eyes signifies Alexander the Great.
Matthew Henry tells an interesting story about Alexander the Great as related by Josephus.
“When Alexander capture Tyre on the way to Jerusalem, Jaddas, then high priest, fearing his rage prayed to God and was warned in a dream that upon Alexander’s approach, he, Jaddas, should open the gates of the city, and that he and the rest of the priests should go forth to meet him in their habits, and all the people in white.
Alexander seeing this company at a distance went alone to the high priest. With his face on the floor, he saluted Jaddas. One of His captains asked why he did this. Alexander said he had a vision while in Macedon of a man dressed as Jaddas, who invited him to Asia and assured him of success in the conquest of Asia. The priests led him to the temple, where he offered sacrifices to the God of Israel as they directed him; and they showed him this book of the prophet Daniel, where it was foretold that a Grecian would destroy the Persians, which cheered him in the expedition against Dairus.
Alexander took the Jews and their religion under his protection. He promised to be kind to those of their religion in Babylon and Media where he was headed.”
Taught by: Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Eastgate Ministries, Inc.