DANIEL - Chapter 7: 7-28 - The Fourth Beast - Chapter 8 - The Little Horn
DANIEL – Chapter 7:7-28 –The Fourth Beast
Chapter 8- The Little Horn
Tuesday Morning Bible Study
November 20, 2011; October 24, 2023, June 30, 2026, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Last week we covered Chapters 5 and 7:1-8, the judgment of Belshazzar, grandson of Nebuchadnezzar and the fall of Babylon to King Cyrus. We studied Daniel’s visions of the four winds and four beasts. This week, we are starting with the Fourth Beast and continue through Chapter 8 and the Little Horn/Antichrist.
Chapter 6 is Daniel’s visitation of the angel who saved him from the Lion’s Den. Daniel was up in years, approaching ninety when He was betrayed and thrown in the lions’ den.
For as long as the earth stands, The Lord has set in order His divine plan for the government of the nations of the earth. His divine providence took a young Hebrew boy from his native land and planted Daniel and his friends in Babylon. Through Daniel’s love and obedience to the Lord, at least three kings accepted God as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Nebuchadnezzar, Dairus, and Cyrus.
DANIEL – THE FOURTH BEAST - Chapter 7: 7-8
Last week, I only touched on the fourth beast, the Roman empire --- we will begin in Chapter 7:7
After this I kept looking in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it; and behold, this horn possesses eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth uttering great boasts.
This beast refers to the Roman empire, which succeeded Greece and brought the whole known world under its sway. By the turn of the second century B.C., it had already conquered Spain and Carthage. Then it continued to further its conquests, adding Macedonia, Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, Jerusalem, Great Britain, France, Belgium Switzerland, and Germany. Its power reached to the border of India. Rome succeeded in building the largest empire in human history. Yet even Rome fell to invading armies in A.D. 410. No human kingdom lasts forever. In the wake of the Roman armies, civilization was often reduced to ashes.
The description of the ten horns does not correspond to any known historical aspect of the Roman empire. This is believed to be the future extension of the Revived Roman empire. It has now been over 2000 years since the time of the Roman Empire. Interestingly all the other kingdoms only survived 200 + years. Since the time of the Roman Empire, (9) world empires have oppressed the Jews (counting Hitler) in the time of the Gentiles. However, it is believed by most scholars there will be ten kingdoms yet to arise.
NINE KINGDOMS WHICH HAVE OPPRESSED ISRAEL IN THE TIME OF THE GENTILES SINCE THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE:
Research by Carolyn Sissom:
1. Byzantine Empire – grew out of the East Roman Empire.
2. Moslem Empire – originated with the Arabs.
3. Seljuk Turks
4. Christian Crusaders
5. Marmadukes of Egypt
6. Ottoman Turks
7. Nazis
8. British and Arab Guerilla fighters
9. Arabs (Islam)
Jesus came to this world in the age of Rome. The past 2026 years is the age of the Gospel Church (the establishing of the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven), the period in which all humankind can be delivered by the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ Kingdom is the stone cut out of the mountain without hands and has broken to pieces all the other kingdoms. Daniel 2:44-45: And in the days of these kings shall the God of Heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”
THE ANCIENT OF DAYS REIGNS
7: 9-14: I, beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool; His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him; thousand, thousands ministered to Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him; the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke; I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away; yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time. I saw in the night visions and beheld one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
From the horror of the horned beast, Daniel was turned to the solemn splendor of the heavenly court. There sat one Ancient of Days, venerable, entirely pure, purging and consuming wrong. Knowing all that had passed in history, and all that He has ordained for the future. He is qualified to judge the latest upstart as He had judged others before. Judicial authority was displayed in the river of fire, and the requisite power in the innumerable thousands at His call. Beside the Divine Judge were various thrones set in place.
Before this court the books recording the deeds of the accused were opened. (Heavenly records of human activities are alluded to by many ancient writings). The accused is this one man in whom is embodied all the evil of the devil manifest in the antichrist. “Then I was watching from the sound of the great words which the horn spoke. I was watching until the beast was slain… Nothing could distract the seer until the dream ended with the accused punished in the fire of justice. Three beasts remained powerless but set aside for a set time.
It is my persuasion the three beasts set aside are demonic entities used by the LORD in judgment of nations. They are set aside until the LORD GOD uses them in His future judgment of nations and rulers.
The Heavenly Court has been convened to judge this one man. I would also conclude without too much presumption that it will include his followers who are likeminded.
Contrasting with the beasts which were inherently hostile to God, stood this visionary figure, like a human being. That would be Jesus. Nebuchadnezzar saw Jesus in the setting of his earthly judgment. Daniel saw a human being (Jesus – one like the Son of Man) in the place of God’s justice. This figure came with the clouds of heaven. The clouds of heaven are the glorified saints who have passed on into Heaven before the living. I have seen this by vision. It is confirmed six times in the New Testament. 1 Th. 4:17: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air; and so shall we ever be with the LORD. Mark. 13:36: Then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. (Mar. 14:62; Rev. 1:7; Mt. 24:30; Mt. 26:54).
Daniel was greatly alarmed by what he saw and was determined to fully understand the full importance of this terrifying message. In the midst of his distress, he received a reassuring promise from an angel who, in bold affirmation of God’s sovereign control over the affairs of men and empires loudly declared, Dan. 7:18: but the high holy ones of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever; for all ages to come.
“Remember, every word of Daniel’s prophecies has come true regarding the four great Gentile kingdoms---Babylon, Medes and Persia, Greece, and Rome. The revived feet and toes kingdom prophesied by Daniel (Ch. 2) is nascent but growing here on earth today, aggressively seeking to extend its authority over more and more of the nations of the earth” (B.B.).
7: 15-16: I, Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near to one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this, so he told me and made me know the interpretation of the things.
Excerpt from Covenant the End-Times Prophecy of Daniel by Baruch Battelstein:
1. The fourth beast will be a Fourth Kingdom that will arise upon the earth (first manifested by ancient Rome, but with a second, more complex incarnation yet to come---the feet and toes).
2. The fourth Kingdom will be different from all the other kingdoms before it.
3. The fourth Kingdom will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it (a historical first, as no previous empire has ever dominated the entire earth at one time).
4. Another king will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings.
5. Once he is firmly established in his power and authority, he will speak out against the Most High God.
6. He will intend to make alterations in times and in law.
7. He will wear down the high holy ones of the Highest One.
8. The whole earth will be given into his hand for a time, two times, and half a time (three and a half years).
We know from history that what Daniel prophesied in these verses has not yet taken place. For no king has yet arisen who has devoured the whole earth, trodden it down, crushed it, ruled for three and a half years, and after this time been destroyed by the Messiah, ruling and reigning over His earthly kingdom…
Out of this kingdom ten kings, or leaders, will arise. After them a king will rise who will subdue three kings and begin his three-and-a-half-year reign over the whole earth” (End of quote B.B.).
7:20: He shall speak great words against the Most High and shall wear out the saints of the Most High and think to change times and laws; and they shall be given unto his hand until time and times and the dividing of time.
The antichrist will try to change the set times and the laws. He will dislike the present name of our era, A.D. or “Anno domini,” which means “The year of the Lord.” Thus, he will be loath to hear words like A.D. 2026 because this means “the year of the Lord 2026,” a year in the era whose beginning is Jesus Christ. He will also change laws to place himself at the center of law, and he will institute a new era.
We saw this spirit manifest in the Jaguar, who has the spirit of antichrist. He said that “In God we trust is no longer our national motto”. He tried declaring that “E Pluribus Unum” (e pluri bu su num) which means “from many one,” is now our national motto. When congress wrote a resolution confirming In God we Trust, he mocked congress.
7:20b: Of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. The word for stout here is “power.” I would also conclude it means “intimidating.” Another reason why saints must not be intimidated by anyone.
7:21-22: I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Until the appointed time of his judgment, the horn was overcoming the saints. The Ancient of days will not allow this to continue.
7:26: But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it to the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. So far is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
DANIEL – Chapter 8 -
As we continue our study of the Book of Daniel, one of our quests is to expose the spirit of antichrist that is at work in the nations of the world in the Year of our Lord, 2026.
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.
1 John 2:22: Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the father and the Son.
Anyone against Christ is antichrist. In this sense there are many. However, the prophet Daniel and the Book of Revelation teach us Satan will embody one man in the last days.
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).
Scripture gives us 15 titles of the Antichrist:
1. Antichrist (l Jn. 2:18)
2. The Assyrian
3. The King of Babylon (Isa. 14:4)
4. The Spoiler (Isa. 16:4)
5. The Extortioner (Isa. 16:4)
6. Gog, the chief Prince of Meshech and Tubal (Ez. 38: 2-3)
7. The little horn (Dan. 7:8, 24; 8:9, 23)
8. King of Fierce Countenance (Dan. 8:23)
9. The Prince that shall come (Dan. 9: 26-27)
10. The King of the north (Dan. 11: 5-45)
11. The Man of sin (2 Th. 2: 1-12)
12. The Son of Perdition (2 Th. 2: 1-12)
13. The Wicked (Isa. 11:4)
14. That Wicked (2 Th. 2: 8-12)
15. The Beast (Dan. 7:11; Rev. 13)
In Daniel’s vision described in Chapter 8, he was taken in the spirit to Susa which is at the foot of the highlands of Iran at the beginning of the Tigris River Valley. It is of interest that the Lord would choose to take Daniel by vision to Iran in view of the present battle over Iran.
THE VISION OF A RAM WITH TWO HORNS:
This vision deals with only two of the kingdoms symbolized by the metallic man of Daniel 2 and the four beasts of Daniel 7. These are the Medo-Persian and the Grecian.
The ram with two horns signifies the Medo-Persian empire. When the kings of the Medo-Persian empire went to battle, they wore helmets which looked like rams’ horns, (instead of a crown).
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 Macedonia 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.
The breaking of this notable horn is in reference to the untimely death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C.
In its place there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.
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.
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 is different from the one which appeared in chapter 7. This second prophecy of a little horn has been already fulfilled historically, but at the same time it has a dualistic interpretation because it stands for the antichrist which is yet to come.
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.
Under these circumstances, a little horn came up out of one of the horns. The description in Daniel’s account fits perfectly a king of Syria named Antiochus Ephiphanes, who was eighth in the Seleucus dynasty (175-164 B.C.).
Antiochus rose to prominence among the four horns. 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. Otherwise throughout scripture, “The host” refers to “army, war, warfare, angels, sun, moon, stars of the 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. 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 lifestyle upon them. Anyone who refused to obey Antiochus or rebelled against him was subject to death.
These events paralle what will come to pass in the last days, 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. (This connection of the Little Horn to Syria is the basis for many scholars’ belief that the antichrist will come from Syria). 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.
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 has set himself in competition with God.
Because this is a dualist prophecy which was once fulfilled in history yet will be fulfilled again at the end of the world, this passage shows clearly that someday the antichrist, like Antiochus Epiphanes, will arise to destroy Israel. As we have already seen in chapter 7:25 that period of time has been prophesied as a time, times, and half a time (3-1/2 years).
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, and he called out and said, “Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision.”
This man would be Jesus Christ, as the Son-of-Man, for no one but He had the authority to give orders to Gabriel. Gabriel is an archangel. We meet him throughout scripture delivering important messages.
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 Medes and 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. 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 is also applied to the antichrist who is to come.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE ANTICHRIST:
In the latter period of their rule, when the transgressors have run their course, a king will stand up 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 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 (Vs. 23-25).
He will be a master of intrigue and manipulation. He will enter a seven-year treaty with Israel. He will help Israel rebuild the temple, which was destroyed by the Romans. For 3-1/2 years, he will take advantage of Israel, using the nation for his own purposes until he has enough political power to stand by himself.
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:
Matthew 24: 15-22: 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.
Thus, the antichrist will persecute the Jews, opposing God and claiming that he is Christ at the time that is known as the great tribulation.
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.
This period of over two thousand years was kept secret to the prophets. Yet the end of it was foretold in Joel, when he said that God would pour out His spirit upon His servants, both men and women (Joel 2: 28, 29). That happened at the beginning of this century when the latter rain of the Holy Spirit came down to earth in the Pentecostal outpouring.
Israel has risen again, regaining her nationhood. The fig tree 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 (Mt. 24: 32,33).
The fig tree, Israel, wandered among the nations for a long time but has finally become a nation once more and put forth leaves.
Pastor Carolyn Sissom, Eastgate Ministries Church, 10115 West Hidden Lakes Lane, Richmond, TX
Scripture from K.J.V.; quotes from Daniel by: Paul Yonggi Cho; Covenant by: Baruch Battelstein; F. F. Bruce Bible Commentary; Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those who I entered into their labors.