DANIEL SERIES: GABRIEL’S INTERPRETATION – CHAPTER 8

Daniel had his second vision in King Belshazzar’s third year of reigning while at the Shushan palace in Susa, which was the capital of Medo-Persia. In the vision, Daniel is by the river of Ulai, and he sees a ram with two horns standing by the river. Both of the horns on the ram were tall; however, one of them grew higher than the other. The ram was powerful and became great, succeeding in its plans as it subdued all that was in its path, pushing its’ way to the west, north, and south
Next, coming from the west direction appeared a goat that had a horn between its eyes. Moving swiftly without touching the ground, the goat, with anger and hatred, furiously ran into the ram, knocking off the two horns on the ram’s head and leaving it defenseless and powerless. Over time, the goat became great, but eventually, its reign ended, and four horns took its place.
Still revealing the fate of this kingdom, from one of the four horns came a little horn which also became great and moved to the south, east, and Isreal. Its powers ascended and prospered as it fought and defeated the Jewish leaders, stopped the temple sacrifices, and desecrated the temple.
While thinking about the vision, Daniel heard two angels discussing how long it would take for the vision to be fulfilled and the duration of the period of desolation. The answer was twenty-three hundred days would pass between the desecration of the temple and its cleansing.
Perplexed and not understanding the vision, Daniel desired an interpretation. Daniel heard a voice saying, “Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.” Then Gabriel came near him; however, being afraid, Daniel prostrated himself on the ground, from which he went into a deep sleep. Gabriel touched Daniel, woke him, stood him up, and then began revealing the vision to him.
Gabriel revealed that the ram, which had two horns, was the king of Media and Persia. The ferocious goat was the king of Greece, and the great horn between its eyes was the first Grecian king, Alexander the Great. When Alexander died, four less powerful kingdoms took his place. From them emerged a ruthless king who was given power to destroy the Jews. This king ruled because God permitted him to do so until his rule ended by God’s judgment.
At the end of their conversation, Daniel was told the vision he saw would not happen for a while and that he should not share it with anyone. This vision caused Daniel to be sick for several days, but afterward, though still distressed and unable to comprehend it, he was able to return to his palace duties.
I am concluding this blog with some historical data and nuggets

History revealed Alexander the Great died not in conquest but at age 32 from an illness, and his empire was divided among his four generals: Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy.
It is believed Antiochus Epiphanes, the little horn, was one of the cruelest tyrants in history, and he foreshadowed the reign of the Antichrist. He ruled from 175 to 164 B.C. and was extremely hostile to the Jews, whom he wanted to eradicate from the face of the earth. During his reign, he sacrificed a pig in the temple and also erected a statue of Zeus in it. According to Revelation, many of Antiochus’ acts will be repeated by the Antichrist.
There are times when God will reveal something to you; however, He will not permit you to share it until a set time.
Somethings that are revealed to us are more distressing than comforting.
When in doubt about a dream or vision, ask God for its interpretation.
To gain territory and become powerful, kings do not mind engaging in warfare.
Kingdoms start small, but over time, they become significant.
God allows kings to rise and to fall.
Human kingdoms come and go; none last forever.
Death comes to the old as well as the young; no one is exempt from it.
The only power that is invincible is God.
Life goes on.