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More Daniel commentaries
Daniel 5:1-16
King Belshazzar’s Banquet
Daniel 5:17-31
Daniel Interprets The Handwriting
Daniel 6:1-17
Daniel And The Lions Den
Daniel 6:18-28
Daniel Saved From The Lions
Daniel 7:1-14
Daniel’s Vision of The Four Beasts
Daniel 7:15-28
The Meaning of Daniel’s Vision
Daniel 8:1-14
Daniel’s Vision of a Ram And a Goat
Daniel 8:15-27
Gabriel Interprets The Vision
Daniel 9:1-10
Daniel Prays For The People
Daniel 9:11-19
Daniel Cries Out to God For Mercy
Daniel 9:20-27
The Seventy Weeks Prophecy
Daniel 10:1-9
Daniel’s Terrifying Vision of a Man
Daniel 10:10-21
Prophecies Concerning Persia And Greece
Daniel 11:1-20
The Kings And Their Successors
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Gabriel Interprets The Vision
Daniel 8:15–27
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
S. I. McMillen, in his book None of These Diseases, tells a story of a young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the application blank that asked, “Are you a leader” Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, No … More
Even though Daniel was able to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams he could not interpret this dream so he earnestly sought for its meanings. Gabriel was sent to give the meaning of the vision to Daniel (vv. 15-16). He was a heavenly messenger God used to explain Daniel’s visions (9:21). As the angel appeared, Daniel fell down in fear before him (v. 17) and went into a deep sleep (v. 18). The interpreting angel identifies this great ram as the Medo-Persion empire which was to follow Babylon to the scene of world power. Although he identifies it historically, he also uses certain suggestive phrases which indicate that there is also to be a far distant fulfillment. For instance he says that it will apply to “the time of the end” (v. 17, “the last end of the indignation” (v. 19), and “the time appointed the end” (v. 19). The two horns of the ram are the kings of Media and Persia (v. 20).
The “rough” (he) goat describes the rise of the Grecian empire under Alexander the Great (v. 21). He conquered the land of Persia and then swept south and defeated Egypt by the age of 33. He went on to Babylon where he indulged himself in a great drunken feast and died from a combination of malaria and acute alcoholism. Though conquer of the world he was unable to conquer his own passions. At this point Alexander’s kingdom’s was divided among four of his generals (v. 22). Gabriel said that from among one of the four kings would come a powerful ruler who would gain this authority by trickery and political maneuvering (v. 23). This king is known as Antiochus Epiphanes who can be described as a “madman.” What was prophesied was literally fulfilled through him (vv. 24-27). However, this prophesy also looks to be future and characterizes the Anti-Christ who will rule with mighty power. In the end he will be destroyed by a special visitation from God.Application
When given leadership responsibilities I must always go to the Lord and seek wise counsel.
Daniel 8:15-27 (English Standard Version)
When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it. And behold, there stood before me one having the appearance of a man. And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, "Gabriel, make this man understand the vision." So he came near where I stood. And when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, "Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end." And when he had spoken to me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand up. He said, "Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end. As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia. And the goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king. As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his nation, but not with his power. And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise. His power shall be great--but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken--but by no human hand. The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true, but seal up the vision, for it refers to many days from now." And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king's business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it.
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