Daniel 8:19-26
The vision before us was seen by Daniel in the third year of the reign of Belshazzar (550 B.C.). Daniel would see the fulfillment of the beginning of this vision eleven years later when Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians. The vast majority of that which Daniel saw would not come to pass for many years.
“And he said, Behold, I will make thee know . . .” (v. 19). These words were spoken by the angel Gabriel to Daniel. Daniel knew it was Gabriel who spoke because he heard one with the appearance of a man say, “Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision” (v. 15-16).
This is the first time which Gabriel’s name appears in scripture. Gabriel’s name appears twice in the gospel of Luke. Gabriel announced the future birth of John the Baptist to Zacharias (Lk. 1:13) and he informed the virgin Mary that she would conceive in her womb and bear the Son of God (Lk. 1:35). When the angel spoke to Zacharias, he said, “I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God” (Lk. 1:19). Zacharias knew Gabriel through the scriptures because of his message to Daniel.
The one with the appearance of a man who directed Gabriel to make Daniel understand is not named but is identified through His authority. Only the pre-incarnate Christ has the appearance of a man and possesses the authority to direct the angels which stand in the presence of God.
Gabriel said, “I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the appointed time the end shall be.” What is “the indignation” of which Gabriel speaks? It is the last portion of the vision which is recorded in verses 3-14. Prior to making the last end of the indignation known, Gabriel explained the vision beginning with the first thing which Daniel saw in verses 3 and 4.
The ram with two horns which Daniel saw was the kings of Media and Persia. Both Media and Persia would go up together against Babylon and supplant the Chaldean rulers with Persia eventually overshadowing Media as the dominant ruling power.
The he goat (v. 5) with the notable horn which smote the ram was the king of Grecia (v. 21). Secular historians have determined that this prophecy was literally fulfilled in October of 331 B.C. when Babylon fell to Alexander the Great (the notable horn). The prophecy of the great horn being broken (v. 8) came to pass when Alexander died at a young age. Upon his death in 323 B.C., his empire was divided by his four generals. These four are the four of both verse 8 and verse 22.
Gabriel informed Daniel that a king would arise from one of four kingdoms in the latter days of this empire. That king is described as a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences. That king would destroy the holy people and stand up against the Prince of princes. Gabriel announced that this king would be broken, but not by human hand (v. 25).
Gabriel’s explanation does not include a direct reference to the daily sacrifice being taken away (see v. 11). Gabriel does, however, state that “And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true” (v. 26). The entire prophecy (morning, noon, afternoon, and evening) is and was as certain as the word of God. Gabriel had given Daniel a detailed account of the literal things which would transpire at the beginning of the vision — the events of verse 4. Daniel would see the ram push westward from Media and Persia to conquer Babylon. Daniel would not, in his lifetime, see the evening of the vision. He would not see the daily sacrifice be restored after a literal period of two thousand and three hundred days (v. 13). He would not see it but he would know it to be as certain as the conquest of Babylon which he would see.
Gabriel’s instruction to shut up the vision does not mean to keep it secret from the ears of them who shall believe. The certainty of God’s word is hidden from those who believe not.
Secular historians, not seeking evidence to fulfill this prophecy, have identified a king who fully satisfies Gabriel’s description. Antiochus Epiphanes was the 8th ruler of the Seleucid empire (the Middle East), ruling from 175 B.C. to 164 B.C. Antiochus gave himself the name Epiphanes which means “the visible God”. He usurped his brother’s throne and attempted to force Greek culture upon Jerusalem. He replaced the high priest Onias III with his hellenized brother Jason. When Jason did not act as swiftly as Antiochus desired, he replaced Jason with Menelaus who was not a member of the priestly family. When Menelaus found that the Temple treasury did not contain enough money to pay Antiochus the sum he had promised, he sold some of the holy vessels of the Temple to raise the money. Jews who were not hellenized were outraged and rebelled. Antiochus responded by sending the Syrian army which slaughtered forty thousand Jews and sold an equal number into slavery. Intent upon destroying the Jewish religion, he ordered a pig to sacrificed in the Temple, erected an altar to Jupiter, prohibited Temple worship, forbade circumcision on pain of death, destroyed all copies of Scripture that could be found, and slaughtered everyone discovered in possession of such copies.
Antiochus was forced to lead his main army to squelch an uprising by the Parthians in the eastern part of the empire. There, he died of a disease in 164 B.C.
Unbelieving Bible critics espouse the theory that Daniel 8 was written after the event because all of prophesied events were fulfilled with one hundred percent accuracy. Unbelieving critics cannot accept the existence of a God who would reveal the future in His scriptures.
The fulfillment of Daniel 8 serves notice on believers of today that all prophecy given by God will be fulfilled at its appointed time. Christians are called to declare God’s truth — past, present and future. God’s future judgment upon the unrepentant is certain. Today is the day in which men may call upon His name. Let us not hide the truth which we have received.
