Jo Reads The Bible

Daniel 8-10

Written by

joraebee

in

PLEASE NOTE I AM NOT A SCHOLAR IN THIS AREA – PLEASE READ THESE CHAPTERS WITH CAUTION- THEY ARE MY PERSONAL NOTES FROM WHAT I HAVE STUDIED. I DO NOT TAKE A STANCE ON WHAT THESE VISIONS MEAN

Daniel 8

(About 2 years after Daniel 7)

 Vision of the Ram

  • Occurs in the reign of Belshazzar
  • Daniel sees a ram with two horns:
    • One higher than the other (later rising)
  • The ram charges:
    • West, north, south
    • No one can stand against it
    • β€œThe principle theatre of their wars, saysΒ Calmet, was against the SCYTHIANS,Β northward; against the GREEKS,Β westward; and against the EGYPTIANS,Β southward.” (Clarke)

Interpretation (given later):

  • The ram = Medo-Persian Empire
    • Two horns β†’ Medes and Persians
    • Higher horn β†’ Persia becoming dominant

The Goat from the West

  • A male goat moves swiftly without touching the ground
  • Has a prominent horn
  • Defeats the ram violently
  • At peak power:
    • The large horn is broken
    • Four horns arise

Historical Fulfillment:

  • Goat = Greece
  • Large horn = Alexander the Great
  • Four horns = division of empire after his death
    • Into four kingdoms (generals)

The Little Horn and Desecration

  • A smaller horn grows powerful
  • Extends toward:
    • South, east, β€œglorious land” (Israel)
  • Attacks:
    • The host of heaven
    • Removes regular burnt offering
    • Throws down the sanctuary
  • Question asked:
    • β€œHow long?” β†’ answer: 2,300 evenings and mornings

Historical Background:

  • Commonly linked to Antiochus IV Epiphanes who desecrated the temple (~167 BC)
    • Stopped sacrifices
    • Set up pagan altar

Daniel seeks understanding

  • Gabriel is commanded to explain
  • Daniel overwhelmed and falls down

Interpretation Explained

  • Ram = Medo-Persia
  • Goat = Greece
  • Broken horn = Alexander
  • Four kingdoms arise
  • A later king:
    • Fierce
    • Skilled in deception
    • Destroys many

Connection:

  • Blends:
    • Antiochus (historical)
    • With patterns of future opposition to God

Daniel’s Response

  • Daniel is exhausted and sick
  • Continues serving the king
  • Vision remains troubling

Β The 2,300 β€œEvenings and Mornings” 

β€œβ€¦For how long is the vision…? …For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored…”

Different ways to understand it:

OptionInterpretationCalculationTime LengthWhat It Aligns With
A2,300 literal daysβ€œEvening and morning” = full day (Genesis 1 pattern)~2,300 days (~6.3 years)Broader period of Antiochus IV’s oppression (including buildup + aftermath)
B2,300 sacrifices (half-days)2 sacrifices/day β†’ 2,300 Γ· 21,150 days (~3.2 years)Period when temple sacrifices were stopped (167–164 BC)
C2,300 years (day-year view)1 day = 1 year (Num 14:34; Ezek 4:6)2,300 yearsLong prophetic timeline (often 457 BC β†’ ~1844 AD; β€œsanctuary cleansing” interpretation)

OR WE DON’T KNOW SINCE IT DOES NOT SAY!

What event could this be referring to?

Most directly tied to:

  • Antiochus IV Epiphanes

He:

  • Stopped temple sacrifices (~167 BC)
  • Desecrated the temple
  • Set up pagan worship

The timeline roughly matches:

  • Option B: Desecration of temple to restoration under the Maccabees (~164 BC) About 3 years of disruption

This aligns closely with:

  • The 1,150-day (sacrifice-based) interpretation, but 2300 days could include from time oppression started (~170 BC)

What happens at the end of the 2,300?

β€œβ€¦then the sanctuary shall be restored…”

This refers to:

  • Cleansing and rededication of the temple
  • Hanukkah (Feast of Dedication)

Interesting pic showing comparisons of the 3 visions, but follows 1260 year view (option C from above)

From: https://www.answersfromscriptureonline.com/2017/10/10/daniel-revelation-part-5-longest-time-prophecy-ram-goat/

Daniel 9

Under Darius the Mede, Daniel reads:

  • Jeremiah 25:11–12; 29:10
  • Realizes exile is nearing completion (70 literal years)

Daniel’s Prayer of Confession

  • Daniel prays, fasts, confesses
  • Identifies with Israel’s sin:
    • Rebellion
    • Ignoring prophets
    • Appeals to: God’s mercy and God’s name
  • Similar to Ezra 9 and Nehemiah 1

Gabriel Appears

  • Gabriel comes β€œin swift flight”
  • Says Daniel is greatly loved
  • Gives 70 week prophecy

The Seventy Weeks Prophecy

  • 70 β€œweeks” (sevens) = 490 units
  • Weeks: Hebrew: שָׁבֻגִים (shavuΚΏim) = β€œsevens”
    • Not necessarily 7 days…just a unit of seven
  • 7 weeks + 62 weeks + 1 week
  • Anderson, using a 360-day year (which Israel used in Daniel’s day), calculated 173,880 days from the decree to the triumphal entry, fulfilling the prophecyΒ to the day. β€œIt is customary for the Jews to have twelve months of 360 days each and then to insert a thirteenth month occasionally when necessary to correct the calendar.” (Walvoord)

The First 7 Weeks (49 years)

  • β€œβ€¦from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem…”
  • Starts with a decree to rebuild Jerusalem
    • Commonly linked to: Artaxerxes I (457 BC)
    • Ezra/Nehemiah times

The Next 62 Weeks (434 years)

  • Leads up to coming of Jesus
  • ~AD 27–30 depending on calculation

After the 62 weeks…” (Daniel 9:26)

  • β€œAn anointed one shall be cut off”
  • β€œThe people of the prince…shall destroy the city and sanctuary”
    • Destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70) by Rome

The Final Week (70th week = 7 years)

Daniel 9:27:

  • A covenant is made
  • In the middle of the week (3.5 years):
    • Sacrifices stop
    • Desolation occurs
ViewWho is the central figure?Timing of 70th WeekKey Events in the WeekHow β€œmiddle of the week” is understoodChallenges
Messiah / Continuous (Christ-centered)Jesus ChristImmediately follows the 69th week (no gap)Jesus confirms covenant; His death brings true end to sacrifice; gospel goes to many3.5 years β†’ Jesus’ ministry, crucifixion in the middleHarder to explain exact 7-year structure; Jerusalem’s destruction (AD 70) occurs later
Futurist/DispensationalFuture Antichrist figureGap after 69th week; 70th week still futureCovenant with many; rebuilt temple; tribulation period; final rebellion3.5 years β†’ Antichrist breaks covenant; stops sacrificesRequires a gap not explicitly stated; shifts focus away from first-century fulfillment
Historical / Antiochus-typeAntiochus IV Epiphanes (or similar ruler)Fulfilled around 2nd century BC or blended with AD 70Temple desecration; persecution; stopping sacrifices~3.5 years β†’ period of temple defilementDoesn’t fully explain Messiah language; timeline less precise
Mixed / TypologicalBoth Jesus and a future ruler (pattern fulfillment)Partial fulfillment in past, ultimate fulfillment futureJesus fulfills covenant; later figure repeats pattern of oppositionDual meaning (near + far fulfillment)Less precise; can feel less concrete
Daniel 10

Daniel mourns for 3 weeks and fasts for 21 days. 

Daniel sees a glorious man on the Tigris river:

  • Linen clothing
  • Gold on waist
  • Face like lightning
  • Eyes like fire
  • Others don’t see, but feel terror and flee
  • Daniel becomes frail and falls into deep sleep
  • Similar imagery to Revelation 1 (vision of Christ)

A messenger speaks (Gabriel? Does not say):

  • Prayer was heard from day one
  • Delayed 21 days by β€˜prince of Persia’
    • Michael helpsΒ 

***Think about all the unseen battles in our world!*****

Daniel overwhelmed physically

  • Messenger strengthens him:
    • β€œFear not…you are greatly loved”

Messenger speaks of:

  • Returning to fight the prince of Persia
  • Prince of Greece
  • Michael stands for IsraelΒ 

Application

There is so much to take in reading these chapters. Something that really stands out is all the spiritual battles that go on without us knowing. God is sovereign over all, the earthy and the spiritual. His Kingdom will be the one that reigns forever, not “Persia” or “Greece”. We also see that prayer is heard, as Daniel’s voice was heard.

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