A SUCCESSFUL KING DOES WHATEVER HE PLEASES

Daniel 8

Have you ever had to watch someone you love go through a time of pain and affliction?

     Even when you know they brought it on themselves by bad choices, it hurts to watch.

     You want to jump in and rescue them!

That was Daniel’s dilemma—His people were going through affliction.

It was provoked by their rebellion, but it hurts to see them suffer.

In Dan 8, he continues learning about God’s plan and the scary events God’s people will face as a result of their sin.

After 6 historical examples demonstrate God's control over political events, even under pagan governments, Dan presents God’s program for future.

GOD'S PROPHETIC PROGRAM FOR GENTILE NATIONS 7-8

OVERVIEW OF TIMES OF GENTILES: Vision of 4 Beasts 7

              Rule of the pagan nations

         Babylon => Media-Persia => Greece => Rome     

              Rome => 10 nation alliance arises out of remnant of Rome    (=> still waiting--EU?)

10 nation alliance => gives birth to one strong leader (displaces 3)

                      This one will oppress God’s people for 3 ½ years and defeat them.

              Ancient of Days judges pagan nations and destroys beast

              Kingdom is handed over to the Son of Man and His people forever.

Pagan nations rage; kingdoms come and go, but God’s saints possess an eternal kingdom!

DETAILED VIEW OF IMMEDIATE FUTURE: Vision of Ram and Goat 8

3rd yr of Belshazzar—2 yrs after ch. 7— 11 yrs before fall of Babylon

THE VISION 8:1-14

     Introduction 8:1-2

Probably not in Susa, but saw self at Ulai river, observing events.

Susa was capital of Elam--more significant province than Babylonia.

     Description of the Ram 8:3-4

Daniel saw ram with two uneven horns

1 always greater, but 1st was eventually surpassed by other.

Though allies, they’re never equal; 1 is always superior.

Compare this ram and lop-sided bear (7)

Lest you think I’m forcing Persia, Dan.’s interpretation in 8:20

It extends power toward West, North & South

Ram’s so strong no one can oppose him, nor free self from him.

He does as He pleases!—magnifies self!—king no one can control.

GREAT PAGAN KING DOES WHATEVER HE PLEASES!

NO ONE CAN STOP HIM!

     Defeat of Ram 8:5-8     Description of Victorious Goat:

Suddenly another participant appears: Goat confronts the ram.

              He passes rapidly—feet never touch ground! 5 (Cp. winged leopard (7))

Conspicuous horn on forehead—prominent king

                  Attacks Ram furiously, and destroys it 6-8

Greece defeats Media-Persia => prominent king = Alexander

Once he eliminates competition, new power magnifies himself!

Before he can do whatever he pleases, the horn is broken.

         4 others come out in it’s place—stretch out in all 4 directions.

Before you accuse me of a fertile imagination, look at 8:21-22

Competition lasts 20 yrs, A.D. 323-301.

4 generals resolve conflict by dividing empire in 4 parts.

Fulfillment so specific critics can’t believe God revealed it in advance.

              They deny Daniel wrote it. 27

If God is able to reveal history centuries before, no basis to deny Dan.

     Description of little horn 8:9-14

Little horn comes out of 1 of 4; becomes greater than others.

Identified by role in 23-24

Extends empire toward South=Egypt

                                   toward East       =  India (Incl. Persia (Iran/Iraq))

andtoward the “Beautiful Land”=Israel

Antiochus’ wants to overthrow Ptolemy and control south.

Israel = buffer zone, oppressed by both when attack each other.

              10        Attacks “host of heaven,” fig. ref. to God’s people

“Stars” he threw down probably points to prominent leaders.

              11-12   Magnifies self; takes over Jerusalem and God’s people

                          Opposes God

Stops sacrifices and desecrates altar in the temple

Successful “because of [their] rebellion” (= breaking law)

                          He doesn’t defeat God.

Because of oppression, “truth is thrown to the ground”

God’s people turn their back on the truth!

He doesn’t let them be faithful to God’s commands.

He’s presented as king who does whatever he pleases

No one can stop him; his empire prospers

                               1 Macc. affirms how these prophecies were carried out to the letter!

              8:13-14     “How long will this last?” Answer: 2,300 days (= 6.3888 yr)

                  = attack on Jerusalem => until purification of temple.

              What does 6⅓ years view?       Antiochus IV, Epiphanes 175-163 B.C.

                  Antiochus began reign with good relations with most people.

After failed attempts to defeat Ptolemy, he decided to consolidate territories, including Holy Land.

Most effective way to consolidate: cultural transformation.

Tries to convince them to convert to his culture and religion.

                  During this period, Onias III was High Priest.

Onias prefers Ptolemy.

                      His brother, Jason, supports Antiochus

Jason offers bribe, and cooperation in Hellenization

According to law, it isn’t permitted to change High Priest.

Antiochus didn’t care about God’s law; Jason didn’t follow it.

                  In 174 he changes High Priest from Onias III to Jason

                  3 yrs later + 171 B.C.   Changes again, to Menelaus (a Benjaminite)

Menelaus observes Jason; 3 yrs later imitates him exactly.

Offers larger bribe and greater promotion of Hellenization

Rebellion develops; he isn’t Levite; couldn’t be legitimate High Priest

Later pressure increases more yet when . . .

Menelaus steals temple utensils to pay bribe

And orders treacherous death of Onias III

Jews reject him and oppose priesthood.

Straw that “broke the camel’s back:” Antiochus went after Ptolemy.

Rumor: he’d been killed. Israel threw a party!

                          He wasn’t happy!—attacked city; 40,000 killed in 3 days.

                      Until then Antiochus and Jews were tolerably friendly.

                  +170/69    Events provoked rebellion; Antiochus moved in

It took a bit more than 3 yrs to defeat them.

Climax: destruction of temple, 25th of Kislev, 167.

Maccabees defeat Antiochus; restore temple, exactly 3 yr later.

                      =>    Destruction of the temple—25 Kislev, 167

                      =>    Restoration of the temple—25 Kislev 164

Years of persecution + Years of struggle to restore temple = just over six years.

INTERPRETATION OF THE VISION 8:15-27

     Introduction 15-19

Daniel is weak, but wants to understand

God sends messenger to explain and strengthen him

Revelation relates to end time => period of wrath (= leads up to Christ)

“Time of wrath:” God judges Israel because of rebellion.

These events finish period of judgment

     Identity of Ram = Media-Persia 20

Medo-Persians didn’t yet have prominent role; about to get strong.

No one would be able to stand up to them.

     Identity of Goat = Greece 21-22

Greek Empire becomes more powerful.

              It quickly conquers Medo-Persians.

Alexander’s 4 generals divide empire and form mini-empires.

None strong as Alexander

     Identity of Little Horn 23-26

Previous vision, deals with times of Gentiles, focuses on 4th beast --significant to entire period.

Immediate future focuses on little horn from 3rd beast, Greece

“Little horns” similar--not same, 1 from Greece; other, Rome.

4th beast won’t enter picture for a long time.

4 MAJOR ASPECTS of his reign:

     1. POWER TO DEFEAT OTHERS, INCLUDING GOD’S PEOPLE

No one should be surprised; Daniel clearly prophesied his coming.

     2. HIS ATTITUDE

Not about to humble self for anyone.No one tells him what to do!

Great pagan king does whatever he pleases!

                  No one can stop him!

Attacks God’s people without fear that God will touch him.

     3. HIS DECEIT AND CLEVERNESS

Attempts to change values so they’re no longer dependent on Yahweh, but on his gods and culture.

     4. HIS END  Great king destroyed, but not by human hands.

              Usually refers to direct divine intervention.

[Lesson from watching God work:] Appears wicked king prospers, he gets his way; no one can stop him; BUT ultimately, in the end, he loses!

Observation of godly people throughout Scripture: Wicked appear to prosper--but God ultimately wins;

Wicked pay for evil they inflict on His people.

                      It may not look like it, but it always works.

Ultimately the wicked are defeated; the faithful triumph!

God’s people have to be reminded, GOD WINS!

                  No matter how grim things look, how powerful evil one seems.

                            GOD WINS; WE WIN WITH HIM!

Second lesson:        Not only does God win;

     HE WINS WITHOUT HUMAN INTERVENTION!

God’s opponent is destroyed, BUT NOT BY HUMAN POWER!

God can deal with those who oppose His people and His laws.

                  We don’t have to rescue Him!

Part of Dan’s frustration: HE COULDN’T DO A THING ABOUT IT!

We have to let God deal with the conduct of the wicked, in His time.

Might not be soon enough for Daniel’s desire to see God rescue His people NOW!

This little horn has to be direct reference to Antiochus IV, Epiphanes.

     Descends from Seleucus and does everything vision says he will.

         Certain aspects of vision don’t conform to Antiochus

Antiochus is a TYPE of “little horn” in chapter 7.

Antiochus’ identification with Antichrist is as a TYPE, NOT real thing!

8:25 goes beyond experience of Antiochus to one he represents, Antichrist

Scripture does same with David— TYPE of Christ; goes beyond his experience to Jesus.

Ps. 22. David, God’s anointed, type of “THE ANOINTED of God” = Messiah.

David talks about suffering, figurative language goes beyond his experience,

                  Refers literally to what Messiah suffered

Some elements aren’t fulfilled by Antiochus.

Same kinds of things happen, but not to same extent

E.g., Opposition to “Prince of princes”—no king in Israel.

Opposes royal family, but doesn’t take on king; there isn’t one.

Any king of Israel = most significant king; he’s king over God’s people,

THE “Prince of princes” is yet to come and face opposition from Antichrist.

Fulfillment is more exact for Antichrist, though true of Antiochus.

CONCLUSION of vision 26-27

     Though vision deals with things coming soon--won’t happen tomorrow.

RAM isn’t in power yet, much less the GOAT!

              (12 years to Persian Empire           + 216 years to Alexander’s take over

                  + 148 until Antiochus comes to power)            = 376 years

Even so, fulfillment is sure. He can count on it.

God always seems to take longer than we think He should!

Dan has assurance God will solve his problem, . . . after 380 years!

How would you like that time frame for God to answer your concern?

Daniel’s reaction 27—exhausted, sick.

Even faithful godly person can be frustrated, fightened and depressed observing God’s plan, and troubled by affliction of people we love.

He knows this is God’s plan,

God is in control and the faithful will ultimately triumph,

              yet it’s painful to watch it happen!

When we DO understand what God’s doing, it still hurts to watch affliction.

         Can you identify with Daniel’s feeling? Have you been in his shoes?

Daniel needs another dose of Dan. 1-6

God protected people facing past pagan kings; He can handle Antiochus.

God still controls history, even dealing with strongest pagan kings.

         The faithful will triumph, no matter WHO opposes.

              Though he knows all this in his head, his heart is upset.

He loves God’s people and doesn’t want them to suffer, even though they’re separated from God because of their sin.

It hurts to think of their affliction, even by hand of a loving God!

Do we sometimes respond that way?

In our heads we know the truth about God’s control and protection.

But when we see someone we love suffering, perhaps as a result of bad choices, we want to help them avoid the pain and rescue them.

Our desire to rescue them provokes frustration, fear, and depression. We end up confused, tired, and sometimes even ill.

Does it seem like it’s taking God too long to resolve the issue YOU’RE struggling with?

Only escape is to rest in peace and security God gives.

God knows what He’s doing.

              We have to trust Him.