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This is the fifth week that we are reading the book of Daniel. So far, I wonder which words or stories from this book spoke to your heart. For me, it was Daniel’s attitude in prayer. In chapter 6 verse 10, it says, “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” I was challenged to pray three times a day, just briefly, to tell God my desires and give thanks to him. I was also greatly encouraged by parts of the book of Daniel that prophesied about our Savior Jesus Christ and the kingdom of heaven that he will bring. The kingdom of heaven will never end, as we read. God will reign forever. We who believe in Jesus will be citizens of his kingdom.
Today we will read Daniel chapter 8. Previously we read chapter 7, which I will summarize briefly. Daniel had a vision of four beasts. They each represent a powerful nation. Babylon, Persia, Greece, and Rome. Also in Daniel’s vision was the appearance of the Savior during the Roman era, and also, the appearance of the Antichrist. But about the Antichrist, 7:26 says, “his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.” Furthermore, 7:27 tells us that, even if trials and difficulties come, those of us who believe in the Lord Jesus will be citizens of God’s kingdom and rule together with God. That is what chapter 7 is about.
As for chapter 8, first, let me summarize it. According to Daniel’s vision, the kingdom of Greece will be divided into four parts. One of these smaller kingdoms will grow in strength and attack Israel. They will defile the Temple. This is what the vision reveals. As history shows, after Alexander the Great died, Greece was divided in four and one of these kingdoms—called Syria—brought its army against God. Yet, surely God holds history in his hands. Even though armies have destroyed the Temple, God destroyed them in turn. Now, let us read chapter 8 closely.
8:1 says, “In the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign, I, Daniel, had a vision, after the one that had already appeared to me.” Daniel had another vision three years after the one he saw in chapter 7. 8:3 says, “I looked up, and there before me was a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal, and the horns were long. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later.” The ram represents the allied kingdoms of Media and Persia. Media was later conquered by Persia. The horn that was longer represents Persia’s growing power. Verse 4 says about Persia, “I watched the ram as it charged toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against it, and none could rescue from its power. It did as it pleased and became great.” Persia became a great nation as it expanded from Asia Minor (now called Turkey) to the Caspian Sea in the north and to Egypt in the south. However, because of its pride, Persia was overthrown by Greece.
Next, verse 5 says, “As I was thinking about this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between its eyes came from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground.” This goat with the prominent horn between its eyes represents Alexander the Great of Greece. He came from the west and conquered Persia, and then ruled over the entire region. However, verse 8 says, “The goat became very great, but at the height of its power the large horn was broken off . . .” Alexander was indeed great, but because of pride, his horn was also broken. Then his kingdom was divided into four. One of these parts was Syria. Verse 9 says, “Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land.” Looking at history, this small horn which sprouted from Syria appears to be King Antiochus Epiphanes. He moved to attack the “Beautiful Land,” which is understood to be Israel.
Then this king, who was a pagan, ruled over Jerusalem for a time. Verses 10 to 11 say, “It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. It set itself up to be as great as the commander of the army of the Lord; it took away the daily sacrifice from the Lord, and his sanctuary was thrown down.” He conquered the Beautiful Land, removed its priests, brought in Greek idols, and defiled the temple where the Lord dwelled. The sanctuary was thrown down, the altar broken, and idols were worshipped. Jerusalem, the city of God, was conquered by this king, who forbade the worship of the God of Israel and turned it into a place of idolatry. Verse 12: “Because of rebellion, the Lord’s people and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.” King Antiochus was a king who threw truth to the ground. Verse 13 further describes him as a destroyer. However, verse 14 says, “He said to me, ‘It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.’” That is, Antiochus’s reign would end in about 6 years and 4 months. This man who defiled the Temple, was he not the Antichrist? Even so, his reign was temporary.
Just as this prophecy foretold, when King Antiochus Epiphanes attacked Israel, a struggle for freedom arose among the Jewish people. This struggle, called the Maccabean Revolt, lasted mainly from 167 BC to 160 BC. After which, worship of God was restored to the temple of Jerusalem. To commemorate this, even today Jews celebrate Hanukkah. Hanukkah means “to dedicate” in the Hebrew language. This festival is also called Feast of Purification, Feast of Dedication, or Festival of Lights.
Verse 25 says, “He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.” The destroyer will be judged by God, the prophecy says. It is a dreadful thing when worship is no longer given to the one true God but to idols. God will not pardon the one who wages war against the King of kings. He will be destroyed, but not by human hands. That is what Daniel saw in his vision.
Let us be reminded that God takes our worship very seriously. During the Maccabean Revolt, the Jewish people rose up for God’s righteous judgment. Likewise, let us make a point to worship together at the beginning of each week. Let us seek the joy of worship as we wait for the kingdom of God. Lord Jesus, we thank you for the Cross. Let us offer such praise and believe in the word of God.
Verse 26 says, “The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.” As we approach the end times, the Church will surely be persecuted. We will be tempted to believe that our worship is all for nothing. A voice will whisper that in our ears. So let us remember. Even if the Antichrist comes, he will be destroyed—not by human hands, but by God. We will be victorious over Satan by the help of the Holy Spirit. With that in mind, let us wholeheartedly thank God and live a life of loving our brothers and sisters.
Hebrews 13:15-16 says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” As this verse says, let us continually worship God with our praise and by doing good to others.
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