Daniel 8

Message: Daniel's Vision of a Ram and a Goat followed by Gabriel explaining the Vision

Time: The 3rd year of the reign of Belshazzar

What the Lord is Saying:

Daniel was at the fortress of Susa (Elam) beside the Ulai River.

VISION
He saw a ram with 2 long horns beside the river. The younger horn was longer. The ram did as it wished, butting everything to the west, north, and south. No one could stand against him nor help his victims. He became great.

Then a male goat appeared from the west, crossing the land, above it, not touching the ground. It had 1 large horn b/w its eyes, rushed at the ram, breaking off both his horns after striking him. The ram was taken and couldn't be rescued.

The goat became powerful. At his height of power, the large horn broke off, giving rise to 4 horns pointing in the four directions of the earth. From one horn came a smaller horn, extending to the South and East--toward the land of Israel. Its power reached the heavens, attacking the heavenly army, throwing some to the ground. It challenged the Commander of heaven's army, cancelling daily sacrifices and destroying the Temple. The army of heaven was restrained from responding. The horn succeeded.

Then 2 holy ones talked to each other, one saying, "How long will these events last? How long will the Temple and heaven's army be trampled on?" The other replied, "2,300 evenings and mornings (over 6 years) and then the Temple will be made right again."

EXPLANATION
A human voice told Gabriel to tell Daniel the meaning of the vision. Daniel (called Son of man) was told the event related to the end times.

The two-horned ram represents the kings of Media and Persia. The male goat, the king of Greece. The large horn b/w his eyes the 1st king of the Greek Empire. The four new horns replacing the one means the one kingdom will break into 4 kingdoms, but none as great as the first.

At the end of their rule with their sin at its peak, a fierce king will rise to power. He will destroy leadership, be deceptive and arrogant, destroying many without warning. He will take on the Prince of princes, but will be taken down, but not by human power.

The vision of 2,300 evenings and mornings is true, but it won't happen for a long time.

RESPONSE
Daniel was sick for days after hearing this, greatly troubled, while performing his duties as king.

Promise: Good will prevail.