A RAM & A GOAT (2)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) Daniel had many dreams and visions he did not understand. He dreamed of four beasts, which represented four kingdoms of the world, and of a ram and goat, which depicted two of those kingdoms in greater detail. Daniel's visions reveal that the Messiah will be the ruler of a spiritual kingdom that will overpower and overshadow all other earthly kingdoms. These visions helps us see that we should interpret all of history in light of God's eternal kingdom.
b) Here we shall consider the vision of a ram and a goat in Daniel 8:1-14.
1. Text reference: Daniel 8:1-14
2. What is the text all about?
a) The goat represented Greece, and its notable horn, Alexander the Great (see Daniel 8:21).
@1. 21 And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king. (Daniel 8:21 NKJV)
b) This is an amzaing prediction because Greece was not yet considered a world power when this prophecy was given. Alexander the Great conquered the world with great speed and military strategy, indicated by the goat's rapid movement. Breaking both the ram's horns symbolized Alexander breaking both parts of the Medo-Persian empire.
c) Alexander the Great died in his thirtes at the height of his power. His kingdom was split into four parts under four generals; Ptolemy 1 of Egypt and Palestine; Seleucus of Babylonia and Syria; Lysimachus of Asia Minor; and Antipater of Macedon and Greece.
d) Israel ("the Glorious Land") was attacked by Antiochus IV Epiphanes (the little horn) in the second century B.C. He was the eighth ruler of Seleucid empire (Babylon and Syria). He overthrew the high priest, looted the temple, and replaced worship of God with a Greek form of worship. A further fulfillment of this prophecy of a powerful horn will occur in the future with the coming of the antichrist (see Daniel 8:17, 19, 23; 11:36; 2 Thessalonians 2:4).
@1. 17 So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.” (Daniel 8:17 NKJV)
@2. 19 And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be. (Daniel 8:19 NKJV)
@3. 23 “And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes. (Daniel 8:23 NKJV)
@4. 36 “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. (Daniel 11:36 NKJV)
@5. 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4 NKJV)
e) The "Prince of the host" here refers to a heavenly authority, perhaps an angel or even God himself (see Joshua 5:13-15).
@1. 13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”
14 So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”
15 Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:13-15 NKJV)
f) The number of days refers to the time from the desecration of the altar in the temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes to the restoration of temple worship under Judas Maccabeus in 165 B.C.
The End ...
0. Introductiona) Daniel had many dreams and visions he did not understand. He dreamed of four beasts, which represented four kingdoms of the world, and of a ram and goat, which depicted two of those kingdoms in greater detail. Daniel's visions reveal that the Messiah will be the ruler of a spiritual kingdom that will overpower and overshadow all other earthly kingdoms. These visions helps us see that we should interpret all of history in light of God's eternal kingdom.
b) Here we shall consider the vision of a ram and a goat in Daniel 8:1-14.
1. Text reference: Daniel 8:1-14
2. What is the text all about?
a) The goat represented Greece, and its notable horn, Alexander the Great (see Daniel 8:21).
@1. 21 And the male goat is the kingdom of Greece. The large horn that is between its eyes is the first king. (Daniel 8:21 NKJV)
b) This is an amzaing prediction because Greece was not yet considered a world power when this prophecy was given. Alexander the Great conquered the world with great speed and military strategy, indicated by the goat's rapid movement. Breaking both the ram's horns symbolized Alexander breaking both parts of the Medo-Persian empire.
c) Alexander the Great died in his thirtes at the height of his power. His kingdom was split into four parts under four generals; Ptolemy 1 of Egypt and Palestine; Seleucus of Babylonia and Syria; Lysimachus of Asia Minor; and Antipater of Macedon and Greece.
d) Israel ("the Glorious Land") was attacked by Antiochus IV Epiphanes (the little horn) in the second century B.C. He was the eighth ruler of Seleucid empire (Babylon and Syria). He overthrew the high priest, looted the temple, and replaced worship of God with a Greek form of worship. A further fulfillment of this prophecy of a powerful horn will occur in the future with the coming of the antichrist (see Daniel 8:17, 19, 23; 11:36; 2 Thessalonians 2:4).
@1. 17 So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.” (Daniel 8:17 NKJV)
@2. 19 And he said, “Look, I am making known to you what shall happen in the latter time of the indignation; for at the appointed time the end shall be. (Daniel 8:19 NKJV)
@3. 23 “And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes. (Daniel 8:23 NKJV)
@4. 36 “Then the king shall do according to his own will: he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, shall speak blasphemies against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the wrath has been accomplished; for what has been determined shall be done. (Daniel 11:36 NKJV)
@5. 4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4 NKJV)
e) The "Prince of the host" here refers to a heavenly authority, perhaps an angel or even God himself (see Joshua 5:13-15).
@1. 13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”
14 So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”
15 Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:13-15 NKJV)
f) The number of days refers to the time from the desecration of the altar in the temple by Antiochus IV Epiphanes to the restoration of temple worship under Judas Maccabeus in 165 B.C.
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