LESSON FIFTEEN

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Scripture to read: Daniel 8, Leviticus 16&23, Numbers 29, Hebrews 8-10

Daniel has another prophetic experience, which ties into prior dreams and visions. Aspects of this prophecy were seen in Nebuchadnezzar's dream as well as Daniel's earlier vision. Some of these predictions will occur within a few centuries of Daniel's life. Others are yet to be fully realized. The vision begins at the banks of the Ulai canal, in the eastern province of Elam in the Babylonian empire. We are now about to see that the same narrative of the Ten Horns and the Little Horn in Daniel 7 is expanded on in Daniel 8. You will see that Daniel 8 tells us exactly who the Ten Horns are.

Notice Daniel 8:20 says, “The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.” Ask yourself this question. Why are we ignoring the Bible when it clearly identifies two horns out of the ten? But it doesn’t stop there. Notice what the next verse says: “And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.”. The next verse says, “Now that being broken, whereas four [horns] stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation”. And we should see that these four horns were the four divisions of Alexanders divided kingdom: Macedonia, Asia Minor, the Ptolemaic Empire, and the Seleucid Empire.

Daniel 8 has already mapped out seven of the Ten Horns for us! Here they are listed in their order:

1. The kings of Media (vs. 20)

2. The kings of Persia (vs. 20)

3. The king of Greece (vs. 21)

4. The kings of Macedonia (vs. 22)

5. The kings of Asia Minor (vs. 22)

6. The kings of the Ptolemaic Empire (vs. 22)

7. The kings of the Seleucid Empire (vs. 22)

So even though we only see seven horns presented in Daniel 8, we have no reason to believe that the kings of Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon wouldn’t also be symbolized as horns. Thus, we can see that the Bible tells us exactly who the Ten Horns are in Daniel 8— the kingships of the world powers that persecuted God's people.

"1 In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first. 2 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai. 3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will and became great". 

Realm #2: Ram = Medo Persia (539BC to 331BC)

In this vision, Daniel sees a ram, which the angel says symbolizes the Medo-Persian empire. One horn is higher than the other representing the imbalance of power (Persia was stronger than Media). This was also portrayed by the bear raised up on one side in Daniel's second vision. The ram pushes in three directions, indicating its three main areas of conquest, which are also represented by the three ribs in the bear’s mouth in Daniel's previous vision:

Northward - Lydia - 546 BC

Westward - Babylon - 539 BC

Southward - Egypt - 525 BC

"5And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. 7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. 8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven". 

Realm #3: Goat = Greece (331BC to 168BC)

A goat appears after the ram, attacking it with fury, casting it to the ground. The angel also reveals that this symbolizes Greece (v.21) overpowering Medo Persia to become the next realm. The prophecy states that the goat's great horn is the first king of Greece, which was Alexander the Great. He conquered the empire with remarkable swiftness, but when Alexander was in his prime, he unexpectedly died in 323 BC "great horn was broken". Alexander's generals eventually settled on a division of the kingdom into four parts. This was also symbolized by the four heads on the leopard in Daniel's previous vision.

Ptolemy (Egypt, Palestine and parts of Syria)

Cassander (Macedonia and some interest in Greece)

Seleucus (Persian Empire, part of Asia Minor, Northern Syria, Mesopotamia and the east)

Lysimachus (Thrace and a large part of Asia minor)

“9And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.” 

Realm #4: Little Horn = Rome (168BC to Second Coming)

This little horn comes into power after the horn (Alexander the Great) on the goat (Greece) is replaced by four horns (divisions of political power in Greece under four of Alexander's generals) that spread out in all directions (north, south, east, west). When the angel interprets the vision, he says the little horn arises in the latter time of their (the four divisions). It becomes even greater than the realms prior to it "exceeding great". As already demonstrated in Daniel's previous visions and as known from history, Rome was the next realm and fits all the identifying characteristics of this little horn.

Out of one of them...

The little horn arises out of one of the "four winds of heaven" (them), which are the four directions of the compass. You should understand that when Alexander's kingdom fell, there was war and strife in the north, south, east, and west. Through this war and strife, four kingdoms would arise: Macedonia in the west, Asia Minor in the north, the Ptolemaic Kingdom in the south, and the Seleucid Kingdom in the east. And just like the four kingdoms arose out of that strife and warfare, another horn known as the Little Horn (Pagan Rome) would also arise. 

And so, when Daniel 8:9 says, "out of one of them", you must understand that the rising of Rome in the west reveals that when it arose to power it had to have conquered the Macedonian horn which was situated in the west. History reveals that Rome conquered the Macedonian horn at the conclusion of the Third Macedonian War in 168 BC.

Exceeding great...

Medo-Persia is described as "great", Greece is described as "very great", and the little horn is "exceeding great". The kingdom following Greece must be an even greater realm. In the angel's interpretation, the little horn symbolizes a "king of fierce countenance". The fierceness of Rome is also portrayed in previous prophecies as a kingdom of iron that subdues all and breaks them in pieces and bruises, and as an exceeding dreadful and terrible kingdom.

Little Horn Waxing Great (toward South, East & Pleasant Land): Pagan Rome (168BC to 538 AD)

The Bible not only revealed what nations Rome conquered to become a world power, but it also revealed the order in which those nations were conquered by Rome so that it stood unopposed. According to the prophecy, the Little Horn would rise out of the west, conquering Macedonia in 168 BC, then it would wax great towards the south and obtain Egypt in 88 BC, then finally it would wax towards the east and conquer Syria in 64 BC. It should now be clear to you that this phase of the Little Horn was obviously the Pagan Roman phase. And it should also be clear to you that both Daniel 7 and 8 reveal that the three horns plucked up by the Little Horn were the Macedonian, Egyptian, and Syrian horns.

10 “And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground and stamped upon them.” 

Rome, now under papal influence, boasted and lifted itself up, gaining power until it had control over God's people (host), including the leaders/preachers (stars=messengers), overthrowing and persecuting them.

Note: The word translated to "host" (s?aba) means a mass of people organized for war, or an army. This army is "of heaven". When the angel interprets the vision, he refers to the mighty and the holy people being destroyed, which is symbolized here by the "host" being stamped upon. In Bible prophecy, stars symbolize messengers. In Rev. 1:20, the stars are the messengers of the churches. This would be people like the preachers, evangelists and leaders. Thus, the host represents God's people (the church) and the stars are the leaders or pastors of God's people.

Little Horn Waxing Great (Toward Heaven): Papal Rome (538 AD to 1798 AD)

Then, the Little Horn waxes great upward, to the host of heaven, showing Papal Rome's aspirations. The description of this little horn's activities and characteristics are similar to those of the little horn in Daniel's previous vision, making it apparent that this little horn not only represents the Roman realm through its years as a pagan empire, but also Papal Rome through the Middle Ages. Just like in Daniel 7, the characteristics reveal that a religious power is at work, one that persecutes, rejects truth and interferes with Jesus' ministry. Notice the religious nature of many of its activities:

It waxed great, even to the host of heaven

It cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them

Magnified himself even to the prince of the host

By him the daily sacrifice was taken away

By him... the place of his sanctuary was cast down

An host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression

Cast down the truth to the ground

Shall destroy the mighty and the holy people

He shall magnify himself in his heart

By peace shall destroy many

He shall also stand up against the Prince of princes

The Little Horn casts down and stamps on the host, and the host is given to the Little Horn. When the angel interprets the vision, he says the fierce looking king (little horn) will destroy the mighty and holy people, linking the host to God's people. The power of Papal Rome over God's people was also referenced in the previous prophecy in Daniel 7, where it was said it would "wear out the saints" and that "they shall be given into his hand". The saints were "given into his hand" in Daniel 7:25 and they were "given him" in Dan. 8:12.

11 “Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down”

Papal Rome boasted and lifted itself up as if it were equal with Jesus (prince of the host) and it took away from Jesus the continual ministry that Jesus does in the heavenly sanctuary (daily). It threw out the truth about Jesus' sanctuary. It took it away from Jesus by directing people to look to earthly priests for forgiveness and salvation. Of course, Jesus continued to provide His ministry, but for many, it was taken away as focus was redirected to the false earthly system.

Takes away the "Daily Sacrifice":

Papal Rome usurps Christ's continual ministry. As represented by the sacrificial animals in this vision, the casting down of the sanctuary by the little horn, and the cleansing of the sanctuary, the focus of the prophecy is on God's sanctuary. The little horn magnifies himself even to the prince of the host, takes away the daily sacrifice from the Lord, and casts down the Lord's sanctuary.

The term "daily sacrifice" in Hebrew is "tamid", which means "continually" (note that the word "sacrifice" is not in the original) and is used in the Old Testament in connection with the earthly sanctuary services. The priests performed certain functions continually, such as keeping the lamps burning (Ex. 27:20, 2 Chron. 13:11), burning incense continually (Ex. 30:8) and keeping a burnt offering on the altar continually. 

The "daily sacrifice" in prophecy represents the continual service of Jesus Christ in the heavenly sanctuary. He is our priest and our intercessor, continually listening to our prayers, sending the Holy Spirit to help us, and mediating for us. The little horn thought to take this away, obscure it, or supplant it. 

Papal Rome (little horn waxing great toward heaven) did this by establishing a religious system where direct access to God through Christ was replaced with earthly mediators. The little horn ascribed to itself the work of the Prince and rejected the Prince's sanctuary as the only place of true forgiveness and mediation. This desolation of the sanctuary will eventually be put to an end after 2300 days when the sanctuary will be cleansed.

12 “And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered" 

God's people (host) and the continual ministry of Christ (the daily) are given over to the power of Rome (Little Horn), because of rebellion (transgression).

Sanctuary Is Cleansed: 

The sanctuary that is cleansed exists in "the time of the end", long after the Israelite sanctuary was destroyed. The following Bible verses reveal another sanctuary that needs cleansing in the time of the end.

13 "Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?" 

How long will Rome be allowed to put itself in place of Jesus' continual ministry in the heavenly sanctuary (daily) under the leadership of the papacy, and how long will Rome continue the rebellion that causes such devastation "desolation" as state powers enable the papacy, all of which abases/brings down "trod under foot" Jesus' sanctuary and God's people?

14 "And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." 

The place of Jesus' continual ministry in heaven (sanctuary) will be vindicated/made right (cleansed) at the end of 2300 days. The events and timing of the "Cleansing of the Sanctuary", can be understood by studying the Day of Atonement symbolism in the earthly sanctuary. The Israelites observed the Day of Atonement on day ten of month seven. 

"And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month a holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls" (Numbers 29:7)

"For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people" Leviticus 23:29

This was a solemn day of judgment for the Israelites. Those who did not afflict (humble, weaken, answer, chasten self) his/her soul that day would be cut off. This was the only day of the year that the high priest would enter into the Most Holy compartment of the Sanctuary. He would make atonements for the people and also for the sanctuary itself. This was necessary because, throughout the year, confessed sins were transferred symbolically to the sanctuary. Now full atonement would be made and the sins removed completely (cleansed).

The Hebrew word for "cleansed" in Daniel 8:14 is "tsadaq" and is associated with concepts such as judgment, vindication, cleansing, and salvation. It indicates a restoration of the order established by God through a work of cleansing and judgment. The earthly sanctuary was patterned after the true tabernacle, the heavenly sanctuary. 

The process in the earthly sanctuary of finally removing sins from the sanctuary that were previously forgiven, is also what happens in the heavenly sanctuary. Those who have accepted Christ are investigated, and their previously forgiven sins are forever blotted out of the books and remembrance. The righteous principles of Christ’s kingdom and His people are vindicated. This is a time of investigation and judgment of the books, as revealed in Daniel's previous prophecy "...the judgment was set, and the books were opened".

The cleansing of the sanctuary would occur "then", at a specific time in the future. This brings to light the two phases of ministry that occur in the sanctuary. In the earthly sanctuary the priests carried out two distinct ministries, a daily ministry in the Holy Place, and a yearly ministry in the Most Holy Place. The yearly ministry only occurred once a year and was the time when the sanctuary was cleansed of all the sins that had been figuratively accumulated during the daily ministry. The daily and yearly ministry each foreshadowed a phase of Christ's priestly ministry in heaven. Jesus was inaugurated as our great High Priest and began His "daily" intercessory ministry at the time of His ascension after His death on the cross and resurrection. 

He continually ministers on our behalf from the heavenly sanctuary making the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross available to believers. He forgives sins and takes away guilt, recording the sinner as pardoned. At the end of the age (after 2300 prophetic days), prior to His second coming, He performs the "yearly" ministry, which blots out those sins and vindicates God of any responsibility for sin, and thus cleanses heaven of all sin. This last phase of His atoning ministry "cleanses the sanctuary" or makes the sanctuary right again.

The meaning of the "cleansing of the sanctuary" indicates a time of investigation and judgment. This coincides with the same event foretold in Daniel's previous vision when he saw the court was seated and the books opened. The time of judgment referenced in Daniel 7 occurs during the "time of the end", prior to the second coming. This last phase is a work of investigative judgment that results in the removal of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. 

The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. 

15” When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it; and behold, standing before me was one who looked like a man. 16And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, and he called out and said, 'Gabriel, explain the vision to this man.' 17So he came near to where I was standing, and when he came I was frightened and fell on my face; and he said to me, 'Son of man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end.' 18Now while he was talking with me, I was dazed with my face to the ground; but he touched me and made me stand at my place. 19And he said, 'Behold, I am going to inform you of what will occur at the final period of the indignation, because it pertains to the appointed time of the end. 20The ram which you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia. 21The shaggy goat represents the kingdom of Greece, and the large horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 22The broken horn and the four horns that came up in its place represent four kingdoms which will arise from his nation, although not with his power. 23And in the latter period of their dominion, When the wrongdoers have run their course, A king will arise, Insolent and skilled in intrigue.” 24 "And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people." 

Rome would be powerful, accomplishing difficult things. It would destroy powerful people and God's people.

25 "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand." 

Because of the intelligence "policy" of Rome, it would successfully promote and engage in deceitfulness/fraud "craft". It would boast and lift up "magnify" itself in its own mind. It would destroy others when they felt secure and at ease "peace". When they didn't expect it, it would rise up and set itself as if over Jesus. It will be destroyed by supernatural means, not by human agency.

You may already be aware that numbers play a significant role in the Bible, but they are also crucial for understanding the end timeline. Many people study Revelation in isolation; however, without the book of Daniel, it is impossible to see the full picture. I almost missed this myself, but the Holy Spirit prompted me to continue researching the 2300 days. A common mistake is assuming these are prophetic years rather than literal days, or that they refer to the past rather than the future. To be clear: these should be considered literal 24-hour periods consisting of evenings and mornings (totaling 1,150 literal days)