Episode 165: Daniel 8:1-27 What Are You Hoping In?

We worked through the prophecies of chapter 8. It is a remarkable chapter because in it Daniel not only has a vision but an angel tells him what the vision means and gives the names of the countries the animals in the vision represent. The vision also included a specific king who would be serious source of oppression for Israel. There are 10 things prophesied specifically about this king. 
• His power will be great
• It will not be his power alone
• He will cause destruction
• He will succeed in what he does
• He will destroy mighty men and God’s saints
• He will make deceit prosper by cunning
• He will be a great in his own eyes (He will be a legend in his own mind.)
• He will destroy many without warning
• He will rise up against the Prince of princes
• He will be broken but not by human hands
Antiochus Epiphanes fits this description exactly. He had great power. He claimed to be the incarnation of Zeus. He set up an idol to Zeus in the temple in Jerusalem. He sacrificed pigs on the altar and forced the Jewish people to eat pork. He killed thousands for no reason. He ended up dying of a bowel disease which drove him mad. The prophecies in this chapter are so specific and so accurate that many have suggested Daniel was written by someone else using Daniel’s name after the events took place. But the point of giving this detailed of a prophecy is to reveal our God is the author of history. He raises up kings and he casts them down. He is the great God who brings justice. Chapters like this should encourage us to trust Him. There is nothing which escapes Him or is beyond His power. He is trust worthy.