DANIEL 8: TWO BEASTS AND TWO DESOLATING HORNS

At this time Daniel was in the eastern province of Elam in the city of Shushan. Here he was taken off in vision as he stood by the river Ulai and beheld events that were to transpire centuries and millennia into the future. This vision came two years after the vision recorded in Daniel 7.

Babylon is not mentioned, as it was soon to be overthrown by the Medes and Persians. The symbols in this chapter are the ram, the he goat, and the little horn in its two phases of existence. These symbols represent, in their order, Media-Persia, Grecia, the pagan Roman Empire, and the Roman church-state structure.

Daniel 8:3

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.

• Media-Persia = the chest and arms of silver in chapter 2.

• Media-Persia = the bear of chapter 7.

• Media-Persia = the ram of chapter 8.

This ram is identified as the angel declares, “The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia” (Daniel 8:20). This beast or kingdom was a confederacy, with the Persians over time becoming the more dominant power. Thus the expression “one was higher than the other, and the higher one came up last.”

“A ram which had two horns”

I said to the arrogant and boastful, Deal not arrogantly [do not boast]; and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn [of personal aggrandizement]. Lift not up your [aggressive] horn on high, speak not with a stiff neck and insolent arrogance. (Psalm 75:4–5 AMP)

All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted. (Psalm 75:10)

The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 48:25)

And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise. (Daniel 7:24)

And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings. (Revelation 17:12)

In Scripture, the horn is a symbol of strength or power. It also represents glory, honor, or dignity. In prophecy, it represents a kingdom or nation. Thus, the horns of the ram and the he goat represent power and strength. In Daniel 7 and Revelation 17, the ten horns attached to the beast represent ten kings, and the horns on the ram and the he goat represent kings or kingdoms.

Later in this chapter, we are told that the great horn on the ram represents the power and strength of Alexander the Great. The four horns that come from the ram represent the kingdoms or powers that developed from Alexander’s kingdom after he died.

Daniel 8:4

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.

This power came from the east; that is why it appeared to push in only three directions. No other beasts or kingdoms were able to withstand its progression. The extent of the Media-Persian kingdom’s territorial conquest was greater than that of Babylon, stretching from what is modern-day Turkey to the border of India, encompassing much of what today is called the Caucuses and portions of the former Soviet Union near the Aral and Caspian seas.

Daniel 8:5

And 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.

As I was considering, behold, a he-goat [the king of Greece] came from the west across the face of the whole earth without touching the ground, and the goat had a conspicuous and remarkable horn between his eyes [symbolizing Alexander the Great]. (Daniel 8:5 AMP)

• Greece = the belly and thighs of brass in chapter 2.

• Greece = the leopard beast of chapter 7.

• Greece = the he goat of chapter 8.

• Greece = the kingdom spoken of in chapter 11:3–4.

“Touched not the ground”

And none touched him in the earth. (Margin, KJV)

A goat came rushing out of the west, moving so fast that his feet didn’t touch the ground. (Daniel 8:5 TEV)

The speed at which the goat conquered drew Daniel’s attention. It parallels the leopard with four wings in chapter 7, which also symbolized the speed at which the Grecian kingdom, under Alexander, conquered. This power came from the territory west of the Persian Empire.

Daniel 8:6–7

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. 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.

[In my vision] I saw him come close to the ram [Medo-Persia], and he was moved with anger against him and he [Alexander the Great] struck the ram and broke his two horns; and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but the goat threw him to the ground and trampled on him. And there was no one who could rescue the ram from his power. (Daniel 8:7 AMP)

Verses 6 and 7 describe the power of Greece coming against and overcoming Media-Persia, exactly as the image of Daniel 2 illustrated, the silver kingdom giving way to the brass kingdom.

Verses 4 through 8 repeat the fact, mentioned in Daniel 7, that nations have often arisen out of the winds of war, chaos, and confusion. Even in more modern times, many of the nations we know today came about from World War II. The borders of many countries were formed at the discretion of colonial or conquering powers.

Still today, the winds of war, confusion, and chaos tear at the very fabric of societies and nations. The book of Revelation reveals that the last powers of apostasy will spring forth out of the same winds of strife and confusion, for human nature has not changed over the millennia of time.

Daniel 8:8

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.

And the he-goat [Alexander the Great] magnified himself exceedingly, and when he was [young and] strong, the great horn [he] was [suddenly] broken; and instead of [him] there came up four notable horns [to whom the kingdom was divided, one] toward [each of] the four winds of the heavens. (Daniel 8:8 AMP)

The victor became both proud and powerful, but suddenly, at the height of his power, his horn was broken, and in its place grew four good-sized horns pointing in four directions. (Daniel 8:8 TLB)

“Four notable ones”

The beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. (Daniel 7:6)

Four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. (Daniel 8:22)

His kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity. (Daniel 11:4)

The four “notable ones” referred to in Daniel 8:8 are the four heads of the leopard in chapter 7 and the four winds of heaven in Daniel 11:4. Each symbol describes the breakup of Alexander’s kingdom into four parts, as the angel tells us, “Four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation” (Daniel 8:22).

When Alexander suddenly died in the height of his power without any posterity of his stature and ability, the Grecian kingdom within a few years was divided between four of Alexander’s generals: Ptolemy, Seleucus, Cassander, and Lysimachus. Two of these, Ptolemy and Seleucus, became the more dominant. These two kingdoms are called the king of the south and the king of the north in Daniel 11:5–17.

Daniel 8:9

And 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.

Out of one of these four horns grew a little horn, whose power extended toward the south and the east and toward the promised Land. (Daniel 8:9 TEV)

The next power after Greece revealed in Daniel 2 and 7 is the Roman Empire. And we see it once again in Daniel 8 under the symbol of a horn.

• The pagan Roman Empire = the legs of iron in chapter 2.

• The pagan Roman Empire = the terrible fourth beast in chapter 7.

• The pagan Roman Empire = the little horn of chapter 8.

• The pagan Roman Empire = the king of the north in 11:14–29.

As the remnant of the Grecian kingdom was waning, there came up another horn or kingdom, which was to wax exceedingly great. This power was the pagan Roman Empire, which, after many centuries, also collapsed. Out of it developed the Roman church-state system, the little horn of Daniel 7.

Daniel 8:10

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. (See also Daniel 7:7, 19.)

Host—a mass of persons (or figurative things), especially organized for war (an army); by implication a campaign (specially hardship, worship). To mass (an army or servants)¹

And [in my vision this horn] grew great, even against the host of heaven [God’s true people, the saints], and some of the host and of the stars [priests] it cast down to the ground and trampled on them. (Daniel 8:10 AMP)

Pagan Rome is the little horn that grew out of or came from the west of Macedonia, just across the Adriatic Sea, to overcome the remnants of the Grecian kingdom. It eventually expanded its power to become exceedingly great, greater than Media-Persia or Greece.

“Host of heaven”

And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. (1 Kings 22:19)

Thou, even thou, art Lord alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee. (Nehemiah 9:6)

And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven. (2 Kings 23:5)

Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. (Psalm 24:10)

There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. (Psalm 33:16)

The term “host of heaven” refers to the inhabitants of heaven, to the innumerable stars and heavenly bodies, or to a mass of people or armies. “Casting down the host” is a term indicative of warring against the people of God and even against heaven itself. Defying heaven through pride and arrogance, and coming between God and the people through false ideas of worship, would constitute an attack against the host of heaven.

It grew strong enough to attack the army of heaven, the stars themselves, and it threw some of them to the ground and trampled on them. (Daniel 8:10 TEV)

In Daniel 7, the terrible fourth beast (pagan Rome) gave way, over a period of time, to the little-horn power of the Roman church. So it is in this chapter. Pagan Rome, described in verse 10, gives place to the personality of the papacy in verses 11 and 12. Papal Rome’s comes against God, His truth, and the priestly ministry of Christ, through error and counterfeits.

“Cast down some of … the stars”

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:3)

Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord. (Obadiah 1:4)

[False teachers are like] raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. (Jude 13)

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:16, 20)

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north. (Isaiah 14:13)

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. (Revelation 12:4)

No power on earth can literally cast down stars. Even if that were possible, there would be no practical reason to do so. This symbolism refers to the persecuting power of Rome against the Jews and later against the Christian church. Stars represent pride of position, and Rome cast down many prideful nations, including Israel.

Stars also represents the righteous and the leaders of the churches, and it represents the angels of heaven, one third of whom were deceived by Satan and became his agents, who also use men and nations to war against God, His people, and His truth.

So too Rome, in its papal phase, used both persecution and falsehood to war against God in the person of His followers. In addition, both pagan and papal Rome seemed to challenge the armies of heaven by their arrogance and through false worship.

We find the following description of this little-horn power in both its pagan and church state phases: “And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people” (Daniel 8:24).

Daniel 8:11

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

Daily—continual, constant, constantly, regular²

“He magnified himself even to [against] the prince”

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4 )

And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies … and he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (Revelation 13:5–6)

And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. (Daniel 11:31)

And he shall speak great words against the most High. … (Daniel 7:25)

The little horn, in prideful rebellion, placed itself as equal to or above Christ, the Prince of the hosts of heaven. The Pontifex Maximus, the supreme ruler of Rome, was held in reverence as if a god, and he wielded power as if he were a god on earth.

The papal system claims to be God’s friend, yet through her false teachings she magnifies herself against God. For example, this system teaches the supposed power of the priests to forgive sin and by the priest’s sacramental absolution, God grants the penitent pardon and peace. However the Bible reveals there is forgiveness for all by God’s grace by the merits of Jesus. And further, forgiveness is obtained without the aid of any human priest, mediator, or church. (See 1 John 1:9.)

“The prince of the host”

But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. (Acts 3:14–15)

It even defied the prince of the heavenly army. … (Daniel 8:11 TEV)

He even challenged the Commander of the army of heaven. … (Daniel 8:11 TLB)

“The prince of the host” (Daniel 8:11) is an expression used to describe Christ. The little horn, in its pagan and church form, through persecution and falsehood, magnified itself and came against Christ in the person of His people. Further, by falsehood, it worked to pervert Christ’s truth and character.

“The daily was taken away”

For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth [restrain, hinder] will let, until he be taken out of the way. (2 Thessalonians 2:7)

The he here in 2 Thessalonians, is the pagan Roman Empire that held down or restrained, by its own power, the work of the mystery of iniquity in the Catholic system until pagan Rome was taken away. Then the Roman church took its place.

Daily means “continual” or “constant.” When the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in A.D. 70 the sacrificial temple services ended. So the “daily” mentioned here cannot refer to the earthly sanctuary in Jerusalem.

The papal little horn has sought to magnify itself against Christ by distorting and attempting to do away with His continual mediation and priestly ministry. This word continual is also an expression of pagan Rome, describing the continual rebellion of paganism being taken away, or giving way to the papal little horn.

“The place of his sanctuary”

Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established. (Exodus 15:17)

I have built an house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling for ever. (2 Chronicles 6:2)

And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the house of the Lord which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the house of God to set it up in his place. (Ezra 2:68)

From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. (Psalm 33:14)

The power spoken of Daniel 8:11 is the papal little horn, the same little horn described in Daniel 7. No physical sanctuary in heaven or earth is literally cast down. But the importance of Christ’s work in the sanctuary in heaven has been obscured and replaced in the minds of the people with the human priesthood and ritual of Catholicism. This church claims to offer forgiveness of sin, indulgences, and Christ’s literal body for the salvation of men on the altar of the mass. It urges us to petition Mary and the saints for favor, though the Bible declares, “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

All of this and more have obscured Christ’s work in the sanctuary above. “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us” (Hebrews 9:24). The human priesthood of Catholicism has indeed cast down the place or importance of Christ’s mediatorial work in the sanctuary above. These verses are not describing the work of Antiochus Epiphanes, as some believe, as we will see as we go on.

“Cast down”

And it cast down the truth to the ground. (Daniel 8:12)

And when he hath taken away the multitude, his heart shall be lifted up; and he shall cast down many ten thousands: but he shall not be strengthened by it. (Daniel 11:12)

The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. (Psalm 37:14)

The little horn comes up after the pagan Roman Empire and after the Jewish sanctuary was destroyed in A.D. 70. Thus, this horn must be coming against or casting down the priestly ministry of Christ, the High Priest of the new covenant in the heavenly sanctuary. The role of Christ as our High Priest has been cast down or made of no effect and His work obscured. Those who dared to point people back to the Bible and Christ were also “cast down,” put in difficult positions, exiled, and even killed.

Daniel 8:12

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 practised, and prospered.

“And an host was given him against”

A large number of monks, nuns, and priests, sometimes ignorantly and often willingly, came against the continual ministry and priesthood of Jesus Christ. This was done through the introduction of false precepts, traditions, and superstitions. Because of the apostasy and turning away from the truth by the populace and the church at large, the priesthood and redeeming merits of Christ and the everlasting gospel were lost sight of, and the word of truth, the Bible, was obscured. In the midst of ignorance, superstition, and transgression, this power practiced and prospered virtually unchallenged for centuries.

The little horn describes both pagan and papal Rome, and we learn in verse 12 that a host or army of invaders came against the continual nature of Roman paganism. This was not for the benefit of the papal system but because the cup of transgression of pagan Rome was full. As the papacy became more established, it cast the truth of God to the ground, and it practiced and prospered. (For examples of the work of the little horn, see Revelation 13.)

“The daily”

Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even. (Exodus 29:38–39)

And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof. (Numbers 4:16)

And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee. And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations. (Exodus 30:6–8. The incense represented the merits and intercession of Christ.)

Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. (Leviticus 24:2. The continual burning of the lamps represents Jesus the light of the world, and the light of God’s word; see also John 8:12, Psalm 119:105.)

Behold, I build an house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. (2 Chronicles 2:4. This represents the continual, and true bread of Christ offered to man and His watch care over His children.)

But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. (Hebrews 7:24)

The texts quoted above show the continual nature of the sanctuary service, which was a type or shadow of Christ’s work. It was this daily or continual work of Christ on our behalf, of which the Old Testament service was an object lesson, that was largely obscured by the little-horn power. By its false teachings, the little horn came against Christ’s work of daily or continual mediation as our High Priest.

“By reason of transgression”

By reason of transgression—a revolt (national, moral, religious); to break away (from just authority), i.e. trespass, apostatize, quarrel³

So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression. (1 Chronicles 9:1)

Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. (1 John 3:4)

All this is because of the transgression of Jacob and the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not [the idol worship of] Samaria? And what are the high places [of idolatry] in Judah? Are they not Jerusalem? (Micah 1:5 AMP)

Because of the general state of apostasy and transgression, the little horn was able to practice and prosper. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). It was the sinful, wayward heart of man, that prepared the way for the rule of the little horn in the past, in both its pagan and its papal phase.

Transgression and rebellion in the church and the world at large prepares the way for the last-day manifestation of the little horn, described in the book of Revelation as the beast. “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8).

Daniel 8:13

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?

Saint—sacred (ceremonially or morally), God (by eminence), an angel⁴

Desolation—to stun, devastate, figuratively stupefy.⁵

“One saint speaking”

And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. (Daniel 8:16. Daniel hears the voice of Christ who calls to the angel to explain to him the vision.)

And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.

For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me. (Daniel 10:4–6, 16–19. Christ appears to Daniel in vision and then His angel is left to explain the prophecy to Daniel.)

The saint who is speaking is Christ, the Word, the messenger of God to fallen humanity. Another angel asks, “How long is the vision regarding the activities of the little horn.

 “How long shall be the vision concerning”

What paganism was doing in Daniel’s day against the truth and people of God, and what it continued to do during the rule of pagan and papal Rome, is the focus of the question “How long?” This question has been the burden of the saints throughout Scripture history. Daniel and Revelation reveal to us when this question will be dealt with.

“How long until God delivers His people and vindicates His truth?” is an age-old question, as noted in the texts below.

“How long?”

O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever? (Psalm 74:10)

The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. (Habakkuk 1:1–4)

How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? (Psalm 13:1–2)

Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. (Psalm 35:17)

O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? They break in pieces thy people, O Lord, and afflict thine heritage. (Psalm 94:1–5)

And they [the souls under the altar] cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? (Revelation 6:10)

God Shall Avenge, and the Question “How long?” Shall Cease
 
And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:3–8. The long wait tests the faith of many. However, if we will wait patiently for the Lord, He will fulfill His promise to deliver His own.)

And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. (Revelation 19:1–2)

Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. (Revelation 18:20)

“How long?” This question has been on the hearts and minds of God’s children since sin began. Daniel 2 does not give us the time when God will restore all things, but it tells us of events that will lead up to Christ’s coming to this earth to rescue His people and put an end to this world’s system of evil.

Chapter 7 tells us of a judgment that comes after Babylon, Media-Persia, Grecia, and Rome have fallen off the world stage, and after the prophetic 1,260-year reign of the little horn. Although, again, no exact time is given, this chapter assures us that God and His truth will triumph, and His saints will be vindicated and shall at last receive the kingdom.

Chapter 9 tells us of the coming Messiah as part of God’s answer to “How long?”

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:14–15).

The time that is fulfilled was the commencement of the seventieth week of prophecy of Daniel 9, when Jesus would preach the gospel and then die on the cross in the middle of the prophetic week of seven years.

The last vision of chapters 10 to 12 carries us to the time when Christ shall stand up and cease His work of mediation, and the wrath of God will be poured out in the plagues in a time of trouble just prior to the final deliverance of God’s people. While we contemplate “How long?” the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation carry us to the end of time and the restoration of all things. Therefore, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (Psalm 43:5).

“To give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot”

Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. (Zephaniah 3:4)

The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries have trodden down thy sanctuary. (Isaiah 63:18)

For the sanctuary to be trodden down is for it to be profaned, ignored, despised, or destroyed. However, since there was no earthly sanctuary for the papal little horn to do this work to, the sanctuary that is trodden down must refer to the heavenly sanctuary. For “we have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man” (Hebrews 8:1–2).

Daniel 8:14

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

Cleansed—to be (made) right (in a moral or forensic sense)⁶

In answer to the question “How long?” Christ answered 2,300 days. This is not speaking of the defilement of the Jewish temple by Antiochus Epiphanes, for his defilement of the temple was less than 2,300 days—even less than 1,150 days—and he certainly was not an exceedingly great power.

Further, the pattern of Daniel’s prophecies begins in his day and goes to the end of time. Each prophecy builds upon the previous vision, giving more detail about the principalities and powers first introduced in Daniel 2; namely, Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, and then Rome, first in its pagan form and then in its church-state form as papal Rome.

The prophecies are most concerned with Rome in its papal stage, which exists until the end of time. So this question of “How long?” concerns the little horn introduced in Daniel 7, the papal power that shall “cast down the truth to the ground” (Daniel 8:12) and “destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people” (Daniel 8:24). Daniel 7 introduces us to the judgment in heaven, a time when the books are opened and the true and faithful are vindicated, and sentence against the little horn and the final powers of apostasy is determined.

While in vision, Daniel (chapter 7) looks upon the scene of judgment in heaven and sees the power of the little horn, who speaks “great words.” When the judgment in heaven commences, the other beasts of the prophecy are gone, though their influence lingers. Daniel beholds the judgment scene until the beast is slain—not the beast of pagan Rome, but that portion of the beast that was to continue, the papal little horn. Revelation chapters 18 and 19 describe this judgment, which includes all those who were in union and sympathy with this power.

So the judgment in Daniel 7 is twofold: the final vindication of Christ and God and His truth, and the vindication of His saints, those who, when “the books were opened” (Daniel 7:10), were found in Christ to be faithful and true, clothed with “the righteousness of saints” (Revelation 19:8). Also in the judgment, the little-horn phase of the Roman beast is weighed in the scales of heavenly truth and justice, found wanting, and therefore given over to the burning flame. (See Daniel 7:14, 22, 11.)

Daniel 8 returns to the same theme. At the end of the 2,300-day prophecy, the sanctuary is to be cleansed, which involves the same work of judgment briefly introduced in Daniel 7. The time of its beginning, and the events to transpire, are explained by the angel Gabriel in chapter 9. That angelic explanation deals with a time of mercy and probation set aside for the Jewish nation to prepare their hearts for the Messiah who would come to save them from their sins. Daniel 9 also deals with the sacrifice of Christ for all mankind and the eventual destruction of the nation of Israel and its temple because of continual apostasy.

The cleansing of the sanctuary does not end at the termination of 2,300 days or years; rather, it points to the start of this work, which is a process. The judgment in Daniel 7 commences with books being opened and examined. At the end of that judgment, Christ’s truth and righteousness are vindicated and He receives a kingdom and glory, which He shares with the saints who are found faithful, cleansed by the blood of the Lamb.

Daniel 8:14 points us forward to the start of that event. Leviticus 16 presents the old-covenant shadow of cleansing the sanctuary on the Day of Atonement, while the prophecy of chapter 8 deals with new-covenant cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, a final work of Christ for His people during the time of the judgment.

At the end of that period of judgment, Christ will come and bring to an end the desolating transgression of the little-horn power and all the powers of evil. “And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12). The time of the judgment is the time in the parable when the king makes examination of the guests to see who has on the wedding garment, representing Christ’s righteousness, and thus is fit to enter into the marriage. (See Matthew 22:11–14; Revelation 19:7–8.)

“Sanctuary cleansed”

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: we have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. (Hebrews 8:1–5)

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was necessary for the earthy reproductions of heavenly realities to be purified by such methods, but the actual heavenly things could only be made pure in God’s sight by higher sacrifices than these. Christ did not therefore enter into any holy places made by human hands (however truly these may represent heavenly realities), but he entered Heaven itself to make his appearance before God as high priest on our behalf. (Hebrews 9:22 KJV, 23–24 Phillips)

The sanctuary ministry of the Old Testament was a type or object lesson of the gospel. The pattern for the earthly sanctuary came from God Himself, and it reflected in shadows what in reality transpires in heaven. The details, of course, are not exact, for there is no slaying of animals in heaven, but the lessons conveyed teach us what God is seeking to do on behalf of sinners.

The sanctuary that is to be cleansed is not the earthly sanctuary, for this vision of the little horn commences with pagan Rome and extends to papal Rome, which lasts until the coming of Christ. The defiling work of the little horn included the Roman Empire, which fell in A.D. 476; it extends to the papal little horn, whose prophetic reign ended in 1798. Therefore, the sanctuary referred to is the heavenly sanctuary. This cleansing of the sanctuary draws our attention to Leviticus 16 and the Jewish Day of Atonement, where we find the earthly shadow that teaches something of heavenly realities. All the Jewish rituals established by God were a shadow of things to come—the gospel in symbols.

The shadow of the Day of Atonement is to teach lessons about the higher and more perfect work in the sanctuary above, where Christ our High Priest ministers for us.

During this ceremony, the priest’s work included the following:

Cleansing of the altar of sacrifice with the blood of the bull and the goat. (See Leviticus 16:18.)

Cleansing or reconciling the Most Holy Place, the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar. (See Leviticus 16:20.)

The high priest makes atonement for himself and fellow priests. In this service, a bull was sacrificed and taken into the Most Holy Place. (See Leviticus 16:11–14.)

Making atonement for the people. In this service, one of the goats was killed and its blood brought into the Most Holy Place. (See Leviticus 16:15.)

The high priest confessed the sins and iniquities of the people over the head of the scapegoat and sent it into the wilderness. This goat was not a symbol of redemption, for there was no shedding of blood. Rather, it represents Satan, who will bear the responsibility and punishment for the sins he caused the redeemed to commit. Being taken into the wilderness is a symbol of being cast into outer darkness and destruction. (See Leviticus 16:21–22.)

For the people this was a special day of rest or a sabbath. It was a time to fast and afflict their souls. (See Leviticus 16:31.)

At the end of the 2,300-day prophecy, representing years, a work of judgment begins. Its purpose is to seal God’s true people, who, like the ancient Israelites, are to have an understanding of the work of their high priest, Jesus. Revelation chapters 4 and 5 reveal the temple in heaven and a Lamb, a symbol of Christ, newly slain and bleeding. Not until God’s people are sealed and sin ceases to enter the heavenly tabernacle can it be cleansed.

When the heavenly sanctuary is finally cleansed, the door of mercy will shut and intercession will cease. When the work in the sanctuary ceases, God will pour out His wrath, unmixed with mercy, in the seven last plagues on a world hardened in rebellion. (See Revelation 15 and 16.)

The Day of Atonement “was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:9, 14).

The work of Christ, our High Priest, before His return in the clouds of heaven, parallels the work of the priest on the Day of Atonement. Its purpose is to bring forth a people sealed with the Father’s name (His character) in their foreheads. They will have a conscience pure and a life made spotless and clothed in the garment of Christ’s righteousness. Zechariah’s vision, though it has several applications, foretells this work.

And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. (Zechariah 3:1–4)

In Daniel chapter 7 the scene of a judgment in heaven is introduced that is called the cleansing of the sanctuary in Daniel 8.

In Daniel 7 three main things were accomplished by the judgment: 1) The apostate little horn is dealt with; 2) God’s people are vindicated and will share in the kingdom of their Lord as “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17); 3) Christ receives His kingdom and puts down the rule of evil, and God and His truth are finally vindicated.

Daniel 8 also covers the history of the prophetic powers and the cleansing of the sanctuary, which deals with the same issues of judgment brought out in Daniel 7. The constant or continual transgression of desolation of the evil forces of this world are dealt with specifically as it relates to the little horn. The truth and character of God, in His love for mankind in the plan of salvation, is fully vindicated. The sanctuary above is set right or cleansed in that God’s truth and righteousness prevail as His downtrodden people are vindicated and sealed and their sins blotted out, then Jesus will come.

Praise God, the long night of sin and sorrow is now in its final stage, for the time prophecy of Daniel 8:14 has come to its end. We are now living on borrowed time.

Six Reasons Verses 10 to 14 Cannot Refer to Antiochus Epiphanes:

• His profaning of the Jewish temple was only for 1,080 days, far short of the 2,300 days of this prophecy, which are full days, not 1,150 mornings and evenings. Further, Daniel 9 explains that this prophecy is dealing with a day for a year, or 2,300 years.

• The little horn was “exceeding great,” greater than the ram Media-Persia, which “became great,” and greater than the he goat Grecia under Alexander, who was “very great.” This could not be said of Antiochus, who was but one of a succession of kings from the remnants of the Grecian kingdom. However, the Roman Empire was indeed exceedingly great.

• The little horn comes up after the dividing of the he goat’s kingdom to the four notable ones in the direction of the four winds. The little horn comes up in the latter time of their kingdom. Yet Antiochus came up as the eighth of twenty-six kings in the Selucian kingdom. His rule was from 175–164 B.C., well before the kingdoms represented by the four horns came to their end.

• Antiochus was not even the most illustrious or powerful of the Seleucus kings to be considered exceedingly great. In the face of the steadily developing Roman little horn that was to be exceeding great, Antiochus abandoned Egypt.

• The cleansing of the sanctuary takes place during the time the papal little horn is in existence, while Antiochus ruled nearly a century and a half before the birth of Christ.

• Daniel’s prophecies reveal a general pattern of events and powers that do not include individuals or Antiochus Epiphanes. Notice the highlights below from the prophetic chapters studied so far.

Daniel 2

• Babylon = head of gold.

• Media-Persia = breast and arms of silver.

• Greece = belly and thighs of brass.

• Rome = legs of iron.

• Feet and toes of iron and clay = the kings of Europe after the breakup of Rome, and ten kings or kingdoms in the world at the end of time who join forces with the beast. (See Revelation 17:12.)

• Stone = judgment.

• Vindication and deliverance of the saints at that time.

• Punishment of the wicked by the coming of Christ.

Daniel 7

• Babylon = lion with eagle’s wings.

• Media-Persia = bear.

• Greece = leopard.

• Rome = dreadful and terrible beast.

• Ten horns = ten nations that would come out of the Roman territory.

• Little horn = Roman church.

• Judgment was set = a time of judgment and examination of the books.
Books opened and examined (verse 10).

• Punishment of the power of rebellion symbolized by a beast (verse 11).

• Christ receiving dominion (verse 14).

• Vindication and the rewarding of the saints (verse 27).

Daniel 8

• Media-Persia = ram.

• Greece = he goat.

• Pagan Rome = little horn.

• Papal Rome = little horn.

• Sanctuary cleansed = judgment.

• The constant or continual transgression of desolation of the evil forces of this world are dealt with specifically as it relates to the little horn.

• The truth and character of God is fully vindicated. God’s truth and righteousness prevail.

• The host, God’s downtrodden people, are vindicated.

Daniel 8:15–16

And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

“Gabriel, make this man to understand”

And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. (Luke 1:19. Gabriel appears to Zacharias the father of John the Baptist.)

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. (Luke 1:26–27)

Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation. (Daniel 9:21)

As Daniel pondered the meaning of the vision, there appeared unto him an “appearance of a man.” Then the voice of Christ was heard, saying, “Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.” Gabriel is mentioned in Scripture several times as a bearer of heavenly tidings. God sent him when he wanted to communicate very special revelations that were to affect all mankind. As the angel drew near, Daniel was afraid when he came into the presence of celestial purity.

Daniel 8:17

So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.

So he came near where I stood, and when he came, I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said to me, Understand, O son of man, for the [fulfillment of the] vision belongs to [event’s that shall occur in] the time of the end. (Daniel 8:17 AMP)

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)

“I was afraid”

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. (Luke 1:11–13)

And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. (Daniel 10:7–8, 11–12)

And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face. And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. (Judges 6:22–23)

Men, in the presence of holy angels, have often been overwhelmed and frightened. However, to the faithful servants of God, words of peace are spoken: “Be not afraid.” To the unrepentant wicked, there are no words of comfort, “but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:27). Let us be sure we are on the side of God and faithfully serving Him.

“Time of the end”

And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed. (Daniel 11:35)

And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. (Daniel 11:40)

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Daniel 12:4)

And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. (Daniel 12:9)

In prophetic reckoning, the time of the end is understood to mark the completion of the prophetic period of 1,260 years of papal dominance from 538 to 1798, the time, times, and half a time of Daniel 7:25. Persecution of the saints by the little-horn power continued until the time of the end, though in its last decades it largely waned.

In the 1790s, as the time of the end approached, atheistic, revolutionary France made war against the papacy. In 1798 the pope was taken captive by one of Napoleon’s generals and sent into exile, where he died.

Many other signs tell us that we are now living in the time of the end. (See Matthew 24.) Since the late 1700s human knowledge has been increasing rapidly. Faster modes of transportation and communication have made it possible to run to and fro in travel and communication as never before.

The development of Bible societies and the spread of the Word of God have greatly increased since the time of the end began. As the Bible predicted, the prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation have become better understood.

The vision of Daniel 8 takes in history from the reign of Media-Persia, the ram, Grecia, the he goat, and the pagan and papal phases of Rome, the little horn. The return to prominence of papal Rome and its final destruction at the second coming of Christ are also predicted. The vision concerning the 2,300 evenings and mornings continues after 1798 to the time when judgment begins in heaven and the books are opened. (See Daniel 7:9–10.) This is why the angel says the vision is for the time of the end.

Daniel 8:18–19

Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.

And he said, Behold, I will make you know what will be in the latter time of the indignation [of God upon the ungodly], for it has to do with the time of the end. (Daniel 8:19 AMP)

Last end—the last or end, hence the future⁷

Indignation—fury (especially of God’s displeasure with sin)⁸

“The indignation”

And the Lord rooted them [Israel] out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 29:28)

And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that [which] is determined shall be done. (Daniel 11:36)

But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. (Jeremiah 10:10)

Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter. Their slain also shall be cast out, and their stink shall come up out of their carcases, and the mountains shall be melted with their blood. (Isaiah 34:1–3)

Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. (Zephaniah 3:8)

“Last end of the indignation”

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1)

And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. (Revelation 16:1–2)

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. (2 Thessalonians 1:7–9)

Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. (Isaiah 26:20–21)

The last indignation of God will be seen in the pouring out of the seven last plagues, which culminates in the second coming of Christ and the destruction of the wicked.

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? (Revelation 6:15–17)

All previous manifestations of God’s wrath against sin have been tempered with mercy. But the final indignation, from the pouring out of the plagues (described in Revelation 16) to the final annihilation of the wicked (described in Revelation 20), will be unmixed with mercy. Today is the day of salvation; today is the day to know and experience God’s long-suffering love and mercy. May you avail yourself my friend, of God’s redeeming love. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).