Daniel 8:3 – As I looked up, I saw a ram with two long horns standing beside the river. One of the horns was longer than the other, even though it had grown later than the other one. 4 The ram butted everything out of his way to the west, to the north, and to the south, and no one could stand against him or help his victims. He did as he pleased and became very great.
This imagery re-enforces the case for Medo-Persia as the next power to follow Babylon. For the Median Empire was first yet weak, while the Persian part came later took control of the Median part and was stronger. To quote John F. Walvoord once again:
“This prophecy is so accurate that it is embarrassing to the critic who does not want to accept a sixth-century Daniel who wrote genuine prophecy.”
Continuing:
“Not only are both the ram and the goat mentioned in the Old Testament as symbols of power, but Cumont has noted that different lands were assigned to the signs of the Zodiac according to astronomical geography. In this view. Persia is thought of as under the zodiacal sign of Aries, the “ram,” and Greece as sharing with Syria – the principal territory of the Seleucid monarchy – the zodiacal sign of Capricorn, the “goat.” The word “Capricorn” is derived from the Latin, “caper,” a goat and “cornu,” a horn. Taken as a whole. As Driver states. ‘The verse describes the irresistible advances of the Persian army, especially in the direction of Palestine, Asia Minor, and Egypt, with particular allusion to the conquest of Cyrus and Cambyses.’”
So any that state chapter eight has to do with the present era have not fully studied the Bible. They wish to cling to a fantasy that enables them to deny God and the true teachings of Jesus Christ. Those teaching that clearly state that we are in the end time we now live within. That those that do not conform to obedience of the teaching of the Bible are in actuality living in sin, and are not one with God. Even those that say they are with God, for they are showing themselves to be like the Pharisees. Living in their own version of the Bible that does not resemble Jesus Christ in any way shape or form.
Daniel 8:5 – While I was watching, suddenly a male goat appeared from the west, crossing the land so swiftly that he didn’t even touch the ground. This goat, which had one very large horn between its eyes, 6 headed toward the two-horned ram that I had seen standing beside the river, rushing at him in a rage. 7 The goat charged furiously at the ram and struck him, breaking off both his horns. Now the ram was helpless, and the goat knocked him down and trampled him. No one could rescue the ram from the goat’s power.
Again I quote from the commentary on the book of Daniel by John F. Walvoord:
“There is no discrepancy between history, which records a series of battles, and Daniel’s representation that the Medo-Persian Empire fell with one blow. Daniel was obviously describing the result rather than the details. That the prophecy is accurate, insofar as it goes, most expositors concede. Here again, the correspondence of the prophecy to later history is so accurate that liberal critics attempt to make it history instead of prophecy.”
It is clear from those who really study that the leopard with the four wing and four heads, and the goat are one and the same. This is made crystal clear in the next verse of chapter eight:
“The goat became very powerful. But at the height of his power, his large horn was broken off. In the large horn’s place grew four prominent horns pointing in the four directions of the earth.”
From one of the four generals rises a forerunner of the antichrist, Antiochus Epiphanes ruler of Syria from 175 B.C. to 164 B.C. He is the reason for the Maccabean rebellion. Now if you remember in part one of this series I layout the geographical boundaries of these prophecies. Now you will see this come into play at this time”
Daniel 8:9 – Then from one of the prominent horns came a small horn whose power grew very great. It extended toward the south and the east and toward the glorious land of Israel. 10 Its power reached to the heavens, where it attacked the heavenly army, throwing some of the heavenly beings and some of the stars to the ground and trampling them.
South of Syria is Egypt, east was Medo-Persia or Armenia. As for the heavenly army. It is well established within the Bible that even though we live within a physical temporal domain. We are instructed to pray to give strength to the heavenly armies which fight in the domain of heaven. There is a spiritual battle taking place that is beyond our ability to see now, however it is noted and mentioned in the Bible many times.
Ephesians 6:10 – A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. 19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Part of wearing the armor of God is truly studying the Bible and coming to a true understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Father: God.