The Little Horn of Daniel 8

LESSON 8

THE LITTLE HORN OF DANIEL 8

You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible Study Programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

In this edition, we continue with our series on The Final Events of Bible Prophecy. The topic for this study is: The Little Horn of Daniel 8. The following footnotes have been gleaned from our Bible study reference of Daniel 8:1-27.

1. In our previous study, we considered Daniel's vision of the ram and he goat in Daniel 8. This study is a continuation of that vision which he saw on the banks of river Ulai in the province of Elam.

2. After the he goat, the next thing Daniel saw in vision on the banks of river Ulai was a little horn. From Daniel 8:8-14, we read the following in regard to this little horn power: "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.

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."

(Daniel 8:8-9) Beloved, before we continue with the other texts concerning the little horn, I want us to pause here and consider the origin of this little horn. From the verse 9 of Daniel 8 above, we are told that the little horn power came "out of one of them". Even though it is clear from the texts we are considering that this little horn came after the overthrow of the Grecian Empire, the question that begs for an answer is this: From where exactly did the little horn power originate? Does this horn come forth from the "four notable ones", (that is the four divisions of the Grecian Empire) or from the "four winds of heaven" (which is the four cardinal points).

Friends, since there seems to be an apparent confusion in regard to the texts above, it becomes important for us to consider the gender of the Hebrew language that was utilized in the writing of this Old Testament Scriptures. Beloved, unlike the English language, other languages such as Hebrew, Greek and French make use of genders. In English, when I say the word "her", you understand I'm referring to a female. However, when I say a house or book, you may not think of them as male or female. However, in languages such as French, Greek and Hebrew, each word is considered to be either feminine or masculine. Now, since the texts we are considering were written in Hebrew, it will do us a lot of good to consider the gender. This exercise will enable us to explain correctly the seemingly problematic texts in question.

The texts in question are as follows: "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.

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."

(Daniel 8:8-9; Capital Emphasis Added) Beloved, as we can notice above, the verse 8 mentions four notable HORNS (the word "horns" has masculine gender) and four WINDS (the word "winds" has feminine gender). Now, in verse 9, we read that: "And out of one of THEM came forth a little horn" (Capital Emphasis Added). Some scholars of prophecy, by ignoring the gender base of the Hebrew language, interpret this expression to mean out of one of the four notable horns came forth a little horn. This interpretation implies that the little horn came out from one of the four divisions of the Grecian Empire. And such scholars, through this interpretation, go ahead to relate the little horn power of Daniel 8:9 with Antiochus IV Epiphanes who rose up from one of the divided segments of Greece (that is, Syria to be specific).

But friends, we quickly realize that this interpretation is false when we apply the gender base of the Hebrew language. This is because by applying the Hebrew language properly, we know that the word THEM in verse 9 has feminine gender, and must relate directly with the word WINDS which also has a feminine gender. Thus, the correct interpretation of Daniel 8:8-9 will be: Out of one of the four winds; that is, out of one of the four directions of the compass, came forth a little horn. And in fact, the Pagan Roman Empire which overthrew Greece came out of the Western division of Alexander’s empire (Note that the West is one of the cardinal directions of the compass).

Beloved, from the verse 9 of Daniel 8, we also learn that the Pagan Roman Empire grew exceedingly great toward the South (which is, Egypt and Northern Africa); and toward the East (which is, Asia Minor and Syria); and even toward the Pleasant Land of Judea. A basic knowledge of the four gospels in the New Testament clearly confirms the fact that it was the Pagan Roman Empire that ruled Judea and the rest of the world during the lifetime of Christ and even several years after that.

Beloved, to understand the origin of the little horn in Daniel 8 through the above mode of interpretation is very crucial. This is because without this understanding, one can easily be deceived in regard to the real identity of the antichrist power of Bible prophecy.

3. From the verse 10 of Daniel 8, we also read the following in relation to the little horn: "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." Friends, from the verse 10 of Daniel 8 above, we learn how the Pagan Roman Empire magnified herself not just in human affairs but even to the host of heaven. We read from history, how this dreadful and terrible power made war against the people of God, and even demanded the worship that was due only God. History records the terrible persecution and massacre of a great number of faithful Christians who refused to go along with the practice of emperor worship and other forms of idolatry in Pagan Rome.

Similarly, we also learn from Daniel 7:7 how the dreadful and terrible fourth beast (Pagan Rome), devoured and broke her victims into pieces, and STAMPED the residue with her feet. Beloved, this is the same power we see here in the ninth and tenth verses of Daniel 8, literally STAMPING upon God's people.

But friends, I believe many of you will want to find out how the Pagan Roman Empire cast down some of the host and of the stars of heaven to the ground? I think a good question that I believe will help us to reflect on the question above is this: Did the Pagan Rome Empire literally cast down some of the host and stars of heaven to the ground? The answer is a big NO.

You see friends, this portion of Daniel 8:9 does not describe the literal power of Pagan Rome, but rather the spirit behind the power; which is Satan. The spirit behind the brutal deeds of Pagan Rome was none other than the devil himself. And thankfully, in this verse in Daniel 8, the veil is drawn aside for us to see clearly the evil being who works through the guise of human powers to war against the government of God in the great controversy between good and evil. In fact, the book of Revelation actually spells out in a straightforward manner, how Satan deceived one third of the angelic host in heaven to rebel against the government of God. These angels, we are told, were cast out of heaven with Satan (see Revelation 12:4, 7-9). Thus, it is a true biblical fact that Satan, through his deception, actually cast down some of the host and stars of heaven to the ground (earth). And friends, he is the same spirit that worked through Pagan Rome to destroy the people of God.

4. Beloved, as we continue to read the remaining verses of Daniel 8, we realize that a new power silently assumes the power of Pagan Rome. And this power, as we will learn later in our studies, is so blended with Pagan Rome that God chose to utilize the same symbol of a little horn to describe it in the vision He gave to the Prophet Daniel on the banks of Ulai. The characteristics of this new little horn power are recorded in Daniel 8:11-14 as well as Daniel 8:23-25.

Friends, from Daniel 8:11-14, we realize that this power that comes after Pagan Rome is not just political in nature but is also extremely religious. For we read from Daniel 8:11-14 the following: "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.

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.

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?

8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed."

(Daniel 8:8-14) Beloved, the texts above presents the activities of this new power in relation to the sanctuary of God. And friends, this part of Daniel 8 is basically the high point of the vision God gave to the Prophet Daniel. However, the amazing study of how the activities of this little horn power affected the sanctuary of God (as captured in Daniel 8:11-14) will be explained in our series on the Sanctuary Service. But for now, I want us to keep focusing on gleaning from the Chapter 8 of Daniel, the characteristics of this little horn power; which actually represents the antichrist of Bible prophecy.

5. Friends, besides the characteristics of this little horn power as recorded in Daniel 8:11-14, we also find some vital characteristics of this power from Daniel 8:23-25. This later passage records the explanation the angel Gabriel gave to Daniel in relation to the new little horn power. In this passage, the name of the power changes from little horn to a king of fierce countenance. We read the remaining characteristics of this power from Daniel 8:23-25 as follows: "8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

8:24 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.

8:25 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."

(Daniel 8:23-25) Friends, from the passage above, we can summarize the characteristics of this power as follows:

a) He is a king of fierce countenance and understands dark sentences (Daniel 8:23). In other words, this power or system is led by a powerful human leader who is described as king. And as the text says clearly, this king understands dark sentences.

b) His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power (Daniel 8:24). This point basically means that this power will rely on other powers to do its dirty work. Friends, this little horn power, unlike Pagan Rome do not have a military muscle of her own. He relies on the military strength of the state to carry forward his evil purposes.

c) He shall destroy the mighty and holy people (Daniel 8:24). As we learnt from Daniel 7:25, this little horn power is a persecuting power which wars against the saints of God.

d) Through his policy, he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand (Daniel 8:25). Friends, this power, even though religious in nature, employs methods such as hypocrisy, perjury, sneakiness, as well as other corrupt and unjust practices to carry forward her agenda.

e) He shall magnify himself in his heart (Daniel 8:25). Beloved, just like the little horn of Daniel 7, this power also magnifies himself in his heart. He actually speaks great words and blasphemies against the most high God (Daniel 7:8, 25; Revelation 13:5).

f) He shall utilize the tool of peace to destroy many (Daniel 8:25). As we have stated earlier, this power utilizes craftiness in his work. At the final hours of this earth's history, this power will pretend to work to bring about world peace. But all such efforts will be a cunning method he will be employing to further his agenda of regaining total control of the world.

g) He shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand (Daniel 8:25). I thought you will say Amen to this. Friends, in spite of all the evil that this antichrist power will carry out against the government of God and His people, this verse in Daniel 8 gives us great hope and assurance that this power will not continue forever. As the Stone in the image of Daniel 2 destroyed the proud kingdoms of this world, so this little horn power will also be broken by the Mighty Hand of God.

6. My dear friends, from the eighth chapter of Daniel, we once again see how God utilizes the repeat and enlarge principle to unravel Bible prophecy to His children. We see how God, through this passage has taken us right through the various ancient superpowers of the world. (that is; Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Pagan Rome and then the new little horn power which is also described as a king of fierce countenance). As I have mentioned earlier, this king of fierce countenance in Daniel 8 also parallels the little horn of Daniel 7; and is actually the antichrist of Bible prophecy.

7. At this point in our series, I know that some of you are anxious to know who or what power represents the antichrist of Bible prophecy. But friends, instead of coming up with a name now, I believe it is important that we take our time to search for all the characteristics that apply to this power in Scripture so that you and I can name this power without any biases; for there are still other characteristics of this power to be uncovered. And so friends in our subsequent studies, we are going to continue our search for the characteristics of the antichrist power in the book of Revelation.

Exhortation: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19).

In our next study, we will consider the topic: The Sea Beast of Revelation 13. The Bible study reference for this study is Revelation 13:1-10. Please find time to go through this passage before the next study is released. Besides, I believe that you will highly comprehend and appreciate our study on Revelation 13 if you can find time to read again our previous study on "The Little Horn of Daniel 7".

Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.

Maranatha!

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