Sermon Daniel Chapter 8

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[2] The title of the sermon today is “DANIEL CHAPTER 8.”

Daniel Has A Dream In The First Year Of Belshazzar

• In Daniel Chapter 7, we saw Daniel have a dream in the first year of Belshazzar.
• Belshazzar was the last King of Babylon before the Medes and Persians conquered Babylon.
• Daniel saw 4 great beasts come up out of the sea.
• The first was like a lion, second was like a bear, third was like a leopard.
• The fourth was dreadful and terrible and exceeding strong. It was different than all the other beasts.
• We saw a little horn come up out of the horns that were on this fourth and final beast.

[3] Daniel 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.

• We know that the beasts represent these world wide kingdoms and rulers.
• We know that these kingdoms and rulers have already happened but there’s a future fulfillment too.
• The little horn of this fourth and great kingdom sounds just like the antichrist in Revelation.
• The antichrist will have a mouth that speaks great things. The world will follow after him.

After that, we saw the ANCIENT OF DAYS sitting on the throne.

• He wears a white garment. The hair of his head is like pure wool.
• He sits on a throne that’s like a fiery flame. His wheels are like burning fire.
• 1,000 x 1,000 or 1 million minister to the Ancient of Days who is God.
• 10,000 x 10,000 or 100 million stand before him. The books are opened for judgement.
• Hey, look, God uses this book called the WORD OF GOD to judge. We better know what it says.

We see that the beast is slain. And remember, in Revelation, the beast is called the antichrist.

• The body of the beast is destroyed in Daniel Chapter 7 and given to the burning flame.
• We see Jesus coming in the clouds in Daniel Chapter 7, and I want to read you that verse.

[4] Daniel 7:13-14 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

• We know that Jesus will come in the clouds at HIS SECOND COMING.
• Jesus comes to the Ancient of Days. That means the ANCIENT OF DAYS is God the Father.
• But we also know that Jesus Christ is eternal as well. Jesus Christ is God.
• But, obviously, this shows that Jesus Christ is a different person than His Father, the Ancient of Days.
• We also know that the Kingdom of Jesus Christ will NEVER be destroyed like the kingdoms of the beasts.

[5] Daniel 7:17-18 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

• We will come back to earth with Jesus on white horses and we will take the kingdom from the beast.
• We won’t even have to fight. We’ll be in our new, glorified, and immortal bodies.
• God will win the battle so you better be on God’s side. We already know who wins.
• The Bible tells us. You want to be on the winning side.
• But, we won’t always be on the winning side in this life and in this flesh.
• Before Jesus comes back, we can lose some battles. The antichrist will overcome the saints.

[6] Daniel 7:21-22 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; 22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

• The antichrist will prevail against the saints. And that will happen until God comes back.
• And then we know that Jesus comes back AFTER THE TRIBULATION at the rapture or the second coming.
• We know the tribulation lasts for about 3-1/2 years.
• We know that the rapture is about in the middle of Daniel’s 70^th week or 7-year period.
• And we know that antichrist will rule on this earth for about 3-1/2 years after the rapture.

[7] Daniel 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

• With that quick summary of Daniel Chapter 7, let’s get started there in verse 1 of Daniel Chapter 8.

Daniel Has Another Dream In The Third Year Of Belshazzar

[8] Daniel 8:1 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.

• Now, we see Daniel receive this vision in the third year of King Belshazzar.
• Remember, the vision from Daniel Chapter 7 was from the first year of King Belshazzar’s reign.

[9] Daniel 8:2 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.

• The river Ulai is in Shushan. There was a palace in Shushan and Daniel is in this area within his vision.
• Daniel is standing there by the river Ulai in Shushan. This is about where that was located.

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• You can see it’s close to the Western border of Iran today.
• You see Iraq, Syria, Jordan, and Israel to the West there.

Shushan is seen in the Book of Esther many years after King Belshazzar’s reign in Daniel.

• SHUSHAN the palace is mentioned 8 times in the Bible. 7 are in Esther and the other in Nehemiah.
• Nehemiah is actually the first book of the Bible where we see Shushan.

[11] Nehemiah 1:1-2 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

• So Nehemiah is a Book about re-building the wall of Jerusalem.
• Nehemiah rebuilding the wall is approximately 100 years AFTER Daniel has his vision in Daniel Chapter 8.
• Shushan the Palace was in Elam as Daniel Chapter 8 mentions but then is in the Persian Kingdom.
• Cyrus the Great conquered Shushan before he conquered Babylon.
• So let’s see what Daniel’s vision is as he stands by this river close to Shushan the palace.

[12] 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.

• Daniel looks up and see he’s a ram standing before the river. The ram had two horns.
• One of the horns was higher than the other. What is this ram with two horns?
• If we look down to verse 20 of Daniel Chapter 8, we’ll see the answer.

[13] Daniel 8:20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.

• Remember, Babylon is currently the great kingdom. Belshazzar is the current king of Babylon.
• Now Daniel is seeing this ram which represents Media and Persia.
• The first horn is Darius the Mede. We see him first in the Book of Daniel.
• Daniel Chapters 1 through 6 are in chronological order. We saw Darius the Mede in Daniel Chapter 5.

[14] Daniel 5:30-31 In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. 31 And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old.

• Darius the Mede is this first horn that is great but the second horn is higher.
• Darius the Mede is the king who threw Daniel into the lion’s den but was happy he was okay.
• And that second horn that is higher is the first king of the Persians, which we see in Daniel Chapter 6.

[15] Daniel 6:28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

• Cyrus the Persian is the second horn that comes up higher on this ram that is standing by the river.
• In other words, Daniel is seeing a vision of the future kings or rulers.

[16] 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.

• So, this ram or these two kings that represent the kingdoms of the Medes and Persians will conquer.
• They are going to conquer to the West, North, and South. None else could come up against them.
• And that ram or these kings did as they pleased and became great kings and rulers.

The Babylonians, Medes and Persians, Grecians, Romans

But, we know that all of that comes to an end from Daniel Chapter 2.

• We saw that great image from King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and it was in four parts.
• We know Babylon is at the top, then the Medes and Persians, then the Greeks, then the Romans.
• This is the order of how it actually happened in history.
• So, after the Medes and the Persians with this ram, we should see the Greeks next in Daniel Chapter 8.

[17] 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.

• Now, we see this he goat come from the West on the face of the whole earth.
• He didn’t touch the ground which means he was running very fast.
• For example, when our little dog runs, she runs so fast that her legs don’t look they hit the ground.
• This he goat has a NOTABLE HORN between it’s eyes. Let’s see who and what this represents.
• We look down to verse 21 of Daniel Chapter 8.

[18] Daniel 8:21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

• So, we see the Book of Daniel is pretty amazing. It’s telling us exactly what his vision means.
• This was written long before any of this actually happened.
• Remember, we’re in the third year of Belshazzar. The first king of Grecia was Alexander the Great.
• He’s like this rough goat and the notable horn. He’s quick. He conquers swiftly.
• In Daniel Chapter 7, he’s likened in another vision to a leopard.

[19] Daniel 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.

• Notice in Daniel Chapter 8 verse 5 that the he goat comes from the West. That matches Greece perfectly.
• Let’s see what happens next. So, we have a ram standing by the river and now the he goat is there too.

[20] Daniel 8:6 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.

• The he goat with the notable horn runs with FURY towards the ram.
• In other words, the Kingdom of Grecia with Alexander the Great runs towards the Medes and Persians with Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian.

[21] Daniel 8:7 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.

• The he goat comes close to the ram and he moves with CHOLER or ANGER and WRATH against him.
• This he goat is angry. He breaks the two horns or the two kings on that ram.
• He takes away the power or the horns from the ram.
• At the very first battle between the Persians and the Grecians, Alexander had 30,000 men.
• The Persians had more than 150,000 men. Alexander the Great won that battle.
• He only lost a few men that day compared to the tens of thousands for the Persians.
• There were a couple more battles that went the same way. It wasn’t a fluke.
• King Darius and King Cyrus lost their power quickly. Alexander the Great stomped them.

[22] 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.

• Alexander the Great waxed very great. He’s known as THE ALEXANDER in history.
• When he was around 33 years old, he died. Some people suspect he was poisoned.
• Some people think he died from drugs and alcohol.

[23] Psalm 55:23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

• Sometimes this happens to wicked and evil people. They don’t live out half their days.
• Alexander the Great died at 33 years old when the kingdom was strong just as it says there in verse 8.
• His empire was divided into four kingdoms. Greece, Egypt, Syria, and Asia. There were 4 kings over those.
• So these 4 kings were notable kings from the 4 directions or the 4 winds of heaven.
• Greece to the West, Syria to the North, Egypt to the South, and Asia to the East.
• In Daniel Chapter 7, the leopard had 4 heads. These are the 4 new kings of the 4 kingdoms of Greece.

[24] 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.

• Remember, there are now 4 kingdoms within the Grecian empire.
• Out of one of those 4 kingdoms comes this little horn that grows.
• He becomes great towards the South and towards the East and towards the pleasant land.

Out Of The Grecian Empire Comes This Little Horn

[25] 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.

• This is still talking about this little horn or ruler coming out of the kingdom of Greece.
• He waxed great even to the host of heaven. Who does that sound like in verse 10?
• “And it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.”

[26] Revelation 12:4 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.

• This ruler from Greece is like Satan. He’s evil. He’s wicked. The Book of Daniel is telling us this.

[27] Isaiah 14:12-14 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 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: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

• So, this little horn is waxing great and is like Satan.
• This is also a picture of the antichrist. Satan controls the antichrist and gives him his power.
• And then watch what this ruler does in the next verse of Daniel Chapter 8.

[28] 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 his sanctuary was cast down.

• Now, we see he magnifies himself in front of God. He does this by blaspheming God.
• He speaks great things against God. He even takes the daily sacrifice away.
• The daily sacrifice was still being done at this time. Remember where we are.
• This is after both Israel and Judah are conquered by Babylon.
• This is after the Medes and the Persians. This is after the temple and wall is rebuilt in Jerusalem.
• The daily sacrifice is taking place UNTIL this king from Greece magnifies himself and takes it away.
• This is him attempting to show he is greater than God Almighty. That’s what the antichrist will do.
• Remember, we have an immediate fulfillment of this prophecy but there’s also a future fulfillment.

[29] 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.

• This little horn has all the help he needs. A host was given him to stop this daily sacrifice.
• The truth was taken away. Just like we see in today’s world.
• The truth of the Bible is cast down to the ground. Even in churches, “Oh, we don’t need the Bible.”
• A preacher came to my house not too long ago and says, “I don’t know why churches use the Bible.”
• “We don’t use the Bible. We talk and let people give their opinion.” WHAT???
• No, your opinion doesn’t matter. THE TRUTH WITHIN THE BIBLE MATTERS!!!
• The lies “practiced and prospered” there at the end of verse 12. We see that today.
• But this little horn from Greece is growing stronger and stronger.
• That’s exactly what happens in Revelation with the antichrist. So, we see a picture of the antichrist here.

[30] 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?

• Remember, Daniel is seeing all of this in a vision in Shushan as he stands by the river Ulai.
• This isn’t a history book. This is prophecy and Daniel sees all of this long before it actually happens.
• Daniel hears two saints speaking. One says, “How long will the daily sacrifice be taken away?”

Animal Sacrifice Taken Away = Transgression Of Desolation

When the actual animal sacrifice to God is taken away, it’s called the transgression of desolation.

• They’ve transgressed and made the temple of God on earth desolate.
• In other words, the sanctuary and the host of the sanctuary are trodden under foot.
• When you reject something, a picture of that is stomping it under your feet.
• That’s what this little horn is doing to the daily sacrifice of God’s people.
• How long is this transgression of desolation going to take place?

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

• This has a future fulfillment to Daniel’s 70^th week or the 7-year period of time explained in Revelation.
• We know in the future that the daily sacrifice will start again. The temple will be used for a daily sacrifice.
• Once that begins, the 2,300 days will start. At the end of the 2,300 days, the sanctuary is cleansed.
• That’s at the very end of Daniel’s 70^th week. The sanctuary will be clean once again.
• Jesus Christ is the sanctuary and the sacrifice, and he is coming to earth on a white horse.
• At the abomination of desolation, the antichrist will STOP that daily sacrifice.
• This is just like the little horn in Daniel Chapter 8. Let’s learn more about this little horn.
• If we move down to verse 22 of Daniel Chapter 8, we’ll see more.

[32] Daniel 8:22 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.

• That being broken is talking about the horn who was Alexander the Great.
• Remember, Alexander the Great was the first leader of the kingdom of Grecia.
• He died at a young age. Four generals of his take over four kingdoms in Grecia.
• They are strong but they don’t have that same power that Alexander the Great had.

[33] Daniel 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.

• This is the little horn that takes away the daily sacrifice. A king of fierce countenance.
• He understands dark sentences. He’s evil. And this is in the latter time of the kingdom of Grecia.
• So, we should be able to find out who this is in actual history. Who was this king of Grecia?
• Who was this king that took away the daily sacrifice? Let’s keep reading for more clues.

[34] Daniel 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.

• Notice where it says, “but not by his own power.” That’s talking about Satan helping him.
• He destroys the mighty and the holy people. This is also a picture of the future antichrist.
• The future antichrist will prevail against the saints. Daniel Chapter 7 told us that.

[35] Daniel 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.

• Notice that this says, “through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper.”
• Do you remember from verse 23 that he understood “DARK SENTENCES?” Craft is referring to witchcraft.
• He magnifies HIMSELF within HIS HEART. That’s evil and wicked. Don’t magnify yourself.
• Remember, we don’t want to be anything like this evil and wicked man. Witchcraft is evil.
• You don’t want to understand dark sentences and the way of darkness.
• You don’t want to access the evil and dark side of this world. Stay away from it.

[36] Acts 8:9-10 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

• Why do people want to use witchcraft, sorcery, and magic?
• It’s simple. They want to show themselves powerful. They want people to think they are like God.
• And that’s what this little horn is doing from the kingdom of Grecia in Daniel Chapter 8.
• And yes, it works and it fools people. People begin to believe they are special.
• There are no good witches. There is no good version of sorcery. Stay away from all of it.
• The antichrist in Revelation will do similar things. People will think he’s God. He will perform miracles.
• The people will say, “This must be God.” Just like Simon there in Acts Chapter 8.

This Little Horn Stands Up Against God

This little horn from Daniel Chapter 8 destroys many and stands up against God with Satan’s help as always.

• Satan is always behind these things. He deceives people into thinking they’re more powerful.
• He makes them believe that they are mighty and no one can stop them.
• He gives them power. They hand over their soul to Satan for destruction.
• Satan deceives people into standing up against God. They think have power against God.
• In reality, if they knew what they were doing, they would run and hide in fear of God Almighty.
• Notice it says at the end of verse 25, “but he shall be broken without hand.”
• This little horn from the kingdom of Grecia loses. He thought he was all powerful.
• As we all know, though, he wasn’t. All men have to die. You can’t defeat death.
• And when an evil and wicked person dies, they go to hell. And you aren’t winning that one.

Now, we should know who this little horn is with all of this evidence.

• And remember, it has to be a ruler who comes up out of one of these 4 kingdoms towards the latter part of the Grecian empire.
• The man’s name is Antiochus (AN-TY-O-CHUS) Epiphanes. He came out of the northern kingdom of Syria.
• And we saw from verse 9 of this chapter that he waxed exceeding great towards the south, east, and pleasant land.

[37] 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.

• Antiochus Epiphanes comes out of the north and pushes his greatness towards these directions.
• He went to Egypt and fought against the king of Egypt. He took many cities there.
• The king of Egypt ran from Antiochus Epiphanes.

So this man comes from the North and goes through JUDEA which is the pleasant land.

• He ruled over the Jews from around 175 BC to 164 BC.
• His power grows from the North in all directions. People do what he says. They fear him.
• Here’s his head from a statue to give you an idea of what he looked like.

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• I want to show you an image of coins from his rule.

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• The coins read Antiochus Epiphanes, God Manifest.
• In other words, he thinks he is God manifest in the flesh. He’s a picture of the antichrist.
• He claims to be God himself. This man is evil and wicked and claiming to be CHRIST.

[40] 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

• Do you think some of those Jews were fooled that he reigned over? Of course they were.
• They probably thought he was the savior and was going to rule over them as their king forever.
• That’s going to happen again in Revelation with the antichrist.
• And the warnings are all throughout the Bible.

[41] Matthew 24:4-5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

[42] Mark 13:5-6 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

[43] Luke 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.

• But, let’s be serious. Not many people in churches today even read the Bible.
• They don’t see the warnings. They don’t see the truth.
• And notice this man’s name is ANTI-O-CHUS. The first 4 letters spell ANTI just like antichrist.

He Takes Away The Daily Sacrifice

He took away the daily sacrifice just like the Book of Daniel said he would.

• He didn’t allow the Jews to practice any part of their religion.
• He went through the temple and took everything out.
• He desecrated the temple by offering the sacrifice of a pig on the altar to Zeus.
• That’s called making the temple desolate. That’s the transgression of desolation.
• This is a picture and warning of what’s going to happen in the future.

This man named Antiochus Epiphanes died to end his reign at the age of 50 or 51 years old.

• Some accounts say he died suddenly of disease. Some say he drowned himself purposely in the sea.
• But we do know, he wasn’t GOD MANIFEST IN THE FLESH. He sure didn’t arise on the third day.
• He is the little horn talked about in Daniel Chapter 8, and he is a picture of the antichrist.
• Another little horn is going to come up in Revelation and will be the final antichrist.
• He will be much greater than Antiochus Epiphanes from the Kingdom of Grecia.
• So, yes, things in Daniel have already happened but they will happen again.
• Now, let’s go back to verse 14 of Daniel Chapter 8.

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

• This verse has an application to future prophecy in the Book of Revelation.
• A goal of the Jews is to rebuild the temple. There’s a problem right now, though, with that.
• The Muslims have a mosque and the Dome of the Rock that are built on the exact location of the temple.
• This was the exact location of Solomon’s temple.

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• Many others think that Jesus will rebuild the temple when he comes.
• The daily sacrifice isn’t being done right now. But it will start again during Daniel’s 70^th week.
• The antichrist will take the daily sacrifice away similar to that of Antiochus Epiphanes.
• So, you can take 2,300 days from the very end of Daniel’s 70^th week and count backwards.
• You’ll see that on the Daniel’s 70^th week charts.

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• You’ll see that the start of the daily sacrifice will begin after the tribulation begins.
• You’ll see the Abomination of Desolation in the midst of Daniel’s 70^th week.
• That’s when the antichrist will come in and stop the daily sacrifice.
• That’s when his focus will change to killing all the SAINTS. The great tribulation begins at that point.
• I want to show you proof of that from the words of Jesus Christ himself.

[47] Matthew 24:15-17 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

[48] Matthew 24:18-20 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

[49] Matthew 24:21-22 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

• So, once you see the abomination of desolation, “For then shall be great tribulation.”
• That’s what you see on the chart we have there. It all goes perfectly with the words in the Bible.
• “And except those days be shortened, there should be no FLESH saved.”
• “But for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”
• So, when the days are shortened, the great tribulation ends when Jesus comes in the clouds.
• Why? He saves the SAINTS in their flesh who are left on the earth at that time.

[50] 1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

• I hope that part of the chart now makes more sense to you.
• The daily sacrifice and the abomination of desolation should be much clearer now.
• The example from Antiochus Epiphanes gives us an idea of what that will look like.

[51] 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. 16 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 didn’t know the meaning of the vision. He sought for the meaning.
• Just like when you read the Bible, and you don’t know exactly what it means.
• You should seek for the meaning because you want to understand it. That’s what Daniel did.
• A man stands before him in this vision. The man is standing between Daniel and the banks of the river.
• The man calls out to the angel GABRIEL and asks him to help Daniel to understand.

How Many Times Is Gabriel Seen Within The Bible?

The name, Gabriel, is seen 4 times in the Bible and this is one of the four times in Daniel Chapter 8.

• He’s also seen in Daniel Chapter 9 and the other two times are in the Book of Luke Chapter 1.
• He speaks with Zacharias who is the father of John the Baptist. Zacharias doesn’t believe him.
• Zacharias and Elizabeth had been praying for a child. They were having trouble having a child.
• Gabriel shows up and tells Zacharias he will have a child. Zacharias doubts and he can’t speak.
• Then Gabriel shows up to Mary in Luke Chapter 1 and tells Mary this:

[52] Luke 1:31-33 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

• Gabriel brings the good news in Luke Chapter 1. In Daniel Chapter 8, he explains the vision to Daniel.

[53] 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.

• This Gabriel must be feared. Daniel becomes afraid. Zacharias and Mary were afraid too.
• Daniel is so scared he falls on his face in this vision. Notice what he tells Daniel.
• “FOR AT THE TIME OF THE END SHALL BE THE VISION.” So we know these are future events.
• But we also know this vision is telling us about the end of the world. And it matches Revelation perfectly.

[54] 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. 19 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.

• Daniel is in this deep sleep on his face and Gabriel is speaking with him.
• Gabriel touches Daniel and sets him back upright versus directly on his face. Imagine that.
• In verse 19, Gabriel says he’s going to make known what will happen before God’s final indignation.
• Indignation is extreme anger or wrath from God. We know from Revelation that God’s wrath is at the end.
• God begins to pour out his wrath right after the rapture and to the end of Daniel’s 70^th week.
• Now, he’s going to tell us about the ram, the he goat, and the little horn that we talked about already.
• Let’s read those verses again in order. Verse 20.

[55] Daniel 8:20-21 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.

• Again, the two horns on the ram are King Darius of Media and King Cyrus of Persia.
• Alexander the Great is the great horn on the rough goat who represents Grecia.

[56] Daniel 8:22-23 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. 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.

• Alexander the Great, or the horn, is broken when he dies at a young age.
• The 4 generals stand up in the four kingdoms of Grecia.
• In the latter part of the kingdom, we see a little horn arise named AN-TI-O-CHUS Epiphanes.
• Hu understands the way of darkness, witchcraft, and sorcery as we learned earlier.

[57] Daniel 8:24-25 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. 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.

• Satan gives this antichrist power so he stands up against God. He’s broken. Don’t even try it.

[58] Daniel 8:26 And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.

• The vision of the EVENING and MORNING means the 2300 days are 2300 evenings and 2300 mornings.
• The vision is TRUE God says right here in the Bible. This means there will be 2,300 days.
• Now, did it happen like that with Antiochus Epiphanes? I have no idea.
• Records from history say that it wasn’t 2,300 days but much shorter than that.

The Later Fulfillment Is The Exact Fullfillment Of Prophecy

In prophecy, sometimes the latter fulfillment is the EXACT fulfillment.

• And the first instance is the PICTURE of what it’s going to be like in the future.
• For sure, I know it’s going to be 2,300 days in the Book of Revelation. The vision is TRUE.
• And it says this is all about the end. “Shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for MANY DAYS.”
• So, it happened already in Daniel, but there’s a future fulfillment that hasn’t happened yet.

[59] Daniel 8:27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

• So Gabriel explains it to Daniel. Daniel writes it down. But Daniel still didn’t understand it.
• He fainted. He was sick for several days. He arose and did his normal job for the king.
• He was astonished at the vision. And he still didn’t understand it. God says, “SEAL IT UP.”
• Now, we have the light of the Book of Revelation and the New Testament to help us.
• Now, we can better understand this vision.

Let’s pray.