The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE (Chapter 8: Verses 20-27)

 Hello Friends!

Welcome back to our Encouraging Concepts Bible study series focused on the powerfully PROPHETIC picture portrayed in the Old Testament book of Daniel painted as a panoramic landscape of World History in FIVE successions “written” in ardent ADVANCE some 2,600 years ago… “The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE!”

The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE (Chapter 8: Verses 20-27)

²⁰ 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 – Daniel 8:20-27

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: During the climatic CLOSE of this ardent “age” shortly BEFORE our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” righteously RETURNS in His vibrantly visible great “glory” at the END of these dire “days” decided, an insolent INVASION from the “north” will commence. The lethargic “land of Israel” will yet AGAIN undergo the horrors of a DEVASTATION in which was frightfully foreshadowed by the aggressive Antiochus Epiphanes the perplexing PROTOTYPE of the coming “Antichrist” as the WILLFUL corrupt “king” himself:

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 that is determined shall be done – Daniel 11:36

And in this closing poignant passage, the amazing “angel” named “Gabriel” was to “make” the man “Daniel” to keenly “know” of just “what” will EXACTLY become in the “last end of the indignation” of Almighty “God” Himself upon “Israel” at His trying “time appointed” during that PROMISED period of turmoil upon the ENTIRE earth. WHY? Because of their SERIOUS self-centered “sin” and despicable “disobedience” directed totally towards Him. And as a righteous RESULT of His intense “indignation” there is a clear – CHASTENING Coming!

The Vision EXPLAINED!

This SECOND vexatious “vision” visualized here in the closing comments within chapter 8 chronicles TWO tumultuous ANIMALS as the ruling “ram” representing the menacing Medo-Persian Empire and the “rough goat” representing the grievous Greek Empire of which “Daniel” had earlier envisioned…

The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia – Daniel 8:20

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: As our previous “study” sessions have rightly REVEALED in kind, this raging “ram” rigorously represents the two “kings” of the “Medes and the Persian” Empire with the “two horns” being HISTORICALLY held by “Darius the Median” and “Cyrus the Persian” ruling from 539 B.C. to 330 B.C. as they moved “westward” then “northward” and “southward” succinctly CONQUERING all other “beasts” within “his” domain. And “horns” have always been a symbol of POWER and are how animals defend themselves. In this case “one was higher than the other “ as such. WHY? Because when “Cyrus” came to power in Persia he began to grow. And although he had begun his career later than the “Medes” themselves, he finally conquered Media making Persia the greatest of the “two horns” succinctly. Therefore, this rambunctious “ram” ransacked EVERYTHING aptly “according to his will” as the “great” victor – The RULING Ram!

Two PROPHETIC Prototypes: Antichrist ANTICIPATED!

The following TWO mandated menacing men and INFAMOUS infidels are both well known in the HISTORICAL halls of humanity, One of them was Alexander the Great picturing the PROPHETICALLY massive power of “Antichrist” himself. The other was Antiochus Epiphanes picturing the PROPHETICALLY vile & wicked character of the approaching “Antichrist” in kind. And the COMPOSITE of these menaces will lead to the fiendish FORESHADOWING of the heinous “horn” during the trying “times of the gentiles” in full – Antichrist ANTICIPATED!

The FIRST King ~ Alexander the Great!

Then another APPOINTED person referred to as a “rough goat” rightly representing the “king of Grecia” galloping across the pages of HISTORY past through this “vision” in kind:

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

HISTORICAL HINTS: This powerful PROPHECY of the “great horn” yet AGAIN rightly represents the “first king” of the Grecian Empire known as the menacing man Alexander the Great himself. He was a military genius and perhaps the greatest one of all throughout human HISTORY in full. He was born in 356 B.C., long AFTER the daring “Daniel” received these vivid “visions” of this man. Alexander the Great was the son of another great conqueror by the name of Philip of Macedon of whom had already united – Greece and Macedonia as ONE!

Philip was a very powerful man. And as he was initially planning to fight Medo-Persia in moving towards the east, was murdered. And after his assassination, his son Alexander decided to take up the cause. The young Alexander was only 21 years old when he became “king” in the year 336 B.C. He was educated under Aristotle and was an absolutely brilliant man. Two years earlier, Alexander marshaled an army and organized an attack on the mighty Empire of the “Medes and the Persians” in full. And as a result of this conquest, he never returned home again. That attack led him to the borders of India. Alexander had conquered the known “world” so quickly that PROPHECY identifies him as the “big horn,” the “notable horn” and here as the – GREAT Horn!

However, this “great horn” was briskly “broken” and as a real RESULT there were “four kingdoms” of which would “stand up” from within that nigh “nation” itself.

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

This Sovereign scene indeed PROPHETICALLY points to the eventual PARTING of this animating Empire (due to the drunken and debauched dire DEATH of the young 33-year old Alexander the Great) into the “four winds of heaven” but NOT in “his power” as such. WHY? Because there would be FOUR co-opted compartmentalized “kingdoms” that were NOT from the royal posterity of the “great horn” himself. As a result, these “four” foes swiftly spread THROUGHOUT the north, south, east & west regions of the Mediterranean world – Syria, Egypt, Macedonia & Asia Minor!

The FIERCE King ~ Antiochus Epiphanes!

Then another “king of fierce countenance” taken from among the “transgressors” sent against “Israel” by these “four kingdoms” will arrogantly ARISE from their midst…

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 – Daniel 8:23

These “transgressors” mentioned here represent the rashly regathered jaundice “Jews” of whom were themselves also very WICKED indeed. And this particular “king” would be of a “fierce countenance” and nature as he was CRUEL and VICIOUS in his corrupt conduct toward others – WICKEDNESS!

HISTORICAL HINTS: This “king” would come in the “latter time” of the Greek Empire that had ruled from 333 B.C. until 31 B.C. And the Greeks had seriously declined long BEFORE the dire defeat of Cleopatra at Actium proper. Then Emilius Probus had subdued Perseus and the Macedonians to completely conquer guarded Greece proper in 166 B.C. And Pompey had conquered sordid Syria for the Romans to eventually END the seething Seleucid system and its “kingdom” in precisely 63 B.C.

There is NO question about it, this corrupt “king” of whom had “understanding dark sentences” in his subtlety of darkly DECEIVING others by subterfuge was none other than the Seleucid sadistic ruler Antiochus IV of whom was a very important person in this HISTORICAL narrative. This Greek guard had “stood up” from within the family of the Seleucids as one of the “four” generals who took over the fallen anxious Alexander’s dominion. Thus, this antagonist known as Antiochus Epiphanes became the miserable MASTER over the “nation” of intimidated “Israel” in full…

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 – Daniel 8:24 

This “king” appropriately named Antiochus Epiphanes had absolutely NO blood claim to the theocratic throne and had ROSE out of insignificance and was the EIGHTH ruler of the Seleucids sect of whom reigned from 175 to 164 B.C. in what is known as the Intertestamental period (see the extra-Biblical narrative of Josephus and the Apocryphal writings of 1 Maccabees 1:10-15). He was definitely NOT a great general or a regal ruler as such. However, the great “God of heaven” had greatly granted him his prominent POWER to purposely “prosper” and was assisted in his rank REIGN by the apt aid of Eumenes the “king” of Pergamos along with his brother Attalus in kind. He was assisted in his tyrannical TREACHERY set aptly against insolent “Israel” by the equally WICKED jaded “Jewish” pious PRIESTS named Menelaus and Jason in kind. He would have angst against “Jerusalem” and its tainted “temple” of which very FEW foes before him ever had and would “destroy wonderfully” the miserable “mighty and the holy people” of inept “Israel” as BOTH sincere saints and soldiers severely – SUFFERED Sorely!

This ANTI-SEMETIC seething source did indeed wield a “mighty power“ that was NOT borne of “his own” strength to crassly “cause craft to prosper” as he set to “destroy many” in a demonically DISSOLUTE effort aimed AGAINST the jaundice “Jewish” body…

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 8:25

Through feign FLATTERY his pious “policy” promoting a promise of proposed “peace” pragmatically “prospered” as he purposed to mindfully “magnify himself in his heart” to direly “destroy many” as he willed. As a rank result, “he” would also “stand up against” the righteous “Prince of princes” as the sitting heralded “high priest” named Onias III in an EVIL effort to reticently REMOVED from his ordained office. He would manically “magnify himself” as he SOLD the pious priesthood of “peace” for mandated – MONEY Manipulated!

He built an alluring ALTAR to the pagan pompous Jupiter upon “God’s” appropriate ALTAR and offered swine in the true “temple” trusted. He and his satanic soldiers pined PROSTITUTES in this tyrannical tempest specifically sent to deeply DEFILE it in full. By so flagrantly DEFACING the Creator’s real religion, this looming “little horn” sternly “stood up” avidly AGAINST the only “God” Himself just the SAME as the approaching “Antichrist” in kind. However, “he” was boldly “broken without hand” by the RIGHTEOUS hand of “God” Himself. HOW? Through the godly man named Judas Maccabeus the great LEADER opted over the – Maccabean MIGHT!

The SHUT UP Vision!

Then “Gabriel” had told “Daniel” that this vicarious “vision” given during the “evening” and “morning” was indeed “true” as “told” in full…

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 – Daniel 8:26

PROPHETIC PROMISE: However, “Daniel” was to surely “shut up” this vibrant “vision” in kind. WHY? Because it would NOT be aptly applicable for “many days” yet found FUTURE from his day. This is a “Jewish” euphemism for many YEARS as such and the “last end of the indignation” sent BY Almighty “God” Himself upon “Israel” at His PROPHESIED trying “time appointed” due to their SERIOUS self-centered “sin” and despicable “disobedience” directed towards Him. there is a clear – CHASTENING Coming!

At this “time” there was NO rebuilt “temple” within the “city” of jaded “Jerusalem” itself during the “third year” of “Belshazzar’s” rotten reign. Therefore, “Gabriel” confidently CONFIRMS this “true” tirade for a total of those “2300 days” being Sovereignly surely sent SEALED as such. And the aged “Daniel” had perfectly PROPHESIED this vibrant “vision” in approximately 460 B.C. of which was three hundred yielded years BEFORE the aggressive arrival of – Antagonizing Antiochus!

The ASTONISHED Prophet!

”And” as a real RESULT of this incredible “vision” of the unprecedented upheaval of these FUTURE events powerfully PROMISED as such, the dazed “Daniel” fully “fainted” into an UNCONSCIOUS state “and” was literally “sick” for a NUMBER of daunting “days” ahead…

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 – Daniel 8:27

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: As everything was uniquely unfolding before him in the POLITICAL and SPIRITUAL realms, “Daniel” was seriously struggling in his HEAD and HEART with the manifested meaning of it all. And as “Daniel” earlier encapsulates this vital “vision” of these “end time” scenes, “Gabriel” avidly arrives ALONGSIDE of him. An angelic assistant arrived to HELP this solemn “son of man” to ultimately “understand” these tumultuous “time of the end” prolonged PROPHETIC parcels:

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 – Daniel 8:17

”And” when this godly man had finally RECOVERED from this intense interlude, he readily “rose up” to rightly RETURN to his work unto the “king's business” as was his REGULAR recourse. None the less, he had REMIANED absolutely “astonished” at this vexing “vision” vindicated. WHY? Because NONE had ultimately “understood it” as such, Thus “God” Himself sends “Daniel” an ardent – Angelic ASSISTANCE!

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!

 We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"

 

The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE (Chapter 8: Verses 15-19)

 

Hello Friends!

Welcome back to our Encouraging Concepts Bible study series focused on the powerfully PROPHETIC picture portrayed in the Old Testament book of Daniel painted as a panoramic landscape of World History in FIVE successions “written” in ardent ADVANCE some 2,600 years ago… “The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE!”

The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE (Chapter 8: Verses 15-19)

¹⁵ 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. 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. ¹⁸ 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 8:15-19

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: The angel “Gabriel” is the heavenly interpreter of this ENTIRE vivid “vision” verbalized. This PROPHETIC picture of the emerging “end times” should be CAREFULLY studied in its appropriate context. WHY? Because it powerfully points to a FUTURE fulfillment and “Gabriel” himself had told “Daniel” that the “vision” indeed has an ETERNALLY important “meaning” for the “time of the end” as prescribed – Angelic Assistance!

The Vision VINDICATED!

As it “came to pass” we find this victorious “vision” was indeed so SPECIAL that our great “God” had to intently interpret it for “Daniel” Himself:

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 – Daniel 8:15

And as this vehement “vision” was unfolding before him, “Daniel” was seriously STRUGGLING within himself for the “meaning” of it all. In fact, his assessment of the situation with an “I, even I” response rightly resonates a heralded HUMILITY of heart. And no doubt after having a personal PROPHETIC vicarious “vision” just TWO years earlier and after having intensely “interpreted“ a sensational SERIES of the “king Nebuchadnezzar’s” demanding “dreams” in kind, he was fervently trying to FIT the prompted pieces of this promised puzzle together IN his mind. However, without the blessed BENEFIT of some 2,600 years of fulfilled human HISTORY in his hindsight such as “we” have TODAY, it was no doubt very DIFFICULT to do indeed. And our loving “Lord” already KNOWS this to be the case. Therefore, as “Daniel” had solemnly “sought” an appropriate ANSWER to it all, an angelic majestic messenger in the “appearance of a man” was thus – Sovereignly SENT! 

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: The ONLY time our great “God” vehemently VEILS the true “meaning” of certain spiritual “things” of a SUPERNATURAL nature from His whole of humanity is when He uniquely casts “unto” the DARKENED maniacal “minds” of the “natural man” held in a WILLFUL act of ultimate unbelief unashamed:

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned – 1 Corinthians 2:10-14

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them – 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

To such spiritually lauded “lost” people, the satanic gaudy “god of this world” has belligerently “blinded the minds” of absolutely ALL to whom will NOT boldly “believe” in the great “glorious gospel of Christ” openly offered to them. However, to His OWN sincere “children” of choice, He willingly WANTS to rightly “reveal” the mandated “meaning” unto them. WHY? Because for ALL of “us” in kind, the Sovereign sweet “Spirit of God“ says He SUPERNATURALLY surely “shines” the luminous “light” of His tremendous TRUTH upon “our” hungry hearts. And that “Holy Ghost” power indeed INSTILLS within our “spirit” a grandiose “glorious” and granted – Great CONFIDENCE!

Although the “Holy Spirit” was NOT yet permanently indwelling the true “believers” of the Old Testament era, indeed “angels” were SENT by the glorious “God of heaven” as the insightful interpreters many “times” and here is definitely ONE of those excellent examples:

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

FASCINATING! And now a majestic “man's voice” is wholly HEARD from far above the scanted SKY booming “between” the boisterous “banks of Ulai” as it courageously had “called” unto the great “Gabriel” to mindfully “make” the deeply DEVOTED man named “Daniel” to universally “understand” this vestige “vision” volleyed on display – God DISPATCHES Angels!

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: Indeed “Gabriel” is a very fascinating and quite unique arch “angel” to behold! WHY? Because he is “God’s” official messenger of whom PROCLAIMS absolutely all of the BIG Biblical announcements. In the New Testament he comes to “Zacharias” in kind:

And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 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. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth… 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 1:8-14 & 19

And this SAME angel named “Gabriel” adamantly addresses the young “virgin” maiden named “Mary” of whom would BECOME the wholly humble maiden “mother” of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” incarnate:

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. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. 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: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end – Luke 1:26-33

Then AGAIN we will find “Gabriel” confidently conversing with “Daniel” in a later discourse within chapter 9 of our “study” series:

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. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding – Daniel 9:21-22

It is no doubt a very IMPORTANT assignment appointed from “God” Himself whenever the amazing “angel” in the “appearance of a man” named “Gabriel” aptly APPEARS on the scene – Sovereignly SENT!

The “End” ANTICIPATED!

And “so” as “Daniel” sees himself in this vivid “vision” of the “end time” scenario, “Gabriel” arrives ALONGSIDE of him. And as a right result, exactly WHAT was “Daniel’s” immediate reaction as such?

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 – Daniel 8:17

It is quite NORMAL for mere mortals to have this kind of a radical REACTION by being “afraid” in the presence of a Sovereignly sent SUPERNATURAL being! In fact, such “fearful” incidents can be found throughout the spectacular “scriptures” themselves:

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts – Isaiah 6:5

Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes – Job 42:6

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last – Revelation 1:17

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy – Revelation 19:10

And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things – Revelation 22:8

In the presence of heavenly “holiness” from the SUPERNATURAL realm, there is an overpowering sense of our “sinfulness” in heart. However, in this instance there was NO concern of a coming CONDEMNATION on behalf of “Daniel” for any particular personal “sin” surrendered in his life. Rather, the angel “Gabriel” granted a mighty MESSAGE of eager encouragement ensued. Therefore, “Gabriel” had desired that “Daniel” should ultimately “understand” this validated “vision” as it shall PROPHETICALLY take place at the “time of the end” just as the Holy “scriptures” themselves – Pointedly PROMISE!

And “now” while “Gabriel” was still “speaking” these THEOLOGICALLY thought-provoking “things” thoroughly, “Daniel” departed into a destined “deep sleep” as he FAINTED flat upon his “face” fully:

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 – Daniel 8:18

Thus, by such RESPONSE to this incredible incident, “Daniel” poignantly – Passed OUT!

Beloved, this is the righteous RESPONSE of an extreme emotional excitement to the point of an ABNORMAL loss of consciousness contained. And “our” reactions should be the same. WHY? Because when “we” have a “Word” from “God” given through His wonderful “Word” it should cause each of “us” the kind of exhilarating JOY that soundly says “thus sayeth the Lord” completely! And if “we” can sordidly “study” the eternal “Word of God” with flippancy of heart and mind in kind, the PROPHETIC point has been – Pathetically MISSED!

The “End” APPOINTED!

Then “Gabriel” had tactfully “touched” the troubled “Daniel” and soundly “set” him in an “upright” position as this COVETED conversation continued its course:

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 8:19

“And” this appointed apt “angel” was to mainly “make” the magnificent man “Daniel” to keenly “know” of just “what” will EXACTLY become in the “last end of the indignation” of Almighty “God” Himself upon “Israel” at His trying “time appointed” due to their SERIOUS self-centered “sin” and despicable “disobedience” directed towards Him. And as a righteous RESULT of His intense “indignation” there is a clear – CHASTENING Coming!

PROPHETIC PROMISE: There are THREE different expressions of which the “angel” aptly named “Gabriel” uses to denote the “time” of the fierce fulfillment concerning this vast “vision” foretold PROPHECY within this challenging chapter:

ONE: "The time of the end" ~ (8:17)

TWO: ”The last end of the indignation" ~  (8:19)

THREE::"The latter time of their kingdom" ~ (8:23)

During the climatic CLOSE of those dire “days” of doom and insolent “indignation” through their subsequent “time” of sordid SCATTERING abroad realized in the year 70 A.D. proper, an insolent INVASION from the “north” would commence. And at that tumultuous time” yet another caustic “king of the north” also known as "the Assyrian" will do his willful work of wicked WOE upon our “God’s” great and “glorious land” of insolent “Israel” in full…

That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders – Isaiah 14:25

The lethargic “land of Israel” will yet AGAIN undergo the horrors of a deep DEVASTATION by the Greek Empire in which will be frightfully fomented through an “Assyrian” known as the aggressive – Antiochus Epiphanes!

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com

I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!

Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

Encouraging Concepts

Truth for Today

"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"