#1215 Daniel 8 Part 2 Helen Eyes A Nation

 

9 Out of one of them came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. 10 It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them. 11 It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown. 12 And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper. 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, “For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot?” 14 And he said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state.” Daniel 8: 9-14 ESV

Daniel 8: 9-14 The Little Horn Of The Greek Empire - Antiochus Epiphanes

4Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in My name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come.… Matthew 24: 4-6

17The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever. 18Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour. 1 John 2: 17-18

But it’s amazing how in all of the things that are happening politically in Europe, the one thing they don’t have is a great leader. And some time ago, a Belgian premier by the name of Spock made this statement, which I thought was very interesting, and I quote: “The truth is that the method of international committees has failed.

“What we need is a man, someone of the highest order of great experience, of great authority, of wide influence, of great energy. Let him come, and let him come quickly. Either a civilian or a military man, no matter what his nationality, who will, out of all - who will cut all the red tape, shove out of the way all the committees, wake up all the people, and galvanize all governments into action. Let him come quickly. This man we need and for whom we wait will take charge of the defense of the West,” end quote. - J Mac quoting Belgian premier

Out of one of them came a little horn - Okay, so there is a very important distinction to make here, this is not the little horn from chapter 7, which comes up from the 10 horns of the final kingdom, this is where, well, one of the places where people get off track and fall into error in their eschatology. 

20I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell— the horn whose appearance was more imposing than the others, with eyes and with a mouth that spoke words of arrogance. 21As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them,… Daniel 7: 20-21

The little horn here in chapter 8 comes from one of the four horns of the Greek empire. Remember, after Alexander died, and after much in fighting, the kingdom was divided to four of his generals, history knows them as: Cassander, Lysimachus, Ptolemy, and Seleucus.

…8Thus the goat became very great, but at the height of his power, his large horn was broken off, and four prominent horns came up in its place, pointing toward the four winds of heaven. 9From one of these horns a little horn emerged and grew extensively toward the south and the east and toward the Beautiful Land. Daniel 8: 8-9

Now, notice something about him, in verse 9. It’s a little horn, which grew exceedingly. Literally, the Hebrew says he went out from littleness. He began in a small way, but expanded in an amazing fashion. Now, the little horn of chapter 8 - make a mental note - is not to be confused with the little horn of chapter 7. The little horn of chapter 7, which started out little and grew, was the antichrist...

One is the antichrist, and the other is one that prefigures the antichrist. Now, all of the commentators who study the Bible, with almost little or no exception, see this individual as a man named Antiochus; Antiochus Epiphanes. He was the eighth ruler of the Seleucids, from General Seleucus’ area, and he reigned from 175 to 164 before Christ, BC, in what is known as the intertestamental period. The Old Testament shut down at 400 BC. The New Testament picked up at AD, the time of Christ. - J Mac

Toward the glorious land - This is Israel. 

The Beautiful land (tsebiy/sebiy) - Signifies the land of Israel here and in the other two uses in Daniel (Da 11:16, Da 11:41). In Da 11:45 tsebiy/sebiy refers "to the beautiful Holy Mountain", Jerusalem. The beauty was not so much that it was physically beautiful but spoke of the spiritual beauty. God had chosen this tiny plot of otherwise non-descript land to be the center stage for His "beautiful" drama of redemption (Christ Crucifixion at Calvary) and the throne of the Beautiful One, Christ the King in the Millennium (In the Temple at Jerusalem). - Precept Austin

Even to the host of heaven - It grew great even to some of God's people, and remember history repeats itself, and all  those who rise up in the spirit of antichrist will point to and give understanding about the final form. The final antichrist will share a lot in common with Alexander's military might and speed, along with Antiochus Epiphanes' guile and flattery, he was a politician, playing the game. The final antichrist will be even more powerful, and he will fool the Jews for a time because of his peace treaty. He will also be assisted by his prophet.

…23At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it. 24For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible. 25See, I have told you in advance.… Matthew 24: 23-25

It threw down - Now this is during the intertestamental period, but there are some historical books that will help shed some light on what Antiochus Epiphanes did, and here when it says, "threw down", I believe that it is referring to the slaughter of Jews that would not conform to being Hellenized. Also the removal of a real priest who is replaced by one named Jason, a Greek name. 

Even as great as the prince of the host - He made himself out to be equal to God. There are people today who make themselves out to be the equal of Christ here on earth, they claim to be the head of the church, and they are called Popes, and their following is massive. They also claim to speak as God when they are sitting ex-cathedra which means infallible. That is a type of antichrist, a type of false prophet.

…17He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. 19For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him,… Colossians 1: 17-19

Burnt offering was taken away from him - It was given over to Zeus and Jupiter, idol gods of the Greeks and Romans. They no longer used the temple to sacrifice to the true God, and so it was a place desolate of true worshipers, it was defiled to the believing Jews. This was a later phase of Hellenization. First you introduce yourself with flattery and craft, next you introduce your ways as artistic and enlightened, then you draw the weak minded to your side, and then when the true followers of God speak out against it as sin, as that which God has warned about, then you call them legalist. You make them the villain, their way of life becomes the new sin because in is not inclusive. You ask for compromise, but when the faithful won't then were right back to the furnace and the lion's den. Remember, Daniel's enemies could not accuse him of any evil against the state, of any wrong doing, embezzlement or gross act against the king, so they had to make it about his religion; they had to call good evil and evil good.  

His sanctuary was overthrown - It became a place of pagan worship, completely defiled and in the face of God. What these antichrists and people who fall into apostasy after them don't realize is that God is using them like all those He called up before them, to remove the tares from the wheat, to cleanse the church. I look at the church in my day and can't help but wonder, when? What is the time that God has marked for the end of His patience?

36Then the king will do as he pleases and will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will speak monstrous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must be accomplished. 37He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers, nor for the one desired by women, nor for any other god, because he will magnify himself above them all.… Daniel 11: 36-37

Because of transgression - Some of the Jews will fall away, show themselves to be circumcised of flesh but not of heart.

Transgression the host - The sins of the Jews against God and His covenant would result in God giving them over to the RSH, Antiochus IV Epiphanes. First Maccabees records events that are very compatible with the transgression of the Jews…

In those days there appeared in Israel men who were breakers of the law (see note above), and they seduced many people, saying: “Let us go and make an alliance with the Gentiles all around us; since we separated from them, many evils have come upon us.” The proposal was agreeable; some from among the people promptly went to the king (Antiochus IV Epiphanes), and he authorized them to introduce the way of living of the Gentiles. Thereupon they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem according to the Gentile custom. They covered over the mark of their circumcision and abandoned the holy covenant; they allied themselves with the Gentiles and sold themselves to wrongdoing… 43 and many Israelites were in favor of his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the Sabbath. (1 Mac 1:11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 43).

It will throw truth to the ground - Antiochus Epiphanes forbade the reading of the scrolls, if anyone was caught doing this the scrolls were to be confiscated and destroyed. God's word was outlawed, just like in so many communist countries today. 

It (RSH) will fling truth to the ground - Antiochus forbade the reading of the Old Testament scriptures, going so far as to execute those who broke his decree (see preceding quotation from 1Maccabees 1:44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49).  - Precept Austin

I am going to include an excerpt from the historical book of Maccabees below, which will give some insight into this period, but I also think some insight to where it talks about the antichrist changing the times. They all seem to interfere with these things like the Sabbath, the Jewish sacrifices, and they hate the truth.

20 In the year 143,[c] after the conquest of Egypt, Antiochus marched with a great army against the land of Israel and the city of Jerusalem. 21 In his arrogance, he entered the Temple and took away the gold altar, the lampstand with all its equipment, 22 the table for the bread offered to the Lord, the cups and bowls, the gold fire pans, the curtain, and the crowns. He also stripped all the gold from the front of the Temple 23 and carried off the silver and gold and everything else of value, including all the treasures that he could find stored there. 24 Then he took it all to his own country. He had also murdered many people and boasted arrogantly about it. 25 There was great mourning everywhere in the land of Israel.

26 Rulers and leaders groaned in sorrow.

Young men and young women grew weak.

The beauty of our women faded.

27 Every bridegroom sang a funeral song,

and every bride sat mourning in her room.

28 All our people were clothed with shame,

and our land trembled for them.

29 Two years later Antiochus sent a large army from Mysia[d] against the towns of Judea. When the soldiers entered Jerusalem, 30 their commander spoke to the people, offering them terms of peace and completely deceiving them. Then he suddenly launched a fierce attack on the city, dealing it a major blow and killing many of the people. 31 He plundered the city, set it on fire, and tore down its buildings and walls. 32 He and his army took the women and children as prisoners and seized the cattle.

33 Then Antiochus and his forces built high walls and strong towers in the area north of the Temple, turning it into a fort. 34 They brought in a group of traitorous Jews and installed them there. 35 They also brought in arms and supplies and stored in the fort all the loot that they had taken in Jerusalem. This fort became a great threat to the city.

36 The fort was a threat to the Temple,

a constant, evil menace for Israel.

37 Innocent people were murdered around the altar;

the Holy Place was defiled by murderers.

38 The people of Jerusalem fled in fear,

and the city became a colony of foreigners.

Jerusalem was foreign to its own people,

who had been forced to abandon the city.

39 Her Temple was as empty as a wilderness;

her festivals were turned into days of mourning,

her Sabbath joy into shame.

Her honor became an object of ridicule.

40 Her shame was as great as her former glory,

and her pride was turned into deepest mourning.

41-43 Antiochus now issued a decree that all nations in his empire should abandon their own customs and become one people. All the Gentiles and even many of the Israelites submitted to this decree. They adopted the official pagan religion, offered sacrifices to idols, and no longer observed the Sabbath.

44 The king also sent messengers with a decree to Jerusalem and all the towns of Judea, ordering the people to follow customs that were foreign to the country. 45 He ordered them not to offer burnt offerings, grain offerings, or wine offerings in the Temple, and commanded them to treat Sabbaths and festivals as ordinary work days. 46 They were even ordered to defile the Temple and the holy things in it.[e] 47 They were commanded to build pagan altars, temples, and shrines, and to sacrifice pigs and other unclean animals there. 48 They were forbidden to circumcise their sons and were required to make themselves ritually unclean in every way they could, 49 so that they would forget the Law which the Lord had given through Moses and would disobey all its commands. 50 The penalty for disobeying the king's decree was death.

51 The king not only issued the same decree throughout his whole empire, but he also appointed officials to supervise the people and commanded each town in Judea to offer pagan sacrifices. 52 Many of the Jews were ready to forsake the Law and to obey these officials. They defiled the land with their evil, 53 and their conduct forced all true Israelites to hide wherever they could.

54 On the fifteenth day of the month of Kislev in the year 145,[f] King Antiochus set up

The Awful Horror on the altar of the Temple, and pagan altars were built in the towns throughout Judea. 55 Pagan sacrifices were offered in front of houses and in the streets. 56 Any books of the Law which were found were torn up and burned, 57 and anyone who was caught with a copy of the sacred books or who obeyed the Law was put to death by order of the king. 58 Month after month these wicked people used their power against the Israelites caught in the towns.

59 On the twenty-fifth of the month, these same evil people offered sacrifices on the pagan altar erected on top of the altar in the Temple. 60 Mothers who had allowed their babies to be circumcised were put to death in accordance with the king's decree. 61 Their babies were hung around their necks, and their families and those who had circumcised them were put to death. 62 But many people in Israel firmly resisted the king's decree and refused to eat food that was ritually unclean. 63 They preferred to die rather than break the holy covenant and eat unclean food—and many did die. 64 In his anger God made Israel suffer terribly. 1 Maccabees 1: 20-64

For 2300 evenings and mornings - This is 2300 days that he will have to devastate the temple and people of God. He is one of a long list of Anti-Semites, like Hitler, Stalin, and Haman from the book of Esther. His reign of terror is longer than that of the final antichrist who rises from amongst the 10 horns at the end of the time of the gentiles, which we are now in. He will be given 3 1/2 years and Antiochus will receive about 6. Evening and morning should represent a day, and when written that way it is actually trying to express it in such a way as to remove error, but some have interpreted as years, but they blunder in this and it starts with trying to name the hour and the day, with pretending at being or having outside sources of revelation. They prophesy against God's word with their vain imaginations, see Adventists' example below:

Rich Cathers notes that "William Miller thought this meant 2300 years, and starting from 457BC figured that Christ would return in 1843. When it didn't happen, he recalculated and said it would happen in 1844. When that didn't happen, a lady named Ellen G. White came along and said that Jesus really did come in 1844 but only those on the inside knew about it and this was the start of the Seventh Day Adventists. - Precept Austin

…2But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months. 3And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” 4These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.… Revelation 11: 2-4

He assumed divine epithets, which no other Hellenistic king had done, such as Theos Epiphanes ("God Manifest") and after his defeat of Egypt, Nikephoros ("Bearer of Victory"). But his often eccentric behavior, capricious actions and possible insanity led some to call him Epimanes ("The Mad One"). - Precept Austin

All through Palestine altars to Jupiter were set up and the Jews were forced to sacrifice on them. But at a little Jewish town called Modin (seventeen miles northwest of Jerusalem) there lived a Jewish priest named Mattathias, of the House of Hasmon. He had five sons and this brave old man not only refused to worship Antiochus' idols, but boldly slew the king's religious ambassador. The Jewish revolt was on. One of his sons was named Judas and he was called the Maccabee, which means "the hammer''.

For the next few years Judas successfully led an army of Jews against the Syrians. Their brave exploits are described in two Apocrypha books, first and second Maccabees. On December 25, 164/165BC, the Jewish patriots cleansed and rededicated the Temple Antiochus had defiled. One day’s supply of oil miraculously kept the golden lampstand burning for eight days. This cleansing has been celebrated by the Jews as the Feast of Dedication (Jn 10:22).

The Jews celebrate the cleansing of the Temple in December 25, 164BC with the Feast of Hanukkah, also known as the Feast of the Dedication (John 10:22) or the Festival of Lights (see 1Macc 4:56). - Precept Austin