Daniel 8

Now we're getting into the real "meat" of the Word. Meat is really not supposed to be for babes who are "cutting their teeth" on the New Testament. But, time is short. If you have recently come to the Lord or been "born again" in the Spirit of God, you have come to the kingdom at a very intense time in world history.

Look around. A flood of lies has come on the world. The sea and waves are roaring.

What does it mean to say that "time is short"? How short?

What if you knew that there were only seven years left on this earth? What if God had told us the specific signs to look for that would indicate the start of those last seven years?

I'm not saying that there are only seven years left, but what I am saying is that we should keep our eyes peeled for the signs. One of the main signs to look out for is the rise of a "king of fierce countenance" who will take over the world, or try to take over the world.

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.

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.

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.

(This is the Medo-Persian empire that will conquer Babylon.)

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.

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.

(This is the Grecian empire and the notable horn is Alexander the Great, Greece's mighty conqueror who "touched not the ground" because he was just conquering so fast.)

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.

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.

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.

(This is talking about Rome. Just as in the previous vision: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome were the major world powers that sequentially ruled the "known world". Since Rome, there has never been a one-world government/kingdom.)

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.

(This, the fourth "world kingdom", is yet to come! In some sense, he comes forth from one of the four horns or rulers of the Roman Empire. We're not talking about modern day Rome here because the Roman Empire covered a lot of territory in its hay day.

He waxes great (has a powerful reputation, strong influence or threat) toward the south, toward the east and toward the pleasant land. The pleasant land has usually been known as Palestine. When this world leader rises, he will head south, east and toward Israel or Palestine.)

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.

(He will persecute God's people.)

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.

(At this time, apparently there will be a "daily sacrifice". The Jews are now planning to build their temple on the temple mount in Jerusalem and if/when they do, they also plan to begin sacrificing. Of course, in order for all of this to happen, there would have to be some sort of agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, the Jews and the Muslims. This is something to keep your eye on!

Have the Jews started to build their temple yet? I think it won't be long!)

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.

13 The 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?

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

15 And it came to pass when I, even I Daniel, had seen thhe 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.

20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.

21 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.

(Rome.)

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.

("In the latter time" refers to the end time or, the last seven years. Have the transgressors come to the full? Recently I heard that Obama referred to ISIS (IS or ISIL) as being "evil". I'd say they are a good example of transgressors coming to the full. Can it get any worse?

Sorry to say, "Yes.")

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.

(This world dictator will destroy God's people and prosper. It will get worse. Like a woman in child-birth labour, the pains have to increase before the glorious birth of her child. Well, we are about to enter the birthing pangs! I guess we need to learn how to breathe.)

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.

(It looks like this guy will be like a magician. He will destroy many by "peace". Watch out for "peace talks" and "peace agreements" and "world peace". Peace is a buzz word for us to be warned by!)

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.

(None understood it. But, we can understand it today because these empires have risen and fallen. Most of this prophecy has already been fulfilled exactly to the detail of God's prophecy!)