Daniel had a vision that we read about in Daniel 8, and was told the meaning of this vision by the angel Gabriel.
The original meaning for this vision, were determined for ‘those times.’ The ram with two horns were:
“The kings of Media and Persia.”20 “And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.21 Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.22 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. 23 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.24 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.“25 This all took place as various history books can testify.
“Daniel [lived between] (3304-3399 / 457-362 BCE)”, and “King Belshazzar… ascended the throne in 3387 (374 BCE).” “Darius was first to rule, in keeping with the prophecy that Mede would reign first” (“Chabad”)
Gabriel told Daniel, “understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision” (verse 17). In other words, this vision, although also meant for the leaders which will follow Belshazzar, was also meant for a the latter days. Gabriel told Daniel to, “shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days“ (verse 26). Because this message that Gabriel explained: “I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be” (verse 19).
This warning is for the nation of Iran, for “the ancient city of Shushan also known as Susa, is located on the edge of the modern Iranian city of Shush” (“Biblereadingarcheology”). We see that Daniel had this vision “at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam…and I was by the river of Ulai (Karkheh)” (verse 2).
In this vision Daniel saw at 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” (Verse 3). Horns represent leaders, meaning there will be two strong leaders that will rise up, but the second leader will be stronger and reign longer than the first. This province, of Susa, have significance to these leaders, too.
The second leader will go and conquer land, starting with territories to the west, then to the north, then to the south (here I see the continent Africa), and the leader became exceedingly great (verse 4).
However, there will rise up a power from the west, whose influence spread across ” the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes” (verse 5).
This great power will come against the two leaders and will run “unto him in the fury of his power” (verse 6). In verse 7, we see that this great power from the west will advance unto Iran, and will be moved by anger against this nation. So much so that the country will be conquered and the two leaders killed, which will leave the country without power. Although, the country couldn’t defend themselves, this power will continue on to cast the people down to the ground and stamp on the people, and other countries will look on without aid (Verse 7).
This will increase the western country’s power and authority. But when this great power is at his climax or strongest, the leader will die and four others will take his place. Take note the description of the horns in verse 8-“…the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.” The leaders who will come in control will only be ‘notable ones,’ but “one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land” (verse 9). One leader will stand out from these ‘notable ones’, and will start to advance toward the south, and east towards Israel.
This great power will become a commanding entity, and will cast down and stamp on the true believers in Christ (even the elite). This world leader will even “cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them” (verse 10). Here I see planetary travel and the casting down of satellites. He will magnify himself, and making himself great serving the evil one, and by the evil one’s will churches will be destroyed (verse 11). He will do the evil one’s bidding and take away peoples right to religion, through the use of policies, for it will become a transgression unto the people serving Christ. This ruler (antichrist) will destroy the truth and will use his rule to govern over the people, and he will prosper (verse 12).
Why do I say he is the antichrist? Because Gabriel explained that “he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand” (verse 25). This will be the stand of the antichrist when Jesus, our King, returns (the second coming). 1 John 2:18 (KJV) says, “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.” Antichrist means, he who denies that Jesus is Christ, who came to die for our sins and was raise from the grave, and denies God the Father (verse 22). “…He opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven” (Revelation 13:6, KJV). “Without hand” suggest that something else were used to break the antichrist power. We see in Revelation 19:15 (KJV), “and out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.“
Why were imagery of goats and rams used? Because in the end Jesus will divide the sheep and rams. “And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world“(Matthew 25:32-34, KJV).
When will this happen? – you might ask. Well, as in Daniel’s time God did give a timeline. In verse 13 and 14 (KJV) we read, “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? And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”
2300=6.3 years
I hate to put dates on anything. I prayed and fasted over this. I thought that it could be worked backward. Did some plusses and minuses, but could not figure this one out. But God made it simple for me… So, in 6.3 years we will start seeing the rise of the Anti-Christ.
Are you ready for the time to come? Have you given your heart to Jesus, the Lord that saves?
My prayer for us all today, is that God will have mercy on us all, and shorten the days of suffering, yet to come. May He give us strength in our weakest moments. May we find favor in His sight. I pray that we come with a repentant heart to His throne, for He is a forgiving God. #GodCanDoThis
Notes:
This discussion were mainly centered around Daniel 8:
https://bible.com/bible/1/dan.8.2-26.KJV
The location of Shushan was found in:
Explaining Hebrew years:
http://www.chadad.org>aid>jewish>Daniel
The years of Daniel, Belshazzar and Darius, I found in:
Lightbearer's Quest 