The prior reflection sought to engage the text at a high level. I was seeking to share my views about how the Bible teaches us about the world in general, and how to then apply the text to us.
Today, let’s dig into some of the specifics. Daniel’s vision is a prophecy about real world kings and kingdoms. One in particular is described as a “little horn”.
This little horn is especially opposed to God.
In real life it was Antiochus IV Epiphanes. He ruled from 175 to 164 BC, including an area referred to as the pleasant land, Jerusalem.
He did everything in his power to remove worship of the Living God from the Jewish people. More than Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius, he opposed God. We noted in verses ten through twelve the success this little horn would have.
History is clear. Antiochus IV did all these things and more.
He suspended the daily offering. What does that mean? The daily offering was an outward visible symbol, every day, of the people committing themselves to God. He ended their daily, corporate, commitment to God. But it got worse.
On December 25, in the year 167 BC, he marched into the Temple and dedicated it to Zeus by slaughtering a pig on the very same altar that had been used for the daily sacrifice. Two years later a Jewish rebellion took back the Temple and on December 25 rededicated it to Almighty God. You may know this festival as Hannukah.
That is just a little information about this “fourth little horn”. My point is that as wild, and at times confusing, the imagery might be for us—it is nonetheless communicating truth.
We have the benefit of hindsight. Think of Daniel. How confusing this must have been for him. But also think about the people living during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. They could read Daniel and hang onto verse fourteen—the sanctuary will be cleansed!
We are doing a bit of digging into the Bible as we read Daniel. We are seeking understand the dense imagery. Don’t skip over these texts because they are too hard. Yet keep the big picture.
God’s Word provides these dramatic images to us in order that we be prepared. This requires we know God’s Word inside and out.
That requires learning, like we learned a little about ancient history in this reflection.
But be careful as you dig.
Is Scriptural digging increasing just our heads, or our hearts as well?
Are you excited that the text is telling you that God is in control? Are you relieved that while the world seems headed for destruction, in the end, you will be with Him?
As you sit with the text of Daniel 8 today, as you contemplate all God is seeking to say to you, please reflect for a moment on the impact your study of God’s Word is having on your heart.