FBCWest 310 | Daniel’s Second Vision
Recorded On: 10/21/2018
Bulletin
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and truth.”
“Meet Us Here”
SCRIPTURE READING – Psalm 24
PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
MESSAGE Pastor Joe
“DANIEL – Living as Strangers in a Foreign Land: God Is Still Sovereign”
“Daniel’s Second Vision”
Time of Reflection
PRAYER TIME
“We Won’t Be Shaken”
GIVING OF SELVES AND OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER
SPECIAL MUSIC By FBC Worship Band “Healer”
PRAISE AND WORSHIP
“I Will Boast”
“Praise Adonai”
“Give Us Clean Hands”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Benediction “I Surrender My Life”
SERMON NOTES
Daniel 8:1 – 14 A second vision of a Ram, a goat and a little horn
Daniel 8:15 – 19 One who could interpret and understand the vision
Daniel 8:20 Ram’s identity
Daniel 8:21 – 26 Goat’s identity and meaning of the horns
Daniel 8:27
Scritpures
Daniel 8:1 – 14 | A second vision of a Ram, a goat and a little horn
Daniel 8:1 In the third year of the reign of Belshazzar the king a vision appeared to me, Daniel, subsequent to the one which appeared to me previously.
Daniel 8:2 I looked in the vision, and while I was looking I was in the citadel of Susa, which is in the province of Elam; and I looked in the vision and I myself was beside the Ulai Canal.
Daniel 8:3 Then I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a ram which had two horns was standing in front of the canal. Now the two horns were long, but one was longer than the other, with the longer one coming up last.
Daniel 8:4 I saw the ram butting westward, northward, and southward, and no other beasts could stand before him nor was there anyone to rescue from his power, but he did as he pleased and magnified himself.
Daniel 8:5 While I was observing, behold, a male goat was coming from the west over the surface of the whole earth without touching the ground; and the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes.
Daniel 8:6 He came up to the ram that had the two horns, which I had seen standing in front of the canal, and rushed at him in his mighty wrath.
Daniel 8:7 I saw him come beside the ram, and he was enraged at him; and he struck the ram and shattered his two horns, and the ram had no strength to withstand him. So he hurled him to the ground and trampled on him, and there was none to rescue the ram from his power.
Daniel 8:8 Then the male goat magnified himself exceedingly. But as soon as he was mighty, the large horn was broken; and in its place there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven. The Little Horn
Daniel 8:9 Out of one of them came forth a rather small horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the 1Beautiful Land.
Daniel 8:10 It grew up to the host of heaven and caused some of the host and some of the stars to fall to the earth, and it trampled them down.
Daniel 8:11 It even magnified itself to be equal with the Commander of the host; and it removed the regular sacrifice from Him, and the place of His sanctuary was thrown down.
Daniel 8:12 And on account of transgression the host will be given over to the horn along with the regular sacrifice; and it will fling truth to the ground and perform its will and prosper.
Daniel 8:13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to that particular one who was speaking, "How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply, while the transgression causes horror, so as to allow both the holy place and the host to be trampled?"
Daniel 8:14 He said to me, "For 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the holy place will be properly restored." Interpretation of the Vision
Daniel 8:15 – 19 | One who could interpret and understand the vision
Daniel 8:15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it; and behold, standing before me was one who looked like a man.
Daniel 8:16 And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, and he called out and said, "Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision."
Daniel 8:17 So he came near to where I was standing, and when he came I was frightened and fell on my face; but he said to me, "Son of man, understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end."
Daniel 8:18 Now while he was talking with me, I sank into a deep sleep with my face to the ground; but he touched me and made me stand upright.
Daniel 8:19 He said, "Behold, I am going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation, for it pertains to the appointed time of the end. The Ram's Identity
Daniel 8:20 | Ram’s identity
Daniel 8:20 "The ram which you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia. The Goat
Daniel 8:21 – 27 | Goat’s identity and meaning of the horns
Daniel 8:21 "The shaggy goat represents the kingdom of Greece, and the large horn that is between his eyes is the first king.
Daniel 8:22 "The broken horn and the four horns that arose in its place represent four kingdoms which will arise from his nation, although not with his power.
Daniel 8:23 "In the latter period of their rule, When the transgressors have run their course, A king will arise, Insolent and skilled in intrigue.
Daniel 8:24 "His power will be mighty, but not by his own power, And he will destroy to an extraordinary degree And prosper and perform his will; He will destroy mighty men and the holy people.
Daniel 8:25 "And through his shrewdness He will cause deceit to succeed by his influence; And he will magnify himself in his heart, And he will destroy many while they are at ease. He will even oppose the Prince of princes, But he will be broken without human agency.
Daniel 8:26 "The vision of the evenings and mornings Which has been told is true; But keep the vision secret, For it pertains to many days in the future."
Daniel 8:27 Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up again and carried on the king's business; but I was astounded at the vision, and there was none to explain it. 1. I.e. Palestine
Transcript of Service
Many people think that Daniel did, and write the book of Daniel in part of the reason that they think that is this chapter and many of the chapters are relate to the vision that Daniel have their argument their criticism is that no one could know with such specificity.
The future and therefore how to be written.
After the events took place while I have a couple of responses to that number one. There is one who knows the future just as well as he knows the past and it is called the King of Glory God, who gave Daniel the vision and interpreted for him is the one who knows the future and so we can rely on it. But even if you take the critics in the say, Well, it wasn't written back in the 500 BC.
Like the 120 BCS.
Daniel still going to have a nut several other predictions of the future. One of those is the coming of the Messiah so even if it was written as late as the critics say there are still future passages to take place, which do take place in our path, but there are still more future predictions. Yet to come and so just as I believe Daniel wrote. And I believe that not because I'm so smart.
But because Jesus said have you not read? What Daniel the prophet said. So Daniel the prophet wrote the book because Jesus said he wrote the book.
So that's kind of enough information for me, but again, even if we accept the criticism that it had to be in written later. There are still things to come that we will see and so let's take a look at the eighth chapter of Daniel says in the third year of the reign of Belshazzar. The King, a vision appeared to me. Daniel subsequent to the one which appeared to me previously.
And I looked in the vision and while I was looking. I was in the city of Susa, which is in the province of Ilum and I looked in the vision and I myself was beside the you lie. Canal then I lifted up my eyes and behold, and a man being beholden gram, which had 2 horns were standing in front of this canal now. The 2 horns were long. But one was longer than the other with the longer one coming up. Last and I saw the ram budding westward northward and.
And no other beast could stand before him, nor was there anyone to rescue from his power. But he did as he pleased and magnified himself and while I was observing Behold, a male goat was coming from the West over the surface of the whole earth without touching the ground and the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes. He came up to the ram that had the 2 horns, which I had seen standing in front of the canal.
And his mighty wrath and I saw him come beside the ram and he was enraged at him and he struck the ram and shattered his 2 horns and the Ram had no strength to a stand him to a hurled him to the ground and trampled on him and there was none to rescue the ram from his power. Then the male goat magnified himself exceedingly. But as soon as he was mighty the large horn was broken and in his place there came.
Fishes horns towards the 4 winds of the Heaven and so this is Daniel Second Vision and we see again, said is the subsequent 1 and it takes place the first 1 takes place in the first year of Belshazzar King. In this 1 takes place in the third year so a couple years passes. This gives us again. Some additional information that the other visions of both Nebuchadnezzar and then of Daniel gives us more information.
Might have a better understanding.
But it is written at the time when the Babylon is still the ruling. Empire so it's not like he's writing OK. This took place and Babble on suffered.
But it's taking place when me to Persia was in power, so that's when he seen this vision and he sees it not in the capital of Babylon. But he sees it in Susa, which is a satellite city. Now it seems to indicate that Daniel isn't there.
In his vision, he's there, but some say, well, he may have been on a diplomatic mission or whatever. I kinda think that's somewhat unlikely since Belshazzar didn't really know about Daniel till the night. He lost power, so it's unlikely that he sent him on any kind of diplomatic mission but we see that.
And so am I believe is that the entire vision is he seen it from this place.
I'm going to kind of explain what's taking place.
But no that in a few verses the Angel is going to explain what takes place so.
I read the end of the chapter so I kind of it helps, but rather than reading it and then going to the next and then trying to compare. I think it's just quicker. If I talk about it, but then compare my analysis with what the Angel says.
And So what we see here is the goat with 2 horns one larger.
A horn usually represents a seat of power authority and so with the 2 horns were going to see that that represents the me to Persian Empire and it says one horn is larger the second one. Persia always had the greater influence and power in the middle Persian Empire. So this vision shows that there is this duality of authority. But the Persians, the second one had the Great.
This goat that comes and is enraged and even though no one up into this point could with stand. The me to Persian Empire. That is able to go North. South East and no one can stop it all of a sudden this goat comes and is enraged against this ram with 2 horns. It has a single arm and it says that he travels without touching down, which means he's moving quickly.
We're told and history shows us that it's a Greek Empire. That takes down the me to Persian Empire and Alexander.
The Great is able to subdue the Persian Empire within just a couple of years, so much so that at the age of 33 is told that.
Alexander's at depressed, saying there no more worlds to conquer and he had great power and he was viewed.
Someone of great authority.
He dies quickly some say he died of an Elise. Other say that one of his generals. Sandra poison him, but whatever maybe he rises to great power.
And then dies.
Then verse 9, says this out of one of the horns, Canes forth are rather small horn, which grew exceedingly great towards the South towards the East in towards the beautiful land. Now the beautiful land is considered Israel and I grew up to the host of Heaven in cause some of the host in some of the Stars to falls to the earth and it trampled them down. It even magnified himself to be equal with the commander of the host and remove the regular sacrificed from.
And the place of his sanctuary was thrown down and on account of the transgression. The host will be given over to the horn along with the regular sacrificed and it will fling truth to the ground and perform its will and prosper. Then I heard a holy one speaking in another holy one, said to that particular one who was speaking. How long will the vision about the regular sacrifice apply and while the transgression causes w****.
Both the holy place and the host to be trampled and he said. To me for 2300 evenings and mornings. Then the Holy Place will be properly restored.
OK, what's that all about.
Well, we are told in history, which is confirmed by this vision that on Alexander's death after some period of of intrigue and murder. His 4 generals divide up his territory.
And one of the generals was named a cassander as I mentioned before and he was given over to rule Greece and its region.
The system has ruled over Asia Minor Solutions ruled over Syria and Israel in patola me ruled over Egypt. So the 4 generals divided up their territory so that's the 4 horns, but then it says there's a little horn that pops up out of them.
This little horn is believed to be enter caucus the fourth who called who's been called and a caucus. The Fourth of epiphanies, which means the glorious are.
The last wrist one or the magnified one and he kind of calls himself that so much so that there is corns coins that put his likeness on it, and claim that he was a manifestation of God. So he claims and you both of the power and then we see that in his rule that how he came to power was he murdered his brother's already until he's really nice guy.
And received bribes for the appointment of the high priest and then when somebody gave him additional money. He took that high priest position away and gave it to another now.
That's not an authority position for him or any.
Non Jew to have the high priest position was based on birth.
And determination by God of the tribe of the Levite's.
But we can see how in essence religion got so.
Syncretize with power that everybody look to the ruling authority will give me the power of religion. Over this and they bribed him and then when the money was in enough bribe him again.
And so part of the reason we see when it says.
Because of transgressions of the host, we can tell in essence. God is going to judges people or treating his people, and his.
Access to him with such contempt.
Now the caucus had an agenda, he just didn't want to rule like say for instance. The Romans were satisfied with conquering territory and you can keep your religion and you can keep your practice is just send us the money and a caucus wanted to reshape.
Israel so he demanded the Greek culture and Greek customs be adopted. He refused to allow them to become circumcise in any other types of things that would be a part of of Jewish custom and religion, so not only do that.
When he lost the battle, he came back to seize Jerusalem, a second time.
And said an Idol of Zeus.
In the sanctuary.
And then he took Swines and sacrificed them. Then he took the juices of the pigs and sprinkle it all over the temple.
And thus sacrifices were stop because of that desecration.
Is also believe that ended caucus was responsible for the murder of about 100,000 Jews?
Now it says that when the temple was desecrated that there would the offerings would be ceased or period of 2300 evenings and mornings. So there is kind of some disagreement? How do you interpret that some would say Well, it's 2300 days?
If you hold that position, there seems to be sufficient. Historical evidence to say that that's an OK position because there was a period of time that from the from the orders to the rededication of the temple took it out about it. I'm at 7 years and then other save. No one is talking about is 2300 evenings and mornings sacrifices were talking about.
1516. 150.
Days but 2300 sacrifices.
When that there seems to be additional support to say that that's when the sacrifices actually stopped and whatever I don't. I'm not smart enough to know which it is, but I do know the temple was desecrated and I do know the sacrifices worth stop and I do know.
That, it was re cleansed and there is a holiday that the Jews celebrate called Hanukkah.
Where there was a festival of lights where it said that there wasn't enough oil to keep the candles burning after the dedication of the temple and so it burned for 8 days longer than it should have until the proper oil King.
And you find that in the book of Maccabees and whatever.
The Book of Maccabees as far as Protestants are concerned is not the word of God. It has some historical evidence. But I will say that apparently Jesus celebrated that custom because the New Testament says that Jesus went to Jerusalem during the festival of lights, which was this festival, so Jesus celebrated Hanukkah if you will even though we don't.
So that's kind of the historical setting we have.
The Greek nation, subduing the Persian me know Persian Empire very quickly. We see Alexander dying for general's rule. The one that's significant to Israel is an to caucus and how he treats the people.
So let's save all that comes into agreement with the interpretation verse 15 when I Daniel had seen the vision. I saw to understand it.
And Behold standing before me was one who look like a man I heard the voice of a man between the banks of you lie and he called out and said Gabriel give this man an understanding of the vision so he came here to where I was standing and when he came I was frightened and fell on my face. But he said. To me son of man understand that the vision pertains to the time of the end.
Now, while he was talking with me, I sank into a deep sleep, and my face to the ground. But he touched me and made me stand upright and he said. Behold I'm going to let you know what will occur at the final period of the indignation for it pertains to the appointed time of the end.
Now this is kind of.
Huh when you hear this 'cause he's talking about the appointed time of the end and all of that. I've just discussed happened. A few thousand years ago and from our perspective, that ain't the end.
The Scriptures oftentimes will give us a dual view.
You'll hear about in the Old Testament and Isaiah I'll talk about the children of Rachel crying.
And it talks about an event during Isaiah them, but it also talks about an event during Jesus is.
Coming so often times, there is a duality to A.
Prediction.
The best way to kind of explain that in a vision is if you look out at a mountain range and you see 2 mountain peaks. From here and may appear to be the same mountain range. But when you get there. There may be a mountain of Valley and another mountain. But you see them as one. And So what I think here is that there is what's going to happen in the time of.
Enter caucus is going to show us a picture.
Of what is going to happen in the future in the end times so the ram which you saw with the 2 horns represent the Kings of media and Persia. So if you believe that this was written before even the Persian Empire became powerful.
That's a prediction If you're saying he wrote. It later it's obvious the shaggy go represents a Kingdom of Greece and the large horn? What that is between his eyes is the first King, the broken horn and the 4 horns that are rose in its place represents 4 kingdoms, which will arise from his nation, although not with his power.
In the latter pair of their rule. When the transgressions have run their course. A King will arise insolent and skilled an entry his power will be my D, but not by his own power and he will destroy to an extraordinary degree and prosper and perform his will. He will destroy mighty men and the holy people and through his shrewdness. He will cause the seat to succeed by his influence and he will magnify himself in his heart and he?
While they are at ease and he will even oppose the Prince of Princess and he will be broken without human agency. The vision of the evenings in the mornings, which has been told is true but keep the vision secret or pertains to many days in the future. And so we are given even more information about this one who is going to.
Rebel against the people of God.
While it fits and a caucus the fourth.
And Anna Caucus dies of an illness, he doesn't die at the hands of a human.
And is told that he dies a very painful death. This also gives us a picture of someone who almost sounds like an to caucus in his name is the Antichrist.
And the Antichrist will be shrewd in powerful and will receive power not of his own.
And he will desecrate the temple and he will.
If he will murder the holy one and so we see just as for instance.
Joseph is talked about as a type of Christ and David is a type of Christ and Daniel is a type of Christ. We also see in the scriptures a type of Antichrist those.
Those characteristics that will show us who he is.
And so we're told the vision is just not a dream is just not. He didn't have pepperoni pizza and have a bad night that the vision is true.
But it is something that pertains to many days in the future.
One of the things I did mention which again.
Is interesting about this? This passage and in this portion of the scriptures? He's told that it is to keep this vision secret.
Chapter one of Daniel is written in Hebrew.
Chapter 2 through 7 in Daniel was written in Aramaic, which was the international language of the time. Chapter 8 and follow is written again in Hebrew.
And so it may seem that chapter one is written for the people of God. The others written for everybody and the rest of it is written for the people of God.
And so part of the if you will keeping this secret until later is not to use the international language, but the language of the people.
Then I Daniel was exhausted in sick for days.
And you can if you take this, if you take this vision seriously.
It can shake you.
Because the people of God are going to suffer and the places of God are going to suffer now. Some of their suffering is probably deserved but some of the people are going to suffer and they didn't deserve it.
Just because the priesthood is up for sale doesn't mean all the people were corrupt. But all the people will suffer and Daniel takes this and understands this.
Kind of in the same way we Christians when we read and try to interpret and try to misinterpret or reinterpret. The Book of revelation kind of our attitude is because most people have been taught rightfully wrongfully that were not here that we are raptured outta here. Therefore doesn't concern us well. Even if a ruptured out of here and it doesn't concern us, it ought to concern us.
Because there going to be people left if we're not left. We're going to suffer under this type of rule. It should shake us if you will not our faith, but our concern for people.
Is that wild doesn't affect me it's not going to affect Daniel because it's not going to happen for many days from now. Daniel is going to be in the presence of God before any of this happened.
But because Daniel loves his people.
It takes him.
So he was exhausted in sick for days, then I got up again, and carried on the king's business.
Daniel takes a realistic approach. God has ordained something and it's going to take place and it bothers me and it sickens me an exhaust me.
I have a job to do.
It's kind of like again. We Christians, who talk about but Jesus is coming again. So just let's hang out.
We're kind of guilty of what the disciples was when Jesus left were staring up into heaven.
Not doing anything.
One of the pastors once said they were so heavenly minded were no earthly good.
Daniel understands a vision and takes it seriously, but he gets back, not to his business. But the king's business and we should be about doing the king's business and that's not the president or the governor. That's the King of Kings and Lord of Lords because we are his ambassadors in this world we are born aliens in a foreign land and we should be.
The King's business whether we understand all that he has for us or not.
But I was astonished at the vision.
And there was none to explain it notice even after the explanation. He doesn't quite understand it and even after the explanation. I don't quite understand it. I don't understand why we're told certain things are happening history. But it appears to be things that will happen many days in the future.
But I do know this.
When it's all revealed will look back at this and saying I don't understand why there was a debate.
It's clear what God had said his symbols, which we may not have understood at the time.
Are clear?
But even whether they are clear or unclear.
We need to be doing the king's business.
And the king's business is what did he tell us to do so therefore until all the nation.
Testifying making disciple.
Baptizing teaching them not just some of the things of God, but the whole Council of God.
It's a shame.
That when children grow up in church.
That when they leave to go off to college or off to a job or whatever their faith is still only child like?
We didn't mature them.
We are, we seem to be so interested in conversions because we can mark our Bible save by got that one. I got that one aren't I a great witness are for God.
It's kind of like the person that we would find fault with who has child after child after child, but never raises them never cared for them just expect somebody else to do it and that's oftentimes what we do when it comes to spiritual matters. We are all excited about giving birth to someone, but hopefully somebody else will care for them. That's not the plan of Jesus. The King's business is to teach and preach.
All that he is taught us so that when these things happen.
While it may emotionally.
Shakas.
It does not shake us in our faith because he's already told us what's going to happen and he's told us was going to happen, even if we don't totally understand it and we told us the type of person who is going to come and have this terrible influence that he's a deceiver that he doesn't have and that he will magnify his own cell.
They will even oppose the Prince of Princess.
But just as an to caucus died.
By an illness and without.
Human agency.
The Antichrist will be taken out by the power of God.
And this is not a battle of all maybe God, my prevail because he just may be slightly more powerful than Satan.
This is not a struggle at all. One Angel not even if archangel, one Angel is directed to take Satan thrown into pit.
This is not a struggle against good and evil.
This is the unveiling of gods.
Plan.
With the world.
And his people.
So.
I did not give you a very good explanation of this passage, I fully realized that.
As if I did it would take us many, many hours.
Everybody wants to go home and watch the football games, and eat lunch and do whatever so I understand. I don't have hours an hour. But even if I spend hours and hours. There will be questions. I would have and you would have.
My job isn't to tell you what happened my job is to say you know.
I guess I'm gonna have to research that more.
Here's some at the Red Daniel little more and have to read some of the other visions and some of the things are going to happen later in the book and maybe read without understanding what's happening in the book of revelation, so that I might know what? God is doing rather than pastor, Joe or some other person telling me what's going to happen that I might know.
So that I might have not childlike faith, but knowledge of what God is doing.
Because let's face it when difficult times come.
And it doesn't have to be the antichrist it could be.
Persecution it could be illness, it could be a crisis of faith.
I'm here to tell you, you will not get through that because pastor Joe has paid.
Or your mom or dad happy.
Because in your faith that God is given to you and that you have nourished and treated with care and grew and strengthened by your work reading the word, and we're going to see next week.
Daniel.
Reading the Bible.
So if Daniel.
Going to read a profit.
Maybe it's a good idea for us to read the Scriptures and he's going to give us.
And by implication.
An excellent way to pray.
But Daniel understood it was God's plan, even if you do understand everything about it. If Daniel who is given the vision didn't understand everything about it, then it would be presumptuous of me to say that I know everything that's in it, but I do know there's enough there to strengthen our faith, and to give us a road map? What is going to happen in the future so that when those things happen?
We won't be shaken we will be concerned. We maybe even sickened by what may happen, but our faith will not be shaken.