God's Comfort Through Knowledge Series

In our study of punishment, captivity, protection of saints, and comfort of the righteous in times of captivity, we will see God’s continued comfort in knowledge of His divine plan for mankind unto Daniel. It is safe to assume Daniel shared these bits of knowledge and wisdom with the righteous Judeans.

Daniel was a loyal servant. He prayed three times daily unto God. (Dan. 6:10) Daniel was righteous before God. Daniel strove to be the child of God he needed to be and was found righteous before God. Therefore, whatever Daniel asked of God, God gave knowledge and wisdom unto him. This is evident within the scriptures of the book of Daniel. (Daniel 9:22-23–Daniel highly esteemed by God)

This idea of obtaining knowledge when we ask God for it, Jesus reaffirms God’s promise unto man for answering his requests for those who strive to follow the will of God. Jesus told his disciples before his death, 22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. 23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. John 16:22-23.

We see the same in Matthew 7:7-8. 7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Luke also records these words of Jesus in Luke 11:9-10. Therefore, we see the promise has been the same from God for a long time. Why should it be any different in Daniel’s day?

We, therefore, can infer God was answering Daniel’s prayers for more knowledge in the circumstances of Judah’s captivity under different leadership. In Daniel chapter 8, we see Daniel under the leadership of Belshazzar, ruler over Babylon in his third year of his reign. Daniel 8:1.

Daniel receives another vision concerning the times, leaders and remaining years of Judah’s 70 year captivity. Knowing the extent of the captivity, 70 years, when leadership changes, one might wonder about the captivity. Is it over? Is it to extend to a longer time than foretold? Will our lives become more suppressed under this new leader? Will the captivity ever end?

Daniel’s vision in chapter 8.

It is one received just three years following the vision received when Belshazzar first began to reign. Let us look at it and find the message God gives Daniel to comfort him more.

In Daniel’s vision, he sees a ram and a goat. (vss. 3 & 5) Each with horns; the Ram with two; the goat with one.

The ram is very powerful. He runs east, north and southward; no one could deliver its prey from its hand. (vs. 5) The goat runs against the ram and is enraged against him to break off the two horns. (vs. 7) With the two horns broken off, the goat tramples the ram and becomes the most powerful.

The goat began with only one horn. This goat became very great and powerful. Then its horn was broken off and four new horns grew in its place. (vs. 8)

Of one of the horns came a little horn which became exceedingly great. It became so powerful, it cast out hosts and stars from heaven to the ground, stamping upon them. (vs. 10)

Let's read vss. 9-11. 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. 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. 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 the sanctuary was cast down. 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.

This was a terrifying vision; very troubling. Daniel was troubled and asked the meaning of this vision. Let us read the interpretation and examine parts of it.

We will pick up in vs. 15. 15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the 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.