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.
In vs. 17 the interpreter says ‘the time of the end shall be the vision’. Let us understand, this is the end of the indignation. (Vs. 19) The end of the indignation–anger–of God against Judah (Israel) will end at the appointed time. (vs. 19) When God’s anger against Israel ended, He opened salvation to all men. The Messiah had come and delivered hope and salvation to all who would partake thereof.
Begin again at vs. 20. Let us now see the interpretation. 20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
In the time Daniel saw the vision, Belshazzar was ruler over Babylon. The two horns of the ram represented Media and Persian rulers or kings. It was within their reign Judah had to complete their 70 years of captivity. The horn on the goat represented the king of Grecia–Rome. (vss. 20-21) Four new kings would rule but none as powerful as the first. The last would make himself great and rule with a mighty hand. But, he will not remain; he shall be broken without hand–not by man. God shall see to his demise. (vs. 25)
Now that Daniel knows of the vision, he also knows of the timeframe of this literal physical period over mankind until a date into the future.
This last ruler before the end of the indignation would become great and destroy the daily sacrifice. Notice vss. 9-11 again. 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. [Are ‘some of the host and of the stars’ righteous prophets of God destroyed by this king?]
Continue: 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.
History tells us the last king of Rome destroyed many Christians, putting them to death, and destroyed Jerusalem in AD 70.
This was the entire vision–it stood upon itself–vs. 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. This vision was future; not present nor next week, year, etc.
It would be until many days had passed. (vss. 13-14) 13 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? 14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
What was prophesied? An end of the daily sacrifice would occur. The sanctuary would be destroyed (destruction of the Temple) and the host be trodden under foot (killing and scattering of the saints). The continual violation of the law of God which brings desolation–separation of man from God– would be forever redeemed by the blood of Christ ringing in Grace for mankind.
This was the knowledge given unto Daniel. It was the comfort of God keeping His promise unto Abraham. In it, God was keeping His promise to Judah–the scepter will never leave Judah. Gen. 49:10. 10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
When Jesus fulfilled his mission, his death, burial, and resurrection, including the ascension back into heaven, this prophecy was fulfilled. Daniel’s vision would be proven true.
God gave Daniel, a righteous saint, knowledge and wisdom concerning the future. This future was to usher in Jesus the Christ to fulfill his mission completing the promise to God’s chosen people through righteous Abraham.
God has given us a record of a vision unto Apostle John concerning the future. Like Daniel and his vision, Vs. 27, ‘none understood it’.
Perhaps it is not for them nor us to fully understand these visions of the future except to live in faith as Daniel and others did. Heb. 11:6. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
It is by faith we find comfort in knowledge of God’s plan for the future. As Daniel, we remain in faith with God; he will protect us, and comfort us. It is in His word we find knowledge. It is in His word we develop faith in God. It is with knowledge and belief we find comfort; even in times of captivity of all evils surrounding us in this present world.
Therefore, 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15. For we know it is in the scriptures we can know all we need to develop faith in God, Christ and, it is through the power given unto the Holy Spirit we can understand. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Tim. 3:16-17.
Daniel was given understanding of things literal and physical pertaining to the future of mankind until the destruction of Jerusalem and the scattering of the saints in AD 70. All history points this vision to that date.
In John’s visions recorded in Revelations, the end date has not been set to our knowledge. Yet, the prophecies are true. We can find comfort in knowledge of the future and believe God will prevail over the evil of this world.
In our captivity by evil leaders and evil authority surrounding us, we can be comforted knowing God will prevail and the captivity will not be forever.
