Daniel 8-9
Read Daniel 8-9
Helpful Background Information:
In Daniel 8, God gave Daniel another vision about future empires. He saw a ram with two horns, which represented the Medo-Persian Empire (Daniel 8:20). Then he saw a male goat with a large horn that defeated the ram. This goat represented Greece, and the large horn symbolized Alexander the Great (Daniel 8:21).
After Alexander died, his kingdom was divided among his four generals (Daniel 8:22). Out of one of these divisions came a “little horn,” who was Antiochus Epiphanes, a cruel king who severely persecuted the Jews (Daniel 8:9-12). He stopped temple sacrifices, desecrated the temple, and demanded worship of himself as a god. However, Antiochus also foreshadows a future evil ruler (the Antichrist, see 1 John 2:18) who will rise at the end of time to oppose God and His people in similar ways but on an even greater scale (Daniel 8:17, 19, 23-25).
In Daniel 9, Daniel realized from reading Jeremiah’s prophecy that the exile in Babylon would last seventy years (Daniel 9:2; cf Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10). As that time was nearing its end, he prayed passionately, confessing his people’s sins and asking God to restore them (Daniel 9:3-19). In response, God sent the angel Gabriel to reveal something even bigger. Gabriel told Daniel that God had appointed “seventy weeks” (490 years) for His plans to be fulfilled (Daniel 9:24). Sixty-nine of those weeks (483 years) would lead up to the coming of the Messiah, who would be “cut off” (crucified) for others (Daniel 9:25-26). After that, Jerusalem would be destroyed again (Daniel 9:26). But there is still one final “week” (seven years) remaining (Daniel 9:27).
In that last period, a future ruler (the Antichrist) will make a covenant with Israel, break it halfway through, stop sacrifices, and commit terrible abominations (Daniel 9:27; see also Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 13:5-7). This final “week” will end with God’s victory and the establishment of His everlasting righteousness and kingdom (Daniel 9:24; Revelation 19:11-21).
Reflection Questions:
Behind human conflict stands a cosmic battle. When people wield power and authority to exalt themselves, they fail to submit to God as their rightful ruler. How have we seen God deal with prideful rulers throughout the book of Daniel so far?
Continual rebellion against God has consequences. Has there been a time in your life when disobedience prolonged hardship? What was that experience like?
After decades in exile, Daniel continued praying to God on behalf of the people. What do you think caused Daniel to keep on praying? Where do you think he found his sense of hope?