Daniel 8
Daniel 2
Daniel 7
Daniel 8
Daniel 8 was written after the time that Babylon had already fallen1. So Babylon is not included in this vision.
This second level is the Medo-Persian empire2. This empire included two ethnic groups as evidenced by the two arms, the bear rising on one side first3 and the two horns of the ram.
The third kingdom is Greece.4 The Greek empire under Alexander the Great spread very quickly (the empire was established by the time Alexander was 33). This speed is symbolized by the four wings on the leopard5 and the goat flying across the ground.6 The notable horn which was broken was Alexander the Great and the four horns that replaced it were the four generals that succeeded him. Notice the four heads of the leopard (a clear parallel to the four horns on the goat).



At first glance, the fourth level looks rather complex. But careful inspection reveals obvious parallels between each column. This level covers the Roman Empire with it's three phases: 1) Pagan Rome, 2) a fractured Roman Empire and 3) a fractured Roman Empire with a dominant religious power.

Within each column there is continuity. The iron in the legs extends into the iron in the feet7. The terrible beast in Dan. 7 has 10 horns on it's head with a little horn coming up in their midst.

There are also obvious connections between the columns. In algebra it is said that if A=B and B=C then A=C. We find a similar things occurring here. The iron in the legs and feet with it's 10 toes matches the iron in the teeth of the terrible beast and its 10 horns8. The little horn of Dan 7 is repeated as the little horn of Dan 8. So, at this level, all of these three columns are describing powers in the same time period.

For this time period, Daniel 8 focuses exclusively on the little horn power which is a religious power that comes from the Roman empire. We will study and identify this power in the next lesson.

The last level is God's kingdom being set up. Both Daniel 2 and 7 mention this9 but Daniel 8 does not. Why? Actually, this vision is not completed until Daniel 9. Chapter 8 ends without a description of the success of the Kingdom of God. Nor is Daniel 8 completely explained.10 We must wait until Daniel 9 for the completion of this vision.
Now for Lesson #4; Focus on the Little Horn