(Reflections and notes on Daniel 8. The series has covered the previous chapters in Daniel, you can click here to read those. Previously, Daniel himself had an interesting vision on things to come.)
The point of these notes and reflections is not really to just repeat what is said in the text. You can read that. These notes are my engagement with what’s been said and also share an understanding of what’s going on. That’s particularly important for this chapter.
Much has been written and spoken about understanding this chapter and what Daniel is seeing. There are different views on what’s going on and there are some areas in which people have taken liberties with what’s been said to fit their own framework for understanding the world today and at the end of time, rather than necessarily taking the word for what it is. I think it can be good to have a framework on which you understand scripture, as long as that framework takes into account appreciating the various factors that shaped the writing of the word – who is writing, when they are writing, to whom they are writing and where possible for what purpose.
As well as that for the benefit of this exploration, I’m always looking at what the Word says about the nature of God. For exmaple, in this chapter, there is not explicit reference to God, but it is clear that Daniel has this vision because of God and is to at least take a note of the vision to help those who would read it for the times to come beyond Daniel’s lifetime. Here it’s worthwhile remembering that Daniel, as a member of God’s people, is maintaining His connection to the God of His people as well as His people and so it’s no surprise that the beneficiary of the writing were to be the people of God.
In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me, Daniel, after that which appeared to me at the first.
Daniel 8:1 (ESV)
What’s fascinating to note is that this vision takes place two years after the one that he noted in the previous chapter. It’s fascinating to me in terms of Daniel making the connection between the two and how they are linked, but how this one comes at this time to offer a different dynamic for Daniel to consider.
Out of one of them came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them. It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of his sanctuary was overthrown. And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper.
Daniel 8:9-12 (ESV)
This rule of the little horn sets itself up to oppose everything that belongs to God and affects God’s people and throws away the truth. That’s a power that looks to estbalish itself as the only one worth referring to. The interpretation given about this power is fascinating.
And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise. His power shall be great—but not by his own power; and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken—but by no human hand.
Daniel 8:23-25
This is a political and a spiritual dream about succession and the extent of their rule. That rule looks to express mastery over the things that belongs to God and does it by power far greater than human power. This is a specific vision of events to take place. Yet at the wonderful time this power promoted by something greater than human power is brought to an end by the greatest power of all.
The interpretation of the dream given by Gabriel indicates that it’s a time of trouble for the people of God. Such is the state of trouble that things that are precious to the people of God in their worship of God is destroyed in an effort to make a stand against God. This trouble is to last for a certain season and it’s enough to leave Daniel troubled himself even though this is something that is to take place at a time after he has died.
Look at what God is doing and why God is doing it. He is speaking to someone at a particular time who will not expereince what is said at that time or in his time, but there will be a time where that happens. There certainly was the empire of the Medes and Persians. That was overthrown by the empire of Greece. All of this happened as God had told Daniel and had previously told Nebuchadnezzar. All of this happened after Daniel died. All of that clearly indicates that the word of God can be trusted. There is also the reading of history that refers to Antiochus Epiphanes in the 2nd century B.C. who brought great desolation to the temple in Jerusalem.
If we take this vision seriously, we can understand why Daniel is troubled. We can be concerned for the state of God’s people in that time of trouble identified. A time where a little horn would make a big noise to bring about desolation. That should be troubling. Yet that’s not the end of the story. This story is part of a greater story that highlights man’s beastly desire to take over what God had designed for righteous rule. Their efforts and their disrespect and disregard for the rule of God should cause distress and concern. In all of this, however, this season of tribulation is only going to last for a time.
What is helpful in this scripture is to see how for all the explanation that Daniel receives, he does not end up clear in his understanding. Why that is helpful is that this is a man who depended on God to get the clarity and even though it was beyond understanding to him, he nevertheless was faithful in noting it and faithful to the God who gave Him this trusting Him. We don’t have to have total understanding of everything in the Word of God, we can still maintain faith in God even in those areas of uncertainty.
We can also take hope that the desolation is not the way the story ends. The story ends with the rule of God restoring the temple of God and the eradication of every effort that rises to oppose God’s rule.
Questions from Daniel 8
What does this episode tell you about the character of God?
Who is this vision for and why is that important?
The vision outlines clashes and efforts to exalt power over areas, what is the significance of that for God’s people after Daniel’s time and for God’s people now?
What does the role of this little horn reveal to you about the nature of rule without God?
Why should every generation following Jesus pay careful attention to the nature of tribulation outlined in this vision?
Why is the interpretation from Gabriel so useful for all those who would read this?
Why does this vision offer hope for those who put their trust in God?
Some Helpful Resources
Overview of the book of Daniel by the Bible Project
Bob Deffinbaugh’s commentary on Daniel 8 as part of Bible.org’s series relating prophecy to piety.
Understanding Daniel 8 a commentary by Revelation Revolution
Commentaries on Daniel 8 by Hank Workman and Brad Boyles of The Warehouse blog
Jim Haeffele’s Bible study on Daniel 8 on the Life, Hope and Truth site.
Study of Daniel 8 as part of Torah Class on from Seed of Abraham ministries
David Guzik’s scripture breakdown of Daniel 8 for Enduring Word site.
Bob Utley’s Bible Study on Daniel 8
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 
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