Daniel chapter 8 focuses on the two empires of Persia and Greece. During the Persian control of the Middle East, the Israelites/Jews were permitted to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their city, homes and temple. During the Greek dominion (particularly during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes) the city of Jerusalem and the temple were once again destroyed. The vision that Daniel records in chapter 8 actually took place during the reign of the Babylonian king Belshazzar making the events completely future or prophetic to Daniel at that time. We have the benefit of history and are able to see the fulfillment of much of these events during the course of historical Persian and Greek rule. There is a rather intriguing character (an insolent or brazen king) that Daniel sees in his vision who is probably fulfilled through the historical figure named Antiochus IV. This character actually has some unique and interesting parallels or foreshadowing to the “boastful one” that the Apostle John speaks of in Revelation 13 and who the Apostle Paul speaks of in II Thessalonians 2. Once again Daniel provides us with a clear understanding of God’s Prophetic Timetable and how that relates to you and I even today.

I will be continuing this series on Daniel at Valley View Church beginning after the New Year (2013) begins. For more information feel free to contact me at mikesouthwick@gmail.com and if you are interested check out the tabs at the top of the home page (http://goodnewsbiblestudies.com) and click on Old Testament Studies for the full slide presentations and answers to the fill ins.

Lesson 8 – The Vision of the Ram and the Goat – Daniel 8 (Student Copy)

Lesson 8 – The Vision of the Ram and the Goat – Daniel 8 (Teacher Copy)

Lesson 8 – The Vision of the Ram and the Goat – Daniel 8 (PPT)