As we come to Daniel 8, we come to a story that is much like chapter 7 in that it recounts a vision given to Daniel by God that concerns the future. In chapter 7, the vision consisted of four beasts that each represented a different kingdom. The point of that vision was to demonstrate that though evil is a reality in the world (as demonstrated by the four evil kingdoms), God is powerful enough to overwhelm all evil kingdoms with His own kingdom. In chapter 8, Daniel has another vision that makes much the same point while focusing in with a bit more detail on the exact circumstances involved.
In chapter 8, Daniel has a vision in which he finds himself in the capital city of Babylon, watching a scene unfold before him. In the vision, he sees an overpowering ram that overwhelms everything and becomes great. Shortly thereafter, he sees a goat come flying from the west. This goat, which has one large horn, overpowers the ram and gains control. After destroying the ram, however, the goat’s large horn is broken and four other horns come up in its place. Then, out of one of those four horns, a little horn arises and grows exceedingly great. In Daniel’s vision, this little horn is so powerful that it destroys some of God’s people, disrupts the sacrificial system, desecrates God’s temple and even opposes God himself. In the midst of this, Daniel hears “a holy one” tell “another holy one” that this transgression of the little horn will last for 2,300 days. Upon seeing this, Daniel desires to know the vision’s meaning, and Gabriel is sent to interpret the vision. He reveals to Daniel that the ram, with its two horns, represents Media and Persia. The goat, which overpowered the ram, represents Greece, and the goat’s large horn is Greece’s first king. The breaking of the horn symbolizes the fall of that first king, and – from his kingdom – four kingdoms would arise (symbolized by the four horns). Then, Gabriel declares that from one of these kingdoms, a shrewd and powerful king will arise who will strongly oppose God and His people before being destroyed – but not by a human hand. After hearing this from Gabriel, Daniel makes clear that he was “sick for some days” before rising and going about his business while still appalled and confused about the vision.
Even after reading through the chapter and having Gabriel explains many parts of the vision for us, this still seems like a strange and difficult to understand chapter. Like with all such texts, we are no doubt tempted to disregard this passage simply because of its obscurity. However, such a reaction would be handicapping ourselves horribly because the central point of this text is crucial for all human beings to understand. In short, though the vision itself is a bit obscure, the central point being made is clear: God is in control of all things, often in spite of present appearances, and He will ultimately be victorious over all who oppose Him.
The first point that we see very clearly in the text is a point that has come up repeatedly throughout the book of Daniel: God is in sovereign control of all things. In this particular vision, the point is demonstrated very clearly in God’s foreknowledge, and foreordaining, of the future.
As we look at the vision itself, it is very clear that God knows the future because He is telling Daniel what is going to happen before it ever happens. As the first verse tells us, this vision was given in the third year of Belshazzar’s reign. That means the vision was predicting the rise of the Medio-Persian and Greek Empires before they ever came to power. God is obviously declaring what is going to happen before it ever happens.
But there is more going on here as well. God is not merely predicting the future, hoping that He guesses correctly. Instead, God is declaring the future to Daniel because God has already ordained these events in the future. As we read the prediction from the vision that the Medes and Persians will rise to power, we must keep in mind that this is not the first time this has been predicted. Almost 200 years prior, God declared through the prophet Isaiah that He would use the Medes to punish Babylon (Isa. 13:17). Moreover, about 50 years before this vision, God reiterated the same point to Jeremiah (Jer. 51:11). The rise of the Medes was not merely something that God foresaw but something that he ordained.
Moreover, you can see God’s sovereignty on display in the details of the text as well. Aside from merely looking into the future, we actually see that God has set a limit on the extent of the little horn’s transgression: 2,300 days (8:14). God not only knows that he will come, but he knows exactly how long he will reign. Even more explicitly, in Gabriel’s interpretation, he makes clear that the power of the little horn will not come from himself: “His power shall be great – but not by his own power…” (8:24). It is clear that someone else gives the little horn his power, and in light of the point of this chapter as well as the point of the entire book of Daniel, that can only mean that God grants it to him.
Having seen this reality, it is crucial to recognize that history actually did play out just as God predicted. Actually, all of the events predicted in Daniel 8 seem to have taken place just as God said they would. Not too many years after this vision was given, the Medes and Persians did destroy Babylon and become the dominant world power – establishing an empire that lasted almost 200 years. Then, in 333 B.C., Alexander the Great – leading the Greeks – destroyed the Persian Empire and extended the borders of his kingdom further than any kingdom before him. However, after only 10 years, Alexander passed away, and his great empire was eventually carved up into four different empires led by Alexander’s generals and advisers. Eventually, a man named Antiochus Epiphanes came to power in one of these four empires. Amazingly, history tells us that Antiochus was a shrewd and cunning man who plundered the temple (1 Mac. 1:21-24), forbade the sacrificial system (1 Mac. 1:44-49), desecrated the altar of God (1 Mac. 1:54-55), destroyed copies of God’s law (1 Mac. 1:56-58), slaughtered God’s people in large numbers (2 Mac. 5:11-14), and even called himself a god (he labeled himself “God manifest”). In short, Antiochus did everything that Daniel 8 describes the little horn as doing. Then, as he was leading a military expedition into the Far East, Antiochus died – not by a human hand, but from a mysterious illness. Particularly in light of these historical events that followed the giving of this vision to Daniel so many years ago, we see that God’s sovereignty over all things is on incredible display in our text.
But this reality of God’s sovereignty is not merely an academic or historical point. The God who was sovereign in Daniel 8 is still sovereign today. In fact, through the prophet Isaiah, God has declared, “…I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose’” (Isa. 46:9b-10). It is actually part of God’s very nature that He is sovereign over all things because He created them. Paul alludes to this reality when speaking to the Ephesians when he says, “In him [Christ] we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will” (Eph. 1:11). God is sovereign over all things. He not only knows the future but is actively directing the future.
If this is true, what does it mean for us today? If God is sovereign – knowing and ordaining all things – what does that mean? First, it means that the future, while mysterious to us, is not a mystery. There is no basis for thinking that events just happen randomly. This means we can engage every event as a purposeful, planned event. Second, it means that the things that happen in our lives – and the lives of everyone else – are ultimately orchestrated by God to bring about His purposes. Third, it means that the grand course of history in all parts of the world is being directed and guided by the sovereign hand of God. In short, it means that nothing is outside of God’s control and God’s plan.
Depending on who you are and where you are in your life, that reality could cause a number of different reactions. For those who are in the midst of extreme difficulty and are fearful that God may not be in control for some reason, you can take heart and stop being afraid because God is in control over all things: sickness, job situations, interpersonal conflicts, relationship struggles, etc. For those who are in the midst of a difficult circumstance and are bitter at God for the situation in which you find yourself, remember that God’s ways are not our ways nor His thoughts our thoughts. Though we may not understand, He knows far better than us how to bring glory to His name. If you are not a believer, God is allowing you to see the hopelessness of life apart from Him. Repent of your sins and believe in Jesus Christ and you will know the love of the Father. If you are a Christian, trust that God loves you – far more than anyone on earth ever could. And He knows what is best for you – better than you know what is best for you. Trust the sovereign God of Daniel 8. For those who are not in a difficult circumstance and are tempted to forget God all together because things are good, do not forget that everything you have was given to you by God. It is His ordaining that has put you in your position. Thank Him appropriately. Do not boast in yourself but in your God.
Much like in Daniel 7, one point that stands directly alongside God’s absolute sovereignty in this chapter is an assurance by God that great suffering – even, and especially, by God’s people – is part of God’s sovereign plan.
We see this reality clearly in the text as we read the description of the little horn’s actions. The text says that a host (presumably part of the “host of heavenly saints”) is given over to him, and he throws them down and tramples on them (8:10,12). In Gabriel’s interpretation of the little horn’s actions, he says very clearly that “his power shall be great” and “he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints” (8:24). He goes on to say of the little horn that “without warning he shall destroy many” (8:25). Clearly, suffering has a distinct place in this vision of the future. Just as Daniel can be sure that God is in control of all things, so he can be sure that “all things” is going to include suffering and pain.
Once again, this is a reality that is just as true for us as it was in Daniel’s day for the exiles. At various points throughout the book of Daniel, we have seen this point, but it will do us good to be reminded once again. Just as God was making clear to Daniel that God’s people would suffer, the New Testament makes clear to us that God’s people will suffer. Jesus himself, in John 16:33 declares, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Paul makes the same point to Timothy as he writes, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). These verses, and many others that could be included, make the same point that Daniel’s vision made: suffering is a reality and it is coming.
That said, the New Testament does not speak of such suffering in exclusively negative terms. No doubt, particularly after seeing God’s sovereignty clearly displayed in this text, we could begin to wonder, “How could the sovereign God let such suffering be a part of His plan? Can’t He stop it?” The obvious answer is that God can do whatever He pleases. He certainly could stop the suffering. However, the New Testament tells us that He has chosen not to do so. Rather, this suffering is part of His plan. Paul tells the Philippians, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake” (Phil. 1:29).
But why would God do such thing? Does he delight in causing pain? No, the Biblical answer is that there is that, in God’s hands, suffering actually serves to produce wonderful things. Over and over, the New Testament highlights the benefits of suffering. Paul told the Romans, “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Rom. 5:3-5). Suffering is not pointless but actually serves to produce endurance, character and hope! James, likewise, told his readers, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4). Like Paul, James understood that suffering would bring about a hardened determination in God’s people that resulted in earnest faithfulness in the face of terrible suffering. This suffering, far from being useless or pointless, actually serves to make us perfect and complete.
This understanding of suffering – both in Daniel 8 and in the New Testament – is crucial to our own engagement with suffering. If we want to suffer well for the glory of God, we must understand what this understanding of suffering as part of God’s plan means for us. First, we should understand that suffering is not always a sign of God’s displeasure or anger. It is not always punishment, but has a distinct place in the purposes of God (John 9:1-3). Second, we should be prepared for it, and we should not be surprised by it (1 Pet. 4:12-13). Third, we should cling to Christ in the midst of it because He has suffered so that He might help us when we suffer (Heb. 2:10,17-18). Fourth, we should pray for, encourage and help others as they go through suffering (2 Cor. 1:3-4).
God wanted Daniel to know that suffering was going to be a reality for God’s people so that they would be prepared and respond appropriately in the midst of it. Likewise, God wants us to know that suffering is going to be a reality for God’s people so that we will be prepared and respond appropriately in the midst of it.
Much in line with the first point we saw in the text regarding God’s sovereignty, one final point of this vision is to make clear that God will be victorious over all of these kingdoms. In the end, all of these kingdoms will come to end, but God’s kingdom will still stand strong – outlasting them all.
Though quite vaguely, we see this reality demonstrated in a few places in our text. First of all, in Daniel’s vision, a holy one states that the sanctuary – which has been decimated and desecrated by the little horn – “shall be restored to its rightful state” (8:14). The destruction wrought by the little horn is not permanent but will be restored. Moreover, in that same verse, we see that the length of the little horn’s reign is firmly established at 2,300 days (8:14). Though easy to miss, the fact that the little horn’s reign has a definite ending point makes clear that it will not be the ultimate kingdom. The mere fact of knowing that it will fall, and knowing when it will fall, render God’s kingdom far superior. Finally, in Gabriel’s interpretation, we read that the little horn “shall be broken – but by no human hand” (8:25). Without question, this is a reference to God’s action in bringing the little horn to an end. Clearly, though these kings and kingdoms are part of God’s sovereign plan, they will all come to an end and God’s kingdom will reign supreme.
Once again, as with the previous two points, this reality is as true for us as it was for Daniel. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28 provides us with a glimpse into the future, and it makes clear that all things – kings and kingdoms included – will be brought into subjection to Jesus Christ. Once this happens, Jesus will turn all things over to God the Father and God Himself will reign supreme forever and ever. Revelation makes this same point in numerous places (particularly Rev. 19:11-21) by describing the destruction of all those who oppose God. God will be victorious – triumphing over all of His enemies.
For those of us who have trusted in Christ, this is a critically important reality. Because we know this, we can live as people who have hope. Even in the midst of great suffering and possibly even intense persecution, we can endure because we have hope in the ultimate victory of God. This is the reason Peter told his readers,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, as was necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith – more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:3-7).
Later on in the same letter, Peter also writes, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Pet. 5:10). Peter understood what we should understand: God is going to be victorious and that knowledge should infuse our lives with joy and hope here and now. We can live as people with hope!
As we close our service, it is fitting that we come to the table in light of the points we have seen in Daniel 8. We saw in Daniel 8 that God not only knows the future but has orchestrated and ordained the future. As we come to the table, we remember that God chose a people for Himself in Christ before the world was ever created – demonstrating His sovereignty. Before it ever came to pass, God planned to send His Son. We saw in Daniel 8 that suffering is part of God’s plan. As we come to the table, we remember that the same God who chose to send His Son long before it happened chose to send Him to die on a cross. All of the suffering and pain that Jesus endured was “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). Suffering was part of God’s plan for His Son. Finally, we saw in Daniel 8 that God will be victorious over all other kings and kingdoms. As we come to the table, we are reminded that God triumphed over all the principalities and powers through Christ’s incredible work on the cross. The victory is certain because it has already been achieved. Now we wait in hope for that victory to be fully realized and demonstrated. As we eat the bread and drink the cup, let us do so with joy and hope in our sovereign God who will be victorious in spite of all appearances to the contrary. Amen.