The Eighth Chapter of Daniel

Then Came the Morning

What will happen after God pours the prophesied affliction upon Christian priests? The eighth chapter of Daniel holds answers to this question. The understanding of this chapter was reserved for end times, which is why Daniel received the vision in sealed parables. Along with the vision, a dialogue was recorded which took place between Daniel and an angel. Their conversation works to insure our end time understanding, for the angel entrusted Daniel with clues that connect his vision with other prophesies of scripture. “For at the time of the end shall be the vision (Daniel 8:17).” This vision benefits believers by producing evidence that God will be bringing forth a powerful leader from the nation of Islam, and it also confirms that indignation will be coming against every prideful religious leader, and it will bring them down. “For the indignation of the Lord is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies… And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved… and all their host shall fall down (Isaiah 34:2-4).” These words were not written against our military armies, but they affirm that God's indignation is against all the divisions of his own people, as well as their leaders. The words, "all the host of heaven", and "all their armies", signify that God will not be respecting any religious group, or their leader, regardless of whether they're Jewish, Muslim, or Christian.

Before proceeding on with Daniel’s vision, it is beneficial to understand a couple of relevant parable words. The first one is that of the wall. “The Lord hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion (Lamentations 2:8).” The words, wall, and walls, were used in prophecy to refer to the laws of religion: they are barriers which create a hardness of the heart. They are also referred to as the "doctrines of men," because they are appointed scripture verses which teach believers what they must believe in order to get into heaven. Putting confidence in these laws is the differentiating line which separates like minded people that are within the faith, from those that are without. Believers promote these verses, as if they were, and are, imperative laws of salvation. This is problematic, because religion's laws don't always result in salvation. Nevertheless, watchmen stand upon these laws, and they use them to recruit new members, as well as to defend the people of their faith. “Day and night they go about upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets (Psalm 55:10-11).” Our walls grieve the Lord because they empower the people within the church, to stand up and slander believers of other faiths (Psalm 50:20).

Even if religion’s walls surround what appears to be a garden of Eden in the day of God's wrath, yet God has declared his wrath to be against every wall (Ezekiel 13:15; 36:35). “The day of the Lord… is upon every fenced wall (Isaiah 2:12-15),” “Every wall shall fall to the ground (Ezekiel 38:20).” “Though Babylon should mount up to heaven … The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken (Jeremiah 51:53; 51:58).” On Judgment day, religion's laws shall be utterly destroyed, and the one new way of serving God forever, will be implemented: everyone must repent and turn from mistaken religious doctrines, unto faith that is in agreement with God's word, or else they will be corrected by the prophesied punishments of God's word. “Be ye not stiff necked, as you fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord… that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you (2Chronicles 30:8).”

A second beneficial parable to understand, is that of, Jacob. Jacob's name was used in prophecy to represent every believer unto whom God has revealed the truth of his word. “He showeth his word unto Jacob (Psalms 147:19).” Despite his enlightenment, Jacob still has doubts concerning God’s abilities: “Can he provide flesh for his people? Therefore the Lord heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation (Psalms 78:20-22).”

“Cry aloud… and show… the house of Jacob their sins (Isaiah 58:1).” Jacob’s sin is not simply that he has doubts, but Jacob also has fears, and therefore he is not working in agreement with God's word. When Jacob received news of the covenant message, his answer was to work at strengthening his own nation's teachings (Isaiah 43:22). This is rebellion against God. The covenant message is God's desire, as well as the desire of his people, for it is God’s plan to unite the religions (Malachi 3:1; Haggai 2:7). The day of God’s wrath is not optional. So, for the purpose of proceeding with end times, God will separate those of Jacob who don't believe that he will act, from those who believe and turn from the mistaken philosophies of their religion. “I will bring forth a seed out of Jacob (Isaiah 65:9).” “The redeemer shall come… unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob (Isaiah 59:20).”

Make no mistake about it, this is a trial (Ezekiel 21:13). Jacob’s immediate future hinges upon whether or not he’ll do God’s will. “Alas! For that day is great… it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it (Jeremiah 30:7).” “Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the Lord: for I am with thee… I will not make a full end of thee, but I will correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished (Jeremiah 46:28).” Indignation is appointed to come against the uncooperativeness of Jacob: it will be for a punishment, however it will also serve as a way of correcting him, so that he turns from his transgression (Isaiah 27:8-9). “The Lord hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him (Lamentations 1:17).”

“The Load hath swallowed up all the habitations of Jacob, and hath not pitied… he burned against Jacob like a flaming fire (Lamentations 2:2-3).” To avoid experiencing a time of great indignation, Jacob must pay attention to the covenant message. “I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain (Isaiah 45:19).” The longer Jacob resists the truth of God’s word, the more intense his troubles will become, for his enemies will come, and they will be gathered against him (Leviticus 26:41). “When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me (Psalm 119:84)?” “Save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver (Psalm 7:1-2).”

“Thus saith the Lord… which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant (Isaiah 44:2).” God will once again choose Jacob, but not until after Jacob's deceived heart has been changed, and not until after he accepts the punishment of his err (Psalms 47:4). “I will bring again the captivity of Jacob… after that they have borne their shame (Ezekiel 39:25-26).” After Jacob's deceived heart has been changed, then each and every indignant person who came against Jacob, will be punished. “Pour out thy fury upon the heathen… for they have eaten up Jacob… and have made his habitation desolate (Jeremiah 10:25).”

The interpretation of end time prophecy, and covenant understanding, was hidden: it was not known from the beginning (Isaiah 48:6-7). What is being exposed, is that God planned to use prophecy to confirm the truth of his covenants. Through God's use of parable words and patterns, God's people are receiving covenant understanding, as well as an understanding of the hidden meanings of prophecy. Finding solutions to the parable words of prophecy, is the first step. Because God perfectly placed and used words in scripture, each and every parable word has one single solution to its meaning. As seekers work to investigate the parable meanings of words like “Jacob” and “wall,” they discover God's use of patterns, because everything that is going to happen in prophecy, has already happened (Isaiah 41:22; Ecclesiastes 3:15). 

“The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than the dwellings of Jacob (Psalms 87:2).” God has sworn to cast off pity towards all those who have been shown the truth of end times, but aren’t buying it. “The Lord hath sworn by himself… I abhor the excellency of Jacob… therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein (Amos 6:8).” “Thy teachers have transgressed against me, therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse (Isaiah 43:27-28).” “I will punish Jacob according to his ways (Hosea 12:2).” Jacob needs to be in prayer about his fears and doubts; and everyone who has learned the newly revealed truths of prophecy needs to be asking God to open the hearts of the deceived, that they might receive the truths of end times.

Now on to Daniel’s vision: The first parable of Daniel’s vision is that of a ram. The ram represents, Islamic priests. Evidence of this is found in the verse: “The rams of Nebaioth shall minister unto thee: they shall come up with acceptance on mine altar (Isaiah 60:7).” Nebaioth is Ishmael’s firstborn son (1Chronicles 1:29). Additional evidence of their Islamic identity is obtained from the angel: “The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia (Daniel 8:20).” Scripture associates the names of Media and Persia with the forerunners of the Islamic faith (Genesis 37:28). Both the ram, which is by definition a male, and the angel’s reference to kings, indicate that this parable is depicting priests, i.e., the rulers of Islam.

Knowing that the ram pertains to the Islamic nation allows believers to use every possible prophecy and verse of scripture which pertains to the Islamic nation, to help interpret the prophecy concerning the ram. For a patten, consider the prophecies of Heshbon. After Israel came out of Egypt, and they had had sufficient time to prepare their hearts, Heshbon was the city which stood between them and their promised land. Israel sent messages unto the king of Heshbon with words of peace, desiring only to pass through his land to get to their promised land. However the king’s heart was hardened, and he gathered an army together for the sole purpose of disallowing Israel's success (Numbers 21:23). What proceeded was not only a demonstration of God’s ability to consume these men of war, but it was also an event which put godly fear into the hearts and minds of all the on-lookers (Deuteronomy 2:25). This is our pattern: it teaches us why the ram is depicted as standing before the river in Daniel’s vision. The hearts of many Islamic priests have been hardened, and they are testing God’s authority, wherefore they are about to become a portrait of truth for the nations. “In Heshbon they have devised evil against it; come, and let us cut it off from being a nation (Jeremiah 48:2).”

The two horns upon the ram identify that God has divided the Islamic priesthood into two different groups: The first horn represents the Islamic priests which haven’t heard the covenant message. In prophecy these believers are given the parable name of Edom (Jeremiah 49:12). The second horn represents the Islamic priests which have heard the message, however they do not believe it, and therefore they are preparing their followers to fight against it: Their parable name is Moab.

The priests of Edom are unaware that God has prophesied that he will punish them, if, and when they go forth against his people. Moab has persuaded these priests to go forth with him, and come against the Christian priests which escape God's affliction. When this happens, God will cause their reproach to cease by pouring affliction upon all the priests that participate in the attack. “He shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan against the habitation of the strong: but I will suddenly make him run away from her.” Before moving on to the next piece of evidence, it is necessary to understand the parable meaning of the word, cup. In prophecy, the word, cup, pertains to drinking in the truth of end time understanding.  “Concerning Edom… they whose judgment was not to drink of the cup have assuredly drunken, and art thou he that shall altogether go unpunished? Thou shalt not go unpunished.” “Edom shall be a desolation: everyone that goeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss at all the plagues thereof.” (Quotes from Jeremiah chapter forty nine). In other words, pleading ignorance is no excuse.

Although Moab was privy to the covenant message, his heart remained hard. Moab devised a plan: he encouraged the Islamic priesthood to work together and prepare themselves to come against the Christian priests that escape God's affliction, with the intention of destroying them. God will pour affliction upon Moab, and it will cause Moab's offense to cease. “The calamity of Moab is near to come, and his affliction hasteneth fast.” “I know his wrath… but it shall not be so; his lies shall not effect it.” “I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the Lord, him that offered in the high places.” “They shall howl, saying, How is it broken down! How hath Moab turned the back with shame!” “Moab shall be destroyed from being a people, because he magnified himself against the Lord.” (Quotes from Jeremiah chapter forty eight).

The secrets of Moab’s involvement in this attack are eluded to the book of Obadiah. Obadiah's vision also discusses Edom's naïve participation in the offense. “Concerning Edom," "The men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee.” “Even thou wast one of them.” “But thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea thou shouldest not have looked upon their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity; neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape… As thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee.” (Quotes from the book of Obadiah).

Islamic priests that hope to avoid God’s wrath, should not to participate in this offense. “My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the Lord (Jeremiah 51:45).” Take fast hold of instruction, or else your rejoicings will be cut off. “All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous will be exalted (Psalm 75:10).” In the eighth chapter of Daniel, the rams horns are broken off (Daniel 8:7). This signifies that the rejoicings of each and every person who participates in the attack, will be cut off. “I will howl for Moab, and I will cry out for all Moab… Joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab (Jeremiah 48:31-33).”

The next parable in Daniel’s vision, is that of the he goat. “As I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth… and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes (Daniel 8:5).” That notable horn between his eyes is an offense to God (Isaiah 2:12). The Hebrew word which was translated, notable, was placed in ways which prophesy messages about offense, and arrogance. It was translated, agreement, in the verse, “Your agreement with hell shall not stand (Isaiah 28:18),” and it was translated, vision, in the verse, “The vision of all is become unto you as words of a book that is sealed (Isaiah 29:11).” Therefore, the he goat's prideful horn is a feature which insinuates that pious priests will be bringing pious indignation against the afflicted priests of Islam.

“The goat came to the ram… and ran unto him in the fury of his power. I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand (Daniel 8:6-7).” The immense indignation of these believers, is God’s correction against Moab's pious leadership. “I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth (Isaiah 63:6).” “There is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who will not let it (Isaiah 43:13)?”

The Hebrew word which was translated, choler, in the afore mentioned verse, was also translated into the words, bitter, grieved, and vexed, and it was used in the verse: “They made their lives bitter with hard bondage (Exodus 1:14).” The pious he goats are indignant against the grievous mistakes of Islamic leaders, however they haven’t discovered their own grievous mistakes. They are not paying attention to God’s instructions, therefore they are without the Holy Spirit. Their inner thoughts are covetous thoughts, for personal gain. “His soul which is lifted up is not upright in him… he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied but gathers unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people …Shall they not rise up suddenly and bite thee (Habakkuk chapter 2:4-7)?”

Secrets pertaining to the he goats are prophesied through prophesies about the Assyrian: “O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge… to take the prey, and to tread them down like mire of the streets. Howbeit he meaneth not so… but it is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations (Isaiah 10:5-7).”

From an old testament parable about the Assyrian, comes evidence that the he goats do not have the Holy Spirit, and that because of their offense, they too will be delivered into the hands of the indignant. “I have delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness (Ezekiel 31:11).” These priests were privy to the covenant message, however they planned to withhold certain truths from God's people, therefore they were lying, and deceiving the people (Jeremiah 13:1-15). “Who shall declare his way to his face? And who shall repay him for what he hath done (Job 21:31)?” Before viewing another piece of evidence which insinuates, as well as proves that Assyrians are without the Holy Spirit, it is necessary to understand the parable meaning of the word, hell. In prophecy, the word "hell" represents a mental state, or set of beliefs which separate believers from God, and his Holy Spirit. The mistaken thoughts and teachings of the Assyrian have caused him to fall, along with and his followers, into the pit of hell, wherein they do not have the Holy Spirit (Psalm 88:4-5). “They also went down into hell with him… they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen (Ezekiel 31:17).”

Within the record of Daniel's account concerning the he goat, are two separate Hebrew words which were both translated into the word, goat. This symbolically suggests that the goat’s have been given a new name. The Hebrew word which represents their new name is exclusive to this parable, with just one exception: Ezra used it when referring to some goats that were used in sacrifice, for a sin offering (Ezra 8:35). These clues help to speculate that these he goats are God’s sacrifice: their punishment will cause the world to know that God is a righteous judge, and that he rules and reigns from on high. “Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God… for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests (Zephaniah 1:7).” Despite their mistakes, and regardless of their looming punishments, these priests have served the Lord, and proof of their eternal home is written in the book of life.

“Through the voice of the Lord shall the Assyrian be beaten down (Isaiah 30:31).” The Assyrians will need to repent of their iniquities, and they will need to teach the truth of God’s word, despite their fears. God will break the he goat's pride, and he will cause his transgression to come to an end (Isaiah 13:11). “I will dash them one against another… I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them (Jeremiah 13:14).” “Wickedness shall be broken as a tree (Job 24:20).”

“The he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven (Daniel 8:8).” The four horns which appear after God breaks the he goat's horn, are Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and the priesthood. They are the people that will arise from spiritual death after they hear the truth of God's word. “Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel (Ezekiel 37:12).” “Thou… shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth (Psalms 71:20).” “Let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; for I the Lord have created it (Isaiah 45:8).”

These new converts are what God has aptly termed, the people of the north: and they are the swords that God will draw out to come after those that are still transgressing. “I will scatter a third part into all the winds, and I will draw out a sword after them (Ezekiel 5:12).” These new converts are going to be anxious to destroy religion's mistakes, for they will be experiencing and witnessing the evidence, and they will know that the covenant message is the truth. “Upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds… and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them (Jeremiah 49:36-37).”

The last parable of the eighth chapter, is that of the little horn. “Out of one of the four horns came forth a little horn, which waxed exceedingly great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land (Daniel 8:9).” The word “toward” discloses the direction of this leader’s affections: He will be towards the priesthood, towards Islam, and towards Zion. “Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah (Isaiah 63:1)?” God will be bringing forth an impressive leader from the nation of Islam. “Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it (Isaiah 46:11).”

According to the counsel that Daniel was given, this leader will understand “dark sentences,” which is another way of saying that he will understand the hidden mysteries of prophecy (Psalms 78:2). He is also credited with coming from the north, which means that the little horn is one of the believers that will rise up and believe God when they hear the covenant message. “I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name (Isaiah 41:25).” “I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts (Isaiah 45:13).”

“Who raised up a righteous man from the east… and made him rule over kings (Isaiah 41:2)?” This little horn will lead priests, and he will gain the support of a following. “An host was given to him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression (Daniel 8:12).” He, and his followers are being brought forth to destroy religion's mistakes. “I have created the waster to destroy (Isaiah 54:16).” “His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and holy people (Daniel 8:24).” “I, even I, have spoke; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous (Isaiah 48:15).”

The little horn’s movements are tracked through the parables of Nebuchadrezzar, the king of Babylon. One verity of this is that Nebuchadnezzar and the little horn are both prophesied to appear sometime after the Assyrian has appeared (Daniel 8:9). “Israel is a scattered sheep… first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones (Jeremiah 50:17).” Another proof which verifies that the little horn is Nebuchadnezzar, comes from the pattern: The little horn's troubles mimic those of Nebuchadnezzar's. As in king Nebuchadrezzar's life, when a multitude is subdued under this leader, his heart is lifted up, and he forgets God. According to the scriptures, the little horn is said to magnify himself in his heart: his policy will cause craft to prosper, and through peace he will destroy many people (Daniel 8:25).

The significance of the little horn's policy, and of the decision that he is facing, is magnified in the verse: “The king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of two ways, to use divination: he made his arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver (Ezekiel 21:21).” Will the little horn work faithfully and bring Islam into a full understanding of the covenant message, or will he scheme and work craftily to outwit those who are still transgressing? “Flee, get you far off… for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath taken counsel against you, and hath conceived a purpose against you (Jeremiah 49:30).”

The little horn sidesteps an important aspect of the covenant message. The covenant message is not just about making peace between the religions: it’s also an announcement of a new covenant, and it is a confirmation that God has made Jesus Christ our great high priest, from henceforth, and forevermore. The curse that will be poured upon God's people will not only verify that God has been saving believers by covenants, but it will also confirm that from henceforth every believer must submit themselves, and "learn of Jesus" in order to inherit everlasting life (Jeremiah 32:39-40). By keeping Jesus out of the little horn's policy, Islam may reform its practices, however its crafty new policy will never be bringing those who are trusting in it, into everlasting life. “I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the Lord (Ezekiel 20:38).”

Wise counsel which can benefit the little horn is found in the book of Ezekiel. In the midst of this book, God spoke words which reveal the true path of salvation and blessings. He said: If a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die in his sin. In effect, if a believer perceives and understands the newly revealed truths of prophecy, but returns to the crooked paths of his forefather's teachings, then he shall not receive the promised blessings of eternal reward (Ezekiel 18:24). Conversely, if a wicked man does that which is right, he shall save his soul alive (Ezekiel 18:27). Salvation is God’s prerogative. God looks upon the heart, and he has the power to change a man’s heritage, in an instant. He commands everyone that hears and understands the newly revealed truths of prophecy, to give the word of his message unto the wicked, as well as to the righteous, for in so doing they shall save their own souls. “If thou warn… thou hast delivered thy soul (Ezekiel 3:18-19).” After a believer does that which is right, there is no turning back from God’s commandments. “All his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die (Ezekiel 33:13).” It is the responsibility of each and every believer to share God’s end time truths with others, for sharing God’s word is not only a matter of personal salvation, but it’s God’s way of making himself known to the world.

Religion's mistakes are going to be eliminated. Be thankful and praise God for the work of his hands! It is important that you let these covenant messages to sink down into your ears, because end times are as a breach, and they are ready to fall. “Whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant (Isaiah 30:13).” “Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? Saith the Lord: Shall I bring forth, and shut the womb (Isaiah 66:9)?” “For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it (Jeremiah 4:28).” “I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely (Hosea 2:18).”