Question 1

What do the ram and the he-goat represent in Daniel 8?

Accepted Answer

In this vision the symbols are explained within the passage itself. The ram with two high horns stands for the kings of Media and Persia, two kingdoms joined into one empire, with Persia rising later but becoming stronger. The rough he-goat that comes quickly from the west is the kingdom of Greece. Its great horn pictures the first powerful Greek king, known for his swift and wide conquests. This shows that God already knew and set the rise and fall of these empires long before they appeared on the world stage.

Question 2

Who is the little horn in Daniel 8 and what does he do?

Accepted Answer

The little horn grows out of one of the four Greek kingdoms and becomes very strong, especially toward the south, the east, and the pleasant land, meaning Judea. He attacks God’s people like trampling stars, proudly lifts himself against the Prince of the host, and stops the daily sacrifice. He brings down the sanctuary, throws truth to the ground, and seems to succeed for a time. This points to a harsh later ruler from the Greek line, remembered for fierce persecution and for trying to wipe out true worship in the temple.

Question 3

What are the 2,300 days in Daniel 8 and why do they matter?

Accepted Answer

In the vision, holy ones ask how long the stopping of the daily sacrifice and the trampling of the sanctuary and God’s people will last. The answer given is, “Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” This means the time of defilement and suffering is fixed by God and will not go on without limit. The exact way to count these days has been read in more than one way, but the clear point is that God sets both the start and the end of hardship for His people.

Question 4

What does it mean that the little horn takes away the daily sacrifice?

Accepted Answer

The daily sacrifice was the regular, ongoing worship in the temple, offered every day as God had commanded. When the little horn takes away the daily sacrifice, it means he stops this constant worship and throws down the place of the sanctuary. This shows his hatred of God’s ways and his desire to break the faith of God’s people. For believers, it highlights how serious it is when true worship is hindered, and how painful it is when public praise of God is cut off, even though God still rules over the one doing this.

Question 5

What does Daniel 8 teach about God’s control over history?

Accepted Answer

This chapter shows that God rules over kings and empires. He names the Medo-Persian and Greek powers long in advance, describes their growth, their limits, and even the sudden death of the great Greek king when he is at his strongest. It also shows that a cruel ruler will rise only when sin has reached a certain point, and that his power is not his own and will end “without hand.” All of this tells us that wars, rulers, and even persecution of believers are not random events but are under God’s wise and fixed plan.

Question 6

Why does Daniel faint and get sick after seeing this vision?

Accepted Answer

After seeing the vision and hearing the explanation, Daniel is overwhelmed. He falls into a deep sleep with his face to the ground, and later says he fainted and was sick for some days. What he saw was heavy: the rise of harsh rulers, the suffering of God’s people, the stopping of worship, and long years of trouble before things are set right. Even though he knows God is in control, the weight of what God’s people will face deeply affects him. Yet he eventually rises and goes back to serving in the king’s court.

Question 7

Who is the Prince of princes that the fierce king stands against?

Accepted Answer

The Prince of princes is the highest ruler over all rulers, the one who truly leads and protects God’s people. The fierce king lifts himself even against this Prince, showing bold pride and open war against God Himself, not just against human opponents. But the passage says he will be “broken without hand,” meaning his fall will not be by ordinary human power. God Himself will bring him down, showing that no matter how proud or cruel a ruler becomes, he cannot stand against the Lord of all.

Question 8

How does the explanation by Gabriel help us read Daniel 8?

Accepted Answer

Daniel at first does not understand what he has seen, so a voice calls Gabriel to make him understand. Gabriel tells him the ram is Media and Persia, the goat is Greece, the great horn is the first king, and the four horns are four weaker kingdoms that follow. He also explains that a fierce king will rise later and harm the holy people, but will be broken. This shows that God does not leave His people in the dark. He gives clear meaning where needed so they can be prepared and hold on to Him through what is coming.

Question 9

How can believers today apply the message of Daniel 8?

Accepted Answer

This chapter reminds believers that God rules over all nations, even when rulers are harsh and seem to succeed. It shows that persecution and attacks on worship may come, yet they are limited by God and serve His larger purpose. Knowing this can help believers not lose heart when they see evil or when faith is opposed. Instead, they can value daily worship, stay faithful under pressure, and trust that God has set both the time of trial and the time when He will cleanse and restore what has been trampled.

Daniel 8:1

In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.

Daniel’s Vision of the Ram and the Goat

Vision of the Ram and Goat

The Little Horn

Gabriel Interprets Daniel’s Vision

Interpretation of the Vision

The Ram’s Identity

The Goat

Daniel’s Vision of the Ram and the Goat

Vision of the Ram and Goat

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Daniel 8:1

In the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel, after that which appeared unto me at the first.

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Daniel’s Vision of the Ram and the Goat

Vision of the Ram and Goat

The Little Horn

Gabriel Interprets Daniel’s Vision

Interpretation of the Vision

The Ram’s Identity

The Goat

Daniel’s Vision of the Ram and the Goat

Vision of the Ram and Goat

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