Diving into Daniel: The Vision Interpreted
Daniel 8:20-27 - Antiochus and the Antichrist are both described in this vision.
“The ram which you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia.
The shaggy goat represents the kingdom of Greece, and the large horn that is between his eyes is the first king. The broken horn and the four horns that arose in its place represent four kingdoms which will arise from his nation, although not with his power.
In the latter period of their rule,
When the transgressors have run their course,
A king will arise,
Insolent and skilled in intrigue.
His power will be mighty, but not by his own power,
And he will destroy to an extraordinary degree
And prosper and perform his will;
He will destroy mighty men and the holy people.
And through his shrewdness
He will cause deceit to succeed by his influence;
And he will magnify himself in his heart,
And he will destroy many while they are at ease.
He will even oppose the Prince of princes,
But he will be broken without human agency.
The vision of the evenings and mornings
Which has been told is true;
But keep the vision secret, For it pertains to many days in the future.”
Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up again and carried on the king’s business; but I was astounded at the vision, and there was none to explain it.”
Daniel 8:20-27 NASB1995
As we learned earlier in this chapter, the ram represents the kings of Media and Persia while the goat is the kingdom of Greece spread quickly over large territories by Alexander the Great, followed by the shattered horn that results in the four generals who divide Alexander’s kingdom.
But out of those four kingdoms there will arise a king who is insolent and skilled in intrigue, who has great power and will destroy mighty men and holy people. This prophecy is fulfilled in the near term to Daniel’s time by Antiochus Epiphanes, as we learned about in an earlier devotional. But this prophecy is also fulfilled by the future Antichrist. The AI tool that Steve is using created the image at the top of a terrifying and insolent king. Antiochus Epiphanes killed more than 100,000 Jews in his reign of terror until his tyranny was defeated. This pattern will repeat with the Antichrist and this will happen perhaps very soon, although we don’t know exactly when and can’t predict the timeline.
Here is commentary by Enduring Word:
In the latter time of their kingdom: The prophecy in this passage reads equally true of both Antiochus and Antichrist. This is an example of a prophetic passage that has both a near and far fulfillment.
Having fierce features: Antiochus Epiphanes was known for his cruel brutality. This will also be true of the coming Antichrist.
Who understands sinister schemes… through his cunning: Antiochus was known for his flattery and smooth tongue. The coming Antichrist will strike a covenant with Israel (Daniel 9:27).
His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: Antiochus Epiphanes was empowered by Satan and allowed by God. The same will be true of the coming Antichrist.
Shall prosper and thrive: Antiochus Epiphanes looked like a total success. The coming Antichrist will look like a complete winner until God topples his reign.
He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people: Antiochus Epiphanes not only destroyed his enemies, but also harshly persecuted the people of God. The coming Antichrist will also destroy and persecute.
He shall cause deceit to prosper: Both the rule of Antiochus Epiphanes in the past and of the Antichrist in the future are marked by deceit.
The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10).
He shall exalt himself in his heart: The coins of Antiochus Epiphanes were inscribed with this title: THEOS EPIPHANIES meaning, “God manifest.” The coming Antichrist will also exalt himself: So that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:4).
He shall even rise against the Prince of princes: Though Antiochus Epiphanes hated the people of God and fought against them, it was because he really hated God. The same will be true of the coming Antichrist, who will hate the Jews because he hates God.
Broken without human means: History tells us that Antiochus Epiphanes died of disease, not by the hand of man. In a similar way no man will defeat the coming Antichrist, but the hand of Jesus will strike him down (Revelation 19:20).
Therefore seal up the vision: Daniel must do this because in his day the vision referred to a period far distant in its ultimate fulfillment. For us, the time is near (Revelation 1:3) and the book is unsealed (Revelation 22:10).
So here’s a disturbing AI image that shows essentially the same type of person as Antiochus (arrogant, hateful, full of himself) that might be the Antichrist and the willful destruction that he supervises:
Well, this is something that will give one nightmares. Is this entity who becomes the great enemy’s agent a business man (or woman) or a politician or even a great and charismatic religious leader? The Great Tribulation may be in our lifetimes or it may not, but we must still be on guard to work the eternal King’s business here on Earth.
Daniel is exhausted and sick for days, but he arose to do his king’s business. He was astonished by his vision and there were no good explanations. Enduring Word again:
Fainted and was sick… I was astonished: Daniel probably couldn’t understand why God would allow such a mighty persecutor of His people to come to power and seeming success.
“He may well have been puzzled about why Yahweh would permit even this brief time of brutal oppression under the little horn.” (Gleason Archer)
I went about the king’s business: Daniel didn’t let either spiritual mysteries or physical weakness keep him from doing his duty. This shows us that our interest in prophecy should make us more concerned with our king’s business, not less concerned about it.
“He would have counted it a great slur on his religious life if it could have been said that his visions and exercises interfered with his service to the king.” (F.B. Meyer)
“Let us not neglect the work of the Lord, though less able to perform it. A sick child’s service is doubly accepted.” (John Trapp)
No one understood it: It wasn’t because God never wanted this prophecy to be understood. There is no reason for God to reveal something to man that can never be understood. The reason why no one understood it was because the vision was sealed up in light of its ultimate fulfillment in Daniel’s distant future.
It is worth repeating: the time is not distant for us in light of Revelation 1:3, and the book of prophecy is not sealed in light of Revelation 22:10.
Finally, this commentary by F.B. Meyer on Precept Austin is worth reading; a small portion of this is quoted in the Enduring Word commentary above:
Few men have been favored with such visions and revelations as fell to the lot of Daniel. The future, in so many different aspects, was repeatedly unfolded before him, and he saw much that elated and that depressed him. But through it all he steadily did the king’s business; so far as he knew, nothing was allowed to suffer or get behind. He would have counted it a great slur on his religious life if it could have been said that his visions and exercises interfered with his service to the king. Probably he did better work because his life was hid with God.
In all this there is much of suggestion and warning. We too must have our secret mount of vision. We too must look across the valley for that blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. We too must have the vision of the evenings and mornings. But that is not enough. We must do our business in the world. Not star-gazing, but following the Star; not always standing at the window, but going to and fro in the King’s household, seeing that every one is at his post, and that the Royal household is properly fed; not always on the mount of transfiguration, but hastening whithersoever the uplifted hand of human need beckons us.
At the same time, it will quicken us to do our business better if we have had a vision. Nothing makes so good a workman as thorough comprehension of his master’s purposes. And when Jesus calls us not servants only, but friends, we serve Him with deep appreciation of his thoughts and plans. Our service is more refined, diligent, and intelligent. Get your plan in the mount, and then build.
SO good! Look across the valley for that blessed hope, follow the Star, make sure everyone is at their post, and work with eternal vigilance and pray for the vision!
My next devotional examines Daniel 9:1-2 - Daniel’s prayer begins.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - With everyone that may be part of this final plan, please help me to keep my eyes on the King and not neglect the work of His Kingdom. Amen.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Commentary from Enduring Word by David Guzik is used with written permission.
Precept Austin was accessed on 05/04/2025 to review commentary for Daniel 8:20-27.