Daniel 8:3-14
Summary for Dan 8:3-4: 8:3-4 a Two long horns implies that there were two major nations in this kingdom represented by a ram (see 8:20-21 b).• God allowed the nation to do as it pleased; God was still in control (cp. Isa 45:1-4 c).
Summary for Dan 8:5-12: 8:5-12 d The symbolism is explained in 8:21-25 e.
8:10 f The heavenly army could refer to (1) actual divine beings, since the “small horn” attempted to destroy Israel’s divinely given religion and Israel was protected by God’s watchful eye and his armies; and/or (2) the human defenders of Israel that were fighting for God’s holy people and the Temple. Both the physical and the spiritual realms were affected by these events.
Summary for Dan 8:11-12: 8:11-12 g God is the Commander of heaven’s army (cp. Josh 5:13-15 h; 1 Sam 4:4 i; 1 Kgs 22:19 j) to whom the daily sacrifices were offered in his Temple, where God’s name resided and Israel worshiped its King (Isa 18:7 k; Ezek 43:6-7 l).
• destroying (literally casting down): The religious function of the Temple was disabled.
• God restrained the heavenly army for reasons known only to him.
• The truth of God’s law, embodied in true worship, was also overthrown (literally cast down).
Summary for Dan 8:13-14: 8:13-14 m How long: God’s people were called en masse to endure this period to the end.
• The Temple would then be made right for its proper religious functions, not rebuilt physically (see 8:11-12 n; study note on 8:26).
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