Daniel 8:1-27  A vision appeared unto me

[Study Aired April 18, 2024]

Dan 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. 
Dan 8:2  And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai. 
Dan 8:3  Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 
Dan 8:4  I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great. 
Dan 8:5  And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 
Dan 8:6  And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. 
Dan 8:7  And 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 down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. 
Dan 8:8  Therefore 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. 
Dan 8:9  And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. 
Dan 8:10  And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. 
Dan 8:11  Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
Dan 8:12  And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. 
Dan 8:13  Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 
Dan 8:14  And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. 
Dan 8:15  And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. 
Dan 8:16  And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. 
Dan 8:17  So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.
Dan 8:18  Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright.
Dan 8:19  And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. 
Dan 8:20  The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.
Dan 8:21  And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 
Dan 8:22  Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.
Dan 8:23  And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 
Dan 8:24  And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.
Dan 8:25  And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
Dan 8:26  And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. 
Dan 8:27  And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

In chapter 8 of the book of Daniel we will be given another breakdown of what was discussed in chapter 7 and see the-dream-is-one principle in play once again with these very parallel chapters (Gen 41:25). 

Gen 41:25  And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.

In chapter 7 it is in the first year of the reign of Belshazzar that Daniel had visions in his head upon his bed: and he told Nebuchadnezzar the sum of the matters of this dream. The vision Daniel had represents the day of the Lord, the gospel of Jesus Christ that declares all nations will be saved through judgment which will come upon each man in his own order (1Co 15:23). It is in the first year of Belshazzar’s reign, which represents the day of the Lord, that Daniel is given these powerful dreams of “four great beasts [that] came up from the sea, diverse one from another.”

Then in chapter 8, it is in “the third year of the reign of king Belshazzar” that this next vision comes to Daniel, and as the number reveals, it will be a vision that is centered around the process of judgment [3] that must unfold during the day of the Lord to which Daniel is witnessing, without comprehending the spiritual meaning of these very powerful dreams that caused him to faint and be sick for days (Dan 8:27).

Dan 8:27  And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

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Dan 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. 
Dan 8:2  And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai. 
Dan 8:3  Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 

What appeared to Daniel at first was the first vision of chapter 7, and so this vision of chapter 8 is  adding to the vision from chapter 7 and was written for the elect’s sake upon whom the ends of the ages are come (1Co 10:11). Daniel cannot stand any more than any other man without God’s spirit abiding in him (Rom 8:9), and chapter 8 points to how we can stand spiritually when we are given to trust in the Lord and stop believing that we contribute anything to our salvation (1Co 10:12). With that miracle of having God’s holy spirit within, we can labor to enter into that rest found in Christ, knowing that He will make a way for us to stand as described in 1 Corinthians 10:13.

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1Co 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

The vision that comes to pass finds Daniel “at Shushan^H7800 in the palace, which is in the province of Elam^H5867; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai^H195“, a place that represents Babylon where God is already preparing our hearts to ‘come out of her, my people’ through these visions He sets before us via His word which is a light to our path in this dark world (Psa 119:105, Pro 29:18). 

H7800 shûshan shoo-shan’

The same as H7799 = lily; Shushan, a place in Persia: – Shushan.

Total KJV occurrences: 21

H5867 ‛êylâm    ‛ôlâm ay-lawm’, o-lawm’

Probably from H5956 = to veil, to conceal; hidden, that is, distant; Elam, a son of Shem, and his descendants, with their country; also of six Israelites: – Elam.

Total KJV occurrences: 28

H195 ‘ûlay oo-lah’ee

Of Persian derivation; the Ulai (or Eulaeus), a river of Persia: – Ulai.

[BDB definition = my leaders (mighties)]

Total KJV occurrences: 2

This river Ulai [“my leaders“] does not represent the rivers of living waters God will eventually give to all men, but rather the waters of Babylon that need to be purified with the fiery judgment of God’s word. It is “at Shushan [“lily“] in the palace, which is in the province of Elam [“hidden“ or “veiled“] where we learn in time that there really is no stay of bread or water in Babylon, and so we do immediately lose our first love in this vast wilderness we all must go into at first to later come out of her as God’s people, the Israel of God (Gal 6:16).

It is when God opens our eyes to see the truth, symbolized by this statement, “Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw“, that we then begin to understand the vision of this ram by the river with “the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.” For Daniel, the interpretation will be given in time, but alas never the spiritual inward meaning of what these horns mean, seeing it was not written for his admonition but for the elect’s (1Pe 1:12).

1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

There are two horns, two powers, being spoken of in Babylon with this imagery of a goat by the river. Two horns on the goat represent a witness [2] of Babylon, however the horn that comes up last is the prominent horn of mystery Babylon, the mother of harlots, in this age that has “waxed rich” (Rev 18:3, Rev 17:5). The smaller horn is the small beginnings of the churches of Asia which all forsook Paul in time where the mystery of iniquity was already at work back in that era (2Ti 1:15, 2Th 2:7-8). 

Rev 17:5  And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 

2Ti 1:15  This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 

2Th 2:7  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

That historical, outward, dispensational view is one way of looking at the horns. However, thinking of these horns inwardly, we are reminded of Christ’s words telling us that we must lose our horn, our ‘power’ in this life (Rev 18:4, Mar 10:21) if we are going to learn to trust solely on the Lord for our salvation. Having our hand and foot cut off symbolizes how we overcome the mystery of iniquity (2Th 2:7), which is our own righteousnesses that takes credit for works that are done with our hands and our feet (Mar 9:43-45, Pro 3:5-8, Isa 64:6, Eze 33:13).

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Mar 10:21  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, [lose that horn, God willing] and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Mar 9:43  And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed [lose that horn, God willing], than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Mar 9:44  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Mar 9:45  And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: [lose that horn, God willing]  it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

Dan 8:4  I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

Mystery Babylon has become great, “but he did according to his will, and became great“, as another Jesus in name only (Isa 4:1) coming from the east as the true Christ would. However, this counterfeit Christ does the same (Mat 24:27). He pushes toward the west, the north and south and dominates the world scene with the mark of the beast, which is the number of a manG444 (Rev 13:18), so that mankind cannot buy or sell unless they have this number (Rev 16:2). That number represents our being yet in bondage to the powers and principalities of this world, represented by the goat, whose spirit works within mystery Babylon, and to this day tries to take the kingdom by force, pushing westward, northward and southward as we read in Revelation 13:11-2 and Matthew 11:12. Saying, “neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand“, is just another way of saying “who is able to make war with him?” of Revelation 13:4.

Mat 11:12  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Dan 8:5  And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.

The “he goat” that comes from the west represents the powers and principalities we wrestle against in our heavens that “touched not the ground” (Eph 6:12). It comes from the west in the opposite direction of Christ (Mat 24:27), opposing the truth, and this goat “had a notable horn between his eyes” representing the fourth empire (Dan 7:23), the fourth horn of Daniel 7:20, as well as the feet of miry clay and iron of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue in his dream (Dan 2:43), and the fourth interpretation of Daniel’s dream of the most fierce of all the differing beasts (Dan 7:19) that are revealed to be the same composite beast spoken of in Revelation chapter 13. This he goat, as we saw in chapter 7, has power to overtake the “the whole earth” and will prevail against the elect but not overcome them, because the horn [Christ’s power (Col 1:27, Rom 8:9)] that is in the elect is greater than him who is in the world (1Jn 4:4). This “notable horn” is used by the Lord as a spirit sent to try the patience and faith of the saints in this life, and especially at the end of our age in these marred vessels of clay (2Th 1:4, 1Ti 6:11, Jas 1:3, Rev 13:10, Rev 14:12).

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Dan 8:6  And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. 
Dan 8:7  And 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 down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. 

This goat with the notable horn represents the beast that will make war against the harlot church and burn her with fire of Revelation 17:16-18. The goat “ran unto him in the fury of his power” with the intention of taking away the two horns of the ram that represent the ram’s power. The power of the church is taken away at the end of the age, as the beast rules over the harlot being bitterly enraged against her, “and he was moved with choler.” The stamping that this goat with the notable horn does is the same terminology describing the fourth beast or fourth empire in Daniel 7:23 that is also represented by the statue of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream which was mixed part of iron and part of miry clay (Dan 2:43).

Rev 17:16  And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 
Rev 17:17  For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

Dan 7:23  Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

Dan 2:43  And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.

Dan 8:8  Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken;

The he goat represents the fourth empire that waxes great, and in his strength he breaks the great horn of Babylon the great in one hour (Rev 18:2).

Rev 18:1  And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
Rev 18:2  And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

God’s elect are admonished with these following verses of Revelation 18:3-4 as these outward events of the falling of Babylon unfold.

Rev 18:3  For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 
Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. [her plagues (Rev 17:16-17)]

Dan 8:9  And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
Dan 8:10  And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.

These next two verses start to describe the attack that the beast will have on the churches of Babylon, and tells us it will “cast down of the host and of the stars“, which stars represent the false ministers, or messengers which are angels that will be brought down “to the ground, and stamped upon them” (Mar 13:25), meaning their supposed salty words have been proven to have no lasting savour and are now being trodden under foot by men (Mat 5:13-14).

Mar 13:25  And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.

Mat 5:13  Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Dan 8:11  Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
Dan 8:12  And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.

These end-time events of Daniel 8:11-12 are expressed in Daniel 7:25 as a changing of times, and represents the abomination of desolation being set up in the temple of God, which is the transgression this goat inflicts upon Mystery Babylon (Mar 13:14). The he goat is a healthy complete beast magnifying itself, “he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.” What he does is exalt himself and tear down “the prince of the host” who represents the religious elite at the end of this age. The sanctuary being cast down means that Babylon will no longer have any power or authority as it once had in the earth, and all of these events herald the end of this age and the return of our Lord and Savior (Mat 24:4-51).

Dan 7:25  And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Mat 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mat 24:15  When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
Mat 24:16  Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: [Psa 121:1-2]
Mat 24:17  Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

Dan 8:13  Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 

The “transgression of desolation” typifies the abomination of desolation spoken of in Mark 13:14, and the answer to this question of ‘how long’, is answered for us in Revelation 6:10. It is also found in Daniel 7:25 where we’re told how long the saints must endure in order to be saved at the end of this trying and testing time, where we’re told, “and he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time” (Dan 7:25). The inward application of these events has been true for every Christian since Pentecost, however there is an outward end time event as well that we are looking at.

Mar 13:14  But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: [Psa 121:1-2]

Rev 6:10  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 

Dan 8:14  And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. 

The numbers in God’s word mean what they mean and not what they say, and “until a time and times and the dividing of time” of Daniel 7:25 is the same as the “two thousand three hundred days” of Daniel 8:14. The three and a half years represents the time of Christ’s ministry within the body of Christ that is accomplished by grace through faith, which is represented by the numbers 2300 days. The 2+3 adding to 5 represents grace. The number two (2) is the witness of Christ’s life within us Who makes it possible for us to go through the process of judgment in this life (1Pe 4:17), represented by the number three (3).

Dan 8:15  And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.
Dan 8:16  And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. 

This man’s voice represents the angels or messengers of God that the elect are to each other. It is by the church that the manifest knowledge of God is made known represented by “the appearance of a man” and “a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision” (Heb 10:24-25).

Dan 8:17  So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision.

As was discussed in chapter 7, Daniel is given the physical interpretation of the vision, but not the spiritual inward meaning, which is reserved for those to whom he prophesied, the elect (1Pe 1:12). There is fear associated with not knowing “and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face“, but when God’s spirit enters into the elect, the comforter leads us into all truth (Joh 16:13, Joh 8:31-32). His love is shed abroad in our hearts (Rom 5:5), so that fear is pushed away, and the torment is overcome through Christ (1Jn 4:17-18). The body of Christ prays and helps each other in that regard with our fervent prayers which avail to that end (Jas 5:15-16).

1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 
1Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Jas 5:15  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 
Jas 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Dan 8:18  Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. 
Dan 8:19  And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.

Daniel is like one of the ten virgins being woken from his deep sleep and typifies how we must trim our lamps in order to know what shall be “at the time appointed the end” (Mat 25:7, Eph 4:31).

Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: [trimmed their lamps]
Eph 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you [the fruit of the spirit produced through a trimmed lamp].

Dan 8:20  The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.
Dan 8:21  And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 
Dan 8:22  Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. 
Dan 8:23  And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 
Dan 8:24  And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

In this section of Daniel, we are being given another rundown of the statue of Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 2 of the book of Daniel, starting with “The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia” that represents the Medo-Persian empire. Then “the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king“, which represents the Grecian empire whose power and influence upon the world is described this way: “and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.” The last part of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue is represented by the fourth empire which will be the most dominant of all the empires. “Now that being broken (the third empire broken by the forth), whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power.” This empire that represents the end of the age for mankind has taken on an evil power that exceeds all the other empires, and so it is expressed “but not in his power“, meaning not as the other empires ruled. This represents the time when God will send forth evil spirits that will be given power to dominate all the kingdoms of this world, making it possible for the sins of the Amorites to reach their fullness (Gen 15:16), “when the transgressors are come to the full” (Rev 16:12-14, Rev 16:15).

Gen 15:16  But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. 

Rev 16:12  And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared [this represents Babylon falling]. 
Rev 16:13  And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. [this represents the spiritual powers that are going to come up against mystery Babylon]
Rev 16:14  For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Rev 16:15  Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

Dan 8:25  And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

The policy^H7922 [man’s wisdom (1Co 2:5)] of this evil time fast approaching us is already being implemented as we speak, being enforced, “through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many.“

Policy H7922 seh’-kel, say’-kel

From ^H7919; intelligence; by implication success: – discretion knowledge policy prudence sense understanding wisdom wise.

1Co 2:5  That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 

There are “three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet”  because there is a process of ungodly judgment [3] that must unfold in order to set the stage just prior to the appearing of Christ and the elect. He destroys many by saying ‘peace and safety’, “and by peace shall destroy many“, “then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1Th 5:3).

The “through his policy” is another way of saying what we read of in Daniel 7:25. 

Dan 7:25  And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws [“through his policy” man’s wisdom (1Co 2:5)]: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time [1260 days].

The fruit of this age is also revealed in this verse (Dan 8:25), where we’re told that the craft which represents the powers and lying wonders of the devil will abound at the end of the age (2Ti 3:1, 2Ti 3:13), empowering the stout, ‘I am a god sitting in the temple of God’, the spirit of the man of perdition who is on the throne of mankind’s heart, who says his ways will bring peace, when in reality they will only bring destruction. Even this is the spirit of this age that is the spirit of antiChrist that “shall also stand up against the Prince of princes” against Christ and His Christ (Mat 10:22, 1Jn 2:18, 1Jn 2:2, 1Jn 4:3, 2Jn 1:7-8).

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

1Jn 2:18  Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 

Dan 8:26  And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. 

Daniel is told that this vision is true, and the vision is all about the new creation which is going to be formed through judgment, a vision that is “of the evening and the morning which was told is true“ just as the creation story that typifies the creation of the new creature formed in Christ “which was told is true.” Like Daniel, who typifies the patience and faith of the saints, the elect must wait patiently for it, “for it shall be for many days“; many days that in reality are a mist from God’s perspective as He, Lord willing, matures us in this life so we can possess our souls patiently and endure to the end (Gen 1:5, Gen 1:8, Gen 1:13, Gen 1:19, Gen 1:23, Gen 1:31, Heb 10:37, Luk 21:19).

Gen 1:5  And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. 

Gen 1:8  And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. 

Gen 1:13  And the evening and the morning were the third day.

Gen 1:19  And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. 

Gen 1:23  And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

Gen 1:31  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. 

Heb 10:37  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 

Luk 21:19  In your patience possess ye your souls.

Dan 8:27  And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

Daniel was astonished at the vision and at the interpretation of the words so much so that he fainted and was sick for a period of time. This typifies for God’s elect how the word is sweet in our mouth but bitter in our bellies causing us to faint and be sick as we can’t rise up and run with horses as Elijah was told he must do (1Ki 18:46). In time he did and in time so did Daniel rise up as a type of the elect who “was astonished at the vision, but none understood it“, typifying how God’s elect are astonished at what God has given us eyes to see and ears to hear what none of the prophets of old understood (Mat 13:17).

1Ki 18:46  And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

Dan 8:15-27  Gabriel, Make This Man to Understand the Vision

[Study Aired January 24, 2022]

Dan 8:15  And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. 
Dan 8:16  And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. 
Dan 8:17  So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision. 
Dan 8:18  Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. 
Dan 8:19  And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. 
Dan 8:20  The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. 
Dan 8:21  And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 
Dan 8:22  Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. 
Dan 8:23  And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 
Dan 8:24  And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 
Dan 8:25  And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. 
Dan 8:26  And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. 
Dan 8:27  And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

The first part of Daniel Chapter 8 deals with the vision Daniel had about a ram and a he-goat. The ram represents the Lord’s elect, and the he-goat is the devil who exercises his influence through the beast within us. This beast within was given to overcome us (ram) at a certain stage in our walk with Christ.

Dan 8:10  And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. 
Dan 8:11  Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 

Rev 13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Daniel, representing the elect, was told that this desecration of our body, which is the temple of God, will last for a period of 2,300 days before our temple is cleansed. This period of 2,300 days for the desecration of the temple is mentioned only here in Daniel. We must therefore understand that it is the sum of our Lord’s words that gives us direction, therefore we cannot put so much premium on the number of days indicated here so as to develop a doctrine on it. As we indicated in the previous review, in the sight of the Lord or in the spirit, a day or a thousand years are the same.

2Pe 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

So, whether it is 2300 days or 1150 days as indicated by the fact that the sacrifice is carried out twice in a day, is irrelevant. It is the numbers themselves that are significant. The 2300 days shows us that this period of the domination of the beast within, only stops when Christ comes in to judge us or cleanse our temple as we become witnesses to the fullness of our flesh (our spiritual depravity).

Dan 8:14  And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

Today’s study focuses on the interpretation of the vision of the ram and the he-goat as given to Daniel.

Dan 8:15  And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.
Dan 8:16  And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. 

Gabriel means ‘man of God’. This man who appeared before Daniel in the vision is also Christ, and since Christ is sending us, we are now playing the role of Gabriel. So, Gabriel also stands for the elect who are messengers of the Lord.

Heb 1:1  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
Heb 1:2  Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

The man’s voice between the banks of the river Ulai is the voice of the Lord or the words of the Lord. Between the banks of Ulai is the river Ulai.  Ulai stands for leaders or mighty. The mighty or the leaders are the elect. The Ulai river therefore symbolizes the word of God given to the elect. As we indicated in the previous review, this river is what every joint supplies, which is the word of God. This word of God is what makes us understand what is taking place within the elect. This river is the same as the one proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. The Lamb is Christ, and as Christ has sent us with His words, this river of life is also proceeding from the elect.

Rev 22:1  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

In verse 2, Christ is telling the elect, represented by Gabriel, that our role is to make the body of Christ understand the word of God by every joint supplied. This role is emphasized in the Book of Acts of the Apostles when, in the midst of spreading the gospel in Samaria, the Lord took Philip from there and sent him to the desert to meet the Ethiopian eunuch. Let’s listen to what transpired when Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch:

Act 8:5  And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ.
Act 8:6  And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did. 

Act 8:26  But an angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: the same is desert. 
Act 8:27  And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; 
Act 8:28  and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. 
Act 8:29  And the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 
Act 8:30  And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 
Act 8:31  And he said, How can I, except someone shall guide me? And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him. 
Act 8:32  Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth:
Act 8:33  In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: His generation who shall declare? For his life is taken from the earth. 
Act 8:34  And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other? 
Act 8:35  And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached unto him Jesus. 

Without Philip, who signifies the elect, it was impossible for the Ethiopian eunuch to understand the mysteries concerning the kingdom of heaven. The Ethiopian eunuch himself admitted that he could not understand the word of the Lord unless somebody explains to him. We must humble ourselves to receive from our brothers and sisters the word of truth which is able to give us an inheritance. Paul’s blindness when the Lord appeared to him is to remind us of our spiritual poverty where we could not understand the words of Christ. The Lord specifically called Ananias, just as the Lord commanded Gabriel, to open Paul’s eyes to see the mysteries of the kingdom. Today, our Lord is calling us from the river of the mighty (the word of the Lord) to perform the same role as Gabriel, Philip and Ananias!!

Act 9:8  And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 
Act 9:9  And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 
Act 9:10  And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 
Act 9:11  And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 
Act 9:12  And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 
Act 9:13  Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 
Act 9:14  And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 
Act 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 
Act 9:16  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

Dan 8:17  So he came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision. 

The fact that Daniel fell on his face is to assure us that this man Gabriel is Christ. The same reaction happened to John in Patmos during the revelation of Christ to Him.

Rev 1:17  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

As indicated earlier, as Christ has sent us, we represent Gabriel. However, we, the Lord’s messengers, are admonished never to accept any worship from those to whom we minister. Only Christ who deserves our worship.

Rev 22:8  And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
Rev 22:9  Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. 

Rev 19:10  And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. 

The angel saying that the vision is meant for the end of time is to let us know that Daniel, just like the prophets of the Old Testament, was not meant to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven in his time.

Mat 13:17  For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

We, the elect, are at the time of the end, and therefore, we are made to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 

Dan 8:18  Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. 

While the angel was talking to Daniel, he was in a deep sleep until the angel touched him and set him upright. The deep sleep here refers to the fact that we were spiritually dead when Christ came to us with His word which woke us up to the reality of our spiritual poverty.  We were just like Lazarus, who was dead for four days. The four days signify the whole period of his life before Christ came to him. When Christ came to him with the brightness of His coming, Lazarus was set free from the shackles of grave clothes and the napkin that bound his face.

Joh 11:38  Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
Joh 11:39  Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 
Joh 11:40  Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 
Joh 11:41  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 
Joh 11:42  And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 
Joh 11:43  And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 
Joh 11:44  And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. 

The grave clothes represent our self-righteousness which binds us from being able to walk in righteousness before Christ. The napkin which covered Lazarus’ face signifies our false doctrines which prevent us from seeing Christ through the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

Dan 8:19  And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. 

A simplified rendition of this verse is given as follows:

Dan 8:19  and said: Listen, and I will tell you what will happen at the end of time, when God has chosen to show his anger. (CEV)

The Lord’s coming to us with the brightness of His coming is to bring us to recognize our sinful state – that is, to realize the beast within us. As we accept our spiritual depravity, we come to understand, through the word of the Lord, that we must experience His indignation or wrath upon our old man (beast) within to destroy it.

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

The period when we experience the wrath of the Lord upon our old man within is the time of the end of our world.

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Eze 21:31  And I will pour out mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath, and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, and skilful to destroy.

Isa 30:30  And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall shew the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.

Isa 34:2  For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.

Dan 8:20  The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia. 
Dan 8:21  And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 
Dan 8:22  Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. 

As stated in the previous reviews of Daniel, the prophets of the Old Testament, including Daniel, were not given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. This is only given to the Lord’s elect. This means that the interpretation of Daniel’s vision given to him by the angel pertains to the “was” part of the “is, was and will be” of the scriptures. That is, Daniel was given to know the outward interpretation of the vision as it relates to his time. We, however, focus on the “is” part of the word of the Lord while also paying attention to the “was and will be” aspect of the word of the Lord.

Rev 1:8  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

God gave Daniel a foresight of the destruction of other kingdoms, which in their day was as powerful as that of Babylon. The ram with two horns was the second empire of Media and Persia which succeeded Babylon. In the vision, Daniel saw this ram overcome by a he-goat. This he-goat was Alexander the Great from Greece who conquered the empire of Media and Persia. Later, after Alexander’s death, his four generals, who are signified by the four which stood up for it after the horn was broken, divided up his conquests.

The Lord revealed all these to Daniel so that Daniel would understand that the Lord reigns in the affairs of men and that it is he who sets up kingdoms of this world and gives to whosoever He wills.

Dan 4:17  This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

However, we, His elect, are blessed to understand the spiritual reality of the words of our Lord. As we discussed in the first part of Daniel chapter 8, the vision of Daniel applies specifically to us as follows:

The Lord’s elect represents the ram by the riverside carrying the two horns. Ram’s horns were used as trumpets in the olden days, and the trumpet stands for the voice of the Lord.

Jos 6:4  And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
Jos 6:5  And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him. 

Rev 1:10  I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 

What this means is that we start our walk with Christ based on the law, and when the law has finished its work by bringing us to know that we are the worst sinners, we are then given to understand the spirit of the word.  At the start of this chapter, we are told that this vision of Daniel is a witness to the first one which means that the dream is one!! This he-goat is therefore the same as the beast in chapter 7 although it has a different description.

The great horn being broken in verse 22 and being replaced by four notable horns is the same as the beast receiving a mortal wound and later getting healed. This mortal wound in Revelation 13:3 is the same as the destruction of the great horn.  This wound being healed is the same as the appearance of four notable ones in place of the broken great horn. The four horns mean the whole of the strength of the beast.

Rev 13:3  And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Rev 13:4  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

In verse 8, we are given additional information that the four notable horns that appeared are toward the four winds of heaven.  This means that the Lord uses the whole of the strength (horns) of the beast or the evil one as part of His spiritual resources to effectuate His purpose of making His elect holy and blameless before Him in this life. He also uses His spiritual resources to rule in the affairs of this world. For example, the Lord used the four winds to scatter His enemies and also to give life to the whole of mankind.

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

Jer 49:36  And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.

Eze 37:9  Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
Eze 37:10  So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

Dan 8:23  And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. 
Dan 8:24  And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. 

This king of fierce countenance is this little horn in verse 9 of Daniel chapter 8 which waxed great and cast down some of the host and the stars to the ground and stamped on them.

Dan 8:9  And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
Dan 8:10  And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. 

Rev 17:12  And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.  

This little horn is the same as the beast within since both play the same role of overcoming the saints, which is stated in verse 24 as destroying the mighty and the holy people.

Dan 7:21  I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Rev 11:7  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them (the Lord’s two witnesses), and shall overcome them, and kill them. 

In verse 24, it is stated that the beast’s power shall be mighty but not of his own. The beast within us poses a formidable opposition to the things of Christ and receives its power from the devil.

Rev 13:4  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 

Again in verse 24, the beast is described as being able to destroy wonderfully and shall prosper and practice. This means that the beast shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does. Earlier in verse 11 of Daniel chapter 8, we are given insight into the destructive nature of this beast within.

Dan 8:11  Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 

He takes away our daily sacrifice and casts down the place of our Lord’s sanctuary within us. As we indicated in the previous review, the altar is where our sacrifices are offered to the Lord. Within us, this altar is our heart and mind with our body as the sacrifice. This is because with our hearts we offer a sacrifice of praise to the Lord, and with our bodies we present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord. The place of our Lord’s sanctuary is our body. The casting down of the place of sanctuary relates to us not being able to offer our bodies as a dwelling place for God.

Psa 9:1  To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David. I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Succeeding in all that the beast does is to make us aware that everything the beast does is all part of the plan of the Lord. Nothing that the Lord has not planned will prosper.

Isa 14:24  The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:  

Dan 8:25  And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. 

A simpler version of this verse is as follows:

Dan 8:25  By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken—but by no human hand.

The cunning nature of the evil one is his ability to transform as an angel of light. Through this cunning means, the devil represented by the beast, has been able to deceive the whole world including the Lord’s elect at some point in our walk with the Lord.

2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 

Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 
2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 

By peace shall the evil one destroy many means that it is by our false sense of security that we are destroyed by the devil.  This false sense of security includes thinking that we are spiritually rich when we are miserable, poor, blind and naked.

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:
Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.

The false sense of security also includes the works of our hands and the riches of this world. These very things which we treasure as our security is what is used by the devil to destroy us. Our only security is being in Christ!!

Ecc 2:11  Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

The statement in verse 25 that the beast shall be broken without hands is to let us know that the defeat of the beast is the work of the Lord, not man. We do not contribute in any way to the destruction of the beast within. What destroys the beast is the spirit which is the word of the Lord as revealed to Zerubbabel as follows:

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 
Zec 4:7  Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 

Dan 8:26  And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days.
Dan 8:27  And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king’s business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

The fact that Daniel was instructed to shut up the vision as the reality of the vision is a long way off is to make us aware that Daniel, together with all the Old Testament prophets, was not meant to understand all that he and they saw through visions and spoke about.

In verse 27, it was stated that Daniel fainted and ‘was sick certain days’. According to Strong’s dictionary, ‘fainted’ in verse 27 means to continue or to exist. The word ‘sick’ can also mean to grieve. This suggests that Daniel continued to grieve over the fact that he did not understand the vision during his lifetime. However, Daniel, like the other prophets, was assured that the visions and the words of the Lord were not meant for himself but to us they did minister. We have a more sure word of prophecy which is like a light shining in a dark place until the day dawns and our Lord Jesus Christ establishes His kingdom within us.

1Pe 1:10  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 
1Pe 1:11  Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 
1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 

May the Lord grant us the grace to receive with meekness the engrafted word which is able to ensure our salvation.

Jas 1:21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

Amen!!

Dan 8:1-14  The Vision of the Ram and the He-Goat

[Study Aired January 10, 2022]

Dan 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. 
Dan 8:2  And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai. 
Dan 8:3  Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 
Dan 8:4  I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great. 
Dan 8:5  And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 
Dan 8:6  And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. 
Dan 8:7  And 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 down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. 
Dan 8:8  Therefore 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. 
Dan 8:9  And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. 
Dan 8:10  And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. 
Dan 8:11  Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 
Dan 8:12  And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. 
Dan 8:13  Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 
Dan 8:14  And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. 

This chapter is about the second vision Daniel had relating to a ram and a he-goat. In several dimensions, this vision is similar to the first vision Daniel had in Daniel chapter 7. As we have already indicated in all our reviews of Daniel, there is a spiritual interpretation of the word of God which is applicable now, and there is the outward manifestation of the word in the future. Our focus is how the word of God applies to us now, that is, its spiritual interpretation. This is because it is the spirit that gives life. The flesh or the letter of the word profits nothing. We will, therefore, focus more on the spiritual reality of this vision.

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

2Co 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 

Dan 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.

The mention of the third-year reign of king Belshazzar in verse 1 means that it is by the process of our spiritual completion through judgment that we are given visions and their understanding. This process of understanding visions or the mysteries of the kingdom through judgment continues until the days of the sounding of the voice of the seventh angel. The sounding of the voice of the seventh angel signifies the completion of our understanding of the mystery of God as our Lord has declared to His servants, the prophets. The days of the voice of the seventh angel are the last seven plagues of God’s judgment or wrath upon our sins.

Rev 10:7  But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

It is during the days of the voice of the seventh angel, or God’s judgment or wrath upon our sins, that we hear plainly the voice of our Lord.

Joh 16:25  These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
Joh 16:26  At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 
Joh 16:27  For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. 
Joh 16:28  I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. 
Joh 16:29  His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.

Daniel, being a symbol of the Old Testament prophets, was not given understanding of the mysteries of the kingdom of God. These Old Testament men of God are, therefore, given visions and dreams. However, like Moses, we are given to know the mind of Christ or His mysteries. The reason our Lord talked plainly with Moses was that he was the only Old Testament prophet who was given the task of bringing his people out of bondage of sin (Egypt) to know Christ in the wilderness. As His elect, we are also given the same role as Moses – that is, the world should be saved through His Christ.

Joh 3:17  For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.

Performing such an audacious role requires knowing Christ intimately, that is, being given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God.

Num 12:5  And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
Num 12:6  And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. 
Num 12:7  My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. 
Num 12:8  With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

In verse 1, the statement that this vision given to Daniel is after the first vision given to him in chapter 7, tells us that this vision of Daniel is a second witness to the single truth revealed in the first vision. Although the details are different regarding these two visions, the meaning is the same and it shows that the time is imminent.

Gen 41:25  And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. 
Gen 41:26  The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.

2Co 13:1  This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Dan 8:2  And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai. 

It is significant to know that the vision Daniel saw took place at Shushan in the palace. Shushan means lily, and it represents the elect as shown in Hosea 14:5. The palace here represents the temple, or the bodies of the elect, where Christ sits in the throne of our hearts. So, it is within the elect that all the details of this vision are taking place. Shushan is in the province of Elam, and Elam means eternity. This is to let us know that this vision is taking place in the elect of every generation.

Hos 14:5  I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

1Co 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 

Ulai stands for leaders or mighty. The mighty or the leaders are the elect. The Ulai river therefore symbolizes the word of God given to the elect. This river is what every joint supplies, which is the word of God. This word of God is what makes us understand what is taking place within the elect. This river is the same as the one proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. The Lamb is Christ, and as Christ has sent us with His words, this river of life is also proceeding from the elect.

Rev 22:1  And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Eph 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 

Dan 8:3  Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. 

A ram in the scriptures symbolizes Christ as the lamb who sacrificed His life for our sake.

Gen 22:7  And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? 
Gen 22:8  And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. 

Gen 22:13  And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

Lev 5:14  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Lev 5:15  If a soul commit a trespass, and sin through ignorance, in the holy things of the LORD; then he shall bring for his trespass unto the LORD a ram without blemish out of the flocks, with thy estimation by shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for a trespass offering: ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. 

As Christ is, so are we. We are therefore this ram with two horns. In the scriptures, the horns of ram are used as trumpets.

Jos 6:4  And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
Jos 6:5  And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him. 

In Revelation 1:10 the voice of the Lord is likened to that of a trumpet. So, we can say that the two horns represent the two voices of the Lord, that is, the law of the letter and the spirit of the word.

Rev 1:10  I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

The first horn speaks of the letter of the word of God or the law which kills. The second horn, which came later and is higher than the first horn, is the speaking of the word of God in the spirit. As we are aware, it is the spirit that gives life. The flesh or the letter of the word profits nothing. We also know that the flesh or the letter always comes before the spirit as the latter horn came after the first horn. The Lord’s elect represents the ram by the riverside carrying these two horns. We start our walk with Christ based on the law, and when the law has finished its walk by bringing us to know that we are the worst sinners, then we are given to understand the spirit of the word.

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

1Co 15:46  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 
1Co 15:47  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 
1Co 15:48  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 
1Co 15:49  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.  

Dan 8:4  I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

As we know, a king is not separate from his kingdom. The coming of Christ is the coming of the kingdom of God. This kingdom is now within the elect where the detail of this vision is taking place.

Mar 1:14  Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
Mar 1:15  And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.  

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: 
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. 

The ram pushing westward and northward and southward tells us about the expansion of the kingdom of God within us after leaving the world or Egypt. However, the expansion comes at the back of false doctrines within our heavens which black out the knowledge of Christ. A rendition of verse 4 here in Daniel chapter 8 in the New Testament is the mustard seed which grew to become a great tree such that fowls of the air lodged in its branches.

Luk 13:19  It [the kingdom of God] is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.

The statement that no beasts might stand before him and neither were there any that could deliver out of his hand lets us know that this is all part of the Lord’s plan who has made us to submit to these false doctrines within our heavens.

Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Rom 13:2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 

The statement that he did according to his will is the same as having the name of Christ but eating our own food and wearing our own garment. This confirms that the expansion of the ram westward, northward and southward is in the negative context.

Isa 4:1  And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.

We come to trust in our own self-righteousness which is iniquity before the Lord. This means we are using our own effort to build the kingdom of God within. The statement that the ram became great is to let us know that we become proud as we glory in our own self-righteousness.

Eze 33:13  When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. 

Dan 8:5  And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. 

This male goat came from the west which signifies coming out of the great sea of flesh of humanity as the west signifies the great sea in Ezekiel 47:20. The beast from Revelation 13:1 also came from the sea. At the start of this chapter, we are told that this vision of Daniel is a witness to the first one which means that the dream is one!! This he-goat is therefore the same as the beast although it has a different description.

Eze 47:20  The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the west side.

Rev 13:1  And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 

Touching not the ground means that this beast operates in the air. We can therefore say that this beast is the same as the prince of the power of the air. Operating in the air means that this beast operates in the spiritual realm.

Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Understanding that the dream is one means that the notable horn between the eyes of the he-goat and the ten horns of the fourth beast in Daniel chapter 7 are all the same. The ten horns’ function is to the perfection of the flesh or to make us worse off in our sins. The same is achieved by the one horn between the eyes of the beast.

Dan 7:7  After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. 

Dan 8:6  And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.

As we have indicated in verse 4, the ram doing his own will means that we come to trust in our own self righteousness or effort to build the kingdom of God within. This is iniquity before the Lord, and if we are destined to become His elect, then it is a matter of time for the Lord to send the adversary to overcome us, making us worse off.  Making us worse off is all part of the Lord’s ways of bringing us to come to know that we are the greatest sinners. Coming to this conclusion of being a great sinner is the beginning of our deliverance from sin. What the he-goat was going to do to the ram is the same as what our Lord said he will do His vineyard:

Isa 5:1  Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:
Isa 5:2  And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes. 
Isa 5:3  And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem, and men of Judah, judge, I pray you, betwixt me and my vineyard. 
Isa 5:4  What could have been done more to my vineyard, that I have not done in it? wherefore, when I looked that it should bring forth grapes, brought it forth wild grapes? 
Isa 5:5  And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden down: 
Isa 5:6  And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it. 
Isa 5:7  For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.

The emphasis of the ram standing by the river is to let us know that this whole struggle within is about the word of God. The adversary’s fury of his power is in the pollution of our heavens with false doctrines making it impossible to know Christ in our situation.

2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Dan 8:7  And 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 down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. 

The statement that the he-goat came close to the ram and was enraged against him and struck the ram reminds us of the devil’s wrath as he comes to us at the time we are dwelling on earth and the sea and not in the heavens.

Rev 12:12  Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!”

Part of the description here of the work of the evil one in verse 7 is the same as the description of the fourth beast who is the devil in Daniel chapter 7:7.

Dan 7:7  After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.

The he-goat casting the ram to the ground and stamping upon him is to let us know that we are overcome by the evil one through the beast within. We therefore submit to the dictates of the evil one and therefore become his children.

Joh 8:44  You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

The essence of this vicious attack by the evil one against us is to destroy our strength or effort in serving the Lord as signified by the destruction of the two horns of the ram. As indicated in verse 7, the destruction of the two horns leaves the ram powerless. At that time of our walk, we were virtually sold out to the evil one, and no one could deliver us out of his hands. However, this is all part of the process of making us sons just like the prodigal son!!

Rev 13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

During this dark period of our lives, our cry to the Lord is as follows:

Psa 71:9  Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.
Psa 71:10  For my enemies speak concerning me; those who watch for my life consult together 
Psa 71:11  and say, “God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is none to deliver him.” 
Psa 71:12  O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!

Dan 8:8  Therefore 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. 

What is being said here is the same as the beast receiving a mortal wound and later getting healed. This mortal wound in Revelation 13:3 is the same as destruction of the great horn.  This wound being healed is the same as the appearance of four notable ones in place of the broken great horn. The four horns mean the whole of the strength of the beast.

Rev 13:3  And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
Rev 13:4  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Here in verse 8, we are given additional information that the four notable horns that appeared are toward the four winds of heaven.  This means that the Lord uses the whole of the strength (horns) of the beast or the evil one as part of His spiritual resources to effectuate His purpose. For example, the Lord used the four winds to scatter His enemies and also to give life to the whole of mankind.

Rev 17:15  And he saith unto me, The waters [the sea] which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

Jer 49:36  And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.

Eze 37:9  Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
Eze 37:10  So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

Dan 8:9  And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

As we have indicated, the vision here in Daniel chapter 8 is similar to that of Daniel chapter 7 based on the principle that the dream is one. Although the details are different regarding these two visions, the meanings are the same.

Gen 41:25  And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. 
Gen 41:26  The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. 

In the previous review of chapter 7, we said this little horn is the same as the beast based on the functions it performs. Here in verse 9, we are shown that the little horn became great and spread toward the south, east and the west which was the pleasant land. The little horn waxing great refers to its formidable opposition to the things of God within us. This beast’s formidable opposition is like a mountain within us, and it is only the Lord who can deal with it. The work of this beast is to make us realize that it is not by might nor by power but by the spirit of the Lord which is the word of God.

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 
Zec 4:7  Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.

The spreading of this horn towards the west and south is to let us know of the beast’s dominion over the people of the world signified by the west and the physical churches of this world (Babylon) denoted by the south.

Jos 5:1  And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, which were on the side of Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, which were by the sea, heard that the LORD had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.

Jos 17:10  Southward it was Ephraim’s, and northward it was Manasseh’s, and the sea is his border; and they met together in Asher on the north, and in Issachar on the east.

This little horn or the beast also had dominion of the east which represents the Lord’s elect.

Num 3:38  But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 

The little horn or the beast’s victory over the Lord’s elect is demonstrated in the next verse as follows:

Dan 8:10  And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. 

Casting down some of the host and the stars to the ground and stamping upon them is the same as being given power to overcome the Lord’s elect or saints.

Dan 7:21  I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Rev 11:7  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Dan 8:11  Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. 

Verse 11 continues to spell out what happens to us when we are dominated by the beast within. We end up putting more confidence in the works of our hands, which is our self-righteousness, and become boastful before the prince of the host who is Christ our Lord.

Psa 94:4  How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?

Isa 10:15  Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.

Verse 11 gives us more insight into our woeful state when we are dominated by the beast within. He takes away our daily sacrifice and casts down the place of our Lord’s sanctuary within us. The altar is where our sacrifices are offered to the Lord. Within us, this altar is our heart and mind with our body as the sacrifice. This is because with our hearts, we offer a sacrifice of praise to the Lord and with our bodies we present ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord.

Psa 9:1  To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David. I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

The taking away of the daily sacrifice therefore signifies our inability to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, as our hearts and mind are dominated by the beast or the evil one through false doctrines. As long as we are carried about by diverse and strange doctrines, we do not have access to the altar of our hearts to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice.

Heb 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. 
Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

The place of our Lord’s sanctuary is our body. The casting down of the place of sanctuary relates to not being able to offer our bodies as a dwelling place for God. This is because, through the influence of the beast, we have conformed ourselves to the standards of this world. In addition, our minds are not renewed to prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

1Co 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 
1Co 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Dan 8:12  And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. 

This verse affirms the reasons why the daily sacrifice is taken away. The reasons given are transgression and the casting down of the truth to the ground. In the next verse, this transgression is described as the transgression of desolation. The transgression of desolation is when the beast within us occupies the throne of our hearts and mind and sets himself forth as God.

2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

In verse 12, this transgression involves the casting down of the truth to the ground. Upholding false doctrines in our heavens which is also called the stumbling block of iniquity results in the casting to the ground the truth of the word which is the same as resisting the truth of the word of God.

Eze 14:3  Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?

Dan 8:13  Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? 
Dan 8:14  And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. 

The question posed here concerns the period of time that the daily sacrifice will cease, together with the transgression of desolation and the treading underfoot by the beast. This question is basically talking about the time it takes for us to be under the dominion of the beast. The answer given was two thousand and three hundred (2300) in verse 14. This number (2300 = 23x10x10) signifies the period of time that the beast reigns supreme in our lives with our judgment about to commence.

2Ki 23:31  Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

1Co 10:8  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 

In Exodus 9:38-42, the burnt offering was offered morning and evening on a daily basis, which suggests that the number 2300 refers to the number of times that the daily sacrifice was not offered. In that case, the number (2300) could mean 1150 days. This type of numbering days is seen in Genesis 1 where an evening and morning constitute a day.

Exo 29:38  Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually. 
Exo 29:39  The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even: 

Gen 1:8  And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. 

However, in the sight of the Lord or in the spirit, a day or a thousand years are the same.

2Pe 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 

So, whether it is 1150 days or 2300 days is irrelevant. It is the numbers themselves that are significant. We know that 2300 = 1150 x 2. So, what we are being told is that the period of the taking away of daily sacrifice within every individual is established since by two or three witnesses a thing is established. These 1150 days fall short of the one thousand, two hundred and sixty days (1260) in which the beast will be given the power over us which is the same as the cessation of the daily sacrifice. It is also the same as when we, the Lord’s elect, are trodden upon by the gentiles.

Rev 13:5  And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Rev 11:2  But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. 
Rev 11:3  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

These 1150 days are short of the thousand two hundred and threescore days (1,260 days) by 110 days which is equal to 11×10 days. The number eleven signifies the ruin and disintegration of the perfection of the flesh which is the same as what 110 signifies. Thus, the difference between 1,150 days or the 2300 days and the 1,260 days has to do with the fact that the cleansing of the sanctuary was not part of the 1,150 days while the 1,260 days includes the process for the destruction of the beast.  This is affirmed by verse 14 of Daniel chapter 8 which says that it was after the 2300 days that the cleansing of the sanctuary took place.

Dan 8:14  And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.

Awesome Hands – part 119

“Bearing His reproach”

August 18, 2017

Oftentimes I find myself sitting quietly or driving to work and pondering just what the heck my purpose is for the Lord at any given time. What I almost always conclude is that the Lord will reveals this to me within the context of the day to day living that I find myself in.

When we look at various stories found throughout scripture, we see that most are normal everyday situations which have been caused for the Lord to present Himself in.

In other words, there is nothing for us to do but wait on the Lord to present an opportunity to manifest Himself, from within us, to the “outside” world we live in.

Our study today finds us in the “outside” world, but spiritually this is also a location know as being “without the camp” or “into the wilderness”.

Where does the Lord place our hands?

The verse for our consideration today is Leviticus 16:21, but we will cover several other verses to give us some context on this verse.

Leviticus 16:21  And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness

For the most part, this verse explains itself, but we must first read what precedes it in order to know why we find Aaron about to send away a goat into the wilderness and why he “confesses iniquities of the children of Israel” over said goat.

Leviticus 16:20  And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:
Leviticus 16:21  And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:
Leviticus 16:22  And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

The goal of this study is to help us bring into focus how the Lord works His hands into our lives, and who the “our” or “us” is that I refer to.

Indeed, if we do not recognize who the “they” and “us” are, then we cannot possibly know who the “us” are that need to go outside the camp with Jesus Christ.

So, let’s identify this “goat” in our verse for today.

Leviticus 16:5  And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
Leviticus 16:6  And Aaron shall offer his bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make an atonement for himself, and for his house.
Leviticus 16:7  And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Leviticus 16:8  And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
Leviticus 16:9  And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.
Leviticus 16:10  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

While this all can seem like a lot of information, the Lord has sent me to break it down to help us all understand a little better who we are in the Lord.

I know these goats are probably familiar to a lot of us, but review is never a bad thing. For those who this may be new to, welcome to the wilderness!

It may seem counter intuitive to think that we are the scapegoat, but we indeed are the scapegoat with Christ. After all, we want to be that goat that is the Lord’s, correct? However, that goat is presented before the Lord DEAD and the scapegoat is presented alive. Interesting indeed.

So, why do I claim we are the scapegoat with Jesus Christ?

Hebrews 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Hebrews 13:11  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
Hebrews 13:12  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Hebrews 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

It appears there is an “us” and “them”.

Romans 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
2 Corinthians 2:17  For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
1 John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 4:6  We are OF GOD: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

How then do we compare to the scapegoat and the sacrificed goat?

The old man in us is the goat that is presented dead to the Lord. This is the goat which must be killed in order for the scapegoat to go free.

The scapegoat is presented to the Lord alive, but only because “the hand of a fit man” sends that goat into the wilderness.

“Let us go to him without the camp, bearing His reproach” is telling us that we are taking on His shame and disgrace in order to be with Him.

(CEV)  That’s why we should go outside the camp to Jesus and share in his disgrace.
(GNB)  Let us, then, go to him outside the camp and share his shame
(ISV)  Therefore go to him outside the camp and endure the insults he endured.

I am not sure about you all, but I certainly feel His shame and disgrace and share in the insults He endured when I dare to keep His commandments and do what He commands me to do.

In fact, my son has a birthday party right now where most people despise me, and worse, because I will not celebrate this with them. However, because I witness to the Truth, my daughter doesn’t celebrate her birthday any longer. She does get immense pressure for this because most don’t consider her “old enough” to make such a decision. So, it is chalked up to me brainwashing her.

It’s none-sense of course (brainwashing), but people must rationalize their lack of obedience for what God says to do versus what He causes to happen when these things occur.

The Son is darkened

It’s interesting to note what is happening in the US currently. There is a solar eclipse coming up and it is all the rage now. There is practically nowhere which has solar glasses left to sell to view the eclipse. I work for an eye glass company and we steadily get calls asking if we sale them.

For the most part, there is nothing inherently wrong with viewing the eclipse. In fact, it is a neat physical event that reflects a spiritual Truth that happens day in and day out of our human lives, but the physical viewing of this eclipse has nothing particularly wrong with it. Here is the spiritual type and shadow of the sun being darkened. After all, we know who the Sun of Righteousness is.

Romans 11:10  Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

Ephesians 4:17  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Ephesians 4:18  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Ephesians 4:19  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Ephesians 4:20  But ye have not so learned Christ;

Revelation 8:12  And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

Luke 23:44  And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
Luke 23:45  And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Luke 23:46  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

Matthew 24:29  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Matthew 24:30  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Joel 3:15  The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.

All of these verses examples should give us pause to think about the spiritual type and shadow of what happens to those that “see” and those that have their hearts and minds blinded.

Again, this is most definitely an “us” and “them” situation as it pertains to being children of God.

Look at what Joseph was told about his own family!

Genesis 37:3  Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.
Genesis 37:4  And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.
Genesis 37:5  And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
Genesis 37:6  And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:
Genesis 37:7  For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.
Genesis 37:8  And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.
Genesis 37:9  And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
Genesis 37:10  And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?
Genesis 37:11  And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

Israel observed the saying his son Joseph spoke to them all. There is a witness being told in this story and it is two-part. The first dream has sheaves, which are OF THE EARTH, giving obeisance to Joseph. The second dream has the “sun, moon and stars” giving obeisance to Joseph of which things are “in the heavens”.

In other words, the dream the Lord gave to Joseph tells us that both the old man and new man are completely caused to do what they do and controlled by the Lord.

Connecting this story to the goats in Leviticus 16, it is the goat that is sent “in the wilderness” or “outside the camp” which is LIVING. This is the “us” goat.

Why is this the “us” goat? This is the goat which is separated, by the will of God the Father, to go out from the camp of Israel, in order to be with Jesus Christ.

For most of the time, being sent outside the camp has a negative connotation.

Exodus 29:14  But the flesh of the bullock, and his skin, and his dung, shalt thou burn with fire without the camp: it is a sin offering.

Leviticus 24:14  Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him.

Numbers 5:2  Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is defiled by the dead:
Numbers 5:3  Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell.
Numbers 5:4  And the children of Israel did so, and put them out without the camp: as the LORD spake unto Moses, so did the children of Israel.

Numbers 31:19  And do ye abide without the camp seven days: whosoever hath killed any person, and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify both yourselves and your captives on the third day, and on the seventh day.

Ahh, there is our “end-game”. Purification happens “without” the camp.

Hebrews 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
Hebrews 13:14  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Hebrews 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
Hebrews 13:16  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

God is well pleased with the sacrifice that LIVES, yet doesn’t. We should continuously be giving God the praises and thanks of our lips for being caused to go out FROM THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE ISRAEL.

Yes, indeed I use to be apart of this same group, but praise be to God that I no longer am!

Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 5:24  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Galatians 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Romans 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Romans 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Before I am accused of doing this miraculous work myself or taking credit for any part of it, let me emphatically state:

John 6:43  Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.
John 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

What then does all of this mean for the “us” who are apart of the “us” group and also for the “them” group.

The first thing is to be thankful and praise the Lord for being caused to be in a life that the Lord can now use as a life and vessel of honor.

Romans 9:20  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Romans 9:21  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

1 Thessalonians 4:4  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

1 Peter 3:4  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
1 Peter 3:5  For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
1 Peter 3:6  Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
1 Peter 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

Secondly, we must not be found guilty of BLMAING others for being “he is not a Jew….” when it comes to being a child of God or not.

Who is the camp of Israel as it pertains to this type and shadow? Also, who is sent out from this camp?

The camp are those that call the Lord, Lord but do not do the things He tells them to do.

Luke 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Luke 6:47  Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

Those which are called to go without the camp are those who are to join Jesus Christ by “bearing his reproach”, bearing His shame, and enduring the very hard trials that come to those who are looked down on for being “not a part of the group”.

1 Peter 4:3  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
1 Peter 4:4  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
1 Peter 4:5  Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
1 Peter 4:6  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

See the “dead in the flesh” are those DEAD and SACRIFICED GOATS who are slain so that we can be shown mercy. However, that does NOT mean we do not need to continue to PREACH the GOSPEL to them.

Preaching the gospel to these dead folks is what will bring LIFE to them LATER! AMEN!

Romans 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Romans 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Romans 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

That is what our walk and lives are all about in one way or another. We are here now to show to the “outside world” the hope, life, love and LIGHT that is on our inside.

How we interact AND REACT to what the Lord causes in our lives is the reflection of if we are doers of the word or ONLY HEARERS.

As a result, I leave you all with one more arrow to put in your quiver in how we are to LIVE day by day by dying daily.

1 Peter 4:6  For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
1 Peter 4:7  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
1 Peter 4:8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:9  Use hospitality one to another without grudging.
1 Peter 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 Peter 4:11  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Audio Links

Awesome Hands – part 93

“The Splendor of the Tabernacle”

December 2, 2015

In our previous studies covering the tabernacle, we have discussed the various items contained within the tabernacle. In our next group of studies, we are going to cover the various linens and materials used to make the covering, frame and structure of the tabernacle.

As was previously covered, here is the offering the Lord expects from His people:

Exo 25:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Exo 25:2  Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.
Exo 25:3  And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass,
Exo 25:4  And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair,
Exo 25:5  And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood,

The study today is going to cover the layers overlaying/covering the tabernacle.

We are covered

Anytime we talk about a covering, we know there is some linkage to Jesus Christ since He is our covering in various ways. Some of the attributes of the covering of the tabernacle will directly connect us with our savior in a most wonderfully planned way.

Psa 91:1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psa 91:3  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Psa 91:4  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Psa 51:2  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Exo 12:22  And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
Exo 12:23  For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

Dan 7:9  I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

Rev 19:13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Rev 19:14  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Rev 15:6  And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Why have I taken the time to read these various verses in the context of curtains, linens and covering we are covering in Exodus 26?

As we have all come to learn, scripture uses many examples of various items to describe our relationship with the Lord. As we read about the various items found in chapter 26, let us see if they correlate to the covering of the tabernacle and the covering of Jesus Christ over us, His people, the temple of the living God.

Fine Twined Linen

Exo 26:1  Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.
Exo 26:2  The length of one curtain shall be eight and twenty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and every one of the curtains shall have one measure.

So the first layer of the tabernacle is going to be made of fine twined linen. These 10 twined linen curtains are going to have all of the colors of blue, purple and scarlet but also have cherubims embroidered into them. They will also all be the same size.

When we see the number of the 10 being mentioned, then we know there is going to be a connection to the flesh and the old man. If you’ve studied the series Mike has done on the colors in scripture, then you’ll remember that blue, purple and scarlet show the progression of our walk with God.

We all start off with red, purple is a mixture of blue and red, and then we finally progress to the heavenly blue. There is much more to those colors, but I would welcome every to re-visit those studies or read up on them if you haven’t already so that I do not need to re-create those studies within my own series.

The point I want to make is that these colors are all spiritual types and shadows of the war happening to us while we are living. We have a war of the flesh and spiritual happening daily, and as this war rages on, we have a progression happening from fleshly carnally minded “red” to heavenly minded “blue”. If there is any doubt that the Lord is showing us this connection, remember that Cherubim are no merely overlaid onto these curtains later, they are embroidered INTO the actual curtain/covering.

In this progression, we are shown grace as we can see in the dividing of the curtains into manageable sections.

Exo 26:3  The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another.
Exo 26:4  And thou shalt make loops of blue upon the edge of the one curtain from the selvedge in the coupling; and likewise shalt thou make in the uttermost edge of another curtain, in the coupling of the second.
Exo 26:5  Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is in the coupling of the second; that the loops may take hold one of another.
Exo 26:6  And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.

Fifty is the number of liberty in scripture. There is a reason that this layer of the tabernacle has fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the other.

These loops were made of blue linen signifying their heavenly connecting of the “curtains of one”. I phrase this “curtains of one” because each side of this “one tabernacle” has five curtains making one side and five curtains making the other side. The five curtains were then sown together to make one side and the other 5 to make one piece for the other side.

Each of these “sides” of the tabernacle were connected with taches of gold.

When I see the details the Lord has placed on this first layer of the covering of the tabernacle, I notice that He wants us to know this is one tabernacle as mentioned in verse 6.

Where else are we told we are one with God and His sanctification of this tabernacle?

Exo 29:43  And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by MY GLORY.

Lev 8:10  And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was therein, and sanctified them.

Joh 17:19  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Joh 17:20  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Joh 17:21  That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Joh 17:22  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Joh 17:23  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be MADE PERFECT IN ONE; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Joh 17:24  Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; THAT THEY MAY BEHOLD MY GLORY, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

Our glory is one with Christ’s because Christ’s glory is the Fathers. We are One tabernacle. However, this tabernacle is still the temporary one which no longer exists because it was just the shadow of what the true tabernacle is.

Heb 8:5  Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

Goats Skin

 

Exo 26:7  And thou shalt make curtains of goats’ hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle: eleven curtains shalt thou make.
Exo 26:8  The length of one curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of one curtain four cubits: and the eleven curtains shall be all of one measure.
Exo 26:9  And thou shalt couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and shalt double the sixth curtain in the forefront of the tabernacle.
Exo 26:10  And thou shalt make fifty loops on the edge of the one curtain that is outmost in the coupling, and fifty loops in the edge of the curtain which coupleth the second.
Exo 26:11  And thou shalt make fifty taches of brass, and put the taches into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one.
Exo 26:12  And the remnant that remaineth of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remaineth, shall hang over the backside of the tabernacle.
Exo 26:13  And a cubit on the one side, and a cubit on the other side of that which remaineth in the length of the curtains of the tent, it shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle on this side and on that side, to cover it.

There are several significant differences about the goat skin layering of the 4 layers mentioned here in Exodus 26.

First off, the length of this “tent” is 2 more cubits longer than the 28 cubits that the tabernacle and covering of fine linen was made of.  This was so that it could hang over the sides and back of the tabernacle.

This layer is a “covering”, a “tent”, for the tabernacle. The fine linen was to be “one tabernacle” while this layer of goats hair was a covering for the tabernacle.

Num 4:25  And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers’ skins that is above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,

The fine linen with cherubim was included as the “one tabernacle” while the covering for the tabernacle was the tent or the goat hair.

Next, this covering was to be 11 curtains made into 2 pieces. One piece had 5 curtains and the other had 6. Five being the number of grace and six being the number of man, we should start to see a connection to the goat with this layer.

The connecting of the one whole piece of 5 breadths or curtains to the 6 breadths or curtains is done with BRASS this time and NOT gold. The loops are also not defined as blue which indicates they were made of the same material as the curtain themselves since the loops of blue were material used in the making of the first layer of the tabernacle.

Esau was represented by goat’s skins/hair when his blessing was stolen by Jacob who was “underneath” the goat’s hair. Jacob went on to be renamed to Israel. Being the True Israel of God, God’s people, we can see this as a shadow of the goat’s hair covering the true beauty beneath or inside.

Next we can see a connection to the scapegoat which is a sin offering. Most Christians today do not understand not can fathom that WE are sin offerings through the work of Jesus Christ in us.

Jesus Christ represents both the goat that was sacrificed and the goat that was released into the wilderness as the scapegoat. In connection with the goat hair covering, we can see that what we have hidden inside of us is the kingdom of God and what is in the Kingdom of God is Jesus and His and our Father.

Lev 16:5  And he shall take of the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.

Lev 16:8  And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.

Lev 16:21  And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the wilderness:

Since it was Aaron who let the scapegoat go, and Aaron is the high priest who typifies Christ, we can correlate that type to Jesus Christ our high priest releasing the scapegoat into the wilderness.

Ram and badgers skin

Exo 26:14  And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers’ skins.

As you can see from this verse, there isn’t much said about the ram and badger skins used. There isn’t much said about either of these coverings.

We know that the rams’ skin was dyed red and we can make an educated guess that these coverings were at least as big as the fine linen and goat layers.

A male sheep has a fairly easy to see spiritual correlation to Jesus Christ especially when the Lord says to dye the “skin” red. As I mentioned in the beginning of the study, we are all covered by the blood of Jesus and we are all guilty of that blood.

The badger’s skin was the last of four layers which is said in many commentaries to be uncomely. In other words, the outermost layer of these coverings was something that would make an onlooker see this tabernacle and not find much value in it.

Isa 53:2  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

There was items made of pure gold and others overlaid in gold, but from the outside an onlooker could not know what beauty was inside this tabernacle.

From the inside, the priest was surrounded by gold and had beautifully embroidered cherubim all around. The fine linen layer was the closest layer to everything pertaining to the glory of God in the tabernacle. The fine linen layer was also the outermost layer referred to as “the tabernacle”.

With this study, I hope we are able to glean a little bit more about the relationship the Lord has given us with Him and the beauty of what will be revealed when we see Him as He is.

In the next study, we are going to cover the structure of the tabernacle with the wood boards, the sockets and the bars. We are also going to cover the location the Lord tells Moses to place all of the items pertaining to the tabernacle and what they mean for us.