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#9.
The eastern question (8:).
pp. 112 - 116
Daniel's vision of the four beasts, which was given in the first year of Belshazzar, was
followed in the third year of that king by a supplementary vision of two beasts. We know
from Daniel's own statement at the end of chapter 7: that he pondered the meaning of
the vision very seriously:--
"Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my cogitations much troubled
me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart" (Dan. 7: 28).
Daniel would have no great difficulty in understanding the general teaching of
chapter 7:; he would rejoice in the revelation given of the establishing of Messiah's
kingdom, yet evidently there was something that troubled him. It changed his
countenance, and apparently affected his health, but he kept the matter to himself. Much
the same is said in 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" (Or "I was
dumfounded at the vision, but none became aware of it," just as 7: 28, "I kept the
matter in my heart").
We are left with the impression that Daniel was staggered by the revelation of what
was coming on the earth, and as we survey the series of visions that were given we shall
discover that they all focus attention upon the period under the ten kings, and the doings
of the little horn who is first described in chapter 7: Daniel tells us that he particularly
enquired the meaning of the fourth beast:--
"And of the ten horns which were in his head, and of the other which came up, and
before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth, that spake very
great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn
made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of Days came,
and judgment was given unto the saints of the Most High; and the time came that the
saints possessed the kingdom" (Dan. 7: 19-22).
Daniel is now to be put into possession of further information concerning this terrible
blasphemer and oppressor, and in a vision sees a conflict between a ram and a he-goat.
The ram had two horns, one higher than the other, the higher one coming up last: the
he-goat had a very prominent horn between its eyes. The ram was overcome, and his two
horns broken, while the goat waxed great, but its notable horn was broken. At the
breaking of this great horn, four came up towards the four winds of heaven, and from one
of them came a little horn who grew and pushed his conquests to the south, the east, and
to the pleasant land of Israel. Then it assayed still further conquests and trampled down
the host of the stars to the ground, and magnified itself even against God Himself. The
daily sacrifice was stopped, and truth was cast to the ground. At this point one angel is
heard speaking to another, and asking how long this desolation should last. The answer