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Daniel 8:3-22 -

Two world-empires.

"The ram which thou sawest," etc. ( Daniel 8:20 , Daniel 8:21 ). The only way in which the substance of the vision can be legitimately treated seems to us the expository. But be it remembered that the exposition of a chapter like this is really an explication of the gradual unfolding of a part of the history of the kingdom of God antecedent to the Incarnation. We set up here simply directing-posts to mark the way. Note particularly the partial character of this vision—it is not now of the four world-empires and of the everlasting kingdom, but only of two—Persia, Greece—and the development of Greece. And mark, the symbols are authoritatively interpreted ( Daniel 8:21 , Daniel 8:22 ). Here we have a key wherewith to unlock the secrets of the rest of the book.

I. PERSIA . In the symbol we have:

1 . Its unity. "A ram."

2 . Its duality "Two horns." Media and Persia.

3 . Its inequality. One horn the higher; and came up last.

4 . The direction of its aggression. ( Daniel 8:4 .) Babylon; Lydia; Egypt.

5 . Its temporary irresistibility. ( Daniel 8:4 .)

6 . Complete overthrow. ( Daniel 8:7 .) Compare throughout with the bear of Daniel 7:1-28 .

II. GREECE . Here should be opened out:

1 . The fitness of the goat as a symbol; e.g. Greece abounded in goats; several municipalities adopted it as a symbol, and struck its image on their coins, etc. See detailed Expositions.

2 . Its ubiquity. "On the face of the whole earth."

3 . Celerity. "Touched not the ground."

4 . The concentration of its genius. "A notable horn." Alexander ( Daniel 7:21 ).

5 . Its victory.

6 . Its subsequent growth.

7 . Sudden break-down.

III. GREECE DIVINED .

1 . Into four. Greece; Asia Minor; Syria; Egypt.

2 . At the zenith of power ; i.e. under Alexander ( Daniel 7:8 ).

3 . With instant collapse. ( Daniel 7:22 .) "Not in his power."—R.

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