The Interpretation of the Vision
Daniel 8:20 "The ram which thou sawest having [two] horns [are] the kings of Media and Persia."
The ram which... The Angelic Interpretation:
This vision deals with only 2 of the kingdoms represented by the metals of the image of Dan. 2:1-49, and of the 4 beasts of Dan. 7:1-28—the Medo-Persian and Grecian empires. The purpose of the vision is to narrow down geographically the coming of the little horn or future Antichrist, from 10 to 4 of the 10 kingdoms, and to reveal that his kingdom will be the Revived Grecian Empire instead of the Revised Roman Empire.
Since Antichrist is seen coming out of the 4 divisions of the old Grecian Empire, we can eliminate entirely the other 6 kingdoms of the Revised Roman Empire as being the area from which he will come. In Dan. 7:1-28 he is seen coming out of 1 of the 10 kingdoms of the Revised Roman Empire. He uses the 1 kingdom he comes from to overthrow 3 others of the 10 which are the 3 other divisions of Greece. (The 4 kingdoms of the Grecian Empire of Dan. 8:1-27 make 4 of the 10 kingdoms of Revised Rome of Dan. 7:1-28.) Thus, Antichrist revives the Grecian Empire by coming out of 1 of the 4 divisions of Greece and overthrowing the others. The 6 other kingdoms of Revised Rome, which were never a part of the Grecian Empire, will submit to him without further war, and his kingdom will then become the 8th of Rev. 17:8-17, which immediately succeeds the 7th or Revised Rome.
The Antichrist arises at the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel (Dan. 9:27), and in 3 1/2 years conquers the whole 10 kingdoms which he will rule for the last 3 1/2 years of this week (Dan. 7:23-25; 11:36-46; Rev. 13:5; 17:8-17). Before he gets power over the 10 kings they reign as independent sovereigns and form the 7th, or Revised Roman Empire (Dan. 2:40-43; 7:7-8, 7:23-24). After he gets control of them they continue as subordinate kings for the last 3 1/2 years of the week, making the 8th and last of the successive kingdoms in the times of the Gentiles (Rev. 17:8-17).
Eighteen Parts to the Interpretation:
1. The ram represents the old Medo-Persian Empire, the same as the silver on the image of Dan. 2:32, 2:39 and the bear of Dan. 7:5. It is the 2nd of the 4 beasts of Dan. 7:1-28, and the 4th of the 8 kingdoms of Rev. 17:8-11 that make up the whole length of the times of the Gentiles (Dan. 8:20; see Dan. 8:3 and Dan. 11:1-2).
2. The two horns on the ram represent the 2 kings of Media and Persia (Dan. 8:20; see, Dan. 8:3), the same as the 2 arms of silver of Dan. 2:32, 2:39 and the 2 sides of the bear of Dan. 7:5. They symbolize Darius the Mede (Dan. 5:31; 6:1; 9:1; 11:1) and Cyrus the Persian (Dan. 1:21; 6:28; 11:1-2; 2Ch. 36:22-23; Ezr. 1:1-4).
3. The "rough he goat" is the old Grecian Empire (Dan. 8:21; see, Dan. 8:5; 11:3-4), the same as the belly and thighs of brass in the image of Dan. 2:32, 2:39, and the leopard of Dan. 7:6.
4. The "great" and "notable" horn between the eyes of the he-goat represents the first king, Alexander the Great, who founded the old Grecian Empire in 13 years (Dan. 8:21; see, Dan. 8:5; 11:3).
5. The great horn "being broken" represents the death of Alexander the Great (Dan. 8:22; see, Dan. 8:8; 11:4).
6. Four horns growing out of the head of the he-goat in the place of the great horn represent 4 kingdoms being formed out of the old Grecian Empire after the death of Alexander the Great (Dan. 8:22; see, Dan. 8:8; 11:4).
7. The four kingdoms arising not in Alexander’s power represent the 4 generals of Alexander carving out 4 kingdoms of their own in their own rights (Dan. 8:22; see, Dan. 8:8; Dan. 11:4). Daniel predicted the old Grecian Empire would be divided into 4 parts or kingdoms (Dan. 8:22), in the same sense he predicted the old Roman Empire would be divided into 10 parts or kingdoms (Dan. 2:40-43; 7:23-24). Alexander died at the height of his conquests, when about 33 years of age. His brother, Philip Aridaeus, and his 2 sons, Alexander Aegus and Hercules, kept up the show and name of the Macedonian kingdom for a time, but they were all murdered within 15 years. Thus the great horn and his regal family were all dead. The governors of provinces usurped the title of king. Antigonus, one of 5 generals, was slain in the battle of Ipsus, which reduced the number to 4 who seized upon the old Grecian Empire and divided it into 4 kingdoms.
Four Divisions of the Grecian Empire:
(1) Cassander took Greece, Macedon and the western parts of the empire.
(2) Lysimachus took Asia Minor, or present Turkey and Thrace, the northern part of the empire.
(3) Seleucus took all the eastern parts of the empire, including Syria and Babylon, or the modern states of Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Iran.
(4) Ptolemy took the kingdom of Egypt, the southern part of the empire. Thus Alexander’s empire was literally divided "toward the four winds of heaven" (Dan. 8:8).
All these divisions (except the extreme eastern part of the kingdom of Seleucus) were conquered by the Romans and made a part of the old Roman Empire out of which will be formed the 10 kingdoms of the last days. These 4 divisions of Greece will become 4 of the 10 kingdoms. They would be known today as Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Egypt.
8. "In the latter time of their kingdom" reveals the time of the coming of Antichrist and the complete fulfillment of the prophecy. These kingdoms will not cease to exist before the little horn or the Antichrist comes from one of them (Dan. 8:23; see, Dan. 8:9; 7:24; 9:26-27; 11:36-45). Since they are all still in existence, and since the Antichrist has not yet come, his coming from one of them must be future.
9. "When the transgressors are come to the full" is the second statement here revealing the time of the coming of the Antichrist. He will come in the last days when sin and iniquity shall abound and the time has come for transgressors on earth to be dealt with and put down (Dan. 8:23; 7:21-22; 9:27; 11:36-45; Mat. 24:4-26; 2Thes. 2:3-12; 1Tim. 4:1-8; 2Tim. 3:1-13; 4:1-4; Rev. 13:1-18; 16:1-17; 18:2-3, 18:24). This will be after the 10 kingdoms are formed (Dan. 7:23-24), after the rapture of the church, during the fulfillment of all the events of Rev. 4:1-19:21, and just before Christ comes to put down all sin and transgressors (1Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:10; Rev. 19:11-21; 20:1-10).
10. "A king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up." This reveals the character of the Antichrist, showing the type of person the little horn will be when he comes out of Greece, Turkey, Syria, or Egypt in the latter time of their existence (Dan. 8:23; 7:20-25; 9:27; 11:36-45; 2Thes. 2:3-12; Rev. 13:1-18; 14:9-11; 15:2-4; 16:13-16; 19:20; 20:4-6).
11. "His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power." This reveals that he will come after the working of Satan and have all the power Satan can endue a man with (Dan. 8:24; 7:25; 11:36-39; 2Thes. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:1-5, 13:12-18; 16:13-16; 19:20).
12. "He shall destroy wonderfully." This means he shall be distinguished as a destroyer of men (Dan. 8:24-25; 7:21, 7:25; 9:27; 11:36-45; 12:7; Mat. 25:15-22; 2Thes. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:12-18; 14:9-11; 15:2-4; 19:19-21; 20:4-6).
13. He "shall prosper, and practise." This literally means prosper and push forward or cross over. The idea is that of a blitzkrieg, extremely rapid and violent in warfare (Dan. 8:24-25; Dan. 7:21, 7:25; 9:27; 11:36-45; 12:7; Rev. 6:1-2; 13:1-18; 16:13-16; 19:19-21).
14. He "shall destroy the mighty and the holy people." This refers primarily to the destruction of the new and then powerful Jewish nation in Israel (Dan. 8:24-25; 7:21, 7:25; 9:27; 11:36-45; 12:7; Mat. 24:15-22; Rev. 13:1-18). Israel will be invincible until Antichrist is given power over them by God who will allow them to be defeated and almost exterminated to bring them to complete and eternal repentance so He can fulfill the everlasting covenants made with their fathers (Psm. 60:8-12; Isa. 16:1-5; Jer. 30:3-9; Eze. 20:33-44; Zec. 8:3-8, 8:20-23). Fully two-thirds of Israel will be destroyed (Zec. 12:2-3, 12:9; 13:8-9; 14:1-15), as well as multitudes of Christians (Rev. 7:9-21; 15:2-4; 20:4-6).
15. "He shall cause craft (Hebrew: mirmah, deceit) to prosper in his hand." This refers to his coming with all deceitfulness of unrighteousness to further his cause (Dan. 8:25; 2Thes. 2:8-12; Rev. 13:14; 19:20).
16. "He shall magnify himself in his heart" (Dan. 8:25). This refers to exalting himself even above God (Dan. 11:36-39; 2Thes. 2:3-4; Rev. 13:1-18).
17. He shall "destroy many" by peace (Dan. 8:25). This refers to his covenant of peace with Israel and his sudden breaking of it to destroy them (Dan. 8:25; 7:21; 9:27; 11:36-45; Rev. 12:13-17; 13:12-18).
18. He shall "stand up against the Prince of princes," but he shall be killed "without hand" (Dan. 8:25). This will be the battle of Armageddon (Dan. 11:45; Joel 3:1-21; Zec. 14:1-21; Rev. 16:13-16; 19:11-21).
The two horns are because Media and Persia are two.
Gabriel first interpreted the meaning of the two-horned ram (cf. Dan. 8:3-7). This beast represented Media and Persia, the same empire represented by the bear raised up on one side (Dan. 7:5). Though Persia rose later than Media (559 b.c. for Persia compared with centuries earlier for Media) the Persians overshadowed the Medes. So the second horn on the ram was larger than the first horn. Persia extended its empire to the west, north, and south with a vast army of more than 2 million soldiers.
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