Daniel 8:9-14, 23-27 – The Madman
Let’s look a little more closely at this wicked persecutor and the havoc he unleashed. Antiochus was the ruler of the Seleucid kingdom – one of the smaller nations that rose up as Alexander’s empire broke apart after his death (v22). “Antiochus Epiphanes” was a selfgiven title which can be translated as “God manifest”. Having said that, when there were no prying ears nearby, most people called him “Antiochus Epimanes” instead – “the madman”. One name demonstrates how he dared to exalt himself above the one true God, the other how his sadistic hatred knew no bounds.
Antiochus was a smart man. He carefully crafted his campaign against God’s people in order to wipe out everything about them that made them special. He marched into the temple and had a pig sacrificed on the altar. He forced the Jews themselves to make unclean sacrifices on the pain of death (v11). He made circumcision illegal: any baby discovered receiving the covenant sign could be thrown from the city walls. Some were burnt for daring to observe the Sabbath day and it was a capital offence to possess a copy of God’s Word. It genuinely looked like this was the end.
That’s why God gave Daniel this vision – so he could encourage those who would have to endure this fiery trial. Notice the key encouragement in v14: this ordeal would go on for as long as God decreed and then it would be no more. Unknown to even the madman, God had marked the date of deliverance on his calendar.
The same applies to Satan’s attacks on God’s people and world today. Abortion, pornography, the LGBT agenda, political corruption and terrorism will not go on forever. God has marked a date of deliverance on his calendar when the Lord Jesus Christ will return and we will be delivered by no human hand (v25).
In the mean time, let us “wait for our blessed hope, the appealing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)
Questions
- What are you most looking forward to being delivered from when Jesus Christ returns?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for the fact that Jesus Christ is going to return! Pray that this fact would change the way you live today.
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.