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THE RAM AND THE MALE GOAT, PART 4

THE LITTLE HORN

And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered. (Daniel 8:9–12, NKJV)

In the previous lecture we traced the lineage of the Ptolemaic and Seleucid Dynasties up to the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes and the havoc he brought upon the Glorious Land, the land of the Jews. Antiochus Epiphanes lived from 215 b.c. to 164 b.c. and he was on the throne of the Seleucid Dynasty form 175 b.c. to his death in 164 or 163 b.c. It does not take much of an imagination to comprehend that the little horn in Daniel chapter eight is actually Epiphanies.

The first clue to the identity of the little horn is that he came out of one of the four horns of the Male Goat, the divisions of the Greek Empire after the death of Alexander the Great. To which division does this little horn belong? The description of his movement clearly indicates he had to come from the Seleucids. He moved to the south, the east, and the Glorious Land. The Seleucids controlled what is now referred to as the Middle East and was the only division of the Empire that could possibly move in those directions. The northern divisions of the Empire in Greece and Asia Minor never controlled Palestine, so they are eliminated from the start. The Ptolemies did control Palestine for quite some time, but Palestine lies to the north of Egypt making it not to fit the pattern. And, the Ptolemies lost Palestine to the Seleucids in 198 b.c. and never regained control.

Historically, we know the movements of Antiochus were (1) to the south, where He conquered Egypt in 170 b.c.; (2) to the east, to Persia which was already under his control, where he went for the purpose of replenishing his treasury; and, (3) to the Glorious Land, Palestine, where most of the prophecy concerning him takes place.

UP TO THE HOST OF HEAVEN

The little horn is said to have grown up to the host of heaven. Antiochus’ original name was Mithradates. He assumed the throne after the death of his father, Antiochus the Great. The prophecy calls him the little horn because we was the youngest brother in the family and was not the heir apparent to the throne. He only came to the throne because he murdered his brother in 175 b.c. Succession to the throne gave him the title Antiochus IV, but he took the name Epiphanes, which tells the world a great deal of what he thought of himself. In Greek, the word epiphanes means “the glorious,” or “God manifest.” While that was his estimation of himself, many called him Antiochus Epimanes—Antiochus the madman.

With this exalted estimation of himself the prophecy says he grew up to the host of heaven, giving the idea that he would exalt himself above all that is earthly, and even the heavenly. This description of him is reminiscent of Isaiah’s prophecy against Nebuchadnezzar, who seemed to have the same problem.

For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north. (Isaiah 14:13).

The terms “the host of heaven” and “the stars” are interpreted to mean the leaders of the Jewish people. Most Bible commentator are agreed, and as examples of this we offer the following.

Here, apparently, it is used to refer to the people of God who are elsewhere spoken of as the “hosts of the Lord”. Antiochus’s action here probably refers to his war against the Maccabees, a family of believing Jews who led the rebellion against Antiochus for their faith and freedom. (Classic Commentary of Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown).

Undoubtedly it is the design here to describe the pride and ambition of Antiochus, and to show that he did not think anything too exalted for his aspiration. None were too high or too sacred to be secure from his attempts to overthrow them, and even those who, by their position and character seemed to deserve to be spoken of as suns and stars, as “the host of heaven,” were not secure. (Albert Barnes).

C. H. Irwin in his Bible Commentary thinks more specifically of Antiochus’ self-exaltion against the host of heaven:

The “host of heaven: and “the stars” probably represent the leaders of the Jews, especially the priests. Antiochus, having gained possession of Jerusalem, committed the most cruel and wonton excesses.

Given the context of the prophecy, Irwin is probably right on target. He cites the atrocities committed by Antiochus as recorded in 1 Maccabees 1:21–63.

[1] And it happened, after that Alexander son of Philip, the Macedonian, who came out of the land of Chettiim, had smitten Darius king of the Persians and Medes, that he reigned in his stead, the first over Greece, [2] And made many wars, and won many strong holds, and slew the kings of the earth, [3] And went through to the ends of the earth, and took spoils of many nations, insomuch that the earth was quiet before him; whereupon he was exalted and his heart was lifted up. [4] And he gathered a mighty strong host and ruled over countries, and nations, and kings, who became tributaries unto him. [5] And after these things he fell sick, and perceived that he should die. [6] Wherefore he called his servants, such as were honourable, and had been brought up with him from his youth, and parted his kingdom among them, while he was yet alive. [7] So Alexander reigned twelve years, and then died. [8] And his servants bare rule every one in his place. [9] And after his death they all put crowns upon themselves; so did their sons after them many years: and evils were multiplied in the earth. [10] And there came out of them a wicked root Antiochus surnamed Epiphanes, son of Antiochus the king, who had been an hostage at Rome, and he reigned in the hundred and thirty and seventh year of the kingdom of the Greeks. [11] In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow. [12] So this device pleased them well. [13] Then certain of the people were so forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the heathen: [14] Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen: [15] And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief. [16] Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt that he might have the dominion of two realms. [17] Wherefore he entered into Egypt with a great multitude, with chariots, and elephants, and horsemen, and a great navy, [18] And made war against Ptolemee king of Egypt: but Ptolemee was afraid of him, and fled; and many were wounded to death. [19] Thus they got the strong cities in the land of Egypt and he took the spoils thereof. [20] And after that Antiochus had smitten Egypt, he returned again in the hundred forty and third year, and went up against Israel and Jerusalem with a great multitude, [21] And entered proudly into the sanctuary, and took away the golden altar, and the candlestick of light, and all the vessels thereof, [22] And the table of the shewbread, and the pouring vessels, and the vials, and the censers of gold, and the veil, and the crown, and the golden ornaments that were before the temple, all which he pulled off. [23] He took also the silver and the gold, and the precious vessels: also he took the hidden treasures which he found. [24] And when he had taken all away, he went into his own land, having made a great massacre, and spoken very proudly. [25] Therefore there was a great mourning in Israel, in every place where they were; [26] So that the princes and elders mourned, the virgins and young men were made feeble, and the beauty of women was changed. [27] Every bridegroom took up lamentation, and she that sat in the marriage chamber was in heaviness, [28] The land also was moved for the inhabitants thereof, and all the house of Jacob was covered with confusion. [29] And after two years fully expired the king sent his chief collector of tribute unto the cities of Juda, who came unto Jerusalem with a great multitude, [30] And spake peaceable words unto them, but all was deceit: for when they had given him credence, he fell suddenly upon the city, and smote it very sore, and destroyed much people of Israel. [31] And when he had taken the spoils of the city, he set it on fire, and pulled down the houses and walls thereof on every side. [32] But the women and children took they captive, and possessed the cattle. [33] Then builded they the city of David with a great and strong wall, and with mighty towers, and made it a strong hold for them. [34] And they put therein a sinful nation, wicked men, and fortified themselves therein. [35] They stored it also with armour and victuals, and when they had gathered together the spoils of Jerusalem, they laid them up there, and so they became a sore snare: [36] For it was a place to lie in wait against the sanctuary, and an evil adversary to Israel. [37] Thus they shed innocent blood on every side of the sanctuary, and defiled it: [38] Insomuch that the inhabitants of Jerusalem fled because of them: whereupon the city was made an habitation of strangers, and became strange to those that were born in her; and her own children left her. [39] Her sanctuary was laid waste like a wilderness, her feasts were turned into mourning, her sabbaths into reproach her honour into contempt. [40] As had been her glory, so was her dishonour increased, and her excellency was turned into mourning. [41] Moreover king Antiochus wrote to his whole kingdom, that all should be one people, [42] And every one should leave his laws: so all the heathen agreed according to the commandment of the king. [43] Yea, many also of the Israelites consented to his religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the sabbath. [44] For the king had sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Juda that they should follow the strange laws of the land, [45] And forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple; and that they should profane the sabbaths and festival days: [46] And pollute the sanctuary and holy people: [47] Set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine's flesh, and unclean beasts: [48] That they should also leave their children uncircumcised, and make their souls abominable with all manner of uncleanness and profanation: [49] To the end they might forget the law, and change all the ordinances. [50] And whosoever would not do according to the commandment of the king, he said, he should die. [51] In the selfsame manner wrote he to his whole kingdom, and appointed overseers over all the people, commanding the cities of Juda to sacrifice, city by city. [52] Then many of the people were gathered unto them, to wit every one that forsook the law; and so they committed evils in the land; [53] And drove the Israelites into secret places, even wheresoever they could flee for succour. [54] Now the fifteenth day of the month Casleu, in the hundred forty and fifth year, they set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar, and builded idol altars throughout the cities of Juda on every side; [55] And burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets. [56] And when they had rent in pieces the books of the law which they found, they burnt them with fire. [57] And whosoever was found with any the book of the testament, or if any committed to the law, the king's commandment was, that they should put him to death. [58] Thus did they by their authority unto the Israelites every month, to as many as were found in the cities. [59] Now the five and twentieth day of the month they did sacrifice upon the idol altar, which was upon the altar of God. [60] At which time according to the commandment they put to death certain women, that had caused their children to be circumcised. [61] And they hanged the infants about their necks, and rifled their houses, and slew them that had circumcised them. [62] Howbeit many in Israel were fully resolved and confirmed in themselves not to eat any unclean thing. [63] Wherefore the rather to die, that they might not be defiled with meats, and that they might not profane the holy covenant: so then they died.

The writer of Maccabees tersely sums up all this in verse 64, “And there was very great wrath upon Israel.

The prophecy tells us that Antiochus “cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground and trampled them.” Albert Barnes comments in this statement:

The horn seemed to grow up to the stars, and to wrest them to the earth. Antiochus, in the fulfilment of this, cast down and trampled on the princes, and rulers, of the people, of the holy host or army of God. All that is implied in this was abundantly fulfilled in what he did to the Jewish people.

Concerning that he trampled them, or as the King James Version renders it, stamped on them, Barnes finishes his comment, “With indignation and contempt. Nothing could better express the conduct of Antiochus towards the Jews.”

 THE PRINCE OF THE HOST

Not only does Epiphanes see himself exalted about the people, verse 11 tells us that he exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host. The Prince indicated here is not a human ruler of the Jews, but a direct reference to God, particularly the Second Person of the Godhead. There is a very strong precedent that tells us who this Prince is.

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” Then the Commander of the LORD’S army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so. (Joshua 5:13–15).

Young’s Literal Translation and the American Standard Version have the word Prince in place of the word Commander, as is rendered in several modern translations. The Scripture tells us that Joshua saw a Man who called Himself the Commander, or the Prince, of the army, or host, of the Lord. Joshua worshipped this Man and in response to his worship the Man said something reminiscent of God’s statement to Moses at the burning bush as recorded in Exodus 3:5–6:

Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.

 It is apparent that the Commander of the army of the Lord is a reference to God. We learned from the prophecy of the Four Beasts that the Man, or Son of Man, is the Incarnation of the Second Person of the Godhead in the Person of Jesus Christ. The Prince of the host is the God of the Jews, whom they worship in the temple rites and sacrifices.

Antiochus believes he is superior even to the God of the Jews. He shows his assumed superiority by taking away the daily sacrifices and “casting down the sanctuary.”

And the king had sent letters by messengers unto Jerusalem and the cities of Judah, that they should follow the strange laws of the land, and forbid burnt offerings, and sacrifice, and drink offerings, in the temple. (1 Maccabees 1:44–45).

Casting down the sanctuary does not refer to a literal destruction of the temple, which did happen centuries later under the Romans. Antiochus did pillage the temple taking all the gold and things of value and left the temple in shambles; but he did not destroy it. The temple of God was cast down in that it was diverted from the ritual worship of God to the worship of idols. Albert Barnes says, “The walls indeed remained, but it was desolate, and the whole service then was abandoned.” 1 Maccabees 1:46–47 foreshadows Barnes’ comment, “And pollute the sanctuary and holy people: set up altars, and groves, and chapels of idols, and sacrifice swine’s flesh, and unclean beasts.”

CAST THE TRUTH TO THE GROUND

Daniel 8:12 reads, “Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered.” The New King James Version and the King James Version are somewhat ambiguous in their renderings of this verse. The American Standard Version is plainer: “And the host was given over to it together with the continual burnt-offering through transgression; and it cast down truth to the ground, and it did its pleasure and prospered;” and the Revised Standard Version is plainer yet in its rendering of the last clause: “and truth was cast down to the ground, and the horn acted and prospered.”

Albert Barnes sees the actions of Antiochus as God’s judgment on the sins of the Jews, “All this was on account of the transgression of the people, or on account of abounding iniquity. God gave up the people, and their temple, and their sacrifices, into the hands of Antiochus, on account of the prevailing iniquity.” 1 Maccabees 1:11–16 appears to confirm this assessment:

In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us: for since we departed from them we have had much sorrow. So this device pleased them well. Then certain of the people were so forward herein, that they went to the king, who gave them licence to do after the ordinances of the heathen: Whereupon they built a place of exercise at Jerusalem according to the customs of the heathen: And made themselves uncircumcised, and forsook the holy covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief. Now when the kingdom was established before Antiochus, he thought to reign over Egypt, that he might have the dominion of two realms.

The statement “the truth was cast down to the ground” undoubtedly refers to the whole Jewish ritual and religion, which was made illegal under the rule of Antiochus Epiphanes. The vision closes with the statement, “And the horn acted and prospered.” Antiochus was successful in what he did.