MONDAY, MAY 28
Daniel 8:8-14, 23-25
1 Chronicles 16:23-31

“Sing unto the LORD,
all the earth …”

A LITTLE HORN ARISES

Alexander was a military genius, but poor in civil administrative skill. He won victories on the battlefield but failed to consolidate the peace. With his premature and untimely death, his vast empire disintegrated into four spheres of influence, divided among his quarrelling generals: Antigonus took Babylon, Ptolemy Egypt, Cassander Macedonia, and Lysimachus Thrace and Bithynia. Prophetically these events were described in Daniel 8:8.

We next turn our attention to a “little horn” which came out of them. This little horn appears to be the little horn of Daniel 7:8, but this is not so. Historically, there arose in a later day a notorious leader whose description fits well that of the little horn in Daniel 8:9-12, 23-26. His descent is traced to Antigonus who had taken over Babylon.

Within twenty years, Antigonus had lost Babylon to Seleucus I Nicator, the first “king of the north” listed in Daniel 11:5-35. The Seleucid dynasty continued in power. Over a hundred years later there arose a king by the name of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the eighth in that line (175-64 BC). He turned out to be one of the most vicious persecutors of Israel ever known, attacking and destroying the mighty men of God’s people (“… cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them” Dan 8:10; “… destroy the mighty and the holy people” Dan 8:24). His exploits took him to “… the pleasant land” (Dan 8:9), i.e. Israel.

Antiochus Epiphanes committed atrocious and abominable acts against God, His house and people. History records that he arrogantly entered the sanctuary and took the golden altar, lampstand and the holy table. He forbade the offering of sacrifices and drink offerings in the sanctuary. He profaned the Sabbath, defiled the sanctuary and built altars and shrines for idols, and sacrificed unclean animals thereon. Although he was not the “little horn” Antichrist, nevertheless he is a type and fore-runner of Antichrist (whose appearance is yet future).

THOUGHT: Why did God give me a glimpse of the future?
PRAYER: Lord, may I serve Thee with clean hands and pure hearts.