The Little Horn of Daniel 8 is a symbol for the Antichrist. The Antichrist is revealed after an Apostasy occurs. The revealing of the Antichrist inaugurates the Great Tribulation (2 Th 2:3-4). At this time the ‘daily’ activities of Christian life (i.e., Bible study, prayer, service to God, etc.) are replaced by the Abomination of Desolation. The Abomination of Desolation is the destruction of the church due to worshiping other gods and idols (worldliness). This is Satan’s kingdom within the church, similar to the Man of Sin taking his seat in the Temple (2 Th 2:3-4).

The Little Horn of Dan 8 has its roots in the Grecian kingdom discussed in the Book of Daniel. The Greco-Roman culture (politics, law, wisdom, etc.) exists to this day. The little horn is a king of fierce (harsh) countenance. He also has good understanding of the Word of God, which he uses to deceive people into leaving the daily Christian life for the Abomination of Desolation. The little horn magnifies himself to the Prince of princes and is opposed to Jesus Christ (Antichrist). The little horn is empowered by Satan (Dan 8:24, Rev 13:2) and has a demonic host under his control (Dan 8:10-11,24). Please click on You Tube video or continue with the study below:

Little Horn Characteristics / Actions

Grecian Little Horn from the Four Horns (Dan 8:8-9,21-22)

Waxed Exceedingly Great / Magnified (Dan 8:8-11, 8:25)

Power Not His Own (Dan 8:24)

Toward East, South and the Pleasant Land (from North and West) – Dan 8:9

King of Fierce Countenance Stands Up (Dan 8:23)

King that Understands Dark Sentences (Word of God) (Dan 8:23)

Demons in His Subjection (Dan 8:10, 8:12, 8:24)

Daily taken away / deceit prospers (Dan 8:11-12,24-25)

The Transgression (Abomination) of Desolation – Destroy Many Wonderfully

2300 Days – Daily taken, Transgression of Desolation

Stands against the Prince of princes (Dan 8:25)

Background to Daniel 8

Daniel 8 describes a vision seen by Daniel the prophet (Dan 8:1-2). The vision was of two beasts: a ram and a he goat (Dan 8:3-5). The ram had two horns, one higher than the other (Dan 8:3) and the he goat had a ‘notable horn’ (Dan 8:5). We are told in the interpretation of then vision (Dan 8:15-21) that the ram represents the Media-Persian kingdom (Dan 8:20) and the he goat represented the kingdom of Greece (Dan 8:21). The two horns of the ram would be the two kingdoms of Media and Persia, with Persia being the larger horn, which came up last (Dan 8:3). The he goat, which came from the west, attacked the ram and broke his two horns and cast him to the ground and stomped on him (Dan 8:6-7). The interpretation tells us that that the great notable horn between the he goats eyes are the first king (Dan 8:21), which would be Alexander the Great (one of the most famous kings of all time). The he goat became very strong, but the great horn was broken and four other horns came up towards the four winds of Heaven (Dan 8:8, 8:22). These four kingdoms were the kingdoms of Alexander’s four generals. Out of one of the four horns came a ‘little horn’, which became exceedingly great (Dan 8:9).

The Time of the ‘Little Horn’

The interpretation of the prophecy (Dan 8:15-27) teaches that the little horn appears is in the latter time of their kingdom when the transgressors have come to their fullness (Dan 8:23). This refers to the end-time. The interpretation also teaches that this little horn will in the end-time stand against the Prince of princes (Dan 8:25). At this time, he shall magnify himself to the Prince of the host and be broken without a hand (Dan 8:25). These statements point to the end time final Battle of Armageddon (Rev 16:13-16, Rev 19:11-21).

More evidence that the little horn is an end-time entity can be found in the linkage of the transgression of desolation in Dan 8:11-13 to New Testament prophecy about the end-time. The ‘transgression of desolation’ is noted in Dan 8:11-13 and relates to the ‘Abomination of Desolation’ discussed in Mat 24:15 and Mk 13:14. Consider the following verses:

Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? (Dan 8:11-13)
And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. (Dan 8:23)
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Dan 8:25)

The Hebrew word for ‘transgression’ (H6586, also H6588) literally means one that revolts or rebels (e.g., see Isa 1:2, 1 Ki 12:19, 2 Ki 8:20, etc.). An abomination is to worship other gods and idols (worldliness). The ‘Abomination of Desolation’, which directly relates to the ‘transgression of desolation’ occurs at the time of the Great Tribulation just before the return of Christ (see Mat 24:15 with Mat 24:21). The ‘little horn’ is a final world king that rises out of the remnant of the Grecian kingdom in the last days before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. This is also corroborated by Dan 8:25 since we find that the ‘little horn’ will stand up to the Prince of princes and be broken without hand. The phrase Prince of princes points to Jesus Christ. Particularly, the Second Coming of Christ is judgment day when He comes with His holy angels to bring judgment on those who did not obey the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Th 1:6-10). Also, we find that Jesus is referred to as the Prince (same Hebrew word as that used in Dan 8:25) of peace (Isa 9:6, Gen 49:10). In the Old Testament, the word ‘prince’ (H8269) simply means a head or lead person. At judgment day, when judgment will come where people will be broken by the Word of God (and not by a hand):

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. (Rev 19:11-16, 19-21)

We see in this passage that judgment day is led by Jesus Christ, as the Word of God. Out of His mouth goes a sharp sword to smite the nations (i.e., he smites them by the written Word, not by literal sword). In fact, in Rev 19:21, we find that the judgment is by the sword that proceeded out of His mouth.

We also find that the ‘little horn’ will exist when the transgressors have come to the full (Dan 8:23). This is a parallel passage to 2 Th 2:1-4:

Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2Th 2:1-4)

In fact, the 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2 passage regarding the ‘man of sin’ (2 Th 2:1-12) since we find many of the same characteristics between the ‘little horn’ of Daniel 8 and the ‘man of sin’. In 2 Thess 2:3, we find that there will be a great ‘falling away’ (apostasy) prior to the revealing of the man of sin. Similarly, in Dan 8:23, there is a time when the ‘transgressors’ have reached their full. The Hebrew word for ‘transgression’ (H6586) literally means one that revolts or rebels (e.g., see Isa 1:2, 1 Ki 12:19, 2 Ki 8:20, etc.). The Greek word for ‘fall away’ in 2 Thess 2:3 carries a similar meaning of standing away from or commits apostasy (rebels) from the faith.

Based on the above, it should be clear that the ‘little horn’ exists at the latter time, just before the Second Coming of Christ, which is the Great Tribulation period of time.

Little Horn Arises (King of the North – Dan 11:4)
… four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. (Dan 8:23)
… there is a God in heaven that … makes known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days … (Dan 2:28)
- Latter – literally, last / end

Transgressors Reach their Full

And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. (Dan 8:23)
- Transgressors – Heb: pasha – literally, those who revolt (rebel)
- … the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. (Isa 1:2)
- So Israel rebelled against the house of David … (1Ki 12:19)
- See Apostasy Video (just before revealing of antichrist)
… a host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression … How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? (Dan 8:12-13)

Little Horn Characteristics / Actions

Grecian Little Horn from the Four Horns (Dan 8:8-9,21-22)

Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. (Dan 8:8-9)
And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not in his power. (Dan 8:21-22)

Historically, the four horns of Greece were the four generals of the Alexander the Great. However, Greece later fell to the Roman Empire. The Roman empire incorporated a lot of the Greek culture and knowledge, such that today’s present western civilization is basically a derivation of the Greco-Roman culture and politics. Much of today’s society and languages are built upon the laws, culture, politics and languages of the Greeks and Romans. At the time of the writing of the New Testament in the first century After Christ, the Romans were the world power (symbolized by the legs of iron in Dan 2:40 and the terrible beast of Dan 7:7,19). But, the language of the Greeks was used in the writing of the New Testament. ‘Greeks’ are referred to many times in the New Testament (e.g., Ro 1:16, Ro 10:12, 1 Cor 1:22-24, Gal 3:28, etc.), notably with regard to their wisdom (1 Cor 1:22-24, Ro 1:24). Notably, in Ro 1:24, the Greek is contrasted to the Barbarian as the Greek being ‘wise’ (worldy wisdom, while the Barbarian is unwise in worldly matters. Therefore, we can understand that this end-time ‘little horn’ is closely related to the Greek culture which is highlighted by its worldly wisdom.

In Dan 7:8 and Dan 8:9, the Bible teaches that there is a little horn from the 4^th Beast (Dan 7:8) and a little horn that arises from the kingdom of Greece (Dan 8:9). These two separate symbols are both referred to as a ‘little horn’ and are both symbols of the same entity, the Antichrist. That is, it is a ‘king’ who has small beginnings, yet grows to be a very power leader that is given the power and authority of Satan (Dan 8:24, Rev 13:2). The adjective ‘little’ regarding the beginnings of the Antichrist’s career is related to the state of Satan prior to and after his loosing from the bottomless pit (Rev 20:3-8). Prior to Satan’s loosing, Satan’s power to deceive God’s people (the elect) was limited during the church age (Rev 20:1-4). This allowed the Gospel to move forth to the furthest reaches of the world to bring the good news to God’s elect. At this time, Satan could still affect the kingdoms of this world and his children (2 Cor 4:4, Eph 2:2, 2 Tim 2:24-26, 1 John 3:8-10).

However, once released from his prison, Satan could now give his power and authority to the Leopard Beast (a.k.a., the Man of Sin, the Antichrist, the Little Horn, etc.). The little horn could then was greater and greater in power, deception and subjection of the world.

Waxed Exceedingly Great / Magnified (Dan 8:8-11, 8:25)

Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. (Dan 8:8)
And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. (Dan 8:9)
And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. (Dan 8:10)
Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. (Dan 8:11)
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Dan 8:25)

The Hebrew word (gadal, H1431) that is used in the above phrases means to be made ‘large’. It is translated in Daniel 8 as becoming ‘great’ or being ‘magnified’. It is also used on the Antichrist (King of the North) in Daniel 11:

And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. (Dan 11:36)
Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. (Dan 11:37)

The verses in Dan 8 and Dan 11 suggest that the antichrist, in his pride, magnifies himself in power, authority and even stands up against Jesus Christ. This little horn (who is in control of the 10 horns – see Rev 17:14-16) will stand against Jesus Christ, but will be defeated on the Last day. It is not surprising that this little horn magnifies himself up against Jesus Christ since the little horn is the Antichrist (also known as the 7^th head of the scarlet beast of Rev 17). In addition to the little horn of Daniel 8 and the King of the North in Dan 11, we find also that the 2 Thess 2 man of sin, the Revelation 13 beast, the Isaiah 14 king of Babylon, the Dan 7 little horn and the Eze 28 Prince of Tyre also highly exalted themselves to the place of God:

Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. (2Th 2:3-4)
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isa 14:12-14)
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (Rev 13:4-6)
… say unto the prince of Tyre … Because thine heart is lifted up, and you have said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God (Eze 28:2)
Dan 7 Little Horn:
- … little horn … a mouth speaking great things (Dan 7:8)
- … voice of the great words … the horn spoke … (Dan 7:11)
- … and a mouth that spoke very great things … (Dan 7:20)
- … speak great words against the most High … (Dan 7:25)

In summary, the goal of the Satan-powered little horn is to exalt himself in pride to the stature of God.

Power Not His Own (Dan 8:24)

And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power … (Dan 8:24)
Satan gives power and authority to the Leopard Beast of Rev 13
- And the beast which I saw was like a leopard … and the dragon gave him its power and its seat and great authority … And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? (Rev 13:2,4)
Scarlet Beast of Rev 17 (7^th head is the antichrist)
- And the 10 horns which you saw are 10 kings, which … receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. (Rev 17:12-13)
  - 10 Horns – symbol for kingdoms of the world

Toward East, South and the Pleasant Land (from North and West) – Dan 8:9

And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. (Dan 8:9)

- From the North and West
- Babylon
  - From the North – Jer 25:9, Eze 26:7, Jer 1:15 (incorporated into the Grecian Empire)
- Grecian Empire from the West
  - … an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth … (Dan 8:5)

The little horn also grew exceedingly great toward the south and toward the east and toward the pleasant land. The statement south and east, would imply that the little horn was from the north and west direction of the pleasant land. In the context of Daniel chapters 8 and 11, this would suggest a Grecian origin (western culture) in the literal historical sense. The north points to Babylon (Jer 25:9, Eze 26:7, Jer 1:15, etc.), which was subsumed by the Medes / Persians and later by the Grecian Empire.

The pleasant land is single Hebrew word tsebiy (H6643), which literally means to grow in splendor. This word is often is used for a deer (or gazelle), which was a clean animal (Deut 12:15, 22, Deut 14:5, 15:22) and noted to be very fast (1 Chr 12:8, Isa 13:14, Pro 6:5) and could escape danger. This word is used to represent something that is glorious (e.g., Isa 13:19, 23:9, 24:16). But, when it refers to land, it is used to symbolize the land of God’s people (e.g., Eze 20:5-6, Isa 28:1, 2 Sam 1:19, Jer 3:19, Isa 4:2, Eze 7:20, Dan 11:16, 41, 45). In a parallel passage concerning the King of the North (Dan 11:16,41,45), the ‘pleasant land’ represents the location of God’s people.

Location of God’s People (Nominal Church)
Pleasant Land (‘land’ not in original text)
- Pleasant – Heb: tsebiy – splendor, glorious as a gazelle
Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower … (Isa 28:1)
King of the North (Antichrist)
- He shall enter also into the glorious land … And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. (Dan 11:41-45)
… and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people … also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand …(Dan 8:24-25)

Based on the above, we see that the little horn has, as his target, the place of God (God’s people). This accords with the fact that he magnifies himself to the prince of hosts, the Prince of princes (Dan 8:10-11) and the mighty people (Dan 8:24).

The Antichrist and the Western World:

Europe, Australasia, Americas (based on Greco-Roman culture)
Greco-Roman Culture, Politics, Laws, Architecture, etc.
- Grecian empire – 4^th century B.C
- Roman empire – 1^st century B.C
Dan 2 Great Image – 4 kingdoms
- Feet and Toes of Iron / Clay exist at the return of Christ (Last Day) – Dan 2:34,44
Dan 7 – Little Horn – 4 kingdoms
- Arises out of 10 horns of the 4^th terrible beast – Dan 7:8,23-24
Dan 8:9 – Little Horn – arises from 1 of the 4 horns of the he-goat
Dan 11:4 – King of the North arises from Grecian kingdom

King of Fierce Countenance Stands Up (Dan 8:23)

And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. (Dan 8:23)

The Hebrew word for fierce (‘az’, H5794) essentially means to be strong in a harsh manner (e.g., Ex 14:21, Num 13:28, Isa 25:3, Pro 18:23). The word ‘countenance’ is typically the word used for ‘before’ or ‘face’ (paniym, H6440) and is used more than 2000 times in the Old Testament. There is only one other Old Testament occurrence where ‘az’ and ‘paniym’ are used together (Deut 28:50).

A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young: (Deu 28:50)

As we have already seen, the context of Deuteronomy 28 is the judgment on God’s people (including desolation) for their disobedience (see Deut 28:15-68):

Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young: And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee. And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee. And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee: So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave: So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates. The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter, And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates. (Deu 28:47-57)

The above prophecy in Deuteronomy had its fulfillment in the siege of Jerusalem by the king of Babylon Nebuchadnezzar. Many of the descriptions are allusions to events discussed later in 2 Chronicles, Jeremiah, Lamentations and Ezekiel. It is important to note that the king of Babylon is a type of the Antichrist, but is also an allusion to Satan himself (see Isa 14:3-23) who gives his power and authority to the Beast (Antichrist – see Rev 13:2). Also, we find confirmation that the fierceness of countenance is the king of Babylon in Isaiah 19:4. The context of Isaiah 19 is a prophecy against Egypt where they are being given over to a ‘fierce’ king (which was the king of Babylon – see Jer 46:26, Eze 29:19):

And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts. (Isa 19:4)

As mentioned above, the Hebrew word for fierce (‘az’, H5794) essentially means to be strong in a harsh manner (e.g., Exo 14:21, Num 13:28, Isa 25:3, Pro 18:23):

And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. (Exo 14:21)
For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD. (Psa 59:3)
Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. (Isa 56:11)
Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. (Num 13:28)
And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle. (Jdg 14:18)
Therefore shall the strong people glorify thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear thee. (Isa 25:3)
The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly. (Pro 18:23)
Simeon and Levi:
- Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. (Gen 49:7)

Therefore, we find a strong correlation between the little horn and the king of Babylon, both of which are symbols / types of the Antichrist. This is similar to 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, which discusses the Man of Sin, which is the son of perdition. We see that the man of sin, son or perdition is inspired by the working of Satan. The king of Babylon is likened until Satan (Lucifer) in Isa 14:12-13 and is also called a man in Isa 14:16. The reference in 2 Thessalonians to the son of perdition is tied to Judas Iscariot (John 17:2), who was indwelled by Satan (Luke 22:3). All of the above individuals are symbols / types of the Antichrist powered by Satan (Rev 13:2).

In summary, the little horn of Daniel 8 can be likened to the king of Babylon, who is a type of the Antichrist and powered by Satan. Also, the 2 Thessalonians ‘son of perdition’ is the end time entity that, as the son of perdition, is indwelt by Satan. The little horn is the same entity as the man of sin / son of perdition found in 2 Thessalonians 2.

King that Understands Dark Sentences (Word of God) (Dan 8:23)

And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. (Dan 8:23)

The king, the little horn of Grecian background will have an understanding of ‘dark sentences’. The Hebrew word for ‘dark sentences’ is chiydah (H2420) and occurs 17 times in the Old Testament. In almost all cases, it has to do with an understanding of the mysteries / parables of the Word of God. For example, in Ps 49:4, David (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) says that he will incline his ear to a parable, he will open his ‘dark saying’ on his harp. In Ps 78:2, Asaph says ‘I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old’. This Psalm ultimately referred to Jesus Christ in Mat 13:11-13, 34-35 where the Bible says in Mat 13:34-35 concerning Jesus Christ:

All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. (Mat 13:34-35)

In other words, to the multitudes, Jesus spoke in parables. In Mat 13:10-17, Jesus explained that he spoke in parables so that those who had would have deeper understanding, while those who did not have an understanding would be further blinded (disinterested).

Other passages where the Old Testament word translated as ‘dark sayings’ is used in reference to the Word of God is Jud 14:12-19Eze 17:2, Num 12:8, Pr 1:6, 1 Ki 10:1, 2 Chr 9:1, Hab 2:6. The context of all these Scriptures refers to the Word of God.

Therefore, we see that the little horn is a king who can understand the Word of God. This entity has knowledge of the ways of God. This is similar to Satan who quoted Scripture when tempting Jesus (e.g., Mat 4:6, Ps 91:11-12). But, Satan perverted Ps 91:11-12, which Jesus promptly corrected (Mat 4:7). We also see that in the Garden of Eden, Satan perverted what God had told Adam and Eve concerning taking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 3:1-5). We also know that Satan and his demonic ministers appear to be angels of light (2 Cor 11:3-4, 13-15). There are many examples throughout the New Testament of false teachers that ‘distort’ the Word of God. So, it is no wonder that this little horn, who magnifies himself to the Prince of princes would also appear as a Bible-believing person, but in reality comes to distort the truth as we shall investigate further below.

Demons in His Subjection (Dan 8:10, 8:12, 8:24)

And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. (Dan 8:10)
And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. (Dan 8:12)
And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. (Dan 8:24)

The little horn (Antichrist) will become great, even to the host of heaven. The phrase ‘host of heaven’ is used at least 20 times in the Bible (mostly the Old Testament). The word ‘host’ is used extensively in the Old Testament (~475 occurrences) and also in the New Testament (2 occurrences – Lk 2:13, Acts 7:42). The word ‘host’ literally means a very large group of people (i.e., army). In the Old Testament, the word ‘hosts’ is used close to 300 times as referring to the ‘LORD of hosts’ (i.e., Jehovah God and His armies of angels – e.g., Is 6:3, Is 28:5, Ps 46:7, Ps 84:3, etc., etc.). The other 175 or so occurrences either refer to physical armies of people of the host of heaven, referring to angels.

When we examine the phrase ‘host of heaven’ we find two specific meanings: physical stars and angels of heaven. Regarding the angels of Heaven, we find the following examples.

Micaiah saw Lord sitting on throne with the host of heaven (angels) on His right and left – 1 Ki 22:19, 2 Chr 18:18-22
Host of heaven worship the LORD – Neh 9:6
Heavenly host worshiping at Jesus birth – Lk 2:13-15
Multitude of host worshiping God in heaven – Rev 5:11
Little horn became great to the host of heaven, cast down some of the host to the ground – Dan 8:10, Dan 8:24, see also Rev 12:4 where Satan cast down 1/3 of the stars of heaven)

Similarly, we find that the word ‘star’ is often used not only to refer to the physical stars, but also to the angels of heaven. In addition to the phrase ‘host of heaven’ we find additional evidence in the Bible that physical stars are used as a type of angels:

Old Testament:

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for ‘star’ (H35567, kokab) occurs more than 35 times. In the ln Testament, we find that stars are used to represent the following entities:

The offspring that will come from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (represents Christians in Gal 3:16, 29, Ro 4:13-16, etc) – Gen 15:5, 22:17, 26:4, Ex 32:13, Deut 1:10, 10:22, 28:62, 1 Chr 27:23, Neh 9:23
The 12 sons of Israel (represents the church of God) – Gen 37:9
Jesus Christ as the Star of Jacob in Balaam’s parable – Num 24:15-17
Those who fought against Sisera in the Song of Deborah and Barak – Jud 5:20
The sons of God (morning stars, i.e., angels) singing – Job 38:7
Entities that God calls by name – Ps 147:4
Those who are to praise God – Ps 148:3
Those who Satan will be exalted over (i.e., bad angels) – Is 14:13 (see Is 14:12 – Lucifer, which literally means ‘brightness’ is the son of the morning)
Those who the ‘little horn’ cast to the ground and stomped on (angels) – Dan 8:10-12
Believers (i.e., those wise people who turn people to righteousness) – Dan 12:1-3
An idol – Amos 5:26
Where a proud person (Edom) exalts himself above – Ob 1:4 (similar to Is 14:13)
Merchants of Nineveh – Nah 3:16

As can be seen from the above list, most of the occurrences of ‘star’ in the Old Testament actually refer to people or angels. The only other occurrences of star in the Old Testament either refer to creation (Gen 1:16, Job 9:7, Ps 8:3, 136:9, Jer 31:35), worshiping the stars (Deut 4:19), the onset of nighttime (Neh 4:21), the falling or loss of stars on judgment day (Job 3:9, Ecc 12:2, Is 13:10, Ez 32:7, Joel 2:10, 3:15 ), the elevated nature of God being over the stars (Job 22:12, 25:5) and those who serve the occult (Is 47:13).

New Testament:

In the New Testament, the Greek word for ‘star’ (G792, aster) occurs 24 times (with 14 of these occurrences in Revelation). Similar to the Old Testament, we find the use of ‘star’ in relation to the following entities:

Jesus Christ – His star – Mat 2:2 ( see also Mat 2:7, 9-10 and Gal 4:14)
The resurrected bodies of believers – 1 Cor 15:41 (2 occurrences)
The false teachers crept into the church – Jude 13
The angels of the 7 churches (Rev 1:16, 1:20, 3:1) (4 occurrences)
The angel with the power to open the bottomless pit (Rev 9:1, see also Rev 20:1)
Woman with crown of 12 stars (represents the church of God) – Rev 12:1
Dragon cast 1/3 of stars of heaven to the earth (represents fallen angels) – Rev 12:4
Jesus, the bright and morning Star (Rev 22:16, Rev 2:28, see also Num 24:17, Mat 2:2, Lk 1:78, 2 Pet 1:19)

The only other occurrences of star in the New Testament refer to the falling of stars on judgment day (Rev Mat 24:29, Mk 13:25, Rev 6:13) the star Wormwood (Rev 8:10-12), which both hold symbolic meanings.

In summary, most of the occurrences of ‘star’ in the Bible actually symbolize actual entities such as Jesus Christ, Satan, angels, fallen angels (i.e., demons) or actual Christians.

The fact that the little horn cast down the host and the stars to earth and stomped on them is a direct correlation to the work of Satan in Rev 12:4 and Is 14:12-13. But, we find that Dan 8:24 that the little horn’s power is mighty, but it is not by his own power. This is very similar to the statement made in Rev 13:2-5 when referring to the dragon (Satan) giving the beast his power and authority:

And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority … And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Rev 13:2,4-5)

Similar to Judas Iscariot (John 17:2, Lk 22:3), the ‘man of sin / son of perdition’ of 2 Thess 2 and the little horn of Dan 8, the ‘beast’ of Rev 13 was given power from Satan. In Dan 8:10, when we see that the little horn stomped on the host and the stars, this should be understood as having authority over demons and false ministers. Having someone under one’s feet represents having one in subjection – see Gen 3:15, Heb 1:13, 2:8‑15,10:13, Acts 2:34f, Mk 16:19, Mat 11:27, 22:44 ,26:64, 28:18, Ps 8:6, 110:1, Eph 1:22, 1 Cor 15:24‑27, Rev 13:3, 12‑14, 19:10, Is 60:14.

Finally, it is important to note that the fallen host of demons is quite active in the false Christians churches and parachurches (known in Rev 17-18 as Babylon). We find this important statement:

And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. (Rev 18:2-3)

We find that Babylon houses demons and therefore, it can be concluded that this worldly, apostate, organized Christian church is influenced by demons. We find in 1 Tim 4:1 that in the latter times, people will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils (i.e., demons). James 3:14-16 notes that bitter envying and strife in the heart is contrary to truth and this type of ‘wisdom’ is demonic. James 3:16 states that this results in confusion (i.e., Babylon). Other verses mention that it is possible to worship demons by our actions: 1Cor 10:20, Deut 32:17, Ps 106:37, Gal 4:8, Ex 22:20, 32:8, 34:15, 2 Chr 11:15, Lev 17:7). These verses teach us that whatever we sacrifice our time and resources to, that is what we worship. Worshiping of devils and giving heed to their seductions and doctrines is considered as idolatry as well (see 1 Tim 4:1, 1 Cor 10:20-21, Deut 32:17, Ps 106:37).

In summary, the little horn, by the power of Satan, has authority over demons and false ministers.

False Ministers during the Church Age:
- For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2Co 11:13-15)
Demons in Babylon (Great Tribulation):
- And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication … (Rev 18:2-3)

Daily taken away / deceit prospers (Dan 8:11-12,24-25)

Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. (Dan 8:11)
And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. (Dan 8:12)
And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. (Dan 8:24)
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand … (Dan 8:25)

The Hebrew word for ‘daily’ is tamiyd which occurs about 100 times in the Old Testament and literally means ‘continual’. It is important to note that the word ‘sacrifice’ is added by the translators in Daniel 8:11-14, Dan 11:31 and Dan 12:11 and does not appear in the original text. However, in Dan 9:27, the phrase ‘sacrifice and offering’ is used in place of daily (see Abomination of Desolation webpage). Dan 8:12 notes that the daily is taken away by reason of transgression (see below discussion on the Abomination of Desolation).

The Hebrew word for ‘daily’ appears throughout the Old Testament. In Psalm 25:13, the Scripture says that ‘my eyes are ever toward the Lord’ and Ps 51:3 says that ‘my sin is ever before me’. In Ps 105:4, we are instructed to seek the Lord’s face evermore. In Pr 28:14 we are told that happy is the man that fears the Lord always. In Ps 16:8, the Lord is always before me. Other actions that were performed ‘continually’:

Kindness and truth – Ps 40:11
Love Salvation – Ps 40:16, 70:4
Praise the lord – Ps 34:1, 35:27, Ps 71:6
God’s love and truth to be continually preserved – Ps 40:11
Continually resort to God – Ps 71:3
Fear God always – Pr 28:14
Set Lord before me always – Ps 105:4, Ps 16:8, Ps 25:15
Magnify the Lord – Ps 35:27
Prayer – Ps 72:14-15
Servant who hear wisdom of Solomon – 1 Ki 10:8, 2 Chr 9:7
Lord’s eyes always upon the land – Deut 11:12
Soul in God’s hand – Ps 119:107
Keeping commandments, God’s law, statutes – Pr 6:21, Ps 119:44, Ps 119:117, Ps 119:109
Mephibosheth – eat at king’s table (type of salvation) – 2 Sam 9:7-13
People who stand continually before Solomon for wisdom – 1 Ki 10:8, 2 Chr 9:7
Stand upon the watchtower – Is 21:8
Gates open continually for salvation – Is 60:11
Pray without ceasing – Ps 88:1, Lk 2:37, Lk 18:7

These verses are significant, but let us look at the ceremonial law regarding sacrifices and offerings. We find that there were various ceremonial activities that were performed in the tabernacle on a daily (continual) basis:

Showbread – Ex 25:30, 2 Chr 2:4, Num 4:7
The box always on Aaron’s head (high priest) – represents Word of God – Ex 28:38
Aaron goes into Holy Place – Ex 28:29-30
Lamps burning with oil – Ex 27:20, Lev 24:1-8
Burnt offerings – Num 29:6, Neh 10:33, Ezra 3.5, Num 28:3-31, Num 29:11-38, Ex 29:38, 29:42, 1 Chr 16:40, Ps 50:8, 2 Chr 2:4, Lev 6:13 (fire on altar), (Ex 29:38, Num 28:3 (two lambs))
Food (meat) offering – Num 4:16, Neh 10:33, Lev 6:20, Num 28:4-6 (with the two lambs), Eze 46:14-15
Incense altar burning – Ex 30:8
Could by day, pillar of fire by night continually – Num 9:16
Aaron’s breastplate – Ex 28:29-30
Zacahrias fulfilling the priest’s course – Lk 1:5, Lk 1:8
Priests stood daily ministering offerings – Heb 7:27, 10:11

From the above, we can see that there were two primary usages of the Hebrew word for ‘daily’:

Daily actions that involve worship and fellowship with the Lord, and
Various actions associated with the ceremonial law (including sacrifices and offerings)

It should be apparent that all the actions of the ceremonial law pointed to the work of Christ. Also, the ceremonial law had many symbols that represented the Holy Spirit (oil, light), the church (lampstand), Christians (light), the Word of God (bread, food, light, etc.) and prayer (incense). Since the activities of the little horn occur in the latter days prior to the return of Christ, we should see that although the ceremonial law had daily physical activities that needed to be performed, we find in the New Testament that these activities were completed in Christ and typified greater truths about Him:

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (Col 2:14-17, see also Heb 8:5, 9:9, 10:1, 13:9, Gal 4:10-11, etc.)

Turning to the New Testament, we find the fulfillment of daily activities in the following verses:

Give us this day our daily bread – Mat 6:11, Lk 11:3 (note: Jesus is the bread of life, Mat 4:4, John 6:51, 58, etc.)
Exhort one another daily – Heb 3:13
Paul’s daily care for the churches – 2 Cor 11:28
Jesus taught daily – Lk 19:47
Jesus daily in the temple – Mk 14:49, Lk 22:53, Mat 26:55
Take up one’s cross daily – Lk 9:23
Christians die daily in service to Christ – 1 Cor 15:31
Paul disputing daily for Christ – Acts 19:9, 17:17
Bereans searched Scriptures daily to verify truth – Acts 17:11
Number of Christians increased daily – Acts 2:47, 3:2, 16:5
Daily ministration to the saints – Acts 6:1
Teaching and preaching daily – Acts 5:42
Disciples met daily, broke bread and of one accord daily – Acts 2:46
Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing – 1 Thess 5:16-17, 1 Thess 2:9, 2 Tim 1:3
Present oneself as a living sacrifice – Ro 12:1-2
Christians always delivered to death for Jesus’ sale – 2 Cor 4:11
Paul offered upon the sacrifice of service– Phil 2:17, 2 Tim 4:6
Offer the sacrifice of praise – Heb 13:15
Christians are a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices – 1 Pet 2:5
Helping Christians in need is a sacrifice (sweet savor) – Phil 4:18, Heb 13:16

It is reasonable to conclude that the ‘daily’ that was taken away was the Biblical expectation that Christians die daily by following Christ through Bible study, worship, witness, discipleship and service. With these sacrifices and offerings God is well pleased.

The removal of the daily is related to the prospering of craft (deceit) in the hand of the little horn (Dan 8:25). The Hebrew word for ‘craft’ is mirmah, which literally means deceit. Deception is an important strategy of the antichrist during the Great Tribulation. Because the Antichrist is powered (Rev 13:2), Dan 8:24) by Satan (who is the father of lies), deception and lies are a fundamental part of the Antichrist’s nature. This deception involves the perversion of the Word of God, the Bible. The purpose of the lies and deception is for the Antichrist to promote themselves to gain favor, adulation and worship. The lies and deception can occur through signs and wonders, the deceitfulness of riches and unrighteousness and the abomination of desolation (worldliness / worship of other gods and idols), which all detract from the truths of the Bible.

Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son. (1Jn 2:22)

Power, signs and wonders
- Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, (2Th 2:9)

- For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Mat 24:5)
- And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (Mat 24:11)
- For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Mat 24:24)
- For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. (Mar 13:22)
- And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. (Rev 13:13-14)

Deception (lies) of unrighteousness (worldly pleasures)
- And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2Th 2:10-12)

- And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. (Rev 13:12-14)

(Deception / sin) – With all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish (Thess 2:10)
Destroyer (literal meaning of Abaddon / Apollyon) – Rev 9:11 – 5 months – torment unsaved in church by false teaching / prophets / gospels – Rev 9:5
Cause sacrifice and oblation to cease (normal Christian activities of Bible study and prayer removed) – Dan 9:26
Deception (stings in tails, lions’ teeth, women, gold crowns) – Rev 9:7-10 – Uses false teaching in the church
(Mark of the beast – control of people’s buying and selling, which is a type of being in the marketplace of religion) – And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads; And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Rev 13:17)
Mouth speaking great words against the Most High – Dan 7:8, 11, 20, 25
Think to change times and laws – Dan 7:25
Daily taken away – Dan 8:11
Host given to him against the daily – Dan 8:12
By transgression, cast truth to the ground – Dan 8:12
Daily and transgression of desolation, sanctuary and host trodden to the ground 2300 days – Dan 8:13-14, 26
Though his policy, cause crafty (deceit) to prosper – Dan 8:25
By peace, destroy many – Dan 8:25
…his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do exploits … he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant. (Dan 11:28-30)
And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. (Dan 11:31)
And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries…but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. (Dan 11:32, 34)
Gog’s deception of the nations:
And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (Rev 20:8)
Deception
- Diverse (changes time and laws) – deception – Dan 7:23, Dan 7:25
- Eyes like a man – great understanding, but deceptive – Dan 7:8, Dan 7:20
- Speaking great things against God – blasphemy – Dan 7:8, Dan 7:11, Dan 7:20, Dan 7:25
Prince of Tyre – Worldly wisdom and riches
Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee: (Eze 28:3)
With thy wisdom and with thine understanding thou hast gotten thee riches, and hast gotten gold and silver into thy treasures: (Eze 28:4)
- By thy great wisdom and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches: (Eze 28:5)

Cast Truth to the Ground:

And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered. (Dan 8:12)
- Cast – to throw (different word than fall in Dan 8:10)
- Practiced – literally, to do (to be able)
- Prospered – worldly success
And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand … (Dan 8:24-25)
… the beast … the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. (Rev 13:2)

The Transgression (Abomination) of Desolation – Destroy Many Wonderfully

Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. (Dan 8:11)
And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. (Dan 8:12)
Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? (Dan 8:13)
And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. (Dan 8:24)
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Dan 8:25)
- ‘Daily’ – literally, continual, but equated to evening / morning
- ‘Sacrifice’ not in original Hebrew text
- Transgression – literally, rebellion (apostasy)

Please refer to the Abomination of Desolation webpage for a more detailed explanation.

In addition to Dan 8:11-14, Dan 8:26, the daily being taken away and the transgression of desolation being set up has the following parallel passages in the Bible:

Daniel’s 70 Weeks Prophecy – Dan 9:
And after 62 weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary … And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Dan 9:26-27)
- Prince that shall come – antichrist
- Middle of the week – start of Great Tribulation
- City and sanctuary – desolation of the nominal church
- Abominations – worship of other gods and idols (worldliness)
- Sacrifice and Oblation – the ‘Daily’ – sacrifices and offerings
Daniel 11-12:
- King of the North
- And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate. (Dan 11:31)
  - Sanctuary of strength – church
  - Sacrifice – not in Hebrew text
  - And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that makes desolate set up, there shall be 1290 days. (Dan 12:11)
  - Sacrifice – not in Hebrew text
- Olivet Discourse (Mat 24, Mk 13, Lk 21):
  - When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoever reads, let him understand) … For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. (Mat 24:15,21 – see also Mk 13:14,19 for similar passage)
    - Holy place – place of God’s people (church / parachurches – Babylon)
  - And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh … And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. (Luk 21:20,24)
    - Jerusalem – symbol for the church
    - Symbols of the Great Tribulation
    - Jerusalem trodden down of the Gentiles – worldliness
  - Transgression Equates with Abomination
    - Transgression (Dan 8) equated to Abomination (Dan 9, Dan 11-12, Mat 24, Mk 13)
    - Removal of the ‘Daily’ – prayer, service, Word of God
    - Abomination – spiritual fornication (worldliness)
    - Desolation – churches and parachurches desolated by spiritual famine, sword, pestilence, wild beasts
    - Satan and his kingdom (worldliness) in false churches and parachurches
    - Babylon is the false Christian Church and parachurches (Rev 17-18)
  - What is the Daily?
    - Daily literally means ‘continual’ in the Hebrew
    - Priests stood daily ministering offerings – Heb 7:27, 10:11
    - Showbread – Ex 25:30, 2 Chr 2:4, Num 4:7
    - Symbolic Bread of Word of God (Jesus Christ) – Mat 4:4, John 6:35
    - Lamps burning with oil – Ex 27:20, Lev 24:1-8
    - Oil symbolic for Holy Spirit – 1 John 2:20, 27
    - Burnt offerings – Num 29:6, Neh 10:33
    - Food (meat) offering – Num 4:16, Lev 6:20
    - Incense altar – Ex 30:8
    - Incense symbolic for prayer – Ps 141:2, Rev 5:9, etc.
    - Daily relates closely with Sacrifices and Offerings
  - Christian Sacrifices and Offerings in the New Testament
    - Christians are to be Sacrifices and Offerings
    - … present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world …(Rom 12:1-2)
    - Ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices … (1Pe 2:5)
    - … let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Heb 13:15)
    - … if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. (Phil 2:17)
    - For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. (2Ti 4:6)
  - Daily activities of a Christian
    - Daily Sacrifices and Offerings of the True Christian
    - Word of God – give us this day our daily bread – Mat 4:4, Mat 6:11, Ps 1:1-2, Ps 119:97-99
    - Jesus and disciples taught and learned daily – Mk 14:49, Lk 19:47, Acts 2:46, 5:42, 6:1, 17:17, 19:9
    - Preached Gospel daily – 1 Thess 2:9
    - Pray without ceasing – 1 Thess 5:17, Ps 88:1
    - Prayer of incense (Ps 141:2) was daily
    - Daily sacrifice – Die daily, take up cross daily – 1 Cor 15:31, Lk 9:23
  - Removal of the Daily – Truth Cast Down
    - Little Horn of Daniel 8 (Antichrist)
    - … by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground (Dan 8:11-12)
    - … and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that makes desolate. (Dan 11:31)
    - … and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate … (Dan 9:27)
  - Transgression of Desolation
    - And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practiced, and prospered. (Dan 8:12)
    - And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. (Dan 8:23)
    - Transgressors – Heb: pasha – literally, those who revolt (rebel)
    - … the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. (Isa 1:2)
    - So Israel rebelled against the house of David … (1Ki 12:19)
    - Transgression of Desolation is equated to abomination of desolation in Dan 9, Dan 11, Dan 12, Mat 24, Mk 13
  - What an Abomination is
    - Abomination = worshiping / serving other gods and idols
      - Occurs ~160 times (Old Testament)
    - And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them. (Deu 29:17)
    - They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. (Deu 32:16)
    - Abomination – a morally detestable thing
    - Everything honored above or instead of God is an idol
    - Babylon (spiritual fornication) – false churches and parachurches
    - And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (Rev 17:5)
  - The Holy Place
    - … fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord … (Eph 2:19-22)
    - … the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. (1Co 3:17)
    - Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becomes your house, O LORD, for ever. (Psa 93:5)
    - The nominal church includes many non-Christians
    - Parable of the wheat and tares – Mat 13:24-30, 36-43
    - … in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor (2Ti 2:20)
  - Desolation Methods
    - Captivity in Babylon (Jer 24:5-7, Lk 21:20,24)
    - Scattering to the Winds (Deut 28:63-66, Eze 5:12, Eze 6:5-8)
    - Killing (Eze 14:12-23) by famine, evil beasts, sword and pestilence
    - For thus says the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my 4 sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast? (Eze 14:21)

In Dan 8:12 the Bible teaches that a host (i.e., army) was given unto the little horn against the ‘daily’. (The word ‘sacrifice’ does not appear in the original Hebrew text but was added by the translators.) Taking away the ‘daily’ refers to the fact that the little horn (Antichrist) will receive the power and authority of Satan (Rev 13:2). This army is not by the power of the Antichrist. Rather, as Dan 8:24 states, the little horn’s accomplishments are not by his own power. The little horn’s host’ is the ‘demonic’ leadership of the end-time false churches and para-churches. As we saw in Rev 18:4, Babylon is inhabited by all demons, foul spirits and hateful birds. Similarly, the sanctuary of where God’s people are is overrun by many foul spirits (whether demonic or human). The daily bread of following the Bible and serving God has been replaced by ‘reason of transgression’:

And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered. Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? (Dan 8:12-13)

Instead of using the phrase ‘Abomination of Desolation’ which is used in Mat 24:15, Mk 13:14, Dan 9:27, 11:31, Dan 12:11, the term ‘transgression of desolation’ is used here. It is by this transgression that the daily was taken away. The word ‘transgression is the Hebrew word pasha (H6588), which literally means revolt or rebellion (e.g., see Is 1:2, 1 Ki 12:19, 2 Ki 8:20, etc.) and occurs about 90 times in the Old testament. The Greek word for ‘fall away’ in 2 Thess 2:3 has a similar meaning of standing away from or commits apostasy (rebels) from the faith. We find here that the removal of the ‘daily’ is an act of rebellion from God, including the holy truths about God found in the Scriptures. We find plain language in the Dan 8, that the little horn will do this by ‘craft’ which literally means ‘deceit’. We find in the Old Testament many references to the transgressions of Judah that resulted in her desolation: Lam 1:5, 14, 22, Eze 14:11, 18:22, 18:30-31, 21:24, Is 50:1, etc.).

The result of removing the normal daily Biblically-expected activities of Christians is the destruction of the sanctuary (holy place). In Dan 8:11, the Scripture tells us that the daily was taken away and the place of the sanctuary was cast down. The Hebrew word for ‘place’ (H4349, H4350) points to a firm foundation, usually a godly place (Ex 15:17, Ps 97:2, Ps 89:14, Ps 104:5, 1 Ki 8:13, Ps 33:14, etc.). In almost all cases, it refers to a holy place whether heavenly or earthly. This is also confirmed by the usage of ‘sanctuary’ in Dan 8:11. The word used for ‘sanctuary’ is based on the word for ‘holy’ and literally means a ‘holy place’. As we studied earlier, the holy place is where God and His people are located. It is also interesting to note that Dan 8:14 teaches us that after the ‘2300’ days of tribulation, the sanctuary will again be cleansed (literally made righteous). During the tribulation period, the transgression of desolation will exist in the holy place.

We find in Dan 8:24 that as a result of the removal of the ‘daily’, God’s mighty and holy people are destroyed wonderfully. The Hebrew word for ‘destroy’ is shachath (H7843) which literally means the decay or corrupt and is used about 150 times in the Old Testament. As we shall see below in Dan 9:26, the prince that shall come (equates to the little horn) shall destroy the ‘city and the sanctuary’ referring to Jerusalem and the temple. Also, we find that the same word used for destroy is used to describe the desolation of Jerusalem and the land of Judah by the king of Babylon:

And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast? (Jer 36:29)

We find the following verses which all are used to describe that Jerusalem, the land and the temple would be destroyed: 2 Chr 36:19, Is 14:20, Eze 5:16, Jer 5:10, 6:5, 13:9-14, 15:3, 15:6, Lam 2:5-8, Eze 9:8, Eze 22:30,

Of interest, we find in Jer 12:10 that the pastors of Judah were involved with the destruction of God’s vineyard by making it desolate:

Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness. (Jer 12:10)

Finally, in Eze 16:47, we find that Judah was more corrupted (destroyed) than Samaria in their abominations that they did:

Yet hast thou not walked after their ways, nor done after their abominations: but, as if that were a very little thing, thou wast corrupted more than they in all thy ways. (Eze 16:47)

Based on the above, it can be seen that because the daily was taken away, the holy people in the sanctuary (temple of God) were destroyed (i.e., made desolate). This was due to their abominations.

Dan 8:24 teaches that the little horn will destroy the might and Holy people ‘wonderfully’. The word ‘wonderfully’ is the Hebrew (H6381) pala, which mean to wonder or marvel (to distinguish). In the Old Testament, it is mostly translated as to marvel or wonder. In other passages relating to the antichrist, we see this thought of wondering or marveling:

Wondered – Gr: thaumazō (G2296) – see also G2295, G2297, G2298 (total ~55 occurrences)
Literally, admire, wonder, marvel
Marveled at Babylon – Rev 17:6-7
Marveled at the Beast – Rev 17:7-8
Marvel at the beast with the wounded head – Rev 13:3
And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. (Dan 11:36)

The mighty and holy people are God’s people who are indwelled by the Holy Spirit and made righteous. They will be persecuted through deception and abominations (transgressions) that cause the nominal church to become desolated.

Destroy Holy People due to Deception

And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practice, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many … (Dan 8:24-25)
- Destroy – literally, to decay or corrupt
- Wonderfully – literally, to marvel or wonder (see next slide)
- Mighty and Holy People – God’s people are persecuted
Marveled at the Leopard Beast with the wounded head – Rev 13:3
Marveled at Babylon – Rev 17:6-7
Marveled at the Scarlet Beast with 7 heads – Rev 17:7-8
And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done. (Dan 11:36)

By Peace, Destroy Many:

And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many … (Dan 8:25)
Peace – salvation:
- Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1)
- For unto us a child is born … and his name shall be called … The Prince of Peace. (Isa 9:6)
… saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? … therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD. (Jer 6:14-15)
False salvation plans: free will decision, baptism, church membership, orks based gospels, sacrament-keeping, etc. etc.

2300 Days – Daily taken, Transgression of Desolation

Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? (Dan 8:13)
- How long – literally, ‘until when’
And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. (Dan 8:14)
- Days – literally, evening-mornings
- Evening – Heb: ereb (H6153, 134 occurrences)
- Morning – Heb: boqer (H1242, 214 occurrences)
And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. (Dan 8:26)

The 2300 days is a symbolic reference to the time period during which the daily is removed and the transgression of desolation (a.k.a., the abomination of desolation) is established in the Holy Place. Because the vision of prophecy in Daniel 8 is symbolic, the 2300 days should not be taken as a literal 2300 days. The number 23 is a symbol for God’s judgment on the nominal church during the Great Tribulation. The removal of the daily (God’s people’s routine actions as a Christian – prayer, service, Bible study) and the Abomination of Desolation occur during the Great Tribulation. 2300 hundred refers to the fullness of God’s judgment during the Great Tribulation. The word ‘day’ in these passages is literally ‘evening-morning’ in the Hebrew. The evening-morning phrase points to what is done on a daily basis (sacrifices and offerings). Please see notes below for Bible references.

2300 Days (evening / mornings):

… by him the daily sacrifice was taken away … And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression … How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation … Unto 2300 days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed … And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. (Dan 8:11-14,26)
- Daily (Dan 8:11-13) – literally, continual
- Not a ‘day’ as used in Dan 8:26 (Heb: yom)
- Sacrifice – not in Hebrew original text
- Vision – symbolic
- Dan 8:14: ‘2300 Days’ – literally ‘evening / mornings’
- Dan 8:26: evening / mornings points to the 2300 days

Evening-mornings:

Evening – Heb: ereb (H6153, 134 occurrences)
Morning – Heb: boqer (H1242, 214 occurrences)
H6153 and H1242 together – 44 verses

Key occurrences of ‘evening’ and ‘morning’ together in Scripture:

Oil provided lampstand in temple – Exo 27:21
The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even … It is a continual burnt offering … (Num 28:4,6 – see also Exo 29:38-42)
… the offering of Aaron and of his sons … fine flour for a meat offering perpetual, half … in the morning … half … at night (Lev 6:20)
Aaron order from the evening to morning continually – Lev 24:3
Offerings both in the morning and evening – 2 Ki 16:15, 1 Chr 16:40
Thank offering every morning and every evening – 1 Chr 23:30
Continual sacrifices, incense, showbread, burnt offerings evening and morning – 2 Chr 2:4, 2 Chr 13:11, 2 Chr 31:3, Ezra 3:3
For 2300 evening / mornings, daily is removed (Dan 8:14)

Other Bible references to evening / morning:

6 ‘days’ of creation (work of God)
- ‘Day’ literally means ‘evening-morning’ in the Hebrew – Gen 1:5, Gen 1:8, Gen 1:13, Gen 1:19, Gen 1:23, Gen 1:31
Benjamin as a wolf: morning devour the prey, evening divide the spoil – Gen 49:27
Moses to the people who hungered in the wilderness: evening flesh (quails) to eat, morning bread (manna) – Exo 16:8, Exo 16:12-13
Moses judges the people – people stood before him from morning to evening – Exo 18:13-14
Oil for the lampstand by Aaron and His sons – Exo 27:21
One lamb offered in morning; one in evening – both with a meat and drink offering – Exo 29:39-41, Num 28:4-8
Food offering half in morning; half in evening – Lev 6:20
Aaron order from the evening to morning continually – Lev 24:3
Cloud over tabernacle, a fire from evening until morning – Num 9:15, see also 9:21
Sacrifice at Passover at evening, nothing left over by morning – Deut 16:4
Fear: wish it was evening and at evening, wish it was morning – Deut 28:67
Ravens brought Elijah bread and flesh in the morning and again in the evening – 1 Ki 17:6
Offerings both in the morning and evening – 2 Ki 16:15, 1 Chr 16:40
Thank offering every morning and every evening – 1 Chr 23:30
Continual sacrifices, incense, showbread, burnt offerings evening and morning – 2 Chr 2:4, 2 Chr 13:11, 2 Chr 31:3, Ezra 3:3
Humankind destroyed from morning to evening, they perish forever – Job 4:20
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy in the morning – Psa 30:5
Evening, morning and at noon will I pray and cry aloud; he shall hear my voice – Psa 55:17
The outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice – Ps 65:8
In the morning it grows up, at evening it withers – Psa 90:6
In the morning sow your seed and at evening withhold not your hand – Ecc 11:6
At evening was trouble, before the morning he is not – Isa 17:14
Ezekiel spoke to the people in the morning and at evening his wife died and in the morning he did what was commanded – Eze 24:18
Lord upon Ezekiel in the evening and in the morning his mouth was opened – Eze 33:22
Unto 2300 days, then the sanctuary will be cleansed – Dan 8:14
Vision of the evening and morning is true – Dan 8:26
Judges are evening wolves, they gnaw the bones until the morning – Zeph 3:3

Symbolism of 2300 – Fullness of Judgment on the Nominal Church for sin

100 – Fullness of man’s life (g., produce, possessions, works)

- Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: (Ecc 8:12)

A reproof enters more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. (Pro 17:10)

- Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac born – Gen 17:17, Gen 21:5, Ro 4:19
- Nicodemus brought 100 pounds of myrrh and aloes to Jesus tomb – John 19:39
- 100 pounds of wheat / oil – Parable of unjust steward – Lk 16:6-7
- Parable of the Lost Sheep – Lk 15:4 (leaves the 99 to find the 1), Mat 18:12
- Fruit of a Christian – some 30, some 60, some 100 – Mk 4:8, Mat 13:8, Mat 13:23, Lk 8:8
- Unforgiving servant has a fellow-servant who owed him a 100 pence and would not forgive him – Mat 18:28
- For thus saith the Lord GOD; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel. (Amo 5:3)
- Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. (Gen 26:12)

23,000 – Judgment on church in the wilderness (Acts 7:38) for whoredoms with Moab (Num 25:1-9)

- Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. (1Co 10:8)

One day, 23,000 died compared with a total of 24,000 recorded in Num 25:1-9. This emphasizes the significance of numbers.

2300 – Points to Removal of the Daily and Abomination of Desolation (Great Tribulation)
- Then I heard one saint speaking, and another saint said unto that certain saint which spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot? (Dan 8:13)
  - How long – literally, ‘until when’
- And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed. (Dan 8:14)
  - Days – literally, evening-mornings
  - Evening – Heb: ereb (H6153, 134 occurrences)
  - Morning – Heb: boqer (H1242, 214 occurrences)

- And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. (Dan 8:26)
23 – Prominent number in return of the exiles from Babylonian Captivity – Prominent number in returning exiles – Ezr 2:11,17,19,21,28, Neh 7:32
23,000 Levites who did not receive inheritance; their inheritance was the Lord (Josh 13:33, Josh 18:7, Deut 10:9, Deut 18:1-2)

- And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel. (Num 26:62)
23 years Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah when 70 years prophecy was given
- 627 B.C. – 605 B.C (4^th year of Jehoiakim – see Jer 25:1)
- From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that is the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened. (Jer 25:3)
- Beginning of the 70 years of captivity
- Josiah (640-609 B.C.)
23 days of not focusing on building the house of the Lord (Haggai)
- Hag 1:1, Hag 1:15 – 6^th month 1^st day to 6^th month 24^th day – points to the judgment on returning exiles for not rebuilding the House of the Lord – rather they focused on themselves and received judgment
46 years in building the temple of the Lord – two (witness) times 23 (judgment on church)
- Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? (Joh 2:20)
- The temple at the time of Christ was a place of conflict between the church and Jesus Christ – Mat 21:12, Mat 21:23, Mk 11:11-15, Lk 19:45, John 8:2, Mk 11:27, John 10:23, John 8:20, John 18:20, John 5:14, John 7:14, etc.
- Jesus false accused that He was going to destroy the temple (which was not true – see John 2:19-22) – Mk 15:29, Mk 14:57-60, Mat 26:61, Mat 27:40
276 survivors (saved souls, Acts 27:37) in the shipwreck of Acts 27
- Points to the those who have endured judgment on the church
- 276 = 23 (judgment on the church) times 12 (God’s organization of His people)

Stands against the Prince of princes (Dan 8:25)

Points to the Last Day / Second Coming of Jesus Christ

… he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Dan 8:25)
And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Rev 17:12-14)
- 7^th Head of the Scarlet beast in the Antichrist
- Scarlet beast is Satan