Daniel 7-9

The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between its eyes is the first king. (Daniel‬ ‭8:20-21‬)

I am grateful that this one vision, at least, is interpreted WITHIN THE BIBLICAL TEXT, because so much prophetic material is subject to a variety of interpretations. It is comforting to know this much about this one vision of Daniel. Likewise, it is reassuring to me that there seems to be some historical accuracy to the biblical claim that Babylon was to be supplanted by Medes, Persians, and Greeks.

The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power. (Daniel‬ ‭8:22‬)

This verse of scripture seems to point to the division of the empire of Alexander the Great among his four immediate successors: Lysimachus, Cassander, Ptolemy, and Seleucus. Upon his death Alexander’s empire was so partitioned, as confirmed by ancient records.

But, lest we become too certain of ourselves, Daniel admits to his own befuddlement:

I, Daniel, was worn out. I lay exhausted for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding. (Daniel‬ ‭8:27‬)

If we are to be true to the scriptures, then it seems to me we must be as willing as Daniel was willing to live with some degree of mystery where the things of God are concerned.