The Ram and Goat vision in the Book of Daniel
The ram and goat vision gives the reader details of a prophetic war. Is that war a historical event? Or is it a prophecy yet to see fulfillment? If you accept the words of many scholars, they will tell you it is a war that was fought long ago. But if you believe the angelic creature who stands in the presence of God, then it’s a future event.
Daniel 8:1,2: Daniel saw a vision of a ram and goat. In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar, a vision appeared to me, Daniel, subsequent to the one that had appeared to me earlier. 2 And in the vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision that I was beside the Ulai Canal
Daniel, the great prophet of God, saw many visions in his long life. Several of those visions have terrifying implications for those who are alive as the final visions unfold. I believe those final days are drawing near. (Still years away as I write this short post, but nevertheless, we are very near when we consider when the prophet first received those visions.) Some of those visions shook him to his core. He had difficulty believing how the final days would unfold. But the Lord, through angelic messengers, assured Daniel that the visions were true. Things will take place just as he was shown. In particular, once again, I want to bring your attention to Daniel’s vision of the ram and goat.
Memri.org and the Ram and Goat vision
A recent article in ‘Memri.org’ brings to focus the unfolding prophecies that Daniel saw over two thousand years ago. These prophecies will take place in the last days. God’s Word is true! The Arab nations see the current threat from Iran. Iran is the modern-day equivalent of the Ram in Daniel’s prophecy. Just as the prophecy states, the ram will attempt to conquer most of the Middle East.
But another nation, the goat, will oppose them. I wonder what nation that will be. If you are not sure, the Bible gives us clarity there as well.
The vision made clear
In many prophetic passages, the reader has specific help to better understand what the prophecies mean. In Daniel eight, the angelic messengers who reveal the visions, also give him clarity as to the timing.
Gabriel Interprets Daniel’s Vision
Daniel 8:16 And I heard the voice of a man calling from between the banks of the Ulai: “Gabriel, explain the vision to this man.” 17As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”
The angel Gabriel was nice enough to clarify the timing of the vision. “It concerns the time of the end.” And in case it wasn’t clear to him, the angel re-emphasized it.
Daniel 8: 17
…17As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”
But, since theologians have argued about such things for over two thousand years, the Word of God adds further emphasis on the timing. The Apostles, Paul and John, and the Lord Jesus Himself, all referred to this passage in their own references to the final day prophecies.
Daniel 8:9-14 The wars in the last days
9 Out of one of them came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land.
10 It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them.
11 It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And the regular burnt offering was taken away from him. And the place of his sanctuary was overthrown.
12 And a host will be given over to it together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, and it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper.
13 Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who spoke, “For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot?”
14 And he said to me, “For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state.”
Are you ready for the end of days? Of course, you aren’t. None of us are, nor can we be. It shook Daniel to his core. And he only saw it in the form of visions. For those who will live it, the reality will be far worse.
Read, study, pray, and draw close to the Lord. And be ready to comfort those who tremble. The Lord wins in the end. And He will welcome His children into eternal peace. But the final challenges must take place.
Let me know what you think.