Day 4

Scripture to Read: Daniel 8:1–10

We covered Alexander the Great in last week's devotions, but God reveals more in Daniel 8. Since Alexander the Great died young, his empire went to his four generals; that’s the four horns Daniel saw emerge on the goat to replace the large horn. General Cassandra ruled Macedonia. General Ptolemy ruled Egypt. General Lysimachus ruled Thrace and Asia Minor. General Seleucus ruled Syria. Seleucus’ territory extended into the land of Israel. Another ruler arose after Seleucus named Antiochus Epiphanes, who brought the worst persecution against Israel. Antiochus Epiphanes became a type of antichrist. Daniel 8:9–14 references Antiochus Epiphanes’ reign. Daniel 8:9 describes the rise of Antiochus’ rule and mentions “the Beautiful Land,” which is the nation of Israel. Israel has always been God’s chosen nation and Jerusalem is the center, as revealed in Ezekiel 5:5, “Thus says the Lord God, ‘This is Jerusalem; I have set her at the center of the nations, with lands around her.” Daniel 8:10 describes the persecution of Israel, which didn’t occur until 386 years later, around B.C. 170–164. Antiochus wanted a massive Greek empire consisting of Greek thought, language, culture, and religion but Israel had its own language, culture, and religion, so Antiochus tried to destroy them. Persecution of God’s children still occurs today. Though it is not as prevalent in the USA, persecution of the saints is occurring in other parts of the world. We must pray Philippians 1:12–14 for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ, as they suffer for the cause of Christ. We must live wholeheartedly for our Lord, no matter the cost.

Challenge & Application

• Though we don’t face heavy persecution in the USA, how do you prepare each day for the fleshly battles you do face? • Why should we pray Philippians 1:12–14 for our imprisoned and persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ in other parts of the world?

Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!

Devotionals from this week

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Day 1

Daniel, led by the Holy Spirit, wrote about things 400 years before they happened. Read Daniel 8:1. Daniel had a second vision in the third year of Belshazzar the King, about 551 B.C. Some doubt that Daniel wrote the Book of Daniel. But in Matthew 24:15, Jesus quotes Daniel 9:27 and says this was given through “Daniel the prophet.” In Daniel ...

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Day 2

Persia conquered the Babylonians, but Persia was also conquered, as we read in Daniel 8:5–8. God allowed Daniel to see the ram (the Medo-Persian Empire) conquer Babylon, but he also saw Greece (the one-horned goat) conquer the Medo-Persian Empire a few centuries later. Daniel 8:5 says, “While I was observing, behold, a male goat was coming fr...

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Day 3

Alexander the Great received the discipline of God. Though Alexander the Great had conquered the world, the history books tell us that he died of debauchery at around age 32. Some attribute his death to alcoholism; others attribute it to sexually transmitted disease(s). Basically, his lustful passions cost him his life. God warns us, as His ...

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Day 4

We covered Alexander the Great in last week's devotions, but God reveals more in Daniel 8. Since Alexander the Great died young, his empire went to his four generals; that’s the four horns Daniel saw emerge on the goat to replace the large horn. General Cassandra ruled Macedonia. General Ptolemy ruled Egypt. General Lysimachus ruled Thrace an...

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Day 5

We know Antiochus Epiphanes was a tyrant toward Israel, and in Daniel 8:11, we read, “It even magnified itself to be equal with the Commander of the host; and it removed the regular sacrifice from Him, and the place of His sanctuary was thrown down.” God shows how Antiochus exalted himself and made himself equal to God. Even his name, Antioch...

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Day 6

Read Daniel 8:13–14. We have two angels discussing the desecration of God's temple and wondering how long it would last. God makes it clear it would last 2,300 days, about six years. After the 2,300 days, the Maccabean Revolt took place and though Israel was outnumbered, God gave them favor and they succeeded in taking the temple back from An...

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Day 7

In Daniel 8:15–19, Daniel “sought to understand” the vision God showed him. In Daniel 8:20–25, God gave Daniel the interpretation of the vision. Note that Daniel chose to diligently seek an answer. Sadly, today, too many who claim to be Christians in America choose to be apathetic toward hungering for God’s Word. Many don’t have an appetite f...

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