You may have to take my word for it, but Daniel 8 is a prophecy about a ruler called Antiochus Epiphanes. He was born in 215 BC and reigned from 175 to 163 BC. We can read about him in more detail in two books found in the Apocrypha called 1 and 2 Maccabees. He is known as Epiphanes because there were thirteen kings called Antiochus in that division of the Grecian Empire – he was actually Antiochus IV. The name was chosen by himself because he believed that he was a visible manifestation of God. The centre of his kingdom was in Antioch in Syria.
Daniel’s vision says that Antiochus will move south and east (v. 9). History tells us that he moved south and in two campaigns conquered much of Egypt before being stopped by a Roman consul who warned him that Rome would interfere if he did not leave Egypt immediately. Antiochus did, which is a reminder why he was a little horn despite his claims to greatness (he was also little in that he only ruled for fourteen years). He also had various attempts towards the east (Armenia and Persia) as he tried to increase his kingdom.
The focus of the prophecy is not on what Antiochus did in Egypt or towards the east; instead it is concerned with what Antiochus did in the glorious land, which is another name for Israel. Israel was part of his empire, so he was concerned about some political changes that had happened there during his campaign in Egypt.
Therefore he besieged the city of Jerusalem and killed many of the saints (about the year 168). In his own thinking he would also elevate himself above God (v. 25) and in 167 he set up an image of himself in the temple (by this time he imagined that he was the head of the gods, which is why he is called by the name Epiphanes). This was extreme sacrilege, a direct challenge to God.
The final feature of this prophecy about Antiochus is that his end will not be caused by another human (v. 25). Following on from his campaign against Jerusalem, Antiochus moved east in 165 to put down rebellions in Armenia and Persia. His two-year campaign did not go well and while he was brooding over his failures he received news that Jews in Jerusalem had removed his statue from the temple. This seemed to drive him insane, and he took to his bed and died in the year 163.
What lessons can we take from this? The first is the accuracy of fulfilled biblical prophecy, which should give us confidence in God’s control of time. His counsel shall stand. Second, the story of Antiochus reminds us of the folly of earthly-minded rulers. He sought for prestige, pleasure and power; he discovered that those worldly things could not satisfy his inner longings, but sadly he lost his soul.
Thirdly, Antiochus speaks to us of another aspect of human life, which is the futility of fighting against God. He was a brazen opponent of God, much more than many others. Yet his strength was like an infant getting into a boxing match with a champion. With all his earthly resources, Antiochus was no match for God.
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