The Ram and the Goat | Introduction to Daniel's Prophecies

Daniel 8 presents another prophetic vision, this time with a ram and a goat. The distinguishing feature of this prophecy is that the symbols themselves are identified by the angel Gabriel.

The Ram with Two Horns

What did Daniel see in his vision?

A lion A ram with two horns by the river A statue A bear

What does the ram represent?

Babylon The kings of Media and Persia Greece Rome

Why was one horn larger than the other?

It has no significance Persia was stronger than Media in the united empire They were two equal kingdoms The smaller one came first

The Hairy Goat

What came against the ram?

A lion A hairy goat with a notable horn A bear A dragon

What does the goat represent?

Medo-Persia Greece, and the great horn is its first king Rome Babylon

The great horn of the goat represents Alexander the Great. With extraordinary speed, he conquered the Persian empire and rapidly expanded Greek dominion in the ancient world.

The Four Horns

What happened when the great horn was broken?

The goat died Four notable horns arose, representing four kingdoms Another goat arose Nothing happened

What is the historical fulfillment of the four horns?

Four sons of Alexander Four generals divided the empire: Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy Four enemy nations Four Roman provinces

The Little Horn of Daniel 8

Where did the little horn of Daniel 8 arise?

From the ram From one of the four horns (Greek divisions) From one of the four winds/directions, arising from the West; it represents pagan and papal Rome From heaven

What did the little horn do against the truth?

It promoted it It cast truth to the ground and prospered It ignored it It studied it

What did the little horn do against the Prince of princes?

It worshiped Him It rose up against Him and took away the continual It followed Him Nothing

And Now?

Daniel 8 clearly identifies the empires:

Ram: Medo-Persia (identified by the angel)
Goat: Greece (identified by the angel)
Great horn: Alexander the Great
Four horns: Division of the Greek empire
Little horn: Rome in its pagan and papal phases, the power that attacks the truth and the sanctuary

My Decision

I thank God for clearly identifying the prophetic symbols through the angel Gabriel. This gives me confidence to understand the other prophecies. I desire to remain on the side of truth, even when it is cast to the ground.

Yes, I believe and accept this truth.

5) The Ram and the Goat