Sharon

Oct 30, 202226 min

DANIEL 8:24 THE POWER OF THE KING OF FIERCE COUNTENANCE

Updated: Dec 26, 2022

CHAPTER 24

Just in case you are a little lost. If you get nothing else out of this book, my hope is that you will understand there is a third application to the entire prophecy of Daniel 8. The “last end of the indignation” referred to in Daniel 8:13 is the third application to the prophecy of Daniel 8. In this book I have presented three fulfillments of the symbolic vision of Daniel 8: 1) the literal, 2) the cross, and 3) the close of time. I have tried to spell it out in this chart.

Daniel 8 Figures/prophetic fulfilments

Ram with 2 horns

He (Rough) Goat

Four Winds of the heaven of this earth

Little Horn Power

1st fulfilment

Literal

The kings of Media and Persia

Alexander the Great

Kingdom of Greece divided to Alexander's four generals

King of fierce countenance (man of sin) leopard like beast, Papal power

2nd fulfilment

Cross

Christ

Satan/ Dragon Revelation 12:10

Satan's kingdom divided to the powers of this earth = Leopard like beast Revelation 13

Church (Jewish) / State (Roman) powers that put Christ on the cross

3rd fulfillment

End of time

Protestantism/State (Lamb-like beast Rev. 13:11)

Dragon (Revelation 12:17)

The powers of this earth or four winds of the earth

Image of the beast (Revelation 13:14-17)

In this study of Daniel 8:23 we found that the “king of fierce countenance” of Daniel is also the “image of the beast” of Revelation 13:14 which is also the image of the Little Horn power of Daniel 8:9-12. The Bible refers to the Leopard-like beast as having a deadly wound (Revelation 13:3, 12,14) but being healed. In our study of Daniel 8:24 we will find that the Leopard-like beast of Revelation 13 or the Little Horn power of Daniel 8 (papal power) is resurrected so to speak to form the “image of the beast” of Revelation 13:14-18.

Daniel 8:24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/

Please review our study of Daniel 8:23 to understand that the “king of fierce countenance” is the one spoken of in Daniel 8:24-25. He is also the “Mystery of Iniquity” of 2 Thessalonians 2. At the close of time, the power behind him is the prince of evil, the power of darkness, the serpent, otherwise known as the Devil. A further description of him is given in Daniel 8:24 - 25. We will study this “king of fierce countenance” in relation to this prophecy’s final and third application in the “last end of the indignation” spoken of in Daniel 8:19. We will study it phrase by phrase. We will study specifically, the word “POWER”, as it relates to evil, historically within the context of this prophesy’s first fulfillment to understand the final fulfilment at the close of time. We will find that Satan also uses the Lamb-like beast to fuel or give power to the Image of the Beast (king of fierce countenance) of Revelation 13.

AND HIS POWER SHALL BE MIGHTY, BUT NOT BY HIS OWN POWER…. DANIEL 8:24

In this study, the key word in this verse is power. And the key chapter of Bible study is Revelation 13 although other passages from scripture are also used here.

At the close of time we are warned regarding the “leopard like beast” of Revelation 13, that his power comes from the dragon who is Satan (Revelation 12:9).

Revelation 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-13/

People would literally worship this beast. And in so doing they were worshipping the dragon, which, the Bible emphasizes, gave power unto the beast.

Revelation 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-13/

But just like earlier stated and discovered in the chapter on Daniel 8:22, God is ultimately in charge and must release His restraint on the power of Satan to allow him to work. Satan will work through the four opposing winds of the earth to destroy. See our study on Daniel 8:8. We found that these winds look like the Leopard-like beast of Revelation 13. See our study on Daniel 8:22. Satan will be free to show his truest destructive colors.

During this prophecy’s first fulfilment regarding the Little Horn of Daniel 8:9-12 and its mirror prophecy of the Leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1-8 this power is allowed to reign forty-two months. Using the prophetic “day for a year” principle, this is 1260 years (Revelation 13:5). This is also mentioned in other mirror prophecies referred to as the “time, times, and dividing of times” (Daniel 7:25 & Revelation 12:14) which is the same as a year plus two years plus a half a year. It is stated again as 1260 days (Revelation 11:30) and 42 months (Revelation 11:2). This period of time began in 538 AD and lasted until 1798 AD which is the period of the reign of the papacy. In 1798 the papacy received its prophetic deadly wound and was considered only a church without state power.

Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-13/

He had power over all people. Revelation 13:7 tells us the Leopard-like beast or papacy wielded power over the whole world.

Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-13/

The papacy used its power to blaspheme God by appearing to take His place by speaking and acting in the place of God. But in so doing he blasphemed God’s true character (name), and God’s true church, and all of Heaven. He used his power to make war against Christianity and to overcome Christians. And he used his power to command and encourage self-worship.

Revelation 13:5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-13/

Revelation 13:11-14 tells us of another world-wide power at the close of time which helps the first power of the Leopard-like beast of Revelation 13:1-8 to revive from his deadly wound. This Lamb-like beast “exercises all the power” of the Leopard-like beast, meaning it is also a world-wide power and church/state power. Like the first beast, and by giving its strength to the Leopard-like beast, it will make war with the people of God. We have found it’s fulfilment already in a study of Daniel 8:20 realizing the Ram, which is a Lamb-like beast (Christ-like) is in the end of time known as Protestantism (Christianity) and is seen predominantly in the New World or the United States. (See our study on Daniel 8:20.) Though it seems impossible that the United States, a country which grew out of the Protestant reformation, could persecute Bible believing Christians, it is predicted to happen according to prophecy relating to the Lamb-like beast.

Revelation 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-13/

This Lamb-like beast has power to do miracles in the sight of the Leopard-like beast. Here we have apostate Christianity and popery working together to deceive the world into making an image to the beast. An image is a likeness in character. This image to the beast is the revival of the “mystery of iniquity” or “man of sin” or “son of perdition” spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-7. God allowed this power to rule for 1260 years to fully reveal its character (2 Thessalonians 2:6). See our study of Daniel 8:9-12. The character of the Leopard-like beast is fully explained in Daniel 8:9-12, Revelation 13:1-8, and in other places in scripture.

This Lamb-like beast is a church/state power who forces its system of belief upon the world through persecution and war. But first it tries to win the world through its power to do miracles in the sight of the beast. Jesus warned us explicitly to regard this beast in sheep’s clothing as a false prophet. And He told us that miracles were not a test of a true prophet. He used the parable of the wise man building his house upon the rock to mean that those who hear God’s Word and obey it, are true wise men who stand upon the Rock, Jesus Christ, and will not be fooled by this false prophet and will not worship the image of the beast and receive the mark of the beast.

Revelation 13:14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-13/

Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

….21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-7/

Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-19/

Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-16/

Revelation 13:15 tells us that the Lamb-like beast has power to give life to the image of the beast. This means that Protestantism, which came about because of men and women of faith studied and followed the (Sword) Word of God as their rule of faith (Revelation 2:16; 6:4; 13:14; Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17), will literally give up the eternal life which comes from knowing God and obeying His Words to follow the man of sin and his man-made traditions rather than God. This act will breathe life into the image of the beast (Revelation 17:12,13) and fully heal the deadly wound of the Leopard-like beast (papacy). We see this happening in the ecumenical movement of today.

Revelation 13:15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-13/

A careful study of Revelation 17 will reveal that the 10 horns on the scarlet-colored beast with seven heads are the same as the Lamb-like beast of Revelation 13. Again, power is involved.

Revelation 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive poweras kings one hour with the beast.

13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-17/

Even today, there is a movement in the religious world called the ecumenical movement where churches of different faiths come together and compromise their Bible based beliefs to create a unity in the name of peace. This kind of peace is poison to Protestantism and is setting the foundation for opposition to Christ and His Word and His people. Men and women are placing their trust in man and forsaking God and His Word to attain unity or peace. In the end, this will cause their destruction.

Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.....

17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-17/

In the end of time there is an hour of the power of darkness just like there was at the cross. It is also called the hour of temptation. Every man in the whole world will have decided for himself whether he will keep the Word of God or not.

Revelation 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-17/

And don’t forget that at the end of time, the Leopard-like beast, and Lamb-like beast are also working in harmony with the Dragon (Satan) or the power of darkness.

Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon (Satan), and out of the mouth of the beast (papacy), and out of the mouth of the false prophet (lamb-like beast).

14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-16/

Luke 22:52 Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

53 When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-Chapter-22/

Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-3/

AND HIS POWER SHALL BE MIGHTY… AND SHALL DESTROY WONDERFULLY, AND SHALL DESTROY THE MIGHTY AND THE HOLY PEOPLE

Daniel 8:24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/

Daniel 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days.

34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries.

35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-11/

Daniel 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-12/

During this time, Satan will not be able to “hurt” those who are sealed in their foreheads with the seal of God, just like he could not hurt Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they were in the fiery furnace. This does not mean that the sealed will not go into the furnace of affliction. It does not mean they will not go through the flood. It means that Christ will go with them through the flood of persecution. It means they will be saved from the hour of temptation. This passage in Revelation 9 explains this concept.

Revelation 9:3 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.....

10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt menfive months.

11And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-9/

This passage describes 150 days or five months of destruction. In the Bible, five months is a symbol representing a flood just as Noah’s 150-day flood (Genesis 7:23-24). The Bible warns us of a flood of persecution coming upon the earth (Isaiah 28:2,17-18; Psalms 69:1,2,4,14,15). But the saved of God will be shut in or sealed and safe in the ark of the presence of Christ (Genesis 7:15-16; Isaiah 26:20; Luke 13:24) during this flood. They can resist the lies of this evil king and his false prophets (the tails – Isaiah 9:5; Deuteronomy 28:15) and have built their house on a true foundation and give their obedience to the Rock of Jesus Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Matthew 7:24-25). The flood of persecution and destruction will come but their house will stand strong because these are they who hear the word of God and do it. (Isaiah 59:19; Matthew 7:15,21 -27). These are they who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus Christ (Revelation 14:12; 12:17).

Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.

24 And the waters prevailed upon the earth an hundred and fifty days.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Genesis-Chapter-7/

Isaiah 28:2 Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.
17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.

18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

20 For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it.

21 For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.

22 Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Isaiah-Chapter-28/

Psalms 69:1 (To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David.) Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.

2 I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

3 I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.....

13 But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

14 Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

15 Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-Chapter-69/

Genesis 7:16 And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in.

17 And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Genesis-Chapter-7/

Isaiah 26:20 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Isaiah-Chapter-26/

Psalms 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-Chapter-32/

Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-Chapter-13/

Isaiah 9:14 Therefore the LORD will cut off from Israel head and tail, branch and rush, in one day.

15 The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Isaiah-Chapter-9/

Matthew 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-7/

Psalms 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Isaiah-Chapter-59/

Psalms 18:3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

6 In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-Chapter-18/

Deuteronomy 28:13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Deuteronomy-Chapter-28/

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-14/

This will be a time where God’s people will be delivered from temptation because they are settled in their minds to firmly stand for truth by obedience to the commands of God rather than bow to the image of the beast. A Bible of example of this is found in Daniel 3. Notice that the three Hebrew worthies, who would not bow to the image, were delivered from temptation but had to go into the furnace of affliction. They knew that God would deliver them from temptation, though they may suffer persecution. (See verse 17). His presence, in the fire, saved them from destruction. They were not hurt.

Daniel 3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up....
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. …

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-3/

The test at the end of time will be a life and death question. Some may be killed for their faith temporarily but will gain eternal life. Others will choose a temporary life and will gain eternal death.

Luke 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.

13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.

14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:

15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.

19 In your patience possess ye your souls. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-21/

Revelation 18:24 And in her (Babylon riding on the beast) was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-18/

Jesus had warned,

John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

21 But he spake of the temple of his body. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-Chapter-2/

Just as the body of Christ was referred to as a temple, so it is in our day. We are the temple of God. Anyone who destroys a follower of Christ, attempts to destroy the body of Christ, His temple. God will destroy that man who destroys His temple.

1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-Corinthians-Chapter-3/

CHAPTER SUMMARY

In this chapter I spelled out the three fulfillments of the symbolic vision of Daniel 8: 1) the literal, 2) the cross, and 3) the close of time in a chart.

We briefly reviewed what we learned in the study of Daniel 8:23 we found that the “king of fierce countenance” of Daniel is also the “image of the beast” of Revelation 13:14 which is also the image of the Little Horn power of Daniel 8:9-12. The Bible refers to the Leopard-like beast as having a deadly wound (Revelation 13:3, 12,14) but being healed. In this study of Daniel 8:24 we find that the Leopard-like beast of Revelation 13 or the Little Horn power of Daniel 8 (papal power) is resurrected so to speak to form the “image of the beast” of Revelation 13:14-18.

The “king of fierce countenance” is the one spoken of in Daniel 8:24-25. He is also the “Mystery of Iniquity” of 2 Thessalonians 2. At the close of time, the power behind him is the prince of evil, the power of darkness, the serpent, otherwise known as the Devil. A further description of him is given in Daniel 8:24 - 25. We specifically studied the word “POWER”, as it relates to evil, historically within the context of this prophesy’s first fulfillment to understand the final fulfilment at the close of time. We found that Satan also uses the Lamb-like beast to fuel or give power to the Image of the Beast (king of fierce countenance) of Revelation 13.

n this study, the key word in Daniel 8:24 is power. And the key chapter of Bible study is Revelation 13.

At the close of time we are warned regarding the “leopard like beast” of Revelation 13:2, that his power comes from the dragon who is Satan (Revelation 12:9).

People would literally worship this beast. And in so doing they were worshipping the dragon, which, the Bible emphasizes, gave power unto the beast.

He had power over all people. Revelation 13:7 tells us the Leopard-like beast or papacy wielded power over the whole world.

Revelation 13:5-8 tells us the papacy used its power to blaspheme God by appearing to take His place by speaking and acting in the place of God. But in so doing he blasphemed God’s true character (name), and God’s true church, and all of Heaven. He used his power to make war against Christianity and to overcome Christians. And he used his power to command and encourage self-worship.

A careful study of Revelation 17 will reveal that the 10 horns on the scarlet-colored beast with seven heads are the same as the Lamb-like beast of Revelation 13. Again, power is involved.

And don’t forget that at the end of time, the Leopard-like beast, and Lamb-like beast are also working in harmony with the Dragon (Satan) or the power of darkness.

Daniel 8:24 says “HIS POWER SHALL BE MIGHTY… AND SHALL DESTROY WONDERFULLY, AND SHALL DESTROY THE MIGHTY AND THE HOLY PEOPLE”

Revelation 9:1-11 describes 150 days or five months of destruction. In the Bible, five months is a symbol representing a flood just as Noah’s 150-day flood (Genesis 7:23-24). The Bible warns us of a flood of persecution coming upon the earth (Isaiah 28:2,17-18; Psalms 69:1,2,4,14,15). But the saved of God will be shut in or sealed and safe in the ark of the presence of Christ (Genesis 7:15-16; Isaiah 26:20; Luke 13:24) during this flood. They can resist the lies of this evil king and his false prophets (the tails – Isaiah 9:5; Deuteronomy 28:15) and have built their house on a true foundation and give their obedience to the Rock of Jesus Christ, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Matthew 7:24-25). The flood of persecution and destruction will come but their house will stand strong because these are they who hear the word of God and do it. (Isaiah 59:19; Matthew 7:15,21 -27). These are they who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus Christ (Revelation 14:12; 12:17).

In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 God warns that those who defile the temple of God shall be destroyed. Just as the body of Christ was referred to as a temple, so it is in our day. We are the temple of God. Anyone who destroys a follower of Christ, attempts to destroy the body of Christ, His temple. God will destroy that man who destroys His temple.

Daniel 8