top of page
  • Writer's pictureSharon

DANIEL 8:21A HE-GOAT DRAGON

Updated: Dec 19, 2022

CHAPTER 21 A



During the following Bible study on Daniel 8 verse 21, we will discuss a third application of the Daniel 8 prophecy regarding the role of Satan, the spiritual He-goat, at the very close of time.

Daniel 8:21 And the rough goat is the king of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.


I ask you here to review the Bible Studies I have provided on Daniel 8:5-8 regarding the He-goat. During those discussions we looked at the literal and spiritual significance of the He-goat.


First, we discovered that the He-goat literally represented the king of Grecia. We also found that the great horn between his eyes was literally the first king of Greece in Daniel’s post era or Alexander the Great’s father, King Phillip who had an agenda or vision to rule the world which he passed on to his son, Alexander the Great. The character of these kings was deceptive, violent, and angry in the methods they used to conquer the world. They effectively used Greek agreements regarding education, mixed marriages, mixing religion with paganism, to infiltrate, the kingdom of the Medes and Persians and then violent warlike measures to overtake the kingdom.


Secondly, and spiritually we have discovered that the He-goat also represents the spiritual king of Greece, which is another term for the king of the Gentile world, who is Satan himself. By his selfish acts and lies he polluted Adam’s vision of God and consequently tempted humanity to sin, stealing away human freedom to worship God in heart and mind without fear of death. We saw Satan hold the world captive to their sins and fears with methods of deception and violence as the people, even God’s denominated people at times, continued to choose to follow Satan in the path of disobedience to God. Through the centuries God sent his messengers to curb rebellion and to win the people back to Himself. But we have seen Satan’s response of wrath in persecuting and killing the prophet messengers. We watched as Satan, in his fury, attempted to destroy and tempt even the innocent Christ throughout His life on this earth. Finally, Satan’s efforts to deceive were successful in allying both God’s representative, the church power of the Jewish nation and the state of Rome who worked together to place the innocent Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross. This methodology was also evident in the persecution of Christians during the rule of the Little Horn power of Daniel 8.


But there is a final application. During this discourse I want to show you why the He-goat also represents Satan’s role at the very close of time.


First let me remind you that a He-goat is also a world leader. We will look at Isaiah 14 to understand more about Satan, his roots, and his plans to destroy our world.

Isaiah 14:9 Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Isaiah-Chapter-14/


The words “chief ones” from the Strong’s Concordance mean he-goats. He goats are a prophetic symbol for the rulers of the earth.


CHIEF ONES H6260

עַתּוּד ʻattûwd, at-tood'; or עַתֻּד ʻattud; from H6257; prepared, i.e. full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders of the people:—chief one, (he) goat, ram. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H6260&t=KJV

In scripture, the He-goat is also used to specifically represent Christ AND Satan as seen in the text below where the Lord’s goat represents Christ as our sin offering and the scape goat represents Satan who is finally held responsible for sin and is with sin separated from God and God’s people forever.


We also found that some stories regarding he-goats in the Bible involve substitution. This substitution is used in deception. One such story mentioned is when Jacob substituted a goat’s skin for his skin and goat’s meat for venison to deceive Isaac into thinking he was Esau, the first born, returned from the hunt to receive the blessing. Another is when Jacob’s sons substituted a goat’s blood for Joseph’s blood, dipping Joseph’s coat of many colors in it, to deceive Jacob into thinking Joseph had been killed by a wild beast. In these two cases, goats were used in the role of deception which is an act Satan oversees.


However, other applications in the Bible regarding He-goats can represent the role of Christ. Such as the Passover lamb, representing Christ, could be a lamb or a goat. A He -goat would be traded as the price for a field the same as Christ would pay the redemption price for the field of this world. And the considered inferior speckled he-goats or rams would mate with she goats to produce a flock superior to Laban’s just as Christ would come looking like “a root out of a dry ground, he hath no form or comeliness that we should desire Him” to become Father of a kingdom superior to any on earth. A Ram is a type of He-goat. Christ is the Lamb of God or Ram provided by God to die in our stead, similar to the story of Abraham and Isaac on Mt. Moriah.

Consequently, when we see the He-goat in Daniel 8 we must think about both Satan and Christ. We must look at the context of the story and decide which spiritual leader is applicable to the story plot. The He-goat in Daniel 8 has the character of Satan.

It is interesting that the He-goat, spiritually representing Satan as he desires to be king of the world has a horn between his eyes. Remember that in our study of Daniel 8 that this horn is described specifically as “notable”.


From the Strong’s Concordance the word “notable” means a striking appearance, revelation or compact or agreement or vision.


NOTEABLE H2380


חָזוּת châzûwth, khaw-zooth'; from H2372; a look; hence (figuratively) striking appearance, revelation, or (by implication) compact:—agreement, notable (one), vision. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H2380&t=KJV


Did you ever stop to contemplate that Satan has his own appearance or appearing or revelation (notable horn). He also has his own agreement he makes with anyone who will. His appearing or revelation will be deceptive in nature. He wants us to believe he is Christ, the first born or favored son of Israel. And his agreement is like unto a covenant with death or hell in that it involves obedience to the man of sin (the wages of sin is death) and disobedience to God’s commands (the way of life).


The Bible warns us of just such a scene in the end of time.


But first remember Satan came to Eve as if he were God and tempted her to make an agreement with him and eat of the forbidden tree. He came to Christ as an angel of light and even as God to tempt Christ to make an agreement with him to save himself by turning stones to bread; secondly, he tempted Christ to prove He was the Son of God by presuming upon God; and finally, he tempted Christ to save us by asking Him to worship him.


Just as in the case of Christ on the mount of temptation, in the end of time, in a time of hunger, Satan again comes in the guise of an angel of light to the world, impersonating the man Jesus Christ with an agreement to make with man. He tempts the world to worship him to save themselves, to prove their loyalty to himself (the false or Antichrist), and to prevent their own hunger and death.

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


Satan, as the Dragon, is talking through the Lamb-like beast power. He is speaking through a power that looks like the Lamb of God, Christ. But he is deceiving, tempting, coercing the world to sin. Go back and see. Just as he, the Dragon, is the one who gave the Leopard-like beast his power, so he gives the Lamb-like beast power at the close of time.

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/


2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.


Scripture warns us that Satan coming as an angel of light from heaven will cause bitter waters or in other words the words and messages coming from the churches (fountains of waters) will be bitter words. This bitterness will start a civil war so to speak.

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

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

God tells us in James 3 that Christian’s should have no part in cursing others. This is poisonous (bitter) to the body of believers and will cause it to die. That is just what Satan wants to happen.

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

Just as King Alexander the Great used the bitter animosities, and discontents of the Medo-Persians against each other to divide and conquer, so Satan, acting as though he were an angel of light, will use our own bitterness and lack of forgiveness and discontents and prejudices to turn us against each other. A house divided cannot stand. Some will lead the people in the use of force like iron to curb the discontentedness. Others will not resist and will be more like clay in the hands of their leaders. Some examples of this division are stated in the scriptures below.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-2/

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-Corinthians-Chapter-11/

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

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

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


And just like King Philip and Alexander the Great, Satan, the king of the Gentile world, is out for control over the world and intends to win by a flood of persecution and war with God’s people. But though they may experience the furnace of affliction, those who have living faith and the seal of God in their foreheads he is unable to touch.

Revelation 9:4 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.

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


A fall is preceded by pride. In this case, Satan falls and has fallen because he wants to be God.


https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/2-Thessalonians-Chapter-2/


11 And 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.


Two other names for Satan in scripture are Abaddon and Apollyon. They both mean “destroying angel” or “destroyer.”


ABADDON G3

Ἀβαδδών Abaddṓn, ab-ad-dohn'; of Hebrew origin (H11); a destroying angel:—Abaddon.


APOLLYON G623

Ἀπολλύων Apollýōn, ap-ol-loo'-ohn; active participle of G622; a destroyer (i.e. Satan):—Apollyon.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g623/kjv/tr/0-1/


Verse 6 of Jeremiah 4 could better be translated, the Gentile destroyer is on his way.

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

At the close of time, Satan’s most hated foe will be those who love and worship Jesus Christ and who keep God’s covenant agreement, the commandments of God.

Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-12/


Those who will fall for Satan’s deception will be those who are more interested in their own opinions or the opinions of man than the truth as it is in Jesus Christ. They will be fascinated by the power and signs and lying wonders Satan performs through his mediums the beast and the false prophets. The only way to tell the false from the true will be to go to the Word of God for truth.

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-13/

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


But Christ has prayed for us to keep us from evil and to sanctify us or make us holy, even in a world that hates us, by His truth. Where can we find truth? We find the truth in His Word.


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


Those will not hear His Word, they believe a lie and scorn God’s Son, the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ. By not hearing they make a covenant or agreement with death and hell that will not stand.


In contrast did you notice those who cling to the true foundation or Cornerstone, Jesus Christ, who obey His word, will not fall!

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-Chapter-6/


Just like the He-goat of Daniel 8. Satan at the close of time will work deceptively, but also with anger.


Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-12/

Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-12/


Just like Greece was a very short-lived kingdom, so is Satan’s. We can take courage from these words because though the world, and especially God’s people will experience Satan’s wrath, it will be but for a short time.


CHAPTER SUMMARY


In summary we have looked at a third prophetic application of the He-goat as he represents Satan at the close of time. We have discussed how Satan has his own agreement he makes with anyone who will. His appearing or revelation will be deceptive in nature. He wants us to believe he is Christ, the first born or favored son of Israel. And his agreement is like unto a covenant with death or hell in that it involves obedience to the man of sin (the wages of sin is death) and disobedience to God’s commands (the way of life).


We have looked at Scripture to learn that Satan will tempt the whole world just

as in the case of Christ on the mount of temptation, in the end of time, in a time of hunger, Satan again comes in the guise of an angel of light to the world, impersonating the man Jesus Christ with an agreement to make with man. He tempts the world to worship him to save themselves, to prove their loyalty to himself (the false or Antichrist), and to prevent their own hunger and death.


Satan, as the Dragon, will talk through the medium of the Lamb-like beast power. He will speak through powers that look like the Lamb of God, Christ but are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Through miracles and signs and wonders he will be deceiving, tempting, coercing the world to sin.


Scripture also warns us that Satan will come as an angel of light from heaven will cause believers to curse fellow believers which is poisonous (bitter) to the body of believers and will cause churches to die. Just as King Alexander the Great used the bitter animosities, and discontents of the Medo-Persians against each other to divide and conquer, so Satan, acting as though he were an angel of light, will use our own bitterness and lack of forgiveness and discontents and prejudices to turn us against each other. A house divided cannot stand.


And just like King Philip and Alexander the Great, Satan, the king of the Gentile world, is out for control over the world and intends to win by a flood of persecution and war with God’s people. But though they may experience the furnace of affliction, those who have living faith and the seal of God in their foreheads he is unable to touch.


Prophecy tells us Satan will fall. Any spiritual fall is preceded by pride. Satan has fallen repeatedly and will continue to fall because he wants to be God but he is only a created being.


Two other names for Satan in scripture are Abaddon and Apollyon. They both mean “destroying angel” or “destroyer.” Satan, the Gentile destroyer is on his way to destroy the world. But his first target is those who love and worship Jesus Christ and who keep God’s covenant agreement, the commandments of God.

Those who are more interested in their own opinions or the opinions of man and fascinated by signs and lying wonders more than the truth as it is in Jesus Christ will experience a fall for Satan’s deception. Those who will or not hear His Word and refuse to obey it will believe a lie and scorn God’s Son, the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ. In this way they make a covenant or agreement with death and hell that will not stand. But Christ has prayed for us to keep us from evil and to sanctify us or make us holy, even in a world that hates us, by the truth found in His Word. Those who cling to the true foundation or Cornerstone, Jesus Christ, who hear and obey His word, will not fall!


Just like the He-goat of Daniel 8. Satan at the close of time will work deceptively, but also with anger. We can take comfort in the promise that just like Greece was a very short-lived kingdom, so is Satan’s.

4 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All
Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page