Sharon
- Oct 30, 2022
- 30 min read

DANIEL 8:23 KING UNDERSTANDING DARK SENTENCES

Updated: Dec 19, 2022

CHAPTER 23

Daniel 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

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

This verse gives us reason to believe this prophecy not only speaks of the Little Horn power of Daniel 8 but regards the very close of time.

Remember verse 23 expounds on Daniel 8:8-9 in which, when we previously studied those verses, we discovered the “king of fierce countenance” was the Little Horn power.

Daniel 8:8 Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.

9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.

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

Literally, we found in our study that the Little Horn did not come from the direction of east, south or southeast. He came from the north or northwest direction. Spiritually north and west represents an evil power, this is a place of darkness and popularity (see previous chapter on Daniel 8:4). Geographically and literally a kingdom coming out of one of these four would have been from the geographical kingdom of Cassander from the northwest and or from the Lysimachus in the north. Follow the history below to find the origin of what we shall study as the Little Horn power of Daniel 8 coming directly out of Macedonia but more specifically out of Lysimachus, the north, which was also the later site of the capital of the Byzantium Empire or Early Roman Empire whose capital was eventually renamed Constantinople after the Roman Emperor Constantine. Historically, we found that this was the birthplace of the Little Horn power of the Roman Catholic Church.

If we understand Revelation 13:2 which is another parallel prophecy that describes this papal power also as a Leopard-like beast. We can see it is a single power made up symbolically of four descriptors (leopard, bear, lion and dragon). But first it is described as a leopard. Comparing scripture with scripture to understand the symbolism of the leopard, we find it represents the kingdom of Greece in the prophecy of Daniel 7. And so again the Little Horn of Daniel 8 and the Leopard-like beast of Revelation 13 are both traced to Greek ideologic origins.

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/

Furthermore, behind the power of the Leopard-like Beast of Revelation 13 is the Dragon. This reminds us also of the experience of the cross. The powers that placed Christ on the cross were a mixture of state (Roman) and church (Jewish leadership) powers. But ultimately it was the “Dragon” under whose power they worked. Satan, the power of darkness, designed and empowered the whole scheme at the cross (Luke 22:53) and the rise of the Little Horn power (Revelation 13:2). The rejection of the Jewish nation of their promised Messiah took the scheming of Satan. Similarly, the rejection of Christianity by the Roman Catholic church also took the scheming of Satan.

With all this being studied previously, we turn to our current and third prophetic application of Daniel 8:23 at the very close of time.

Daniel 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

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

WHEN THE TRANSGRESSORS ARE COME TO FULL

I will start with the phrase, “when the transgressors are come to the full”. This is something that happens frequently throughout history as God repeatedly gives nations a time of probation. But it also happens three major times future to this prophecy given in Daniel 8.

Looking at the “transgressors coming to the full” prior to the giving of this prophecy, we first see it at the flood. Notice the word “filled”. Notice the earth was filled with violence.

Genesis 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

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

Now, looking at this idea of “filling up” in a post-prophetic moment to Daniel 8:23. We find, in Christ’s day, violence again and a full measure.

Matthew 23:30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-23/

1 Thessalonians 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-Thessalonians-Chapter-2/

In Christ’s day, by killing Christ and His followers, the Jews filled up their measure of iniquity. The key here again is violence in the form of persecution even to the death.

Just as it happened at the cross and the flood, it happens future. In Revelation 17 we find Babylon the Great, mother of harlots with a full cup of iniquity and fornication in her hands.

Revelation 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

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

This is a picture of a fornicating church sitting on the power of a beast or state, with a cup full of abominations, fornication, the blood of saints. Here we see violence in the form of persecution and martyrdom of the saints. As we compare Revelation 17:8 with Revelation 13:8 we find that this woman sitting on a beast is a church sitting on a beast or state power being the Little Horn power of Daniel 7 or Daniel 8 or Leopard-like beast of Revelation 13. This beast of Revelation 13 is prophesied of again in Revelation 17:8, where the Bible tells us, after it goes through a resurrection from the bottomless pit, it will eventually go into perdition. This power lives twice.

As applies to the Roman Catholic church / state system, we saw this power come to an end in 1798 when the pope was taken captive and the papal church lost its state power and also its persecuting power.

In other words, we are to see this church/state power wield its authority over the world yet again, fulling prophecy, even at the very close of time. In both chapters of Revelation 13 and 17 we see those, whose names are not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, worshipping this church state power not just prior to its first fall but also prior to its last fall from power.

Revelation 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

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

Revelation 13:8 3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.…

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/

Soon, once again, the whole world or all nations will be drunk with her wine of fornication. This means the whole world will have filled their cup. The Bible says “her sins” will “have reached to heaven” and from her their cup is “filled.”

Revelation 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-18/

A KING OF FIERCE COUNTENANCE AND UNDERSTANDING DARK SENTENCES

Daniel 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

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

To be a king of fierce countenance means to be strong, vehement, harsh, greedy, and rough.

FIERCE H5794

ז ʻaz, az; from H5810; strong, vehement, harsh:—fierce, greedy, mighty, power, roughly, strong. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H5794&t=KJV

This idea takes us back to the knowledge that this king will be vehement and rough. This is an angry man. At the very close of time, Satan is described this way. But so are the nations and kings he will work through.

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….

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 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

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

Daniel 11:44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him (king of the north): therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.

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

The Hebrew word for “understanding” means to discern.

UNDERSTANDING H995

ן bîyn, bene; a primitive root; to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand:—attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence, know, look well to, mark, perceive, be prudent, regard, (can) skill(-full), teach, think, (cause, make to, get, give, have) understand(-ing), view, (deal) wise(-ly, man). https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H995&t=KJV

DARK SENTENCES H2420

חִידָה chîydâh, khee-daw'; from H2330; a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim:—dark saying (sentence, speech), hard question, proverb, riddle. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H2420&t=KJV

In summary, this ability to understand dark riddles from a king who is fierce or violent, cunning or wise to understand dark mysteries comes from the prince of evil, Satan.

Genesis 3:1Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

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

Ezekiel 28:2 Son of man, say unto the prince of Tyrus, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God:

3 Behold, thou art wiser than Daniel; there is no secret that they can hide from thee:…. 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

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

There is in the Bible two mysteries, the mystery of godliness and the mystery of iniquity. The mystery of iniquity is the mystery this wicked king of Daniel 8:23 understands. He is empowered by the prince of darkness or the authority/power of darkness to eventually be destroyed by the light of the mystery of godliness or glory of God.

2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

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/

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Acts-Chapter-26/

END OF TIME RESURRECTION OF THE MAN OF SIN

Daniel 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

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

Just as Daniel is to have a resurrection experience or stand in his lot at the close of time, so this wicked king understanding the Mystery of Iniquity will have a resurrection experience and stand at the close of time as well.

SHALL STAND UP H5975

עָמַד ʻâmad, aw-mad'; a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive):—abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5975/kjv/wlc/0-1/

Remember, the papacy or Little Horn power of Daniel 8 had a falling away first so that his character and identity could be revealed, so that those at the close of time could recognize him. Review the chapter on Daniel 8:11 to understand this. But scripture tells us he will be resurrected. It is for those of us living at the close of time that the historical literal fulfillment of Daniel 8 prophecy matters most. Because of his earlier revealing, we are to recognize the Little Horn power when he is resurrected. He will have the same characteristics as before.

The Bible tells us that he (the abomination of desolation) will stand in the holy place. To refresh your mind regarding the abomination of desolation as equivalent to the persecuting power of the man of sin which causes Christ to leave His sanctuary desolate, review chapter 13 on Daniel 8:13. Only the true High Priest, which is Jesus Christ, is to stand before the throne of God for us. There is salvation in no other name but Jesus Christ. He ever liveth to make intercession for us.

Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-24/

Mark 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains:

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

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

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

Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Acts-Chapter-4/

Hebrews 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

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

Only Christ by His sufferings has been perfected and anointed by God to be our High Priest and to stand in the Holy Place at the throne of God for us.

Hebrews 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-5/

Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

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

Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

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

Scripture tells us that this wicked prince of Daniel 8:23 will stand up against the Prince of princes. This is a specific reference to his opposition to Christ. Another word for this in New Testament Scripture is antichrist.

Daniel 8:25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

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

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

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

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/2-John-Chapter-1

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.

21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.

22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-John-Chapter-2/

1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-John-Chapter-4/

Hebrews 12:3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

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

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.... 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Galatians-Chapter-5/

There is already a theory in the Christian world today that says because we are human it is impossible to overcome our sin. This is true of ourselves. But Jesus came to show us how it is possible. He came and lived as a human. He put His trust in Divine power and the Word of God, the same as we can, to overcome Satan. He chose to follow an “It is written” rather than to listen and obey the suggestions of Satan. If He had failed, we would have no hope. But through the merits and blood of the flesh of Jesus Christ, Who did not fail, we can have forgiveness for sins but also the power of God to change our heart and to live a sinless life. Sin is the whole problem because it destroys; but the Lamb of God came to take away the sins of the world and to give us life eternal!

We saw, with the example of Daniel, that it takes strength or power to stand. Just as Daniel had to be strengthened to stand so the Little Horn power must be given power to stand. The Little Horn power or Leopard-like beast had fallen as one with a deadly wound to the head. To stand or be resurrected, he would need power. The Bible says it is the Lamb-like beast which represents a Christ-like nation who will give him power. The protestant reformers were a part of taking away his power because they decided to trust the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and the Word of God only, as their rule of faith. In this way the Leopard like beast received his deadly wound. When Christian nations give this trust up, they empower the Leopard-like beast to have a resurrection. They give him his life back.

In prophecy Satan used “the man of sin” within the church and government to accomplish his purposes. At the very close of time, Satan through the image of the beast will stand. The image of the beast will demand to be worshipped and will pretend to be Christ in His holy place as our intercessor at the throne of God. We are warned about it. He will appear as an angel of light, claiming worship, the same as he did to Christ. He will fascinate the senses as Satan once did with Eve.

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.

13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

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.

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/

Revelation 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

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/

He will say what Satan said to Christ long ago. And our response needs to be that of Christ.

Matthew 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-4/

Jesus both by example and by warning tells us, regarding the close of time, this will be a time of great tribulation. And Christ warns us not to go out to see any false Christs or false prophets.

Matthew 24:21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

25 Behold, I have told you before.

26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-24/

If we take a look at the whole chapter of Revelation 12 and understand it we can see how Satan tried to destroy Michael (Christ) but lost; we can see how he tried to destroy the church of God (the woman) but lost; and we can see that at the very close of time he specifically directs his efforts against a remnant of the woman’s seed who still keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus Christ. Satan is opposed to the government of God. Satan is Antichrist working through the Man of Sin!

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/

We are told and warned in Revelation 14 not to give up the practice of keeping His commandments or our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-14/

There is coming a time when the nations of the earth will complete their probation by drinking a full cup of the wine of Babylon. This means they will accept papal doctrines and partake in the violent persecution of the true followers of Christ.

How will this happen? The papacy or church/state power that once ruled the world will be resurrected to again wield its authority against God, Christ, truth, and the laws of God and the true church of God. The papacy will be powered to life by the hand of apostate Protestants who no longer hold the Bible and the Bible only as their rule of faith. Instead, these apostate Protestants will grasp the hand of the Papacy and the two powers will unite to form a confederacy opposing God. When this happens, the world will wonder after and worship the image of the beast as it says in Revelation 13:8 and Revelation 17: This wicked king will appear to stand as the intercessor and high priest before the throne of God in place of Christ, Who is the only true Intercessor and High Priest according to scripture.

This wicked king of Daniel 8:23 will preach the doctrine that Jesus did not live as man and overcome sin by reliance upon Divine Power and obedience to the Word of God. Instead, this Antichrist will dwell upon the divine nature of Christ as His ability to overcome sin while on this earth. He will tell humanity, as he did Eve long ago, that they shall be as god’s knowing good and evil if they will but bow down and worship him. And those not written in the Lamb’s book of life will believe this lie and bow to the image of the beast.

The question is, when this time comes, who will you believe? Will you believe the Bible or the lie? Will you join me friend in kneeling before God, and through the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour, ask God for the gift of His Divine Power to change your wicked heart and make it like that of Christ? And will you humble yourself in obedience to the Word of God?

CHAPTER SUMMARY

Satan tried to destroy Christ and when he failed, he tried to destroy His church through the papal power. He failed there too. At the close of time, we are told he will work again to destroy a remnant who keep God’s commandments and have the faith of Jesus Christ. In this chapter we discussed the third application of the prophecy of Daniel 8:23. This verse gives us reason to believe this prophecy not only speaks of the Little Horn power of Daniel 8 but regards the very close of time.

Remember verse 23 expounds on Daniel 8:8-9 in which, when we previously studied those verses, we discovered the “king of fierce countenance” was the Little Horn power.

Literally, we found in our previous study that the Little Horn did not come from the direction of east, south or southeast. He came from the north or northwest direction. Spiritually north and west represents an evil power, this is a place of darkness and popularity (see previous chapter on Daniel 8:4). Geographically and literally a kingdom coming out of one of these four would have been from the geographical kingdom of Cassander from the northwest and or from the Lysimachus in the north. Follow the history below to find the origin of what we shall study as the Little Horn power of Daniel 8 coming directly out of Macedonia but more specifically out of Lysimachus, the north, which was also the later site of the capital of the Byzantium Empire or Early Roman Empire whose capital was eventually renamed Constantinople after the Roman Emperor Constantine. Historically, we found that this was the birthplace of the Little Horn power of the Roman Catholic Church.

With all this being studied previously, we turn to our current and third prophetic application of Daniel 8:23 at the very close of time.

The phrase, “when the transgressors are come to the full” is something that happens frequently throughout history as God repeatedly gives nations a time of probation. But it also happens three major times future to this prophecy given in Daniel 8.

Looking at the “transgressors coming to the full” prior to the giving of this prophecy, we first see it at the flood when the earth was “filled with violence.”

In a post-prophetic moment to Daniel 8:23, we find, in Christ’s day, violence again and a full measure in Matthew 23:32 and 1 Thessalonians 2:16 in regards to when they rejected Christ and killed Him. In Christ’s day, by killing Christ and His followers, the Jews filled up their measure of iniquity. The key here again is violence in the form of persecution even to the death.

Just as it happened at the cross and the flood, it happens future. In Revelation 17 we find Babylon the Great, mother of harlots with a full cup of iniquity and fornication in her hands.

Soon, once again, the whole world or all nations will be drunk with her wine of fornication. This means the whole world will have filled their cup. The Bible says in Revelation 18: 5-6 “her sins” will “have reached to heaven” and from her their cup is “filled.”

To be a king of fierce countenance means to be strong, vehement, harsh, greedy, and rough. This idea takes us back to the knowledge that this king will be vehement and rough. This is an angry man. At the very close of time, Satan is described this way. But so are the nations and kings he will work through.

The Hebrew word for “understanding” means to discern. And the words translated “dark sentences” means dark sayings or riddles. In summary, this ability to understand dark riddles from a king who is fierce or violent, cunning or wise to understand dark mysteries comes from the prince of evil, Satan.

He will say what Satan said to Christ long ago. And our response needs to be that of Christ when He rebuked Satan with and “It is Written.”

Jesus both by example and by warning tells us, regarding the close of time, this will be a time of great tribulation. And Christ warns us not to go out to see any false Christs or false prophets.

We are told and warned in Revelation 14 not to give up the practice of keeping His commandments or our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior.

DANIEL 8:23 KING UNDERSTANDING DARK SENTENCES

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