CHAPTER 5 D
Historically, Alexander the Great conquered Medo-Persia from the direction of the west. But, thinking spiritually it is significant that the He-goat comes from the “west” because this is a symbol of the sea. The sea in the Bible is a symbol of the people.
Daniel 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, ....
THINKING LITERALLY and HISTORICALLY REGARDING THE HE-GOAT FROM THE WEST ON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH
"In 334 B.C.E., Alexander crossed into Asia and defeated the Persians at the river Granicus. This gave him control of the Ionian coast, and he made a triumphal procession through the liberated Greek cities. After settling affairs in Anatolia, he advanced south through Cilicia into Syria, where he defeated Darius III at Issus (333 B.C.E.). He then advanced through Phoenicia to Egypt, which he captured with little resistance, the Egyptians welcoming him as a liberator from Persian oppression, and the prophesized son of Amun. Darius was now ready to make peace and Alexander could have returned home in triumph, but Alexander was determined to conquer Persia and make himself the ruler of the world. He advanced northeast through Syria and Mesopotamia, and defeated Darius again at Gaugamela (331 B.C.E.). Darius fled and was killed by his own followers. Alexander found himself the master of the Persian Empire, occupying Susa and Persepolis without resistance. Meanwhile, the Greek cities were making renewed efforts to escape from Macedonian control. At Megalopolis in 331 B.C.E., Alexander's regent Antipater defeated the Spartans, who had refused to join the Corinthian League or recognize Macedonian supremacy. Alexander pressed on, advancing through what is now Afghanistan and Pakistan to the Indus River valley and by 326 B.C.E. he had reached Punjab. He might well have advanced down the Ganges to Bengal had not his army, convinced they were at the end of the world, refused to go any further. Alexander reluctantly turned back, and died of a fever in Babylon in 323 B.C.E. Alexander's empire broke up soon after his death, but his conquests permanently changed the Greek world. Thousands of Greeks traveled with him or after him to settle in the new Greek cities he had founded as he advanced, the most important being Alexandria in Egypt. Greek-speaking kingdoms in Egypt, Syria, Persia, and Bactria were established. The knowledge and cultures of east and west began to permeate and interact.The Hellenistic age had begun."
- New World Encyclopedia https://www.bible-history.com/maps/05-greek-empire.html
THINKING SPIRITUALLY REGARDING THE HE-GOAT FROM THE WEST
ON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH
Spiritually, the symbol “west” in the Bible refers to the sea or peoples. The word west in Hebrew also means sea.
WEST H4628
יָם yâm, yawm; from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south:—sea (× -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H3220&t=KJV
West in scripture was the direction of the sea.
Numbers 34:6 And as for the western border, ye shall even have the great sea for a border: this shall be your west border. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Numbers-Chapter-34/
Seas in scripture are a symbol for the peoples of the earth.
Revelation 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Revelation-Chapter-17/
Daniel 8:5 uses the words “from the west on the face of the whole earth.”
Daniel 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, ....https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
This story from Genesis 11:1-9 mentions the idea of the "whole earth" or "face of the whole earth several times". This story reinforces the idea that spiritually, the "face of the whole earth" relates to peoples.
Genesis 11:1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech.
8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Genesis-Chapter-11/
From history we know it was Alexander the Great's intent to be a world-wide kingdom. And from scripture we know it is also the intent of a spiritual king called Satan, to reign in the hearts of all the peoples of the world or you could say "between the seas" as in the following verses from scripture relating to Satan himself.
Daniel 11:45 And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-11/
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:
In both verses above the Hebrew word for "seas" is the same as “west.”
SEAS H3220
יָם yâm, yawm; from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south:—sea (× -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H3220&t=KJV&ss=1
Here, John tells us that the Greeks who came from the west to see Jesus in John 12 represented the nations, tribes, and peoples of the world. And Jesus refers to the people not of Israel descent as peoples from the east and the west.
John 12:19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.
21 The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-Chapter-12/
Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-8/
In Revelation 13:3-4 it is revealed to us that Satan likes to work by the popular vote of the people or the sea of opinion. This is how he gains the throne of their heart. In the case of the sufferings of Christ, Satan got the people to collectively denounce Christ as their king and choose Cesar.
Revelation 13:3 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.
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?
John 19:12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar…. 15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-Chapter-19/
Jesus told us not to follow popular opinion for it leads to destruction. The path to heaven will not be popular.
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-7/
West is also the place of sundown. The way that Satan appeared to be winning the battle with Christ was to take the Son of Righteousness to his grave. Remember the Ram came from the East symbolizing the Son of Righteousness. But the He-goat comes from the West a symbol of sundown and spiritual darkness.
John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
John 11:8 His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?
9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.
John 12:34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-Chapter-12/
In summary, Alexander the Great did conquer the world from the direction of west to east. As he conquered, he brought Greek thought and culture with him and founded Greek cities.
Spiritually the west represents the direction of the sea which is a symbol of the peoples of the earth. Satan has set up his kingdom in the hearts of men. At the cross and at other times in history Satan has worked to hurt the cause of God through the popular vote.
The west is also the place where the sun sets which is a place of darkness. Satan is the prince of darkness. The Christian is not a child of darkness but of light.
The question is, who has the throne of your heart? Who is your king? Are you worshipping Jesus, the Son of righteousness, like the Greeks who came seeking Him. Or are you worshipping Satan, the dragon, prince of darkness?