DANIEL 8:7 SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE RAM AND THE HE-GOAT
Updated: Dec 16, 2022
CHAPTER 7
Please read the former chapters before this one to understand the historical representation of the war between the Ram (Persians) and He-Goat (Greece).
Below we will explore the spiritual interpretation of the RAM and HE GOAT battle which will expound upon the experience of the Cross at it reveals the battle between Christ and Satan and the methods Satan (the spiritually deceptive, shaggy goat) used to place Christ (the Ram or Lamb of God) on the cross.
Daniel 8:6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
Literally, we are reminded of the Ram representing the Medo-Persian kings who are called by God to use their power to free His people (the Jews) to lay the foundation of and to build the temple of God (religious liberty) and to free them to govern themselves as a nation under God (civil liberty). The Ram is standing before the “river of the mighties” as a leader of the free world. Spiritually, by the Ram we are reminded of Christ, the “lamb slain from the foundation of the world”, on the cross Who laid Himself down as the cornerstone or foundation of the New Testament church. In this way Christ liberates His people from the bonds of sin and gives them power to go into all the world to teach the gospel (freedom of worship of the true God to the world) and to teach them to observe His commandments or laws (freedom to govern themselves as a new Christian nation under God).
Jeremiah 51:11 Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device is against Babylon, to destroy it; because it is the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Jeremiah-Chapter-51/
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-28/
However, the He-goat literally representing Greece, and spiritually representing the Gentile world opposes the Ram. Literally we are reminded of His noteable horn representing the first king of Greece with a particular vision in his mind. This horn is literally Alexander the Great’s father, Phillip II who had a vision to conquer the Medo-Persian kings and to be the ruler of the world. Spiritually by the notable horn, we are reminded that the first Gentile king is Satan who also has a vision to conquer Christ and His kingdom on earth and to rule the world.
But what we are led to study next is the method and character of the He-goat who we know to be spiritually the Gentile world empowered by Satan as found in Daniel 8:6-7:
Daniel 8:6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.
7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
In what follows here, I have chosen to look at the spiritual characteristics of the battle between Christ the Ram and Satan the He-goat of Daniel 8.
RAN UNTO HIM
Daniel 8:6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
The Hebrew words translate “ran unto him” mean to divide and break down.
RAN UNTO HIM H7323:
רוּץ rûwts, roots; a primitive root; to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush):—break down, divide speedily, footman, guard, bring hastily, (make) run (away, through), post. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H7323&t=KJV
Hidden in this phrase we are literally reminded of the speed of Greece in conquering her foes. And Phillip II’s method or strategy to divide and conquer.
Definition of divide et impera
: divide and rule : split the opposition so that it ceases to threaten your own power https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divide%20et%20impera
“However the Latin saying ‘Divide et impera’ was not from Roman origin. It is being said that the father of Alexander the Great, Philipus II of Macedon, used this motto to gain power over the independent Greek city states during his conquering of Greece. He played the different city states off against each other with diplomatic, marriage, political and militairy power.”
https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-great-examples-of-divide-and-conquer-in-history
Jesus had a lot to say regarding divided kingdoms.
Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-12/
During the time Christ lived on earth there was great division on many levels in the kingdom of Israel. On a world level, Israel was under the Roman yoke and wanted to be free of Roman oppression. On an ecclesiastical level, there was a power struggle between the Saduccees who were the ruling Priesthood and who did not believe in a resurrection and so were without hope (Matthew 22:23-32), versus the Pharisees who were the ruling law makers who believed heavily in ceremonial and traditional law but were hypocritical in that they did not keep it (Luke 12:1). On a social level, there were racial tensions between Greeks (those who did not even believe in God) and Jews; and on a religious level there was strife between Samaritans (those mixed population with a distorted view of God) and the Jews who were God’s chosen people. On a more intimate level, even the disciples were vying for favor against each other.
At the cross the people were looking for a strong leader, a deliverer. They found one in Christ but had a choice to make. They could choose Jesus, who was there to deliver them from sin. Or they could choose Barabbas, the seditionist, murderer, thief, and representative of Satan. Caiaphas, the high priest led the nation to reject Christ, the whole Cornerstone of their existence.
Matthew 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-21/
But on an even more solemn level, there was also a great division that occurred in Gethsemane. Remember sin separates us from God. The devil loves that. The Bible says the wages of sin is death. Separation from the Life-giver, God, causes death. Though we should all be dead, the only reason we have life is that God because of His Son Jesus, who took the penalty for our sin, in His mercy sustains us. From the words of Christ and Scripture we know that Jesus took our sins, though our sins separated Him from God. This was the cup of wrath He drank for you. This is the cup you need not ever drink because Jesus did. Remember the Father and Son are one! Sin separated Them but not in heart! When He died, in His hour of darkness He asked, My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”
Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-27/
Isaiah 55:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Isaiah-Chapter-59/
Matthew 26:38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-26/
Matthew 26:45 Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-26/
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/
Yes friends, Jesus carrying our sins, suffered the results of sin, the wrath of God, allowing the separation of Himself from His Father so that His humanity died in our place. He did this for you and me.
And after Christ ascended Satan worked with the same strategy to divide the apostolic church of God with issues such as circumcision, and Jewish ritualism, or even favor of certain apostles. These petty issues were used to weaken the church. But we are told by Paul this was not of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-Corinthians-Chapter-1/
The word “ran” also suggests speed. Speed or wings was predicted in Daniel 7:6 regarding the leopard like beast, which also represented the kingdom of Greece. The leopard is known characteristically for speed.
Daniel 7:6 After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-7/
Looking at the events surrounding the cross, we see that as of the fifth day or Thursday of the week of the cross, Christ was still not a prisoner of man. He was still trying to help the disciples to understand His mission. However, in the small space of less than 24 hours He would be hung upon a tree. The devil (He-goat), working through the rulers, worked quickly to put the Son of God (Ram or Lamb of God) to death.
FURY OF HIS POWER
Daniel 8:6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
By the words in Daniel 8:6 “fury of his power” meaning anger or indignation as seen by the Strong’s Concordance below, we are literally reminded of the character of the man who conquered the Medes and Persians.
FURY OF HIS POWER H2534
חֵמָה chêmâh, khay-maw'; or (Daniel 11:44) חֵמָא chêmâʼ; from H3179; heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever):—anger, bottles, hot displeasure, furious(-ly, -ry), heat, indignation, poison, rage, wrath(-ful). See H2529. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H2534&t=KJV
Just as Alexander the Great was angrily out for blood, we are reminded of the character of Satan, the spiritual He-goat, who controlled the mobs surrounding the trial and crucifixion of Christ. This indignation, or otherwise called the hour of the power of darkness, Christ passed through for us. Though Christ was innocent of wrongdoing, there was no mercy with Satan at the helm. Look at the contrast of Christ and those controlled by Satan in these passages.
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/
Luke 23:4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-Chapter-23/
Luke 23:9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-Chapter-23/
Luke 23:15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
17 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)
18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-Chapter-23/
After Christ ascended to heaven, Scripture tells us that Satan would go forward to work with greater fury and wrath.
Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
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/
COME CLOSE
Daniel 8:7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
The Hebrew words in Daniel 8:7, “come close” remind us of a personal touch whether it be friendly or hurtful.
COME CLOSE H5060
נָגַע nâgaʻ, naw-gah'; a primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.):—beat, (× be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch.https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H5060&t=KJV
One way this Hebrew word “naga” is translated is found in Genesis 20:6 with the word “touch”.
Genesis 20:6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Genesis-Chapter-20/
Alexander the Great used marriage or personal relationships to try to unite Persia with the Greek culture with the Susa weddings. In the same way, Satan united himself with the Judas who wanted power and fame and money; he united himself with the priests who wanted to retain their power and the money the temple brought in; and he united himself with the pharisees who wanted to stay in control of the people through rules and maxims (these are the sentiments of Satan, not God). These desires which Satan fed and nourished caused those who were tempted by them to unite to betray Christ. They all rejected their true King and Priest and worked closely together like a marriage or union of church and state to place Christ on the cross.
Matthew 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-26/
53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-Chapter-11/
John 12:19 The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/John-Chapter-12/
Matthew 23:2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-23/
46 Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-26/
2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-27/
25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-27/
MOVED WITH CHOLER AGAINST HIM
The Hebrew words translated “to be moved with choler” mean “to be moved with bitterness.” Christ drank a bitter cup. To be Creator and then to see His created, full of hate for no good reason, place Him on the cross was the bitterest cup God and the universe has ever witnessed.
Daniel 8:7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
MOVED WITH CHOLER AGAINST HIM H4843
ר mârar, maw-rar'; a primitive root; properly, to trickle (see H4752); but used only as a denominative from H4751; to be (causatively, make) bitter (literally or figuratively):—(be, be in, deal, have, make) bitter(-ly, -ness), be moved with choler, (be, have sorely, it) grieved(-eth), provoke, vex. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H4843&t=KJV
The Israelites were given Passover to point forward to the Saviour’s death. His death and shed blood were represented by bitter herbs.
Exodus 12:8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Exodus-Chapter-12/
It wasn’t enough that Christ would have to die for us. He would also have to suffer the pain of hearing His created complain about Him, blaming Him for all the evil in the world. This complaining in scripture is called bitterness. Bitterness in Scripture is akin to poison. We first see it in Exodus 15 right after the Israelites are delivered from Egypt. Right after we find them praising God with Miriam we see them with the same mouth complaining. When they came to “Marah” which means bitter waters, they begin to complain against Moses. This was their first complaint session after getting their freedom. Inspiration through James says this should not be so.
24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Exodus-Chapter-15/
James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?..... 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/James-Chapter-3/
3 Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
4 That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them? https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-Chapter-64/
In bitter hatred, envy and strife, His created placed Him on the cross. This bitter cup that broke his heart was opposite the desire of His heart which was to be with us, to eat with us, to drink with us, to have communion with us in the kingdom of God.
It was that very tree that Christ hung on that would be the agent to cure the bitterness and poison of hatred and envy and strife.
Exodus 15:25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Exodus-Chapter-15/
At the last supper Christ replaced Passover with a different memorial to his death. We call it communion. The roasted lamb with bitter herbs are replaced with the communion of broken unleavened bread symbolizing the broken body of Christ and the cup, symbolizing His shed His blood for us on the cross. The disciples came to that Passover complaining and with bitterness toward each other in their hearts. But just as the tree cured the poison bitter waters of Marah, it was the cross that finally cured the poison of bitterness and caused them not to envy and cast blame upon each other and Christ. It was the cross that united them in communion with God and each other.
Luke 22:15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:
16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.
17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:
18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Luke-Chapter-22/
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/1-Corinthians-Chapter-10/
SMOTE THE RAM
Daniel 8:7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
SMOTE THE RAM H5221
נָכָה nâkâh, naw-kaw'; a primitive root; to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively):—beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), × go forward, × indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, × surely, wound. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H5221&t=KJV
Here we are spiritually reminded both prophetically and literally of how Christ was smitten for us on the cross and died. Satan carried out his plan to rule this earth by killing Christ on the cross.
Isaiah 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Isaiah-Chapter-53/
Isaiah 50:6 I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.
7 For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Isaiah-Chapter-50/
Matthew 26:66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-26/
Matthew 27:29 And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.
31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-27/
BRAKE HIS TWO HORNS
Daniel 8:7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
BRAKE H7665:
שָׁבַר shâbar, shaw-bar'; a primitive root; to burst (literally or figuratively):—break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, × quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663).
When we think of breaking the two horns of the Medo-Persian kings we must remember their powers were in giving religious liberty (liberty to the people to worship according to the dictates of their conscience) and civil liberty (liberty to the people to govern themselves). The method Alexander used was to gradually infiltrate the kingdom especially where political unrest and poor leadership was found. In so doing he literally broke the kingdom apart by building his kingdom up on the resentments regarding the Persian kingdom.
Isn’t it interesting that to crucify Christ, the leader’s of the church and the people were willing to be in bondage to the Ceasar of Rome, giving up their religious and civil freedom. But Christ, as the God of Heaven, would not take away this right from them. He allowed them their freedom to choose their king and to choose their god even at the expense of His human life. He was a Ram caught in a thicket by His horns (religious liberty and civil liberty). Taking these liberties away would make Him a God of force. If He were to force us, we would not love Him but would serve Him from fear. Taking these liberties away would not allow the power of free thought to explore the depths of His love. But allowing these liberties even to the point of His own death would make Him unable to help those who would reject His mercies.
Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Genesis-Chapter-22/
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.
13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
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/
AND THERE WAS NO POWER IN THE RAM TO STAND BEFORE HIM
Daniel 8:7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
Breaking the horns rendered the Ram powerless. This is another Biblical evidence of horns being prophetic symbols of power.
STAND 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/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H5975&t=KJV
Daniel 8:3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
Now we find out that the two horns are what enabled the Ram to stand or to continue to be established. With the horns broken the Ram cannot stand or continue to be established. And this act is re-emphasized with the throwing to the ground of the Ram, much like a goat and ram battle.
Jeremiah 51:40 I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams with he goats.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Jeremiah-Chapter-51/
In the case of Christ, the established covenant or law of God was broken by the people when they chose Cesar as their king. Christ suffered the results of this broken covenant. With their choice Christ was rendered powerless to help them. Spiritually, this broken covenant meant slavery to sin rather than freedom to worship or to self-govern under the law of God. And this slavery led to the death of Christ and the demise of the Hebrew nation.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-21/
38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-23/
BUT HE CAST HIM TO THE GROUND
Daniel 8:7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
CAST H7993
שָׁלַךְ shâlak, shaw-lak; a primitive root; to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively):—adventure, cast (away, down, forth, off, out), hurl, pluck, throw. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H7993&t=KJV
GROUND H776
אֶרֶץ ʼerets, eh'-rets; from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land):—× common, country, earth, field, ground, land, × natins, way, + wilderness, world. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H776&t=KJV
Christ not only went to the cross but also went from his place in heaven as Prince of the Universe to an earthly grave for us.
Mark 15:45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.
46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Mark-Chapter-15/
Ephesians 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ephesians-Chapter-4/
AND STAMPED UPON HIM
Daniel 8:7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
STAMPED H7429
רָמַס râmaç, raw-mas'; a primitive root; to tread upon (as a potter, in walking or abusively):—oppressor, stamp upon, trample (under feet), tread (down, upon).https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=H7429&t=KJV
Psalms 7:5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Psalms-Chapter-7/
The words stamped upon are defined in the above verse as laying mine honor in the dust which is truly what Christ did for us.
Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Philippians-Chapter-2/
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-2/
AND THERE WAS NONE THAT COULD DELIVER THE RAM OUT OF HIS HAND
Daniel 8:7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
In looking at this, and thinking of the cross, we should remember that Christ volunteered His life. But if He had not, we would have no hope. Christ, as man, was able to remove Himself at any moment from His journey to the cross by just calling upon His Father to help Him. But if He had done that, we would be under the curse of sin and death forever. For Him, because of love for us, there was no choice. He must go through death to conquer death. In the sense that the only path to victory was the cross, there was none that could deliver the Ram out of Satan’s hand.
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;
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-5/
Matthew 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-26/
54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-Chapter-26/
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Hebrews-Chapter-2/
TO SUMMARIZE
Daniel 8:6 And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.
7 And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Daniel-Chapter-8/
In summary we have looked at the battle between Christ the spiritual Ram and Satan the spiritual He-goat of Daniel 8. We have looked at the cross discovering how Satan worked to divide or separate God’s people from God; and even how sin separated the Son of God from His Father. We saw how quickly Satan worked to bring Christ from a state of freedom to the cross doing so in less than ten hours. We saw how Satan’s own indignation against Christ excited the indignation of the people around the cross. We saw how Satan encouraged close relationships between the Jewish enemies of Christ with the state power of Rome to place Christ on the cross. We saw how Satan encouraged bitter animosities among the brethren and the Jews which cut the heart of Jesus as He listened to their envying’s and complaints all the way to the cross. We saw how Satan used people to physically smite Jesus Christ and finally kill him. We saw how in rejecting Christ and choosing Caesar as their king the Jewish nation lost their freedom to worship God and to govern themselves under God destroying their own nation. Once this was done, Christ would honor their choice and could not intervene for them. Christ in submission to His Father’s will to save us, went to the cross and was stripped of all honor in heaven and earth, dying the death of a criminal and was buried in an earthly grave. He didn’t have to do it. But to save us He did. In this respect none could deliver the Ram out of the hand of the He-goat.
It is my hope that from our study the reader will understand just a bit more what Jesus Christ did for you on the cross. May you find comfort in the fact that the grave could not hold Christ for He was innocent. And He chose to carry His innocent humanity into eternity as our intercessor and provide us with freedom to worship God and to govern ourselves under God for eternity.