Daniel 8:23-25

Daniel 8:23-25

[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.  [24] And his power  shall be mighty,  but not by his own power:  and he shall destroy  wonderfully,  and shall prosper,  and practise,  and shall destroy  the mighty  and the holy  people.  [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  but he shall be broken  without  hand. 

What does Daniel 8:23-25 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Almost all scholars recognize that Antiochus Epiphanes fulfilled what Gabriel predicted in these verses (cf. 1 Maccabees 1:10). [1] He arose in the latter period of the Diacochi, the four kingdoms that came into existence after Alexander"s death, following many transgressors of God"s will. Antiochus Epiphanes was bold and deceptive. He was powerful because God allowed him to be so. He did much damage, especially to Jerusalem and the temple. He became prosperous and carried out his objectives. He destroyed powerful people, including the Jewish high priest, as well as many Jews. He fooled many people with his shrewdness, some of whom were unsuspecting. He exalted himself even to the extent of minting coins that bore his image and the inscription "God manifest" (Gr. theos epiphanes). He also opposed God, the "Prince of princes."
Many students of these verses have noticed striking similarities between Antiochus Epiphanes as described here and another political leader predicted to appear in the future (cf. Daniel 7:8; Daniel 7:11; Daniel 7:21-22; Daniel 7:24-26; Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:36-45; Daniel 12:11; Matthew 24:5; Matthew 24:23-24; Matthew 24:26; Mark 13:6; Mark 13:21-22; Luke 21:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; 1 John 2:18; 1 John 2:22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7; Revelation 13:1-10; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10). Therefore they, and I, conclude that these verses are prophetic of the Antichrist as well as of Antiochus. Another interpretation is that this is a prophecy of the Antichrist alone, with no reference to Antiochus. Whitcomb argued for the end-time fulfillment being the king of the north ( Daniel 11:45) rather than Antichrist. [2] It seems that Antiochus did on a smaller scale what Antichrist will do on a larger one. Apparently in the much later period of the rule of these kings, namely, the end times, transgressors will have run their course even more completely. The Antichrist will oppose the Prince of princes, God the Song of Solomon , who will break him without human agency ( Psalm 2; Revelation 19:19-20).