Text: Daniel 8:1-4

Dear Young People,

SCRIPTURE INTERPRETS SCRIPTURE
One of the most amazing things to note when we read the Lord's Word is that Scripture interprets itself. Sometimes we wonder how we are ever going to make sense out of a passage. But we do not need to worry about it, for Scripture interprets itself.

We have a classic example of how this works in Daniel 8. The first part of the chapter (Daniel 8:1-14) described a strong ram being attacked by an even more powerful goat. The ram was utterly defeated by the goat.

From the horn of the goat came "a little horn" (Daniel 8:9), and this grew most significantly.

"And it grew up to the host of heaven,
and it cast down some of the host
and some of the stars to the ground,
and trampled them."
Daniel 8:10

The second half of the chapter (Daniel 8:15-27) offers an interpretation of the battle between the goat and the ram.

THE TASK OF THE ANGEL GABRIEL
The angels of God played many roles. One of the functions of this particular angel called Gabriel was to explain to Daniel the meaning of the vision. He received clear instruction,

"Gabriel, make this man understand the vision."
Daniel 8:16

Gabriel came alongside Daniel and began to teach him the meaning of the vision where a powerful goat attacked a ram and defeated it.

"The ram, which you saw, having two horns -
they are the kings of Media and Persia.
And the male goat is the Kingdom of Greece."
Daniel 8:20-21

Clearly, simply and with a fair amount of details, Gabriel explained to Daniel that God had given him a glimpse of what the future was like. The imagery may be different, but the truth is the same. After the Babylonians would come Medo-Persia.

History testifies to the fact that this vision from God was absolutely true! Everything happened as God had said, even up to the prediction that the Greek empire would split into four parts (Daniel 8:22). How amazing the Scriptures really are. Let us be challenged to devote time to study the Scriptures even more carefully.

Prayerfully,                                                                             

Pastor Charlie

First released 17 February 2002, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore