I. The ram and the he goat vision(Dan.8:1-27) Within this vision that Daniel saw were two visions. The ram and the he goat vision, which is interpreted for us by Gabriel (Dan.8:1-12,20-25)and the cleansing of the sanctuary which is the vision of the evening and morning v.14, 26 ("for many days") (Dan.8:13-14, 26-27) which Daniel did not understand.
Daniel is now seeing more details of the next two kingdoms after Babylon, that of
the "breast and arms of silver and belly of brass (Dan.2:31-32, 39).
A. The ram with two horns are the kings of Media Persia (Dan.8:3-4, 20) 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. I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great."
1. The interpretation of Gabriel (Note: This is an "infallible" interpretation)
Daniel said, "I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision" (Dan 8:16-17). So Gabriel did so. He said, “the ram which Daniel saw having two horns are the kings of Media / Persia(Dan.8:20).
2. The time frame of this vision is history to us!
This was future the Danielbut History to us. It is speaking of the time of Media-Persia and into the "latter time" of the kingdom of Greece (Dan.8:20-23).Therefore the language of the "daily sacrifice" and "sanctuary"(Dan.8:23-25) belong in the same period of time.[2](The kingdoms of Media-Persia and Greece are History, not end-times). 3. He (the rough) goat is the king of Grecia(Dan.8:5-7, 21)
As Daniel was considering, behold, an he goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes(Dan.8:5-6).
a. Interpretation
Gabriel interpreted the "rough goat is the king of Grecian (Greece) and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king (Dan.8:21). The time frame is still History to us, not end-times.
b. Historical record
This "great horn" was Alexandria the Great[3](Dan.8:8, 21). The "he goat" (the kingdom of Greece) waxed very great: and when he (the great horn / Alexandria the great) " was strong (Dan.8:8, 21), he "was broken." History records Alexandria dying at the age of 33. [2]
4. Four horns stood up in place of the notable horn.(Dan.8:8, 22) Gabriel has interpreted the rough goat is theking of Grecia: (Greece) and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. (History identifies the first king as Alexander the great). Now that being broken, (Died at 33 yrs old) whereas four (of Alexander's Generals) stood up for it, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, (of Greece) but not in his (Alexander's) power.
5. In the latter part of their kingdom (This is still history not future to us today) In the latter part of their kingdom (the kingdom of Greece) shall stand up "a king of fierce countenance" (Dan.8: 23, 9), a little horn. This king / "little horn" was Antiochus Epiphanies. (175-164 BC.) king of Syria. Remember: This is history to us. (Dan.10 -11:34 fills in more details).
6. A further confirmation that this is history God revealed to Daniel (beginning with the kingdom Babylon Dan.2:1-44; 7:1-25; 8:1-27; 9:24-27; 11:1-45) what was to happen concerning the kingdoms of this world, the City of Jerusalem, the Sanctuary (Temple) and the daily sacrifice. As Daniel looked into the future beyond Media- Persia, Greece and Rome. He was told to "seal up the book until the time of the end" (Dan.12:1-9).
Then John see's (at the time of the end Dan.12:1-9) a "sealed book" (Rev.4-5)being opened. When the sealed book is opened (Rev.5:1) there is nothing about the daily sacrifice being taken away or a Sanctuary being cast down. However Revelation does bring over from Daniel the identification marks of the Lion, Leopard, Bear (Dan.7:1-8, 17. Rev.13:2),and the ten kings and ten horns(Dan.2:40-45; 7:7,24. Rev.17:12, 16).
The reason for this is because
After the Cross"the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands" (Acts.7:47; 17:11). The Church is the Temple (John.2:18-20, Eph.1:22, Col.1:16-18, Eph.2:20-22, 1Peter.2:5).
After the CrossThe daily Sacrifice has been fulfilled in Jesus (Matt.5:17-19, Heb.9:1-10).
Note: There is a Sanctuary / Temple in Revelation being measured but not destroyed / cast down.This is because this language belongs during the time period of Greece when the daily sacrifice and and the earthly Temple (Sanctuary) made with hands was imposed on Israel until Christ came (Heb.9:1-28; 10:1-29).