Deeper ReflectionThe vision of the “small horn” (vv.9-14) is “the vision pertains to the
time of
the end” (vv.17, 19). What is this “the end”? The “small
horn”, as a biblical type, had its initial fulfilment in Antiochus IV’s
evil reign. But Antiochus’ evil reign was not “the end” as in the climactic
end. The climactic end is Christ’s Second Coming. This “the end” is “the
last days” (2 Tim 3:1; 2 Pet 3:3). And as a biblical-theological representative,
this “small horn” “helps us to anticipate, understand and endure”
65 other
last days “small horns” to come. The “small horn” evil days will last for
“2,300” days (v.14) – “just short of seven years” – which is “a figurative
representation of a significant but limited period of suffering”
66 for God’s
people, who ask, “How long?” (v.13).Old Testament scholar Christopher Wright observes reflectively
today’s world through the prophetic-theological lens of “the end” in the
Daniel 8 vision: “…it looks like we are in the midst of the slow collapse
of the dominance and self-assured superiority of Western civilisation
(predominantly European and North American) in the world. There are
many signs of it. We still have an astoundingly arrogant and blasphemous
worship of false gods of mammon and consumerism. We still sacrifice
astronomical sums of money (and lives) on the altar of militarism, war and
violence-meeting-violence. We heedlessly pursue unattainable levels of
economic consumption and ecological carelessness that are leading to the
destructive effects of climate change. And we are struggling to cope with
the rise and assertiveness of new powers in the geo-political arena.”
67
65 Christopher J. H. Wright, 181
66 Iain M. Duguid, 132
67 Christopher J. H. Wright, 181
