Daniel

Daniel 8: God knows what kingdoms will do

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the ram and the goat, please ask God to show us that He knows what every kingdom will do.

For Yahweh of Armies has planned, and who can stop it? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?”

Isaiah 14:27

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You know what every kingdom will do, and help us to see Christ, the King of kings. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

In the third year of Belshazzar, Daniel sees a vision by the river Ulai, in the citadel of Susa. A ram with two horns pushes west, north and south, and no animal can stand before it. A male goat with one great horn comes from the west and breaks the ram's two horns. The goat's great horn is broken, and a little horn grows great and casts down truth to the ground. Gabriel explains that the ram is the kings of Media and Persia, and the goat is the king of Greece. A fierce king will stand up against the prince of princes, but he will be broken without hand.

As you read Daniel 8, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God shows Daniel what kingdoms will do, and a proud king will be broken without any man's hand.

In Belshazzar's third year Daniel saw a second vision, in the citadel of Susa by the river Ulai (verses 1 and 2). A ram with two horns pushed in every direction, until a male goat from the west broke it (verses 3 to 7). Gabriel said the ram is the kings of Media and Persia (verse 20). The goat is the king of Greece (verse 21). A king of fierce face would stand up, mighty, “but not by his own power” (verse 24). That king would stand up against the prince of princes, “but he shall be broken without hand” (verse 25). Even a fierce king's power has an appointed end, and God has shown it to Daniel before it comes. Daniel did not understand it all, yet he rose up and did the king's business (verse 27). God holds the future, and His servants can trust Him even when they do not understand every part.

How does Daniel 8 show us that God shows Daniel what kingdoms will do, and that a proud king will be broken without any man's hand?

God told Daniel which kingdoms the ram and goat were.

Daniel saw a ram with two horns by the river Ulai, pushing west, north and south (verses 2 to 4). A male goat came from the west and broke the ram's two horns (verses 5 to 7). Gabriel told Daniel that the ram is the kings of Media and Persia (verse 20). The goat is the king of Greece, and its great horn is the first king (verse 21).

The vision told of a proud king who would be broken.

A king of fierce face would stand up, and his power would be mighty, “but not by his own power” (verse 24). He would destroy many and magnify himself in his heart (verses 24 and 25). He would stand up against the prince of princes, “but he shall be broken without hand” (verse 25). That means no man's hand would break him, because the end is appointed (verses 19 and 25).

Daniel was overcome, but Gabriel stood him up.

Gabriel came near, and Daniel fell on his face, frightened (verse 17). Gabriel touched him and set him upright (verse 18). He told Daniel to “seal up the vision,” because it belongs to many days to come (verse 26). Daniel fainted and was sick for days, and no one understood it (verse 27). The New Testament calls Jesus King of kings and Lord of lords, so every ruler stands under Him (Revelation 19 verse 16).

Memorise

He shall also stand up against the prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

Daniel 8:25

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, no king can stand against God, so do I stand with Jesus or against Him?

Daniel was told of a fierce king who would stand up against the prince of princes and be “broken without hand.” Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and no ruler can stand against Him.

Every one of us has stood against God by our sin, and we cannot undo it ourselves. So Jesus suffered on the cross for His people, and His work was enough for everyone who trusts Him. Then He came out of the tomb, raised by the Father.

So do not stand against Him. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him is made clean from sin, and no ruler on earth can take them from Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God shows His servants what kingdoms will do, and that no proud king can stand against Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Parents, verses 9 to 14 and 23 to 25 speak of a fierce king, so please tell them gently.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He knows what every kingdom will do, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For I, Yahweh your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I will help you.’

Isaiah 41:13

Lord God, thank You that You know what every kingdom will do and that no proud king can stand against You. Thank You for Jesus, the King of kings. Please lead us to turn from sin and trust Him. Amen.