CLEANSING OF THE SANCTUARY AND THE “2300 DAYS” PART I
Daniel 8:1-27

The eighth chapter of Daniel gives us an account of a vision seen by the prophet in the third year of the reign of Belshazzar. We need not go outside of the chapter for explanation. First, the prophet is shown the Two Universal Kingdoms that were to follow the Kingdom of Babylon, Medes-Persia and Grecia, and the line of events which follows the rise of Grecia before another Universal Kingdom comes upon the stage of action; therefore Rome, the next Universal Empire in the order of time, is not even so much as mentioned in this chapter, and none of the Horns could possibly represent Rome.

From chapter eight to the end of Daniel; the prophecy, even though it concerns the Gentiles, is occupied with human history as it relates to Israel. First of Daniel seven is a broad summary of the time of the Gentiles, with emphasis on the climactic events culminating in the second coming of Christ to the earth. Beginning in chapter eight, Daniel’s second vision concerns the Empire of Persia and Greece as they relate to Israel. Under Persian government, Israelites went back to rebuild their land and their city, Jerusalem. Under Grecian domination, in particular under Antiochus Epiphanes, the city and the temple were again desolated. Daniel chapter nine presents the history of Israel from the time of Ezra and Nehemiah to the inauguration of the Kingdom from Heaven at the second coming of Christ immediately preceded by the time of great trouble for Israel. Chapter ten and eleven reveal the events relating the Persian and Greek Empires to Israel, with emphasis on the Gentile oppression of Israel. The final chapters deal with the end of this age, the period of the revived Roman Empire, and the deliverance of Israel.

This prophecy of Daniel was given to him in 553 B.C., and the prophecy of chapter nine was given in 538 B.C. “Then one of the saints, (angels), said, how long shall be the vision concerning the Daily Sacrifice, and the Transgression of Desolation?” “And he said, unto two thousand and three hundred days, (evening and morning), then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”( Dan. 8:13-14). The 2300 days is God’s time for this oppressor to work, climaxing in “then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.”

Daniel, in his vision, finds it necessary to portray the two horns representing the two major aspects of the Medo-Persians, that the Medes and Persians, is very accurate, as the Persians comes up last and represents by the higher horn the more prominent and powerful. There is no discrepancy between history, which records a series of battles, and Daniel’s representation that the Persian Empire fell with one blow.

Now we come to some questions. When was this to become a fact of history, and who was to be the oppressor that would do the treading down of the sanctuary and the host, and by whom and how was this cleansing done? To get the answers we must study the vision as given and explained in this chapter.

Daniel 8:1-2 I was at Shushan in the palace in Elam; I saw a vision by the river of Ulai.
Esther 1:2 King Ahasuerus sat on the throne in the palace at Shushan.

The eighth chapter of Daniel gives us an account of a vision seen by the prophet in the third year of the reign of Belshazzar. Daniel finds it necessary to define in particular the location of this city: Shushan by the river Ulai, which was to be the capital of Persia, the home of Esther, and the city from which Nehemiah came to Jerusalem. This unusual setting described in detail by Daniel in the opening verses of the eighth chapter now become the stage on which a great drama is portrayed in symbol describing the conquests of the second and third empire.

Daniel 8:3-4 A ram which had two horns: no beast (kingdom) might stand before him.
Daniel 8:20 The ram which thou sawest, are the kings of Medes and Persia.

This vision was given while Babylon was the major kingdom. But in this vision God started out with a preview of the history of the kings of Media and Persia. This Ram represented the Medes-Persian Empire. Daniel, in his vision, sees this Ram with two horns which are unequal, one higher than the other, and the higher one growing out of the Ram last. As Daniel watches, he sees the Ram pushing westward, northward, and southward; no other beast is found to stand before the Ram nor was anyone, whether man or beast, able to deliver from his power. The Persians coming up last and represented by the higher horn were also the more prominent and the most powerful. This pictures the main direction of conquest in spreading out his great dominion. The Medes at first, but many of the conquest were by the Persians, who established the largest Empire that the world had ever known.

Daniel 8:5-7 An he goat came against the ram, and brake his two horns.
Daniel 8:21 The rough goat is the King of Grecia.

The rough goat is the king, kingdom, of Grecia: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king. Nations rise and fall according to the will and decree of God, in this prophecy given in 553 B.C. Daniel is given a preview of the rise and conquest of the Grecian Empire under the leadership of Alexander the Great. “He touched not the Ground.” This pictures the speedy and complete conquests of Alexander’s army over the Ram as they advanced from the west taking all as they went. A furious and determined attack on the Ram is foretold here. “There was no power in the Ram to stand before him.” At the age of 24 years, in B.C. 331, Alexander was King of Greatest Empire on earth at that time. Alexander’s conquest of the great Persian Empire was quick and complete and they were found no more.