Daniel 8 is the beginning of a new section. First, the language returns to Hebrew instead of the Aramaic used in 2: 4– 7: 28. Second, the change of language is in keeping with the change in thought introduced by this chapter. In this vision God presented Daniel with a brief overview of the Medo-Persian and Grecian Empires— the second and third empires in Daniel’s history of the “times of the Gentiles”—through the reigns of the key leaders. He traced prophetically the history of Medo-Persia and Greece in very broad-brush strokes until the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes. At that point God gave a detailed revelation because this “little horn” was the mirror image of the still-future “little horn” of chapter 7 (the Antichrist). From here to the end of Daniel, the prophecy, even though it concerns the Gentiles, is occupied with history as it relates to Israel. Therefore, although many expositors divide the book of Daniel into two halves (1– 6 and 7– 12), there are also good reasons for dividing Daniel into three sections (1, 2– 7, 8– 12). The first of Daniel’s own visions recorded in Daniel 7 is a broad summary of the times of the Gentiles, with emphasis on the climactic events culminating in Christ’s second coming to the earth. Beginning in chapter 8, Daniel’s second vision focuses on the rulers of the empires of Persia and Greece and their relationship to Israel and the Jewish people. Under the Persian government, the Israelites returned from captivity to rebuild”
Daniel 9 presents Israel’s history from the time of Ezra and Nehemiah to the inauguration of the kingdom from heaven at Christ’s second coming immediately preceded by the time of great trouble for Israel. Chapters 10– 11 reveal the events relating the Persian and Greek Empires to Israel, with emphasis on the Gentile oppression of Israel. The final section, 11: 36– 12: 13, deals with the end of the age, the period of the revived Roman Empire, and the deliverance of Israel. It is fitting that the last five chapters of Daniel should be written in Hebrew, the language of Israel. This is an overview of the remaining book of Daniel. The next devotion will start back with the verse by verse commentary. I have added these extras so that you will understand the Book of Daniel better. The Book of Daniel is so important to our understanding of what God has planned for His people.