An Angel Interprets Daniel’s Vision

8:15 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision, I sought to understand it. Now one who appeared to be a man was standing before me. 8:16 Then I heard a human voice coming from between the banks of the Ulai. It called out, “Gabriel,43 enable this person to understand the vision.” 8:17 So he approached the place where I was standing. As he came, I felt terrified and fell flat on the ground.44 Then he said to me, “Understand, son of man,45 that the vision pertains to the time of the end.” 8:18 As he spoke with me, I fell into a trance with my face to the ground. But he touched me and stood me upright.46

8:19 Then he said, “I am going to inform you about what will happen in the latter time of wrath, for the vision47 pertains to the appointed time of the end. 8:20 The ram that you saw with the two horns stands for the kings of Media and Persia. 8:21 The male goat48 is the king of Greece,49 and the large horn between its eyes is the first king. 8:22 The horn that was broken50 and in whose place there arose four others stands for four kingdoms that will arise from his nation, though they will not have his strength. 8:23 Toward the end of their rule, when rebellious acts51 are complete, a rash52 and deceitful53 king will arise.54 8:24 His power will be great, but it will not be by his strength alone. He will cause terrible destruction.55 He will be successful in what he undertakes.56 He will destroy powerful people and the people of the holy ones.57 8:25 By his treachery58 he will succeed through deceit.59 He will have an arrogant attitude,60 and he will destroy many who are unaware of his schemes.61 He will rise up against the Prince of princes, yet he will be broken apart—but not by human agency.62 8:26 The vision of the evenings and mornings that was told to you is correct.63 But you should seal up the vision, for it refers to a time many days from now.”

8:27 I, Daniel, was exhausted64 and sick for days. Then I got up and again carried out the king’s business. But I was astonished at the vision, and there was no one to explain it.