Page 226 - Daniel

the host” (v. 11). He was pictured as casting some of the host of heaven
and the stars to the ground and stamping upon them. This is a difficult
prophecy; but if the mythological explanations such as identifying stars
with heathen gods or the seven planets is discarded and this is
considered genuine prophecy, probably the best explanation is that this

prophecy relates to the persecution and destruction of God’s people, with
its defiance of the angelic hosts who are their protectors, including the
power of God Himself. In 12:3 Daniel describes the resurrected saints
shining “like the stars forever and ever.” 29

Leupold says, “That stars should signify God’s holy people is not
strange when one considers as a background the words that were spoken
to Abraham concerning the numerical increase of the people of God,
Gen. 15:5; 22:17. To this may be added Dan. 12:3, where a star-like
glory is held out to those who ‘turn many to righteousness.’ Compare

also Matthew 13:43. If the world calls people stars who excel in one or
another area, why should not a similar statement be still more
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appropriate with reference to God’s people?” Leupold considers the
host and the stars in apposition, that is, “the host even the stars.” That
Antiochus blasphemed God and heavenly power as well as persecuted
the people of Israel, the people of God, is all too evident from history.

THE DESOLATION OF THE SANCTUARY (8:11–14)

8:11–14 It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host. And
the regular burnt offering was taken away from him, and the place of

his sanctuary was overthrown. And a host will be given over to it
together with the regular burnt offering because of transgression, and
it will throw truth to the ground, and it will act and prosper. Then I
heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to the one who
spoke, “For how long is the vision concerning the regular burnt
offering, the transgression that makes desolate, and the giving over of
the sanctuary and host to be trampled underfoot?” And he said to me,

“For 2,300 evenings and mornings. Then the sanctuary shall be
restored to its rightful state.”

Up to verse 11, it is not difficult to find fulfillment of the vision in the