Iran will be defeated

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The book of Daniel describes an amazing two-fold scenario with past history foreshadowing end time powers.

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In Daniel’s vision of the ram and the goat (8: 5-13):

Dan 8:3 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had [two] horns: and the [two] horns [were] high; but one [was] higher than the other, and the higher came up last.

Dan 8:4 I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither [was there any] that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.

Dan 8:5 And as I was considering, behold, a he goat came from the west across the surface of the whole earth, and touched not the ground: and the goat [had] a notable horn between his eyes.

Dan 8:6 And he [goat] came to the ram that had [two] horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.

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The ram is Medo Persia (Iran), and the Goat is the “kingdom of Greece.”

It predicts the conquest of Alexander the Great, and his successor Antiochus Epiphanes (the little horn) of the Selucid branch of his empire.

But the angel Gabriel explains to Daniel in verse 17:

Dan 8:17 …….., Understand, O son of man: for at the time of the end [shall be] the vision.

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There is another emphasis on latter day fulfillment in verses 19 and 23.

So this prophecy is not only about history, but about history repeating itself, and coming to a final conclusion.

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Noteworthy above is

1. the ram has 2 horns

One for the present time, and

One for last, or later.

2. the goat comes from the west, across the face of the whole earth, and he does this without touching the ground.

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(a) For early times, the enemy was the empire of Greece, but in the end times, who is also included in this empire?

For Alexander the Great, (the original horn) who fulfilled the prophecy first, it was not possible for him to travel without touching the ground, and he only came from Greece, not from across the face of the whole earth.

He marched on the ground until he arrived at his destination. It was his empire that was divided into 4 horns.

(b) For end times, the farthest point from Iran on the surface of the earth is the United States. But then, it does not say the goat traveled from the farthest point on the earth away from Persia.

Now, how does one travel, and have a war, without touching the ground? I would guess with guided missiles.

3. the goat defeats the ram, and breaks both horns with its one horn, and great power.

So, the ram (Persia –Iran) is defeated twice. Once in ancient history (first horn), and once in the end times (last horn).

But could the United States be part of a Grecian empire?

Is it talking about the USA, or some other more local nation, closer to Iran, that is part of the original territory.

It would seem like it would be either a nation from the original Greek territory, or a newer nation that can trace back to Greek origins.

The final “Little horn” from verse 7 is described as committing the abomination of desolation in ancient times, and seems to reemerge as a fierce leader of the latter day kingdom (verse 23), to repeat the indignation ( verse 19) at the “appointed time of the end.”

Obviously, it is not the same person, but it is the same kingdom, and personality type of the leader.

If we look at the map of the Grecian empire below, who would be the most likely choice as “goat” to defeat the Persian ram?

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Here are the countries today:

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However, to make it more complicated, here (below) is a map of the Persian empire. Many of the ancient empires overlapped each other as they conquered territory.

In this case the “goat” would have to come from outside of this territory to invade, and destroy it.

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Whoever the “goat” is, he will also act to “destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.” (verse 24)

He shall also “destroy many in their prosperity,” and rise against the Prince of Princes (Messiah), (verse 25). This would make him an Antichrist figure.

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In the days and years ahead, it should be important to watch who comes against Iran (Persia) as the end time Goat, who appears to not only subdue Iran, but cause general destruction in the middle east.

To me, it seems like it would be either Syria or Turkey, due to other reasons which are for a different post. Maybe the USA or Europe is involved somehow, as well. Only time will tell.

As we watch all this unfold, if I am correct in seeing this, the key to the identity of the Antichrist will be his overpowering and defeat of Iran in the future.