End-Time Secrets of Daniel 8–12

Chapter 4

 

Two Visions and Two Rivers

  

The storyline of chapter 8 begins during King Belshazzar’s third year of reign. He was the last King of Babylon and was the monarch who would see the terrifying handwriting on the wall: “Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting.” These words are a metaphor for the great judgment day at the end of time when spiritual Babylon falls – “The hour of His judgment has come” (Revelation 14:7-8). At this time Daniel had the initial part of two parallel visions that would eventually draw to a close the whole book (Daniel 8–12).

Daniel was likely in the capital city of Babylon at the time but experienced this vision as being in Susa or Shushan of the province of Elam. This city was nonexistent at that time, having been leveled to the ground by Assyria some years previously. The geographical imagery doesn’t stop there. He is specifically along the bank of the Ulai River. Why such detail? Visions at rivers will be portrayed twice more before Daniel finishes writing to make sure we don’t miss a special association being referenced! More on this a little further on. Together, these collective pictures develop a story that brings the reader right down to the end of time.

The rivers, the banks and the messages are association with Jesus drawing on His roles as High Priest, Judge and King – and His sovereign control over all the world. Though prophetic events given to Daniel will make it seem at times as though Jesus has forsaken His people, these images are reminders that He has not. In addition, within those unique settings, timing prophecies are given three times.

Putting everything in proper sequence, a beautiful panorama suddenly appears, which fulfills Habakkuk 2:3. “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” What vision? The final end of wickedness and the triumph of God’s people (the incredible message given to Habakkuk just before the Babylonian captivity approximately 620 B.C.).

Daniel said that “a vision appeared to me” (8:1) and “I saw in vision” (8:2). The Hebrew word here for “vision” is chazown. This is one of several Hebrew words used for “vision” – but is very specific in its usage here by Daniel. In chapters 8–12 its connotation simply means a revelation. Daniel is very careful in using this word because it is different from another Hebrew word for vision that he will also use, which has a very different application.

Next, we discover Daniel once again at the Ulai River (8:16) (a continuation of what occurred that day, which began in 8:1). Jesus’ voice, “a man’s voice,” from between its banks commands (imperative) Gabriel to help Daniel understand what was just given to him in vision.

We now move to chapter 10 for another river scene. Daniel is now by the Hiddekel or Tigris River (10:4). In the beginning of that chapter Daniel said he “had understanding of the vision.” The Hebrew word used there for vision is mareh. This word merits special attention and will be dealt with later.

Briefly, however, mareh portrays the imagery of a beautiful people ready for a wedding – at the end or culmination of something. Daniel (10:1) said he grasped the meaning of the mareh. But later we will see he could not understand the chazown vision.

He notes that suddenly he is alone because his friends fled as “a great quaking fell upon them” (10:7-8) with the Tigris River vision. What vision? The mareh. What was Daniel shown? An incredible picture of Jesus (10:5-6). This imagery is the same as John sees in Revelation 1. This is a segué to that very first chapter. This ends the four segments of the mareh vision.

Here is where each of these “vision” words are used:

 

Daniel	Ch 8	Ch 9	Ch 10	Ch 11	Ch 12
Chazown Mareh	1-13 15 17-27 14, 16 26	21 22-27	9-21 1-8	1-45	1-13

 

Gabriel appears later to Daniel, after he was delayed by Satan (10:13). Since the mareh ended in 10:9, the word for vision now (10:14) is back to chazown. From this point to the end of the book only the chazown will be referred to. In fact, this is so important that Gabriel told Daniel, I’m not here to talk about the mareh any longer but to address the chazown (10:14). Thus, in our study of these chapters a distinction of great importance is made between the two. This will, in turn, open up great understanding to the book of Revelation.

Finally, in Daniel 12 he is once again by a river (10:5) (likely the Hiddekel since that is the last one mentioned). He sees two beings – one on either side of the river (12:5). Here Jesus appears again and personally continues Gabriel’s exposé of the chazown vision and brings it to a close.

Three times Jesus comes to Daniel. Why did He do that? Two times He presents timing prophecies. He does not leave those specifics to Gabriel. In garb that illustrates His activities, Jesus opens future periods of earth’s history for the last generation who live on this earth. These appearances finally show His future role as the great controversy comes to an end.

Here are the three times rivers are mentioned with their respective visions:

Vision	River
Chazown vision begins Ch 8 Mareh vision is added to Ch's 8, 9, 10 Chazown restarts in 10:14 by Gabriel Then Jesus finishes it in Ch 12	Ulai – 8:2 Hiddekel – 10:4 Hiddekel – 12:5

These are the only places where the two rivers are mentioned in the whole book of Daniel. What can we learn from this? And why is this so important?

“The light that Daniel received direct from God was given especially for these last days. The visions he saw by the banks of the Ulai and the Hiddekel, the great rivers of Shinar, are now in process of fulfillment, and all the events foretold will soon have come to pass [1896].”[1]

Note the word “visions” here is plural. There is recognition of more than one presentation to Daniel that is given especially for the end-time. In 1896 they were in the process of fulfillment. A very crucial question must be addressed. What portion of these visions was not yet fulfilled? Daniel began to stand in his place in 1798 at the end of “time times and dividing of time” (7:25). However, as we shall see, that understanding would not be completed till later. The seal (singular) that’s blocking understanding must first be fully removed from the chazown vision.

Why are these details so important to grasp? The mareh vision outlines the major events related to the completion of a covenant people. It addresses legal issues that will be resolved in a perfected people who vindicate God’s character. The chazown vision is the story of how Satan and his agents will try to thwart what God is trying to do through His people.

Each is in event-driven settings, often during specific periods of time. Each message templates over the book of Revelation, where incredible details expand. This is the story of how the great controversy scene finishes.

But what about the rivers? Why are visions and rivers associated together in the last half of this book? Each time a river is mentioned, Jesus either appears or is already there! At the Persian Ulai River comes the scene of the great controversy between good and evil (Daniel 8). Jesus appears and promises that spiritual deliverance will come to God’s people (8:14). It specifically says that He is between the banks of the Ulai River. Water in prophecy (rivers are no exception) means people, multitudes, nations and tongues (Revelation 17:15). Jesus’ location shows He is sovereign over all of these, and in that setting, assures us that the great conflict with sin will end.

But – why two rivers? If water symbolizes people in general, why is another river mentioned? Persia symbolizes deliverance to God’s people, and the Ulai River is most fitting to assure us that His omnipotent plan to restore His people will happen.

Daniel is on the banks of the Hiddekel or Tigris River of Babylon in chapter 10. The Euphrates River, which feeds and supports the city of Babylon, is avoided in Daniel (the book of Revelation deals with that in chapter 16). By the Hiddekel Jesus appears in the majesty and splendor of all the imagery the Bible represents Him as. What He says to Daniel is not recorded. Jesus stands there and wants us to look, think and not miss one detail. He typifies a Priest, a Judge, an Advocate and a King above the waters, controlling all! At the Ulai Daniel didn’t see Jesus but heard where His voice came from. Now he sees Jesus without the voice. The imagery shouts: “Daniel – people of all ages – it is I, God, your Friend, your Deliverer! I’m an Advocate and King for you!”

Amazing as it may seem, what Daniel sees of Him in chapter 10 is how John is introduced to the visionary scenes of Revelation (chapter 1). Except that when Jesus comes to John, He first speaks; then John makes an effort to turn and get a full view of Jesus. That symbolizes our Christian walk. We first hear His voice speaking to us. Then, as we seek Him with all our hearts, He comes into full view, and Oh, how lovely is our Lord!

Finally, Daniel sees Jesus as High Priest and advocate above general waters where He gives the most awesome timing prophecy in the whole Bible. He has promised deliverance (chapter 8), He assures us who He is (chapter 10) and now (chapter 12) He tells us when that deliverance will come! God cares! If you have any question about that, study Daniel 8–12. He is leaving no room for doubt – if we study and know these astounding truths.

Next we will look at what the “time of the end” or “the end” means in these visions.

References: