While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man. And I heard a man's voice from the Ulai calling, "Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision." As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. "Son of man," he said to me, "understand that the vision concerns the time of the end." While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and raised me to my feet. He said: "I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end. The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes is the first king. The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power. In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. The vision of evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future." I, Daniel. was exhausted and lay ill for several days. Then I got up and went about the king's business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.13

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Darryl explained, "This is the first mention of the angel Gabriel in the Bible. G-d instructed Gabriel to explain the vision to Daniel. I'm sure you understand most of what Daniel wrote because we just discussed it."

"I don't blame Daniel for being frightened of Gabriel. I think I would be a little bit frightened of meeting an angel," Jamie interjected.

"Notice, Gabriel told Daniel the vision was about the end of time. He also told him it wouldn't happen for a long time and not to tell others about it," Darryl continued to explain.

"It bothered him so much he was sick in bed for several days," Elizabeth pointed out.

"Do you think, we understand the vision better than Daniel did?" asked Brian.

"Yes Brian, I think we do. After all, many of the things that the book of Daniel discusses have already happened and the things that have yet to happen are so close at hand that we can make educated guesses about how things will turn out.

"The antichrist as you know, will be possessed by Satan himself during the last three and a half years of the tribulation period. Satan has a very large army of demons to do his bidding."

"Didn't he manage to get one-third of the angels to follow him when he rebelled against G-d?"

"Yes Jamie, that's right."

"What are you talking about?" Brian's voice was raised.

"I'll handle this, Dad. Well Brian, Satan wasn't always the devil. Satan got his start as the most beautiful angel in heaven! His name was Lucifer."

"Get outta here!"

"I'm totally serious! He was full of pride and wanted to be greater than G-d. He managed to form a rebellion with one-third of the angels following him. He was no match for G-d and the remaining angels. G-d threw him out of heaven. The fallen angels are now known as demons."14

"Is she right?"

"Absolutely! The reference to the little horn becoming so strong that it attacked the stars of heaven tells us there will be some sort of spiritual warfare that will take place between the angels of G-d and the demons of Satan. The antichrist will be very successful in all his plans and he will cause truth to be wiped out."

Elizabeth added, "The devil is known as the father of lies, so it's no wonder that truth will be wiped out."

"Dad, Daniel tells us that by peace the antichrist will destroy many. Is that referring to the peace treaty he will sign with Israel?"

"Yes Jamie, it does. Daniel tells us he will be a master of intrigue. He will cleverly manage to get Israel and her surrounding neighbors to sign a peace treaty for seven years at the start of the tribulation period. Because of this treaty, Israel will let down her guard and won't be expecting an enemy attack. Ezekiel tells us in chapter 38 and 39 that Israel will be invaded by a country to the far north. I believe it is quite clear from studying the Scriptures that this country will be Russia, joined by several other countries. I believe this will happen at the mid-point of the tribulation, with the antichrist entering the temple and declaring himself to be G-d. When we study chapter nine, we will talk more about the antichrist declaring himself to be G-d," her father explained.

"Are we finished with chapter eight? It's giving me a headache!" Brian wailed.

"I agree, it's definitely time for a break," Darryl said with a smile.

"Time for the long hike down the mountain," Jamie said as she stood up and stretched her legs.

"Going down is easier than going up," Brian reminded her. "What do you say we go for a swim before dinner?"

"Sounds great!"