Why was Daniel in Susa, the capital of Elam, in the vision? Was he physically there or was he transported there in a vision? What is the significance of this place?
Gabriel explicitly identifies the ram as Media-Persia and the goat as Greece. Why do you think God revealed the identities of these kingdoms in advance, before their full rise to power?
Is the “little horn” in Daniel 8 the same person or kingdom as the “little horn” in Daniel 7, or do they represent different powers?
The little horn throws some of the “host of heaven and the stars” down to the ground and tramples them. Was the horn able to go to heaven? What do the host and the stars represent in this passage?
The little horn magnifies itself even against the Prince of the host. Who is this Prince, and what clues in the passage help us identify Him?
The regular burnt offering, also called the daily sacrifice, is taken away. What does this refer to historically, and why was its removal such a serious matter for God's people?
The verse describes the host being given over to the little horn along with the regular offering. According to the wording of the passage, who gives them over? What questions does this raise about God's sovereignty and the suffering of His people?
The little horn casts truth to the ground and acts successfully. What does it mean to cast truth down? How can a power oppose God's truth while appearing to prosper?
One holy being asks another how long the events involving the regular offering, the desolating transgression, and the trampling of the sanctuary and the host will continue. Why is the question of duration so prominent in this vision?
The sanctuary will be restored to its rightful state after 2,300 evenings and mornings. What is this sanctuary, what does its restoration mean, and how should we understand this time period?
Gabriel is named in Scripture for the first time in this passage. Why did Daniel need an angel to explain the vision? Why could he not fully understand it on his own?
Daniel says he was exhausted, sick for days, appalled by the vision, and unable to understand it fully. If Gabriel had explained the vision to him, why was Daniel still so disturbed or confused?
Daniel acknowledged that he did not understand the vision. How should we respond when we study Scripture and encounter questions that we cannot confidently resolve?
