15 'And it cometh to pass in my seeing—I, Daniel—the vision, that I require understanding, and lo, standing over-against me 'is' as the appearance of a mighty one. 16 And I hear a voice of man between 'the banks of' Ulai, and he calleth and saith: Gabriel, cause this 'one' to understand the appearance. 17 And he cometh in near my station, and at his coming in I have been afraid, and I fall on my face, and he saith unto me: Understand, son of man, for at the time of the end 'is' the vision. 18 And in his speaking with me, I have been in a trance on my face, on the earth; and he cometh against me, and causeth me to stand on my station, 19 and saith: Lo, I—I am causing thee to know that which is in the latter end of the indignation; for, at the appointed time 'is' the end. 20 'The ram that thou hast seen possessing two horns, 'are' the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the young he-goat, the hairy one, 'is' the king of Javan; and the great horn that 'is' between its eyes is the first king; 22 and that being broken, stand up do four in its place, four kingdoms from the nation do stand up, and not in its power. 23 'And in the latter end of their kingdom, about the perfecting of the transgressors, stand up doth a king, fierce of face, and understanding hidden things; 24 and his power hath been mighty, and not by his own power; and wonderful things he destroyeth, and he hath prospered, and wrought, and destroyed mighty ones, and the people of the Holy Ones. 25 'And by his understanding he hath also caused deceit to prosper in his hand, and in his heart he exerteth himself, and by ease he destroyeth many; and against the prince of princes he standeth—and without hand he is broken. 26 And the appearance of the evening and of the morning, that is told, is true; and thou, hide thou the vision, for 'it is' after many days.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 8:15-26
Commentary on Daniel 8:15-27
(Read Daniel 8:15-27)
The eternal Son of God stood before the prophet in the appearance of a man, and directed the angel Gabriel to explain the vision. Daniel's fainting and astonishment at the prospect of evils he saw coming on his people and the church, confirm the opinion that long-continued calamities were foretold. The vision being ended, a charge was given to Daniel to keep it private for the present. He kept it to himself, and went on to do the duty of his place. As long as we live in this world we must have something to do in it; and even those whom God has most honoured, must not think themselves above their business. Nor must the pleasure of communion with God take us from the duties of our callings, but we must in them abide with God. All who are intrusted with public business must discharge their trust uprightly; and, amidst all doubts and discouragements, they may, if true believers, look forward to a happy issue. Thus should we endeavour to compose our minds for attending to the duties to which each is appointed, in the church and in the world.