Daniel 8:13
Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, "How long until the fulfillment of the vision of the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, and the surrender of the sanctuary and of the host to be trampled?"
Then I heard a holy one speaking,

A heavenly messenger speaks within Daniel’s vision, showing that the events unfolding on earth are fully known in God’s court. Angels serve God’s purposes in revealing, interpreting, and carrying out His decrees, as Gabriel later does for Daniel (Daniel 9:21).

Dan 12:5-7 Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing there,…
Zec 1:10-11 Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained,…

and another holy one said to him,

The exchange between these holy beings emphasizes the gravity of the oppression facing Jerusalem and the certainty of God’s appointed answer. Heaven is not indifferent to the suffering of God’s people or the profanation of His worship.

Rev 7:13-14 Then one of the elders addressed me: “These in white robes,”…
Zec 1:12-13 Then the angel of the LORD said, “How long, O LORD of Hosts…

“How long until the fulfillment of the vision

The question seeks the divinely determined limit of the crisis. Daniel is shown not an uncontrolled disaster but a period bounded by God’s sovereignty, leading toward judgment on the oppressor and restoration for the faithful.

Hab 1:2-4 How long, O LORD, must I call for help…
Psa 74:9-10 There are no signs for us to see. There is no longer…
Rev 6:10-11 And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord…

of the daily sacrifice,

The daily burnt offerings, commanded in Exodus 29:38–42, expressed Israel’s continual worship and dependence upon the Lord. Their removal under Antiochus IV Epiphanes struck at the center of covenant life in Jerusalem.

Exo 29:38-42 This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar…
Num 28:3-8 And tell them that this is the food offering…

the rebellion that causes desolation,

Antiochus’s desecration of the temple involved idolatry, persecution, and the pressure placed upon Jews to abandon God’s law. Daniel later describes this assault on true worship as an abomination that brings desolation (Daniel 11:31), a pattern Jesus also connects with future tribulation (Matthew 24:15).

Mat 24:15-16 So when you see standing in the holy place…
Mrk 13:14-15 So when you see the abomination of desolation…
2Th 2:3-4 Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come…

and the surrender of the sanctuary

God permitted the temple to fall into enemy hands for a time, yet its defilement did not cancel His covenant or overturn His purposes. The sanctuary would be cleansed and worship restored, demonstrating that no earthly ruler can permanently overthrow what God has consecrated.

2Ch 36:17-19 So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans,…
Lam 2:6-7 He has laid waste His tabernacle like a garden booth…
Psa 74:3-7 Turn Your steps to the everlasting ruins,…

and of the host to be trampled?”

God’s people, including those who remained faithful amid persecution, were treated with contempt and violence. Their suffering was real, but the question itself points beyond oppression to God’s coming vindication and the end of the tyrant’s power.

Luk 21:24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive…
Dan 7:21-22 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints…
Rev 11:2 But exclude the courtyard outside the temple.…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Holy Ones
These are likely angelic beings, possibly Gabriel and another unnamed angel, who are discussing the vision given to Daniel. Their conversation highlights the divine interest and involvement in the unfolding of prophetic events.

2. Vision
The vision refers to the prophetic revelation given to Daniel, which includes the cessation of the regular sacrifice and the desecration of the sanctuary.

3. Regular Sacrifice
This is the daily offering made in the Jewish temple, which is central to the worship practices of Israel. Its cessation signifies a major disruption in religious life.

4. Transgression that Causes Desolation
This phrase refers to a significant sin or rebellion that leads to the desecration of the temple, often associated with the actions of Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a historical figure who desecrated the Jewish temple.

5. Sanctuary and Host
The sanctuary is the holy place of worship, and the host likely refers to the people of God or the angelic forces associated with them. Both are subjected to being "trampled," indicating persecution and desecration.
Teaching Points
Understanding Prophetic Timelines
Recognize that God's prophetic timeline is precise and purposeful. The question "How long?" reflects a desire to understand God's timing and plan.

The Impact of Sin
The "transgression that causes desolation" serves as a warning about the severe consequences of sin and rebellion against God.

Perseverance in Faith
Despite the trampling of the sanctuary and host, believers are called to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting in God's ultimate plan for restoration.

Divine Sovereignty
The involvement of holy ones in the vision underscores God's sovereignty and control over historical and future events.

Hope in Restoration
Even in times of desolation and persecution, there is hope for restoration and renewal, as God's purposes will ultimately prevail.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the conversation between the holy ones in Daniel 8:13 help us understand the nature of divine communication and revelation?

2. In what ways does the cessation of the regular sacrifice impact the spiritual life of Israel, and what parallels can we draw for our own spiritual practices today?

3. How can we identify and guard against "transgressions that cause desolation" in our personal lives and communities?

4. What lessons can we learn from the historical fulfillment of this prophecy that can be applied to our understanding of future prophetic events?

5. How does the theme of perseverance in the face of persecution in Daniel 8:13 encourage us in our current spiritual journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Daniel 9:27
This verse also speaks of the cessation of sacrifice and the abomination that causes desolation, providing further context to the events described in Daniel 8:13.

Matthew 24:15
Jesus refers to the "abomination of desolation" spoken of by Daniel, indicating its future significance and fulfillment beyond the historical events of Antiochus IV.

Revelation 11:2
This passage describes the trampling of the holy city for a set period, echoing the themes of desecration and persecution found in Daniel 8:13.
The World-Powers and IsraelJoseph A. Seiss, D.D.Daniel 8:1-27
Vision of the Ram and the He-GoatT. Kirk.Daniel 8:1-27
Vision of the -Ram and the He-GoatWilliam M. Taylor, D.D.Daniel 8:1-27
Modes of Supersensual VisionH.T. Robjohns Daniel 8:2, 13, 15
Two World-EmpiresH.T. Robjohns Daniel 8:3-8, 20-22
The Scourge of IsraelH.T. Robjohns Daniel 8:9-12, 23-25
Prophecy's Sure FulfilmentsH.T. Robjohns Daniel 8:13, 14, 26
The Place of Angelic MinistrationJ.D. Davies Daniel 8:13-27
People
Belshazzar, Daniel, Elam, Gabriel, Javan
Places
Babylon, Elam, Greece, Media, Persia, Susa, Ulai
Topics
Allow, Appalment, Apply, Army, Astonishment, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Causes, Causing, Continual, Crushed, Daily, Desolate, Desolation, Disobedience, Ears, Fear, Foot, Fulfilled, Giving, Holy, Horror, Host, Makes, Maketh, Numberer, Offering, Particular, Rebellion, Regular, Sacrifice, Saint, Sanctuary, Spake, Speaking, Spoke, Surrender, Talking, Till, Trampled, Transgression, Treading, Trodden, Unclean, Underfoot, Vision, Voice, Wonderful
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Daniel 8:1-14

     1469   visions

Daniel 8:9-14

     7259   promised land, later history

Library
Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
"And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him." If we consider the sketch, given us in scripture, of the life of this patriarch, we shall find that few have had equal manifestations of the divine favor. But the light did not at all times shine on him. He had his dark hours while dwelling in this strange land. Here we find an horror of great darkness to have fallen upon him. The language used to describe his state, on this occasion,
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Questions.
LESSON I. 1. In what state was the Earth when first created? 2. To what trial was man subjected? 3. What punishment did the Fall bring on man? 4. How alone could his guilt be atoned for? A. By his punishment being borne by one who was innocent. 5. What was the first promise that there should be such an atonement?--Gen. iii. 15. 6. What were the sacrifices to foreshow? 7. Why was Abel's offering the more acceptable? 8. From which son of Adam was the Seed of the woman to spring? 9. How did Seth's
Charlotte Mary Yonge—The Chosen People

Watching the Horizon
"Thy Kingdom Come." "Thou art coming! We are waiting With a hope that cannot fail; Asking not the day or hour, Resting on Thy word of power, Anchored safe within the veil. Time appointed may be long, But the vision must be sure: Certainty shall make us strong, Joyful patience must endure. "O the joy to see Thee reigning, Thee, my own beloved Lord! Every tongue Thy name confessing, Worship, honour, glory, blessing, Brought to Thee with glad accord! Thee, my Master and my Friend, Vindicated and enthroned!
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and the Book of Joshua.
The New Testament distinguishes between the hidden God and the revealed God--the Son or Logos--who is connected with the former by oneness of nature, and who from everlasting, and even at the creation itself, filled up the immeasurable distance between the Creator and the creation;--who has been the Mediator in all God's relations to the world;--who at all times, and even before He became man in Christ, has been the light of [Pg 116] the world,--and to whom, specially, was committed the direction
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Apocalypse.
On the Lit. and life of John, see §§ 40 and 41 (this vol.); on the authorship of the Apoc. and the time of composition, § 37 (this vol.); § 41 (this vol.); and § 84 (this vol.) 1. Modern Critical, works of German and French scholars on the Apocalypse: Lücke (Voltständige Einleitung, etc., 2d ed., 1852; 1,074 pages of introductory matter, critical and historical; compare with it the review of Bleek in the "Studien and Kritiken" for 1854 and 1855); DeWette Com., 1848,
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

The Harbinger
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD , make straight in the desert a high-way for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. T he general style of the prophecies is poetical. The inimitable simplicity which characterizes every
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Daniel
Daniel is called a prophet in the New Testament (Matt. xxiv. 15). In the Hebrew Bible, however, the book called by his name appears not among the prophets, but among "the writings," between Esther and Ezra. The Greek version placed it between the major and the minor prophets, and this has determined its position in modern versions. The book is both like and unlike the prophetic books. It is like them in its passionate belief in the overruling Providence of God and in the sure consummation of His
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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