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The ram which thou sawest, etc. (vers. 20, 21). The only way in which the substance of the vision can be legitimately treated seems to us the expository. But be it remembered that the exposition of a chapter like this is really an explication of the gradual unfolding of a part of the history of the kingdom of God antecedent to the Incarnation. We set up here simply directing-posts to mark the way. Note particularly the partial character of this vision - it is not now of the four world-empires and of the everlasting kingdom, but only of two - Persia, Greece - and the development of Greece. And mark, the symbols are authoritatively interpreted (vers. 21, 22). Here we have a key wherewith to unlock the secrets of the rest of the book.

I. PERSIA. In the symbol we have:

1. Its unity. "A ram."

2. Its duality "Two horns." Media and Persia.

3. Its inequality. One horn the higher; and came up last.

4. The direction of its aggression. (Ver. 4.) Babylon; Lydia; Egypt.

5. Its temporary irresistibility. (Ver. 4.)

6. Complete overthrow. (Ver. 7.) Compare throughout with the bear of ch. 7.

II. GREECE. Here should be opened out:

1. The fitness of the goat as a symbol; e.g. Greece abounded in goats; several municipalities adopted it as a symbol, and struck its image on their coins, etc. See detailed Expositions.

2. Its ubiquity. "On the face of the whole earth."

3. Celerity. "Touched not the ground."

4. The concentration of its genius. "A notable horn." Alexander (ver. 21).

5. Its victory.

(1) The conflict was within the Persian lines. "Close unto the ram."

(2) The attack made with the concentrated wrath of Greece. "Moved with choler." The provocation was the successive Persian invasions.

(3) Complete.

6. Its subsequent growth.

7. Sudden break-down.

III. GREECE DIVINED.

1. Into four. Greece; Asia Minor; Syria; Egypt.

2. At the zenith of power; i.e. under Alexander (ver. 8).

3. With instant collapse. (Ver. 22.) "Not in his power." - R.

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KJV: Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.

WEB: Then I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last.