The Bible's Flying Shaggy Unicorn Goat and You

If you are like most people, you do not recall there being a story about the flying shaggy unicorn goat in the Bible. Not only is it there, but it is a powerful story that demonstrates Biblical inspiration. I have never met someone whose attention has not been grabbed when I ask them if they have heard about the flying shaggy unicorn goat in the Bible. Even the most devout atheist I know was interested in hearing the story. This one story has the ability to crack the door to hearts of so many people who might not be interested with other approaches. The odd story is found in the eighth chapter of Daniel.

Daniel was a prophet of God who was one of the first Israelites taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon in 605 BC. According to Daniel 8:1, this chapter was written in the third year of Belshazzar. By history, we know for certain that this was the year 545 BC (so Daniel has been in captivity for fifty years). Daniel has a strange vision that he shares with us.

The Vision (8.3-12)

The first thing Daniel sees in his vision is a powerful ram.

Daniel 8:3-4  Then I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a ram which had two horns was standing in front of the canal. Now the two horns were long, but one was longer than the other, with the longer one coming up last. I saw the ram butting westward, northward, and southward, and no other beasts could stand before him nor was there anyone to rescue from his power, but he did as he pleased and magnified himself.

The ram was so powerful, no other beast could stand before him. He dominated everyone he saw and did as he pleased. This ram was so prideful because he did not think he could be beaten by anyone. However, next we see this flying unicorn goat (the shaggy part comes later).

Daniel 8:5  While I was observing, behold, a male goat was coming from the west over the surface of the whole earth without touching the ground; and the goat had a conspicuous horn between his eyes.

Next, a battle ensues between the ram and the goat. However, it was a bit one-sided.

Daniel 8:6-7  He came up to the ram that had the two horns, which I had seen standing in front of the canal, and rushed at him in his mighty wrath.  (7)  I saw him come beside the ram, and he was enraged at him; and he struck the ram and shattered his two horns, and the ram had no strength to withstand him. So he hurled him to the ground and trampled on him, and there was none to rescue the ram from his power.

That mighty, powerful ram that could not be overthrown was thrown down in an instant. Now the flying unicorn goat was the top beast that no one could overtake. However, his reign as top beast did not last very long.

Daniel 8:8  Then the male goat magnified himself exceedingly. But as soon as he was mighty, the large horn was broken; and in its place there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.

The unicorn was now a quadra-corn. His great powerful single horn had been shattered. Now four horns grew in its place. The story goes on to give more details about the four horns, especially the fourth and smallest horn that later becomes the biggest horn. This last horn is said to throw down stars from heaven, trample them, and removed the Commander's regular sacrifice and destroyed his sanctuary.

This story is entertaining. It is easy to picture these powerful animals in the mind. However, there is more to this vision. Not only does Daniel share the vision, he also shares the interpretation.

The Interpretation (8.20-25)

An angel comes to Daniel and tells him what his vision means.

Daniel 8:20-21  "The ram which you saw with the two horns represents the kings of Media and Persia. "The shaggy goat represents the kingdom of Greece, and the large horn that is between his eyes is the first king. 

And now we see the "shaggy" description of the goat. This may not be that impressive to you at first, but notice when this was written. According to the Bible, Daniel 8 was written in 545 BC. The Medes and Persians too control in 540 BC (five years later). Alexander the Great took control 336 BC which is 209 years after Daniel 8 was written.

Daniel correctly predicted that five years down the road that the Babylonian empire would be replaced by the Medes and the Persians. Some might argue the likelihood of anyone predicting the next world power is not that great. However, Daniel does not just stop there. He predicts that the great Medo-Persian empire (depicted as the powerful ram) would be overtaken by the tiny, nobody (at the time) country of Greece 209 years before it happened. The United States of America is 229 years old. Could you imagine someone in George Washington's day predicting the outcome of World War II?

What is even more incredible is matching the description of the battle to what we know as fact from history. The first king of Greece was Alexander the Great. He is known as one of the most successful military commanders of all time. He is most well-known for was his speed in conquest and his premature death. It took Alexander the Great all of twelve years to conquer most of the known world. It is said he wept because there were no more kingdoms to conquer. As soon as he had overtaken his last enemy, Alexander the Great died in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II at the age of 32.

When you look back at the early verses describing this flying shaggy unicorn goat, he moved so quickly that his feet never touched the ground. His strike against the ram so was sudden and fierce that the battle was over before it begun. As soon as the goat exalted himself, that single horn broke. As verse 21 said, that single horn represented the first king of Greece. Alexander the Great died without a son and his kingdom was divided into how many parts? History (as well as Daniel 8) tells us that the kingdom was divided into four parts. The smallest horn, (representing the Roman province) later comes to power and overtakes the other three horns. Not only that, the Roman empire destroyed the temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD (615 years after Daniel 8 was written), thus halting all sacrifices.

The Choice You Have to Make

The historical accuracy of Daniel 8 is undeniable.  The book of Daniel makes a bold assertion that it was written before these events take place. Now you have to make a decision. There are two options. Either you must agree that the book of Daniel was written when it said that it was and Daniel truly could predict the future or that the book of Daniel was written sometime after the fact. Liberal critics say it must have written around 165 BC. However, they have a significant problem. The entire Old Testament was translated into Greek 100 years before that time.

Daniel must have been a true prophet. As a true prophet, we should listen to what he has to say. Daniel also prophesies about Jesus and His Kingdom. Close to 600 years later, Christians knew how accurate the book of Daniel was. The book of Hebrews talks about how God used to speak through prophets like Daniel, but "in these last days has spoken to us in His Son (Jesus Christ)" (Hebrews 1.1-2). In the same book, we are given a warning.

Hebrews 2:2-4  For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,  (3)  how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard,  (4)  God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

God spoke to Daniel through an angel and everything came true. If that was unalterable, how much more are the words spoken by Jesus and the eyewitnesses to His death, burial, and resurrection. You have a choice to make. Do you believe Daniel? If so, you have to believe in Jesus.

The Biggest Problem Facing Many Local Churches

During a time when we are receiving word of great persecutions of Christians in different parts of the world, Americans should be grateful such tribulations are not likely to occur here for some time to come. This does not mean that Satan is idle. While direct attacks are not as apparent in this country are not nearly as visible, Satan is doing his best to destroy local churches. It is certain there is a threat in this country to remove our freedom to publicly recognize sin as being sinful. Even in my short life, I have seen way too many churches attacked and severely damaged by Satan. However, none of them were damaged by threats or persecutions from the outside. Just as Paul warned the Ephesian elders in Acts 20, those who damage and divide congregations often come "from among your own selves" (c.f. Acts 20.29-30). It is certain that damage is done by individuals who start preaching different doctrines than are in the scriptures. However, there is a more pervasive problem that is likely either in every congregation, has been in the past, or will be in the future. The biggest threat facing many local congregations comes from an irreverent disregard of the Master Teacher's words in Matthew 18.

The context of the chapter is about how disciples of Jesus should treat each other. Considering how Christians treat others is: 1) how the world recognizes us as a disciple or not (John 13.35), 2) is the basis on which we are judged (Matthew 25:44-46), and 3) the basis for "pure and undefiled religion (James 1.27), Matthew 18 should be a vitally important chapter to study and to strictly adhere.

Matthew 18.1-4 -- Be Like Children

The chapter begins with the Jesus teaching his disciples to be humble like children. 

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18.4)

As children are naturally humble, meekness should be an essential quality of every Christian. If all Christians would "clothe [themselves] in humility" (1 Peter 5.5), personal preferences would not nearly be as important and many quarrels would cease (c.f. James 4.1). Paul summarizes this teaching in this way:

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2.3-4)

Matthew 18.5-10 -- Do What You can to Keep Others from Sin

Causing another Christian to sin has serious consequences. Jesus said, "it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matthew 18.6). The only reason someone would cause another to stumble is out of selfishness.

Matthew 18:12-16 -- How to Rescue Brethren from Sin

There are two ways in which to fail to obey this command. It can either be ignored completely or the process can be ignored. A major problem facing churches is the lack of love for brethren. In the name of either (a false) peace or laziness, Christians often neglect to warn a brother or sister of the apparent sin in their lives. There are numerous and deadly consequences when you ignore sin in someone else's life. First, the erring brother may not recognize the problem and will continue to drift farther away from God. As all who are acquainted with sin can affirm, the deeper in sin you go, the more difficult it is to get out. When you treat the erring one as if nothing is wrong, you are only further condemning and condoning their practice. The second consequence is the effect the sin will have on the rest of the church and on yourself. Sin is a cancer that spreads. Paul compares it to leaven that spreads to the entire lump of dough (1 Corinthians 5.6-8). Paul continues on in the same chapter by commanding all Christians not to associate with immoral brethren who refuse to get rid of the sin in their lives. If you are constantly allow sin to thrive in the life of your brother or sister, it will spread to infect others in the church. There is a huge problem when Christians are either too lazy, scared, or politically correct to speak to someone they may suspect is living in sin.

The second way this passage is discarded is when Christians ignore the process laid out by the Lord. Jesus is quite clear. If you suspect or know that your brother has a problem in their life, go talk to them about it. Do not go to a friend to confirm your suspicion, do not go to the elders to let them handle it, do not ask your family about their opinion, go to your brother and ask him about it. Most of the problems I have encountered was not really a problem of sin, but a simple misunderstanding. The problem is exasperated when it occurs between Christians who are members of separate congregations. When a member of "congregation A" hears about or witnesses something that they think is sinful in the life of another Christian who is in "Congregation B" and talk to people in "Congregation A" about it, an automatic rift forms between the two congregations. It does not matter if the rumor was true or not. Even if is true, people in "Congregation B" may or may not be aware of the fact, much less tolerating such behavior. Before you think that it would never happen, know that it happened to me.

A Christian visited the church where I was a member and said, "I hear you all have a problem with dancing in this church." She was accusing me and my brother of teaching licentious dancing at a summer camp where we worked. She had not witnessed anything that happened herself but was relying upon the testimony of another. Instead of coming to me privately and inquiring herself, she spoke to other people, including the elders where I attended. I am sure she did not mean to, but she caused a wedge to be placed between Christians, effecting at least two congregations.

Matthew 18:21-35 -- Be Quick to Forgive One Another

Read the passage. It is clearer than anything I can say. I do know that grudges held over a long period of time are what is keeping unity at bay. Refusing to forgive others has as many (and some identical) deadly consequences as refusing to point out sin in the lives of others.

There are few things that are more important to God than how His children treat each other. Jesus said, "Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering" (Matthew 5:23-24). If you know that there are people who have something against you, humbly talk to them about it. Do not talk to anyone else, talk to them.

If you hear someone try to warn you about sin in your life, realize how much love and courage it takes for them to approach you. Listen to them and fix what needs fixing. You will need to be humble like a child who needs to listen to and appreciate the discipline given.

Please do not misunderstand me. There is a time and a place to warn your brethren about a false teacher. Many times, you should provide the names of the people involved. In such cases, first make sure your information is correct by either speaking with them or have proof of their false teaching, second encourage the people you are warning to look into the matter themselves. If you misunderstand what the person is saying or your information is incorrect, you have the potential to do great harm to the Kingdom of God. In an effort to keep the church pure, you have the potential to be the tool Satan is looking for to divide Christians.

Jesus prayed "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;  (21)  that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me" John 17:20-21.  Unity among brethren is so vitally important. However, both Paul and Jesus would know that false teachers and divisions would arise. Matthew 18 gives us clear guidelines of how to handle such situations. It is time we hold each other accountable to following them.

Racing to the Silliest Time of Life

When reading through the “Chronicles of Narnia” series by C.S. Lewis, something surprised me.  In the final book, The Last Battle, Susan does not join the rest of the family in “the real Narnia” (an allegory for heaven) because she is "no longer a friend of Narnia."  In the storyline Susan, in her early twenties, is "interested in nothing now-a-days except nylons and lipstick and invitations." Susan (distracted by her search for a perfect husband, parties, and being a social butterfly) forgets her childhood adventures and that Aslan (an allegory for God) is real.  This is how Polly Plummer (a main character in the last two books) sums up Susan’s life: "She wasted all her school time wanting to be the age she is now, and she'll waste all the rest of her life trying to stay that age. Her whole idea is to race on to the silliest time of one's life as quick as she can and stop there as long as she can."

It is not difficult to understand Susan’s desire to “race on to the silliest time of one’s life.” Younger people often dream of the steps in life that are ahead of them. Whether it be finally getting a driver’s license, getting their first significant other, getting married, having children, or career goals, there is a temptation to look toward that next step in life as the one that will provide the most happiness. While there is nothing wrong in anticipating new chapters of your life, it must not take away from your current opportunities to serve God now.

Young people often do not understand how blessed they are right now with opportunities to do great things in the kingdom of God, but are so focused on growing up and getting to some magical point in life, that they overlook their current responsibilities.  Ephesians 5:15-17 says: See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Instead of worrying so much about what you want for yourself one day in the future, serve God now in the way you can now and trust Him to hold your future.

Abilities and opportunities change with time. It is not difficult to see at my own wasted opportunities that add up to years of service I could have given to God. There was a time in my own life when I was single and in between jobs when I had a world of opportunity to serve God in ways that are less possible now. The apostle Paul saw additional opportunities that were available to him because he was not married. Now that I am a married man, I have a responsibility to serve God in other ways. Much of my responsibility is to love my wife as Christ loved the church. Christ’s relationship to the church should be reflected in my marriage for all of the world to see.

Even now I see that some of my opportunities and abilities to serve God will change again in the future. Our only son, Joses was stillborn. Right now, we do not have the responsibility of caring for children. This allows us to do many things that will be impossible later on in life. I have always dreamed of being a father, however, if I am consumed with a longing to being a parent, I may miss current opportunities to serve God now. I am still a young man and am able to serve in many ways that will be impossible when I am old. Bodies get frail and weak with time.

Demas forsook Paul because he “loved this present world” (2 Timothy 4:10).  Imagine how Demas must feel now that he is on the other side of eternity knowing he missed an opportunity to serve God alongside the apostle.  Special opportunities that I have right now will not be there later in life.  I need to redeem the time I have now instead of worrying or daydreaming about a fantasy future which is out of my control.

Why do we train ourselves to desire to be a certain age or condition (married or a parent) instead of living to please God? Special times in life come and go. Some are not nearly as wonderful as we envision. Those that are truly wonderful still pass by in the blink of an eye. If you set your hopes on being a certain age, having a specific job, or being a parent, what will your mindset be once you pass that age or stage? People often try to live in the past, dwelling on happy memories, missed opportunities, and times when they felt useful. When this happens, they often overlook the fact that their greatest work in the Kingdom of God might still be ahead of them. It does not matter how old you are, you never know which life you will touch that will cause a chain reaction of great things.

In the analogies of the last book of the Chronicles of Narnia series, Susan focuses her life on all the wrong things and forgets that which is the most important in her life. She neglects her relationship with God and pays the ultimate price. John Lennon said, "Life is what happens while you're making other plans." God has a plan for each of us that is far better than any plan we could come up with. Why not trust in His plan, seek His Kingdom, and seek His righteousness, and let everything we tend to worry about come to us in His time? Serve God now in your current circumstance.

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

by Seth McDonald