What does Daniel 8:24 mean?
The latter part of Daniel's vision (Daniel 8:1–2) included a ruler arising from the split of a great empire into four parts (Daniel 8:8–9, 21–23). This ruler is the infamously evil Antiochus IV Epiphanes. His rule began near the end of Greek dominance in the middle east, and just prior to the expansion of Rome. Epiphanes brutally persecuted Israel, restricted Jewish worship, and desecrated the temple with the blood of unclean animals. His death is subject to historical debate but was not natural (Daniel 8:25).At the same time, this prophecy can be seen as one with dual fulfillment; the meaning of the vision seems to shift from the future to the "far" future. For this reason, commentators often associate the imagery with the end times (Daniel 8:23). The person often called "the Antichrist" (Revelation 13:1–4) will rise through the power of Satan and rule the earth, even demanding to be worshipped. This power will only be broken by the return of Jesus (Revelation 19:11–16).