Daniel's End Time Prophecies

Introduction

Several issues need to be addresses in preparation for a study of Daniel’s prophecies.

First: why an understanding of Daniel’s five visions is critical to this generation

First: much of what we know about end times and eternity comes from Daniel’s prophecies.

These elaborate prophetic visions lay the groundwork for what Jesus, Paul, Peter, and John had to say regarding the end times.If over one-quarter of the Bible is about end times and eternity, then we can quickly see the importance of understanding the book that is foundational to those teachings.Second: it has been pointed out that Daniel is a manual for the end times Church.Jesus based much of His Olivet discourse on Daniel. Notice his instructions to those living during the time of those coming events.Matthew 24:15–18 (BSB) So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ described by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. 18And let no one in the field return for his cloak.Here He tells them to flee. A little further on He gave more instructions ...Matthew 24:23–26 (BSB) At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it. 24For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible. 25See, I have told you in advance. 26So if they tell you, ‘There He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.In these verses Jesus warned the end times generation not to believe or follow false prophets.There’s more, but we’ve made our point.

Second: distinct features about Daniel’s prophecies

First: each of these prophecies is usually composed of ‘near’ and ‘far’ events

That is to say that these prophecies have already been fulfilled to some extent in the past, yet they await complete and final fulfillment in the future.This wasn’t intended to confuse us, but to help us in the following two ways.First, the fulfillment of the ‘near’ prophecies assures us that the ‘far’ or end-times prophecies will likewise be fulfilled.Second, because the ‘near’ prophecies were fulfilled literally, we can expect that the end-times prophecies will also be fulfilled literally.Second: the five prophetic visions reiterate and expand on each other

It’s helpful to know that Daniel’s prophetic visions are related to each other. Each repeats some of what has already been revealed in an earlier vision, and then develops and expands upon that.Regarding Pharaoh’s two dreams, Joseph said that the “doubling of Pharaoh’s dream means that the thing is fixed by God” (Gen 41:32).Third: the content of these prophecies

Specifically, Daniel’s prophecies address a seven-year period at the end of the age, commonly known as the Tribulation. This will be a time of unparalleled trouble in the history of the world.During this time a brutal world dictator, called Antichrist, will arise to lead the fiercest empire this world has ever seen. This fearsome coalition will fight against Israel and the saints, until Messiah arrives to destroy Antichrist and his empire.Then He will set up His own everlasting world-wide kingdom.

Third: exhortation to apply yourself to understanding

Some of what is written is necessarily technical. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t understandable!If you skim these lessons, they’ll yield little for you. But, if you will “apply your heart to understanding” (Prov 2:2), if you “call out for insight” (Prov 2:3), and if you “search for it as for hidden treasure” (Prov 2:4), then you “will find the knowledge of God” (Prov 2:5)!Daniel said that the visions about the end of the age would be sealed until the time of the end (Dan 12:4). In these latter days God’s Spirit is unsealing the meanings of these visions to those who will apply themselves, so that they can align with His purposes and serve Him faithfully to the end.It’s time to learn these things so that we can help others. May God bless you as you apply yourself to learn, as you call out in prayer for understanding, and as you diligently search for knowledge!

Fourth: the basic Tribulation storyline in Daniel

In the end times an evil dictator, we call Antichrist, will subjugate a group of Middle Eastern nations.Antichrist will lead this coalition to invade Israel, where he will establish his headquarters.He will stop the daily temple sacrifices and set up the abomination of desolation.For 3 ½ years Israel will experience a time of tribulation unlike anything they have experienced before. They will be persecuted and many martyred. The saints also will be persecuted globally.At the end of the 3 ½ year period Messiah will intervene to crush Antichrist and his kingdom, and to deliver the survivors.The dead will be raised to life, some to everlasting life and others to everlasting contempt.The Messiah will establish his kingdom in Jerusalem and eternally reign over the world.

NOTE: this storyline is also found at the end of Part 2. But there it includes all the Scripture references in Daniel that we have studied for each point.

A. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of an enormous human statue (Daniel 2)

In 603-602 BC Daniel received a vision of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream about an enormous statue composed of four metals.Daniel said that the purpose of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream was to make known what will happen in the “latter days.”Daniel 2:28 (BSB) But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days.Here was the dream as given by Daniel.Daniel 2:31–35 (BSB) As you, O king, were watching, a great statue appeared. A great and dazzling statue stood before you, and its form was awesome. 32The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze, 33its legs were iron, and its feet were part iron and part clay. 34As you watched, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them. 35Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were shattered and became like chaff on the threshing floor in summer. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that had struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.Daniel then interpreted the dream.Daniel 2:37–40 (BSB) You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. 38Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold. 39But after you, there will arise another kingdom, inferior to yours. Next, a third kingdom, one of bronze, will rule the whole earth. 40Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; for iron shatters and crushes all things, and like iron that crushes all things, it will shatter and crush all the others.So, here is what we learn. This enormous image of a man was made up of four metals. And according to the interpretation (vv. 37-40) the metals represent four different kingdoms.

First: the first four kingdoms

Head of gold (v.38)

Daniel says that the first kingdom, represented by the head of gold, referred to Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian empire.Daniel says that God sovereignly gave Nebuchadnezzar the power, strength, and glory he had.Chest and arms of silver (v.39a)

Daniel went on to say that the chest and arms of silver represented a kingdom that would arise immediately after the Babylonian empire.Most conservative commentators agree that this refers to the Medo-Persian empire, which defeated the Babylonians in 539 BC.Belly and thighs of bronze (v.39b)

This referred to a third kingdom in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, which would rule the whole earth.History tells us that Alexander the Great’s expansive Greek empire succeeded the Medo-Persian empire.Iron legs (v.40)

The legs of iron represented a terrifying empire which would shatter and crush all the previous three kingdoms. While commentators generally agree on the identity of the first three kingdoms, there is much disagreement about the identity of this fourth kingdom.Many commentators claim that the fourth kingdom refers to the Roman empire (753 BC – AD 476). However, a growing number are persuaded is that this fourth kingdom refers to the great Islamic empire (AD 632-1922). Which is it?

Second: the identity of the fourth kingdom

The following points clearly suggest that Daniel has the Islamic Empire in mind when he speaks of the fourth kingdom.

First: the geographical extent of the fourth kingdom

The first clue is that the fourth kingdom would shatter and crush or conquer the other three empires.Daniel 2:40 (BSB) Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; for iron shatters and crushes all things, and like iron that crushes all things, it will shatter and crush all the others.If we examine the geographical reaches of these empires this point will become clear.The Babylonian empire (625-539 BC) ruled over much of the Mesopotamian region, the Middle East, and extended all the way down into North Africa, controlling parts of Egypt, as the map below shows us.The Medo-Persian empire (539-331 BC) was an even greater empire than the Babylonian empire, stretching all the way from Europe in the West, all the way across to India, down again into North Africa and Egypt. Clearly, this empire conquered and occupied what had formerly been the Babylonian empire.The Greek empire (331-63 BC) similar to the Medo-Persian empire, spanned from Europe across the Middle East to India. It too conquered and occupied the lands formerly occupied by the Babylonians.Though the Roman empire (63 BC–AD 476) extended some into the Middle East and North Africa, it was much more a western oriented empire. It did not conquer and occupy all the lands of the former Babylonian empire, as the Medo-Persian and Greek empires had. As the map below shows, it was the Parthian empire (grey) that conquered and controlled the eastern part of the previous three empires.📷It is true that in AD 116 the Roman Emperor Trajan crossed the Euphrates and Tigris rivers for a few brief months. But when he suffered a stroke he withdrew. Then Hadrian, his successor, made the Euphrates River the eastern most extent of the Roman empire.And so the Roman empire only conquered about one third of the region previous empires.Yet, Daniel’s prophecy said that the fourth kingdom would conquer all three empires. Is there another contender?The Islamic empire (AD 632-1922) consisted of a series of Caliphates that succeeded each other for approximately 1300 years. The map below shows the extent of Abbasid Caliphate. It fully conquered and occupied the lands previously controlled by the Babylonian, Medo-Persian and Greek empires!It controlled all of Mesopotamia, down to north Africa and even reached across the western frontiers of the Roman empire right up to Europe.📷So, when we ask the question of whether the Islamic empire conquered the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, and Greek empires, geographically we can unequivocally say, yes!

Second: the Parthians conquered much of the Greek empire

Some might argue that the Romans conquered the Greeks and therefore should be regarded as the fourth empire.While it is true that the Romans conquered Greece proper, they certainly did not conquer the majority of the Greek empire.That distinction went to the Parthians, a Persian dynasty who had conquered approximately two-thirds of the Greek empire by 247 BC and ruled it for almost 500 years before giving way to another Persian dynasty, the Sassanids. These Persians weren’t part of the previous Medo-Persian empire.The point here is simply to say that it would make more sense to designate the Parthian empire as the fourth kingdom than the Roman empire.However, there is a much stronger candidate for the fourth kingdom than either the Roman or Parthian empires. We’ll look at that next.

Third: the fourth kingdom will crush and break all others

Speaking of the fourth kingdom, Daniel said …Daniel 2:40 (NIV) Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron breaks and smashes everything—and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others.Daniel distinguished the fourth kingdom from the others, saying that it will crush and break all three of the previous empires.Now here’s the question: did Rome ever crush Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece? No.Though the Romans had might armies, here is how they related to the nations they conquered:

They invested in a great deal of infrastructure throughout the empire, such as aqueducts, and vast road networks.They allowed its conquered subjects to maintain their language and culture. In fact, much of the Roman Empire was overwhelmed by Greek culture. Under Roman rule, Greek became the common language in Palestine and the Middle East by the time of Jesus. Hence, the NT was written in Greek rather than Latin, while the Roman upper class was learning to speak and read Greek.This phenomenon also extended to religion. Rather than crushing the Greek’s religion and imposing their own, the Romans embraced the Greek pantheon of gods, only changing the names in some cases: Zeus became Jupiter, Artemis became Diana, and so forth. And the Jewish Temple stood prominently in Jerusalem under Roman authority. In fact, the Jews practiced their religion freely.They promoted economic prosperity among all their conquered countries, so that the tax monies could flow back to Rome along their road networks.They promoted the pax Romana – the idea of peace and tolerance – so long as their subjects paid their taxes and heeded the laws of Caesar.In stark contrast to the Roman empire, the Islamic Empire (AD 632-1922) was a crushing empire.The reason for this is that Islam is a totalitarian ideology.It dictated everything about how the people should live: what they could think, believe, wear, who they worshipped, when they worshiped, what holidays they would celebrate, what calendar they used, what language they could use for religious purposes, beards were required for men and head coverings for women.The Islamic empire wasn’t just a government with an army to keep order. It was an empire, a religion, a culture and a language all rolled into one.As the empire spread it razed cities to the ground, stomped out their religions, languages, and cultures, replacing them with their own. And they enslaved the people they conquered.Conquered peoples were made to convert to Islam or face a jizya tax and persecution. Many were simply executed for refusing to convert. And conquered nations were forced to leave their native languages and learn the Arabic language.It was a smashing, crushing, and breaking empire in every sense of the word. And this empire crushed all vestiges of the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, and Greek empires.These two points, the geographical extent of the empire and the behaviors of the empire, strongly suggest that the Islamic empire is the one Daniel had in mind.This has profound implications for the revival of this empire as pictured by the ten toes.

Third: the fourth kingdom continues in another form

Though we looked at the fourth kingdom above, the verses below indicate that it continues in another form.Daniel 2:40–43 (NIV) Finally, there will be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron—for iron breaks and smashes everything—and as iron breaks things to pieces, so it will crush and break all the others. 41Just as you saw that the feet and toes were partly of baked clay and partly of iron, so this will be a divided kingdom; yet it will have some of the strength of iron in it, even as you saw iron mixed with clay. 42As the toes were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle. 43And just as you saw the iron mixed with baked clay, so the people will be a mixture and will not remain united, any more than iron mixes with clay.The two legs were of iron, but its feet and ten toes are a composition of iron and clay (v.41).The iron within the feet and toes means that they represent, in part, a continuation of the fourth kingdom, rather than representing a fifth distinct kingdom. However, the addition of clay indicates a fundamental change in this fourth kingdom.If our identification of the fourth kingdom as the Islamic empire is correct, then this curious piece fits nicely.Though the Islamic empire under a single strong caliphate formally ended in 1922, it’s no secret that Islam has made an astonishing world-wide resurgence since Israel’s birth in 1948.A growing number of Islamic countries have become economic and military powerhouses.Nevertheless, while the iron represents the crushing power of the Islamic Empire, the clay perfectly describes its weakness. For within the Islamic world, there has been a serious divide between the two sects of Sunni and Shi’a Muslims, since Mohammed’s death in 632 AD.The clay is also a perfect fulfillment of the prophecy regarding Ishmael, the father of the Arab peoples.Genesis 16:12 (BSB) He will be a wild donkey of a man, and his hand will be against everyone, and everyone’s hand against him; he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.”Later, we’ll learn that these nations will set aside their sectarian fighting and band together under Antichrist to war against God and Israel.More will be said about this when we discuss Revelation 13 in one of the lessons below.

Fourth: an eternal world-wide kingdom will stand forever!

Daniel 2:34–35 (BSB) As you watched, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them. 35Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were shattered and became like chaff on the threshing floor in summer. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that had struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.Daniel interpreted it like this …Daniel 2:44–45 (BSB) In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever. 45And just as you saw a stone being cut out of the mountain without human hands, and it shattered the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold, so the great God has told the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its interpretation is trustworthy.”The stone that is cut out and strikes and crushes the statue is a kingdom not made of human hands. This means that it is a divine kingdom (v.44).Daniel says that it will grow into a great mountain (v.35), a metaphor for a powerful kingdom. And this kingdom or empire will fill the whole earth, meaning that its rule will extend over the whole earth!It will shatter all human kingdoms and bring them to a final end.But this kingdom, unlike all other human kingdoms before it, will stand forever!The book of Revelation describes this end time event as occurring at the return of Christ ...Revelation 11:15 (BSB) ...The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.

Summary of the Daniel 2 vision

Daniel says that the purpose of this vision is to make known what will happen in the latter days.Four historical empires were prophesied, the fourth being the Islamic Empire. This brutal, crushing empire will be revived in the last days.But God will raise up a kingdom that will crush and bring to an end all these empires. And this world-wide kingdom will stand forever!

B. The vision of the four beasts (Daniel 7)

In the first year of the Babylonian emperor, Belshazzar (552 BC), Daniel received a vision of four beasts.The vision of Daniel 7 recapitulates and expands on Daniel 2. It is made up of two parts.The first scene is of four beasts rising out of the sea.Daniel 7:2–8 (BSB) Daniel declared: “In my vision in the night I looked, and suddenly the four winds of heaven were churning up the great sea. 3Then four great beasts came up out of the sea, each one different from the others: 4The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and given the mind of a man. 5Suddenly another beast appeared, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. So it was told, ‘Get up and gorge yourself on flesh!’ 6Next, as I watched, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and it was given authority to rule. 7After this, as I watched in my vision in the night, suddenly a fourth beast appeared, and it was terrifying—dreadful and extremely strong—with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed; then it trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns. 8While I was contemplating the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like those of a man and a mouth that spoke words of arrogance.The second scene is of the heavenly court where God is judging the beasts.Daniel 7:11–12 (BSB) Then I kept watching because of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued to watch, the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. 12As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was removed, but they were granted an extension of life for a season and a time.Daniel was once again given the interpretation for the dream in vv. 15-28.To begin with, the sea here doesn’t refer to the great Mediterranean Sea, but to the sea of gentile nations as in Isaiah.Isaiah 60:5 (BSB) Then you will look and be radiant, and your heart will tremble and swell with joy, because the riches of the sea will be brought to you, and the wealth of the nations will come to you.The parallelism here shows us that the “sea” is a metaphor for “nations.”The interpretation given to Daniel suggests the same.Daniel 7:16–17 (BSB) ...So he told me the interpretation of these things: 17‘These four great beasts are four kings who will arise from the earth.’The four beasts are four kings who arise from the earth, not a literal sea.So, who are these four kings and kingdoms?

First: how we know that Daniel 7 is a reiteration of Daniel 2

First, there are four metals in Daniel 2 and four beasts in Daniel 7.Second, the metal parts of the statue in Daniel 2 and the beasts in Daniel 7 both symbolize historical kings and kingdoms (Dan 2:37-40 cp. 7:17).Third, the fourth kingdom of Dan 2 and the fourth kingdom of Dan 7 are both crushing kingdoms (Dan 2:40 cp. 7:19, 23).Fourth, the fourth kingdom of Daniel 2 and the fourth kingdom of Daniel 7 will both be destroyed by God (Dan 2:44 cp. Dan 7:11-12, 26).Fifth, in both passages God will set up a kingdom that will rule over the entire world forever (Dan 2:44 cp. Dan 2:27).Sixth, the iron legs of the fourth part of the statue correlate to the iron teeth of the fourth beast (Dan 2:33 cp. Dan 7:7).Seventh, the ten toes (feet) of the fourth kingdom in Daniel 2 correspond to the ten horns growing out of the fourth beast in Daniel 7 (Dan 2:41, 42 cp. Dan 7:20, 24).So then, Daniel 7 is a retelling of the Daniel 2 story. Why does God retell it? Because He wants to drive it home! By the testimony of two or three witnesses let the matter be settled.

Second: the identity of the kings and kingdoms

Because the four beasts of Daniel 7 correspond to the four metals of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue in Daniel 2, the beasts then represent the same empires already noted in the Daniel 2: the Babylonian, Medo-Persian, Greek, and Islamic kingdoms of empires.And we’ll see that the characteristics of each beast further supports this contention.Beast 1: like a lion

Daniel 7:4 (BSB) The first beast was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and given the mind of a man.There’s good reason to believe that the lion symbolizes the Babylonian empire.First, Jeremiah referred to Nebuchadnezzar as a lion (Jer 49:19).Second, in Babylon, the lion was associated with the goddess, Ishtar. In fact, 120 lions lined the Processional Way running from the Ishtar Gate, Babylon’s main entrance, through the heart of the city.Third, the first part of the verse which says, “its wings were torn off” is an allusion to the removal of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign during his period of his insanity, when God said, “let his heart be changed from that of a man, let him be given the heart of a beast” (Dan 4:16).The second part of the verse, “and it was lifted from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man, and given the mind of the man” represents Nebuchadnezzar’s subsequent restoration from a period in which he lived and ate as an animal, to a fully functioning man, as well as reinstatement as king, when he received his mind or sanity again (Dan 4:34).Beast 2: like a bear

Daniel 7:5 (BSB) Suddenly another beast appeared, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. So it was told, ‘Get up and gorge yourself on flesh!’This bear, which was elevated on one side, pictures the Medo-Persian empire composed of two groups, the stronger Persians, and the weaker Medes.The three ribs portray the three kingdoms that were subdued and amalgamated into one: Medes, Persians, and Babylonians.Beast 3: like a leopard

Daniel 7:6 (BSB) Next, as I watched, another beast appeared. It was like a leopard, and on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.The winged leopard represents the speed with which Alexander the Great’s Greek empire conquered the former Medo-Persian territories.And it’s four heads depict the breakup of the kingdom into four dynasties: Ptolemaic, Seleucid, Lysimachean, and Cassandrian dynasties.Beast 4: another beast with ten horns

Daniel 7:7 (BSB) After this, as I watched in my vision in the night, suddenly a fourth beast appeared, and it was terrifying—dreadful and extremely strong—with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed; then it trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns.Daniel didn’t describe the fourth beast as an animal. Instead he described it as terrifying, dreadful, and extremely strong, with large iron teeth.Interestingly, in Daniel 2 we learned that the fourth kingdom had iron legs, which we believe refers to the Islamic Empire.And because we know that Daniel 7 is an iteration of Daniel 2, we know that the fourth beast with iron teeth pictures the Islamic Empire as well.

Third: the ten horns

While the ten toes of Daniel 2’s statue aren’t explicitly interpreted for us in Daniel, the ten horns in Daniel 7, which correspond to the ten toes of Daniel 2, are explained.Daniel 7:23–24 (BSB) This is what he said: ‘The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on the earth, different from all the other kingdoms, and it will devour the whole earth, trample it down, and crush it. 24 And the ten horns are ten kings who will rise from this kingdom. After them another king, different from the earlier ones, will rise and subdue three kings.Daniel explicitly says that the ten horns represent ten kings or kingdoms that will rise from this Islamic Empire, which we earlier learned ended in 1922.So, these ten horns represent ten kingdoms or nations of the revived Islamic Empire or Caliphate.Could it be that we are witnessing the revival of this empire? More will be said about this when we discuss Revelation 13 in one of the lessons below.We know that this will be history’s final evil kingdom because once his kingdom is destroyed, it will be replaced by an everlasting kingdom to whom all kings of the earth will bow from then on.Daniel 7:26–27 (BSB) But the court will convene, and his (little horn’s) dominion will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 27Then the sovereignty, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’ (cf. Dan 2:44)

Fourth: the little horn, who is Antichrist

The ten horns or nations are under the control of a dominant horn, referred to as the “little horn.”Daniel 7:7–8 (BSB) After this, as I watched in my vision in the night, suddenly a fourth beast appeared, and it was terrifying—dreadful and extremely strong—with large iron teeth. It devoured and crushed; then it trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the beasts before it, and it had ten horns. 8While I was contemplating the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like those of a man and a mouth that spoke words of arrogance.Daniel enquired further about the interpretation of the fourth beast with the ten horns protruding from its head, and about the single horn that rose among the ten and was said to be more imposing than the others (Dan 7:19-20).The little horn will uproot or subdue three other prominent horns and then take charge over all ten horns. As such, he becomes the unquestionable leader of this confederacy of nations.It is at this point that the Daniel 7 vision goes beyond the information given in Daniel 2. Whereas Daniel 2 reveals the coming four empires, Daniel 7 goes further to introduce us to the leader of this final empire.Daniel 7:20 (BSB) I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn whose appearance was more imposing than the others, with eyes and with a mouth that spoke words of arrogance.He is clearly a skilled and ruthless political and military leader.Elsewhere, Daniel refers to this leader as “prince” or “ruler” (Dan 9:26). Paul calls him the “man of lawlessness” (2 Thess 2:3-4), while John says he is the “antichrist” (1 Jn 2:18), a popular title among Christians today.

Fifth: the little horn or Antichrist persecutes the saints for 3 ½ years

Twice in this chapter, Daniel tells us that the Antichrist will persecute the saints.Daniel 7:21 (BSB) As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them....Daniel 7:25 (BSB) He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.In fact, v. 25 tells us that the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.Using the interpretive method of Scripture interpreting Scripture we can ascertain what that means.In Revelation 12:6 John says the woman fled into the wilderness for 1260 days, which he also refers to as 42 months in Revelation 11:2-3. This is roughly 3 ½ years.Revelation 12:6 (BSB) And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place for her to be nourished for 1,260 days.But just a handful of verses later he says that the woman flew into the wilderness for “a time, times, and half a time.”Revelation 12:14 (BSB) But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. (see also Rev 11:2-3)So, we learn from these verses in Daniel, that the saints will be given into the hands of Antichrist, who will oppress or persecute them for 3 ½ years. But ultimately he will meet his demise.

Sixth: the little horn or Antichrist and his beast kingdom are judged by God

Though Daniel 2 tells us that the fourth kingdom, the Antichrist kingdom, will be destroyed, what follows expands on that to chronicle that judgment as it occurs in the heavenly courtroom.Daniel 7:9–12 (BSB) As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 10A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. 11Then I kept watching because of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued to watch, the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. 12As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was removed, but they were granted an extension of life for a season and a time.This is truly an awesome scene, for God, the Ancient of Days, takes His seat upon the judgment throne. “Myriads upon myriads” stand before Him. The court is convened, and the books are opened.But that doesn’t stop the arrogant antichrist horn ruler from blaspheming God until he and his coalition beast kingdom are suddenly slain by God Almighty and consigned to a blazing fire.This judgment is reiterated a handful of verses later.Daniel 7:26 (BSB) But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.

Seventh: the Son of Man is both God and man, Jesus!

Daniel 7:13–14 (BSB) In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. 14And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.There are a handful of convincing indicators in Daniel 7 that the Son of Man is God. (The following is a summary of Samuel Whitefield’s excellent exposition of the Son of Man in Daniel 7, which can be accessed in his books on this subject)First: He came with “the clouds of heaven.”

The OT contains four other references to a figure riding the clouds or heavensEach time it is Yahweh! (Dt 33:26; Ps 68:32-33; 104:1-4; Is 19:1).Further, we know that God descended and appeared to Israel in a cloud. (Ex 13:21; 16:10; 20:21; 34:5; etc.)Second: though He is a real Person, He is not an ordinary human

Daniel described him as one “like a son of man” (7:13).He was a real Person alright, for He interacts with the Ancient of Days as a Person.And He looked LIKE a human, but He was not simply human.Third: He approached the Ancient of Days

No human could directly approach the Ancient of Days.Even Moses was only permitted to see limited expressions of God’s glory.Fourth: He has characteristics that can only be attributed to God

Since He has an everlasting kingdom, He must be from everlasting!Since His kingdom will never pass away, He will never pass away!Since His kingdom cannot be destroyed, He can, therefore, never be destroyed!Fifth: He will rule as King over all the kingdoms of the earth

Other prophets had predicted that Yahweh would become king and rule over the earth, but they didn’t know how (Ps 47:1-2, 7; Ezk 20:33; Zech 14:9).Daniel was shown that Yahweh will become king over the earth through One called the Son of Man! He is God.Sixth: He is called the Most High

Daniel frequently referred to God as “the Most High.” (Dan 4:2, 17, 24, 25, 32, 34; 5:18, 21)In chapter 7 Daniel referred to the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man using two different terms: Most High (illaay) and Highest One (eleyonin) which both mean “Most High.”Most English translations don’t make this distinction. Take the ESV for example ...Daniel 7:25 (ESV) He shall speak words against the Most High (illaay), and shall wear out the saints of the Most High (elyonin) ....The ESV simply translates both words exactly the same. The NASB stands alone in making this important distinction.Daniel 7:25 (NASB) He will speak out against the Most High (illaay) and wear down the saints of the Highest One (elyonin)….Now, both terms (Most High and Highest One) mean the same thing. Yet Daniel chose to use different words, made clear by NASB. Why?The verse predicts the “little horn” (v. 24) will speak out against the Most High and wear out the saints of the Highest One. The first “Most High” is the “Ancient of Days.”So then, who is the “Highest One?”The saints belong to the Son of Man because they are given the Kingdom (vv. 18, 27) which was first given to the Son of Man (vv. 13-14).And this Son of Man is referred to as the Highest One in v. 18 (also v. 27)!By using a second term (Highest One) with the same meaning, Daniel presented the Ancient of Days and Son of Man as distinct from each other, yet both can be called Most High, which means both are Yahweh!Seventh: all peoples and nations serve and worship Him

Daniel says that all peoples, nations, and languages should “serve” Him.Daniel 7:14 (BSB) And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.In the Ten Commandments God warned Israel not to serve or worship other gods.Exodus 20:5 (BSB) You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me ....He repeated this warning again and again.Deuteronomy 8:19 (BSB) If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods to worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish.And He exhorted them to serve Him alone.Deuteronomy 11:13 (BSB) So if you carefully obey the commandments I am giving you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul,Service is what one renders to what or whom one worships. (Dan 3:12, 14, 17-18; 6:16, 20)So, when Daniel says that all the nations will serve the Son of Man, He is saying that this One will receive the love, adoration, worship, and service of all humanity!The Son of Man is clearly divine!Here in Daniel’s vision, Yahweh appears as two distinct Persons side-by-side.Both the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man are Yahweh, nevertheless, they are distinct from each other.Yet, though the Son of Man was God, He also seemed to be genuinely human!This is what Jesus was getting at! The Son of Man was actually Israel’s Yahweh who had descended in human flesh. No other OT passage made that point more powerfully than Daniel 7!And Jesus claimed to be that Son of Man! Referring specifically to Daniel 7:13-14 He said ...Matthew 24:30 (BSB) At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.Remember, the disciples had asked Jesus what the sign of His coming would be (Mt 24:3). And here, referring to Himself as the Son of Man, He says what the unequivocable sign of His coming will be! (cf. Lk 5:23-24).

Eighth: the Son of Man is given an everlasting worldwide kingdom

Daniel 7:13–14 (BSB) In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. 14And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.In the first vision (Dan 2) Daniel had already told us that God would defeat the final empire and then establish an everlasting kingdom.But in this vision the Lord tells us exactly who will reign over this kingdom. It will be the Son of Man, who is both God and man! How shocking and wonderful this revelation is!

Summary of the Daniel 2 and 7 visions

In Daniel 2 we’re told about a destructive and conquering empire (legs of iron), which we identified as the Islamic Empire. We learned that the Islamic Kingdom will be revived, albeit in another form. This will be a brutal and crushing kingdom in the last days. Ultimately, it will be destroyed by God and replaced with a world-wide kingdom that will stand forever.Daniel 7 parallels Daniel 2, but this time picturing it as four beasts. But this vision gives us new and important information, telling us about the ruler of the revived Islamic Caliphate, known as Antichrist. We are told about the judgment and demise of Antichrist in the end. And we learn that the divine Son of Man will then be given an everlasting dominion over the whole earth.

C. The vision of the ram and the goat (Daniel 8)

In the 3rd year of Belshazzar (550 BC) Daniel received a vision about a ram and a goat.This vision begins with a more detailed account of the rise and fall of the Medo-Persian and Greek empires and explains much more about the future Antichrist.

First: the rise of the Medo-Persian empire

Daniel 8:2–4 (BSB) And in the vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision that I was beside the Ulai Canal. 3Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a ram with two horns standing beside the canal. The horns were long, but one was longer than the other, and the longer one grew up later. 4I saw the ram charging toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against him, and there was no deliverance from his power. He did as he pleased and became great.The vison begins in the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam, beside the Ulai Canal (modern-day Iran).A ram with two horns, one longer than the other, is standing beside the canal. Then the ram begins to charge toward the west, the north, and the south, and no one could withstand it.Gabriel revealed to Daniel that the ram represents the Medo-Persians who would conquer the Babylonian empire in just a few years.Daniel 8:20 (BSB) The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.While the Medo-Persian Empire is pictured as a lopsided bear in Daniel 7, here in chapter 8 it is portrayed as a ram with two horns, one longer than the other. The longer horn refers to the Persians who were much stronger than the Medes.

Second: the Greek empire annihilates the Medo-Persian empire

Next, Daniel sees a one-horned goat, also an empire, and it is charging from the west, skimming swiftly over the surface of the earth.Daniel 8:5–8 (BSB) As I was contemplating all this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between his eyes came out of the west, crossing the surface of the entire earth without touching the ground. 6He came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and rushed at him with furious power. 7I saw him approach the ram in a rage against him, and he struck the ram and shattered his two horns. The ram was powerless to stand against him, and the goat threw him to the ground and trampled him, and no one could deliver the ram from his power. 8Thus the goat became very great ....Gabriel explained that this goat represents a Greek Empire that would arise in the west and sweep quickly to the east, conquering all the Medo-Persian territories. Further, he said that this kingdom would be led be a great king, pictured as a large horn.Daniel 8:21 (BSB) The shaggy goat represents the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes is the first king.History tells us that it was Alexander the Great.

Third: the Greek empire is broken into four after Alexander’s death

At the height of its power, the horn was suddenly broken off and four horns grew up to take its place.Daniel 8:8 (BSB) Thus the goat became very great, but at the height of his power, his large horn was broken off, and four prominent horns came up in its place, pointing toward the four winds of heaven.Gabriel leaves no doubt as the interpretation of this.Daniel 8:21–22 (BSB) The shaggy goat represents the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes is the first king. 22 The four horns that replaced the broken one represent four kingdoms that will rise from that nation, but will not have the same power.From history we know that Alexander the Great died suddenly and the Greek territories were parceled out between four generals, who then ruled over those territories. The generals who succeeded Alexander were Seleucus, Ptolemy, Cassander, or Lysicmachus.

Fourth: Antiochus IV Epiphanes fulfills the prophecy partially

Up to this point (vv. 3-8) the vision has been interpreted entirely by past historical events. But what follows about what the “little horn” or “king” will do (vv. 9-12, 23-25) has dual meanings about both past and future historical events.Daniel 8:9–12 (BSB) From one of these horns a little horn emerged and grew extensively toward the south and the east and toward the Beautiful Land. 10It grew as high as the host of heaven, and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the earth and trampled them. 11It magnified itself, even to the Prince of the host; it removed His daily sacrifice and overthrew the place of His sanctuary. 12And in the rebellion, the host and the daily sacrifice were given over to the horn, and it flung truth to the ground and prospered in whatever it did.Some verses later we’re given more details about the actions of the little horn.Daniel 8:23–25 (BSB) In the latter part of their reign, when the rebellion has reached its full measure, an insolent king, skilled in intrigue, will come to the throne. 24His power will be great, but it will not be his own. He will cause terrible destruction and succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men along with the holy people. 25Through his craft and by his hand, he will cause deceit to prosper, and in his own mind he will make himself great. In a time of peace he will destroy many, and he will even stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be broken off, but not by human hands.Soon after Alexander died the four kings began to war against each other. After twenty years of warring the largest of the two kingdoms were the Seleucid empire in the north and the Ptolemaic empire in northern Africa.Then in 175 BC, Antiochus IV Epiphanes seized the throne of the Seleucid Empire. He is the little horn that grew extensively to the south, toward the east and toward the “Beautiful Land” (Dan 8:9).Just five years after he seized power he conquered the Ptolemaic empire. In Israel a rumor spread that Antiochus had died in Egypt, triggering a rebellion against the Seleucids. When Antiochus learned about the rebellion on his way back north, he turned aside and attacked Jerusalem.In just three days his forces killed 40,000 Jewish citizens (Dan 8:24-25) and took another 40,000 into captivity. This led to the Maccabean revolt, which in turn caused Antiochus to brutally suppress the revolt.He banned the Jews from practicing circumcision and demanded that they abandon their law and cultural distinctives, and ordered them to sacrifice to pagan gods and eat pig flesh.He ended sacrifice at the temple (Dan 8:11), filled the priests’ rooms with prostitutes, and defiled the temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar and placing an object sacred to Zeus in the Holy of holies (Dan 8:13 cp. 1 Macc. 1:37-59; 2 Macc. 6:2-5). He burned copies of the Scriptures and slaughtered those who remained true to their faith (Dan 8:10, 24).Antiochus even rose up against God Himself (Dan 8:25). He had coins minted with the phrase “god manifest” on the back of them, meaning that he thought himself to be a god (Dan 8:25).But Daniel predicted that the ‘horn’ would be broken (Dan 8:25). And this happened to Antiochus.The Jews responded by taking arms. From 167-166 BC, Judas Maccabeus led them in a series of military victories, finally defeating Antiochus and the Seleucids. After that, the Jews cleaned and restored the temple in 165 BC.This is why so many believe that Antiochus fulfilled Daniel 8’s prophecy of the little horn. While Antiochus may have fulfilled the near events of this prophecy, we know that this prophecy will be fully exhausted or fulfilled by the Antichrist in the end times.

Fifth: Antichrist fulfills this prophecy completely

From what we just read, there is good reason why Antiochus is viewed by many to be a fulfillment of Daniel 8’s little horn. But Antiochus didn’t fully exhaust or fulfill the prophecies of the little horn.However, we have good reasons to believe that Antiochus is a type or symbol of Antichrist. As such he foreshadows Antichrist, who will completely fulfill the Daniel 8 prophecies.Reason 1: because Gabriel said the context of the vision is about end times

Three times in two verses Gabriel says that the context of this prophecy is end times.Daniel 8:17–19 (BSB) As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end” ... 19and said, “Behold, I will make known to you what will happen in the latter time of wrath, because it concerns the appointed time of the end.After Daniel received the vision he sought for its interpretation. Gabriel responded, twice telling Daniel that the entire prophecy refers to “the time of the end” and “the latter time.”And when he finished speaking to Daniel about the vision, he instructed Daniel to seal it up, “for it concerns the distant future.”Daniel 8:26 (BSB) ...Now you must seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future.Reason 2: the Antichrist of Daniel 7 is the same figure in Daniel 8

While many conservative scholars correctly identify the little horn of Daniel 7 (vv. 21, 25) as referring to Antichrist, they often maintain that the little horn of Daniel 8 (vv. 9-12) is Antiochus.A chief reason that many have trouble reconciling the two little horns is because they assume that the Antichrist of Daniel 7 arises from the Roman empire, whereas Gabriel leaves no doubt that the little horn of Daniel 8 emerges out of the Middle East, where the Medo-Persian Empire was located.This difficulty would be easily resolved if scholars recognized that the fourth beast empire will be Islamic rather than Roman, as thoroughly discussed in the Daniel 2 vision.In that case the Antichrist of Daniel 7 would be coming out of the Middle East (rather than Europe), just like the little horn of Daniel 8 comes out of the Middle East!And remembering that the context of both visions is the end times, most interpreters would then likely acknowledge that the two horns are one and the same, the future Antichrist of the end times.Reason 3: because Antiochus didn’t fulfill the future aspects

Commentators say that it was the historical Antiochus Epiphanes because in Daniel 8:11-12 it says that the daily sacrifices were stopped, the Temple was overrun, and Scripture reading forbidden (truth thrown to the ground). This is of course true.HOWEVER, the prophecy also says that the horn causes the stars of heaven to fall downDaniel 8:10 (BSB) It (horn) grew as high as the host of heaven, and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the earth, and trampled them.This sounds like something John says in Revelation 12.Revelation 12:3–4 (BSB) Then another sign appeared in heaven: a huge red dragon with seven heads, ten horns, and seven royal crowns on his heads. 4 His tail swept a third of the stars from the sky, tossing them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, ready to devour her child as soon as she gave birth.Who was the great red dragon? The devil or Satan!Revelation 12:9 (BSB) And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.There is a time coming when Satan no longer has access to heaven.Revelation 12:10 (BSB) And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down— he who accuses them day and night before our God.He and one third of the angels will be cast down to the earth. Knowing that his time is short he will rage against the saints.Revelation 12:12–13 (BSB) Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea; with great fury the devil has come down to you, knowing he has only a short time.” 13And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.Antiochus never fulfilled any of this, for it awaits a future fulfillment.

Sixth: the abomination of desolation

It is in the Daniel 8 vision that we are first introduced to an event called the abomination of desolation.Daniel 8:11–13 (BSB) It (Antichrist) magnified itself, even to the Prince of the host; it removed His daily sacrifice and overthrew the place of His sanctuary. 12And in the rebellion, the host and the daily sacrifice were given over to the horn, and it flung truth to the ground and prospered in whatever it did. 13Then 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?”In Daniel’s vision of chapter 11, he states it more succinctly.Daniel 11:31 (BSB) His forces will rise up and desecrate the temple fortress. They will abolish the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination of desolation. (Dan 12:11)The abomination of desolation is marked by two simultaneous actions by the Antichrist.First, he will abolish the daily offerings in the temple. Then he will erect the abomination of desolation, an idol, in the temple sanctuary. The idea is that the abomination will replace the daily offering.At this point, the only thing Gabriel tells us about this event is that it will occur in the end times.

Summary of the Daniel 2, 7, and 8 visions

In Daniel 2 we’re told about a destructive and conquering empire (legs of iron), which we identified as the Islamic Empire. We learned that the Islamic Kingdom will be revived, albeit in another form. This will be a brutal and crushing kingdom in the last days. Ultimately, it will be destroyed by God and replaced with a world-wide kingdom that will stand forever.Daniel 7 parallels Daniel 2, but this time picturing it as four beasts. But this vision gives us new and important information, telling us about the ruler of the revived Islamic Caliphate, known as Antichrist. We are told about the judgment and demise of Antichrist in the end. And we learn that the divine Son of Man will then be given an everlasting dominion over the whole earth.Daniel 8’s vision about the ram and the goat explains more about the coming Antichrist’s actions. This vision begins by retelling the rise and fall of the Medo-Persian and Greek empires already pictured in Daniel 2 and 7. However, in contrast to chapters 2 and 7, the vision of Daniel 8 explicitly names these two empires and then describes their conquests in greater detail. Further, it expands on a brutal figure first introduced in Daniel 7, who rises up from the breakup of the Greek Empire, and who foreshadows the Antichrist of the end times. Finally, it is in this vision that we first learn about the abomination of desolation.