Daniel 7, Part 2

Interpretation of Vision

Daniel 7:15–22 ESV

15 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. 16 I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. 17 ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’ 19 “Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, 20 and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. 21 As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.

The prophet had witnessed the rise and fall of nations due to war and conflict, turmoil and chaos. Daniel deeply sensed the unbearable suffering that people were going to bear, in particular his own people. Presently, the Jews were under the heel of Babylon, scattered as exiles throughout the empire. Were they to continue suffering oppression, enslavement, and exile down through the ages? Daniel simply could not understand the vision, in particular the meaning of the fourth beast and little horn. He was deeply troubled by all the questions running through his mind. Thus the LORD sent an angel to interpret the vision for His dear servant:

a. Daniel’s troubled spirit drove him to seek the meaning of the vision (v. 16). He approached one of the angels and asked him to explain what he had witnessed. Although the angel is not named, it was probably Gabriel. In fact, Daniel later says that Gabriel was the angel he had seen in an earlier vision (9:21). Whatever the case, the messenger of God (angel) met the need of Daniel and explained the vision to him.

b. Briefly and to the point, the four beasts represented the corrupt and violent kingdoms of the world (v. 17). As history marched forth through the centuries, nations and empires would succeed one another. They would conquer one another, causing death and sorrow, pain and suffering, insecurity and distress, chaos and turmoil all over the earth.

c. But the day is coming when the Son of Man’s (Christ’s) eternal kingdom will be established on earth (vv. 13–14). And His eternal kingdom will be inherited by the saints, true believers of the Most High God. The kingdom will last forever and the saints will rule forever. They will actually govern the universe for Christ, who will sit upon His throne as the eternal king.

With this explanation, Daniel knew that his people Israel had a bright future and a wonderful hope. True believers within Israel would eventually have their Messiah, and they would serve Him throughout all eternity. Daniel’s heart must have been greatly encouraged when the angel explained the coming kingdom of God on earth and the fact that true believers would inherit the LORD’s kingdom.

d. Daniel requested that the angel explain the meaning of the fourth beast and its little horn (vv. 19–22). He wanted to know why the fourth beast was unlike any other animal on earth and was so ferocious and terrifying (v. 19). He also wanted to know about the ten horns, and especially about the little horn (vv. 20–21). He wondered why the three horns fell before it, and why the little horn seemed so much greater than the others. Why was it so arrogant and boastful? And why did it wage war against the saints, persecuting and crushing them (v. 21)? He also asked about the Ancient of Days and his judgment of the little horn, a judgment that delivered the saints and gave them the kingdom of God (v. 22).

The Beast Overthrown

Daniel 7:23–28 ESV

23 “Thus he said: ‘As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. 24 As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. 25 He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. 26 But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. 27 And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’ 28 “Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.”

The angel answered Daniel’s questions, explaining events that both he and future generations needed to know. Despite all the war, conflict, lawlessness, and violence on earth, and all the suffering and death of human life, a wonderful hope lies out in the future. And every human being needs to know about this wonderful hope. They need to be encouraged to place their hope in the LORD and in His coming kingdom. In answering the prophet’s questions, the angel stressed five major points:

1) The fourth beast represented a fourth kingdom that was to appear on earth (v. 23). As pointed out earlier (v. 7), this kingdom was the Roman Empire that controlled most of the known world of that day. This empire was to be p 91 different from all others that had preceded it, different in its power and terror. It would violently devour the whole earth. It would crush and trample underfoot all the people who stood in its path of world conquest.

Rome was also to be different in that many of its laws, political structure, and organization would influence many nations down through history—so much so that the last kingdom to rule on earth will arise from a restoration of the old Roman Empire. The following explanation of the angel clearly shows this fact. Specific features of the Roman state will endure in certain nations down through history until God Himself establishes the final government on earth, the Kingdom of God itself.

- 2) The ten horns of Daniel’s vision represented a coalition of ten rulers (v. 24a). Note that these ten rulers arise from the Roman Empire and that their governments are in existence during the end time of human history. These ten kingdoms or nations will be in existence right before Christ returns to set up God’s kingdom on earth. When the times of the Gentiles end, these ten nations will be numbered among all the nations who will face the judgment of God (see outline and notes—Mt. 25:31–46; Re. 17:7–18, esp. vv. 12–14 for more discussion).

3) The little horn is identified as another ruler who arises from one of the nations of the historic Roman Empire (vv. 24b–25; also see vv. 8, 11). As pointed out earlier, this is the antichrist (v. 8; 1 Jn. 2:18) who is also known as the man of lawlessness (2 Th. 2:3) and the beast (see outline and notes—Re. 13:1–10). Note that the coalition of ten nations will already be in existence when the antichrist arises and appears on the scene. He will take power after them. Note also that he will be different from the other ten rulers in that he will be more powerful and terrorizing, more knowledgeable and intelligent, more arrogant and oppressive, more hostile and cruel in his treatment of others. Apparently he will tolerate no defiance or opposition to his wishes. Four significant features about the antichrist (little horn) are emphasized.

⇒ First, the antichrist will subdue three of the ten rulers (v. 24b). For some reason these three rulers will oppose the antichrist, and he will subject them under his rule. After this, the other seven rulers willingly subject themselves and follow his leadership.

⇒ Second, the antichrist will defy and oppose the LORD. He will speak publicly against the LORD by blaspheming and cursing His holy name. Other Scriptures tell us that he will even establish a state religion in an attempt to secure the loyalty and unity of the people (see outline and notes—2 Th. 2:4; Re. 13:4–8a, esp. pt. 9, v. 8a for more discussion). The antichrist will then turn his hatred of God against the saints (true believers). He will launch an oppressive, vicious persecution of believers. Keep in mind that the rule of antichrist will be so evil and brutal that his time on earth has been given a title, the historical period known as The Tribulation (see outline and notes—Mt. 24:1–14; Mk. 13:1–13; Re. 6:1–19:21 for more discussion).

Freedom of religion will no longer be allowed on earth during the antichrist’s rule. Instead, he will seek some unifying principle and common spirit to hold the people together. This principle and spirit will be wrapped up in the government. Remember that a coalition of nations under the antichrist’s rule will bring peace and economic prosperity to the world. They will offer solutions to many of the problems people face. (See outline and note—Re. 13:13–17 for a discussion on the antichrist’s means of securing loyalty and controlling the world through economic pressure.) As a result, the vast majority of people will willingly offer their first loyalty to the state. But not the saints, not the true believers who are committed to the LORD. They will oppose the antichrist’s blasphemy against the LORD and his violent persecution of the saints. True believers will know that the antichrist has yielded himself to follow the ways of Satan (see outline and notes—2 Th. 2:9; Re. 13:2b–3 for more discussion).

⇒ Third, the antichrist will try to change the calendar and some of the laws of the nations (v. 25b). Apparently, he will attempt to institute a new legal system to govern the coalition of nations and their citizens, a legal system that will even attempt to change the calendar. After all, if there is to be a worldwide government, a new legal system would be required in order to unify the different nationalities and languages and to execute justice fairly throughout society.

⇒ Fourth, the antichrist will persecute the saints for three and a half years (v. 25c). This is the period of time known as The Great Tribulation (see outline and notes—Da. 12:4–13 for more discussion). During the great tribulation, the last three and one half years of antichrist’s rule, the great city of Jerusalem will be destroyed and the Jews severely persecuted (see outline and notes—Re. 11:1–2 for more discussion). During these days of vicious persecution, the Jews will flee for their lives. But God promises to meet the needs of those who truly follow Him during the entire three and a half years (see outline and note—Re. 12:6. Also see Re. 12:14 for more discussion.) Apparently, The Great Tribulation—will begin when the antichrist breaks this covenant or treaty with the Jewish nation (9:27). When the antichrist breaks this covenant with the Jews, he will attempt to force them to declare their first allegiance to the state, an act that is known as the abomination of desolation (Da. 11:31. Also see DEEPER STUDY #1—Mt. 24:15 for more discussion). It is during the period of The Great Tribulation that the terrifying judgments of God will be launched upon the earth, the judgments that are graphically described in Revelation (see outline and note—Re. 8:1–19:21 for more discussion).

4) The angel explained the Ancient of Days and His court of judgment next (v. 26). It will be the hand of God Himself that will strike the antichrist and completely destroy this little horn of prophecy (v. 26). His final day on earth will come and his vicious persecution of believers will end. His coalition of nations will be broken up and each will be wiped off the face of the earth when they face the terrifying judgment of God.

5) After the antichrist has been removed from earth, the fifth and final kingdom—God’s kingdom—will be established on earth (v. 27). Christ will return to bring peace and righteousness to the human race. Again, note that the kingdom will be handed over to the saints, the true believers who have followed the Son of Man, who is the Lord Jesus Christ (vv. 13–14). Those who have truly followed the LORD will receive their inheritance, an everlasting kingdom that will never end. And they will rule with Christ, looking after and taking care of the universe in His behalf. But note an important fact: the everlasting kingdom of Christ will be inhabited only by rulers and people who have worshipped and obeyed Him. In that day, Christ will truly be exalted before every human being who p 92 has ever lived, exalted as the only living and true God (Ph. 2:9–11). In this Scripture, note how the Son of Man is placed in an equal position with the Most High God.

f. This was the end of the vision. Daniel was emotionally exhausted, completely drained. Furthermore, he was still deeply troubled, so much so that his face had turned pale, which probably indicated that he was experiencing some kind of emotional shock. The impact of the vision upon Daniel is a strong suggestion that every generation needs to pay close attention to this amazing prophecy, in particular to the warning about the coming little horn, the antichrist.

The antichrist is coming someday in the future. When he comes, the first part of his rule will bring peace, security, and economic prosperity to the world. But in the last three and a half years of his leadership, the most horrible holocaust ever known to man will be launched against those who truly follow the Lord Jesus Christ. However, the Lord will sustain His people. He will strengthen and encourage them and offer them the most wonderful reward if they will just remain true to Him. These same promises of strength and reward are given to all of us who truly trust the LORD and follow in His steps of righteousness.

Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 2008. Daniel-Hosea. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.