DANIEL 7: THE DOMINION AND THE KINGDOM GIVEN TO CHRIST, AND THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH
Daniel 7:1–2
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
Daniel said, I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of the heavens [political and social agitations] were stirring up the great sea [the nations of the world]. (Daniel 7:2 AMP)
“Four winds of heaven”
Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts: but I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate. (Zechariah 7:12–14)
Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might. And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come. For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the Lord; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them. (Jeremiah 49:35–37)
At that time he will send a burning wind from the desert upon them—not in little gusts but in a roaring blast—and he will pronounce their doom. The enemy shall roll down upon us like a storm wind; his chariots are like a whirlwind; his steeds are swifter than eagles. Woe, woe upon us, for we are doomed. (Jeremiah 4:11–13 TLB)
And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven. (Mark 13:27)
And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. (Revelation 7:1)
Winds, as noted in these Scriptures, represent social and political upheaval, often as the result of war. The winds are at times attributed to God’s judgments. They are a result of the sin and rebellion of men and the consequent separation from God’s protecting hand. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).
The four winds come from the four directions of the compass, indicating that social and political upheaval will be prevalent all over the world. The winds of strife do not, however, blow throughout the entire world all at one time, for in Revelation chapter 7, angels are depicted as holding the four winds so that the whole world is not engulfed in chaos and destruction.
“The great sea”
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: and he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Revelation 17:1, 15)
Because this people [Israel and Judah] have refused and despised the waters of Shiloah [Siloam, the only perennial fountain of Jerusalem, and symbolic of God’s protection and sustaining power] that go gently, and rejoice in and with Rezin [the king of Syria] and Remaliah’s son [Pekah the king of Israel]. Now therefore, behold, the Lord brings upon them the waters of the River [Euphrates], strong and many—even the king of Assyria and all the glory [of his gorgeous retinue]: and it will rise over its channels, brooks, valleys, and canals and extend far beyond its banks; and it will sweep on into Judah; it will overflow and go over [the hills], reaching even [but only] to the neck [of which Jerusalem is the head], and the outstretched wings [of the armies of Assyria] shall fill the breadth of your land. (Isaiah 8:6–8 AMP)
Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters. (Isaiah 17:12)
Who is this that cometh up as a flood, whose waters are moved as the rivers? Egypt riseth up like a flood, and his waters are moved like the rivers; and he saith, I will go up, and will cover the earth; I will destroy the city and the inhabitants thereof. (Jeremiah 46:7–8)
The great sea is a prophetic symbol of the sea of humanity, nations, and peoples. The winds of strife are in operation among the human family. From this agitated and stormy sea of human passions, Daniel sees the rise of kingdoms, symbolized as beasts.
Daniel 7:3
And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
And four great beasts came up out of the sea in succession, and different from one another. (Daniel 7:3 AMP)
“Four great beasts came up”
These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. (Daniel 7:17)
Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. (Daniel 7:23)
Beasts represent kingdoms. This prophetic definition is one we must keep in mind, for it is an important key to understanding the symbolic creatures prevalent throughout Daniel and Revelation. The kingdoms symbolized in Daniel chapter 2 by an image made up of various metals are repeated in this chapter using the symbol of beasts.
Daniel 7:4
The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.
The first [the Babylonian empire under Nebuchadnezzar] was like a lion and had eagle’s wings. I looked till the wings of it were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand upon two feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. (Daniel 7:4 AMP)
• Babylon = the head of gold in the great image of chapter two.
• Babylon = the lion of chapter seven.
In Daniel’s prophecies, the prophetic symbols and descriptions of Babylon end in chapter 7 because the kingdom of the Medes and Persians overthrew Babylon during Daniel’s lifetime. We read about this in chapter 5.
“Was like a lion”
Set up the standard toward Zion: retire, stay not: for I will bring evil from the north [Babylon], and a great destruction. The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant. (Jeremiah 4:6–9)
Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones. (Jeremiah 50:17)
And Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling place for dragons, an astonishment, and an hissing, without an inhabitant. They shall roar together like lions: they shall yell as lions’ whelps. (Jeremiah 51:37–38)
The winged lion turning into a man with a man’s heart represents the fall of Babylon from its place of prestige and power. When Belshazzar was slain, the great winged-lion kingdom was brought low. Its wings were plucked off and the strong and far-reaching eagle was grounded. In place of the fearsome and destructive nature of the lion was found the weak and powerless heart of a man.
The lion with eagle’s wings was changed, not destroyed. This is significant because in Revelation chapters 17 and 18 we find a system represented as spiritual Babylon, which will have global prominence at the end of time. Babylon is no longer with us as a nation and conquering like a winged lion, modern Babylon is a global system of false religion.
One of the components of spiritual Babylon is described in Daniel 7:8 as a little horn with the eyes (understanding) of a man. Further descriptions of this little horn are given in Daniel 7 and Revelation 13 under the symbol of a beast, where it represents a system with a man as its head. It appears as a man, not a fierce lion, representing itself as compassionate and religious in nature. According to Revelation 13 and 17, Babylon will have more influence at the end of time in its man-like form than it did as a conquering, winged lion.
“Eagles’ wings”
For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs. They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves. Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.
They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand. And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it. Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god. (Habakkuk 1:6–11)
There was also another great eagle with great wings and many feathers: and, behold, this vine did bend her roots toward him, and shot forth her branches toward him, that he might water it by the furrows of her plantation. Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon. (Ezekiel 17:7, 12)
Ask these rebels of Israel: Don’t you understand what this riddle of the eagles means? I will tell you. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon [the first of the two eagles], came to Jerusalem and took away her king and princes [her topmost buds and shoots] and brought them to Babylon. (Ezekiel 17:12 TLB)
For thus says the Lord: Behold, he [Babylon] shall fly directly like an eagle and shall spread out his wings against Moab. (Jeremiah 48:40 AMP)
The winged lion is found in the art of Babylon. The lion is often thought of as the king of beasts, and the eagle is noted for its strength and flight. Thus, the symbolism here in Daniel 7 represents Babylon, whose power at one time was felt from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf and from Asia Minor to Israel.
Daniel 7:5
And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
And behold another beast, a second one [the Medo-Persian empire], was like a bear, and it raised up itself on one side [or one dominion] and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth; and it was told, Arise, devour much flesh. (Daniel 7:5 AMP)
“And behold another beast, a second”
Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory. And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the heaven hath he given into thine hand, and hath made thee ruler over them all. Thou art this head of gold. And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee. (Daniel 2:37–39)
The inferior kingdom that was to rule after Babylon was the silver kingdom, or as noted in the Scripture below, the Medes and Persians.
In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old. (Daniel 5:30–31)
The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see. Behold, I will stir up the Medes against them, which shall not regard silver; and as for gold, they shall not delight in it. Their bows also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb; their eye shall not spare children. (Isaiah 13:1, 17–18)
• The kingdom of Media and Persia = the chest and arms of silver in the image of Daniel 2.
• The kingdom of Media and Persia = the bear in chapter seven.
• The kingdom of Media and Persia = the ram of chapter eight, and is the power spoken of in the first two verses of chapter 11.
The prophetic portions of Daniel contain symbols that represent Babylon, Media-Persia, Greece, Rome, and a Roman power diverse and different from its original pagan and nation-conquering form. The leopard beast introduced below shows the same succession as in Daniel 2 from the silver to the bronze kingdom.
The same kingdoms are seen again in Daniel 8:20–21 where we are told the ram represents Media-Persia and the he goat was Greece. The he goat (Greece) prevailed in the battle against the ram (Media-Persia) and became the third kingdom predicted in Bible prophecy.
These prophecies began in Daniel’s day and stretch forward to the coming of the Lord. God has given us the prophecies; those that are fulfilled give us confidence that those that remain to be fulfilled will also come to pass. Prophecy fulfilled shows that God is trustworthy and we can count on Him for our salvation.
Daniel 7:6
After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
After this I looked, and behold, another [the Grecian empire of Alexander the Great], like a leopard which had four wings of a bird on its back. The beast had also four heads [Alexander’s generals, his successors], and dominion was given to it. (Daniel 7:6 AMP)
“And lo another, like a leopard”
Therefore I will be unto them [Ephraim] as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them. (Hosea 13:7–8)
Therefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, a wolf of the desert shall destroy them, a leopard [or panther] shall lie in wait against their cities. Everyone who goes out of them shall be torn in pieces, because their transgressions are many, their backslidings [total desertion of faith] are increased and have become great and mighty. (Jeremiah 5:6 AMP)
• Greece = the belly and thighs of brass in chapter two.
• Greece = the leopard-like beast of chapter seven.
• Greece = the he goat of chapter eight.
• Daniel 11:3–4 gives a brief description of Greece power before it fades off the scene.
The leopard has no special symbolic meaning in Scripture. Like all the beasts of this chapter, it is flesh eating and therefore considered violent and destructive of all creatures weaker than itself.
The people in Jeremiah’s day were in a sinful, rebellious condition; thus, the leopard, lion, and wolf stood ready to destroy. Sadly, this is often how the rise and fall of nations takes place—in the midst of destruction and death. Why? Because of sin and rebellion in people and nations, the powers of this world are often in agitation—the winds ever blowing, and kingdom after kingdom rising and falling amidst violence, war, and chaos.
But praise God, these prophetic chapters of Daniel end with God in control, when “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him” (Daniel 7:27).
Praise God, there is coming a day when the nations represented as fierce and destructive beasts shall give way to God’s eternal kingdom of peace and harmony.
Today we are near the end of the timeline foretold in the prophetic visions of Daniel chapters 2, 7, 8, and 11. Soon these beasts will no longer be symbols of nations in strife and conquest. In God’s eternal kingdom, “the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice’ den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:6–9).
“Upon the back of it four wings of a fowl”
And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. (Psalm 55:6)
Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself. (Amos 2:14)
The wings of the fowl represent swiftness and the apparent ability of a bird to go where it pleases, unencumbered by the obstacles of the land. So it seemed with Greece under Alexander the Great. It conquered rapidly and apparently unencumbered by the forces of opposing armies. It is appropriately described in Daniel 8 in these words: “A buck goat appeared from the west, so swiftly that it didn’t even touch the ground” (Daniel 8:5 TLB).
“The beast had also four heads”
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. (Exodus 18:25)
And with you [Moses] there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers. These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel. (Numbers 1:4, 16)
Therefore the he goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven. (Daniel 8:8)
And when he [the mighty king of Grecia] shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those. (Daniel 11:4)
Heads are a symbol for leaders or rulers. The four heads described in Daniel 7:6 represent the four dominions of the Grecian kingdom after the death of Alexander, ruled initially by four of his generals.
“Dominion was given to it”
And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation. (Daniel 4:34)
I [Darius] make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. (Daniel 6:26)
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. (Daniel 4:17)
The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. (Psalm 115:16)
I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me. And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him. (Jeremiah 27:5–6)
Alexander the Great, who led the leopard beast to the height of its glory, and other men of power may think they are controlling events, but events unfold by God’s allowance, and at times by God’s direction. He lifts up and He debases. While the events of men and nations seem to be driven by the winds of social and political strife, God sits enthroned in heaven. He has the ultimate control of nations and individuals in His hand.
In the midst of a world that is becoming increasingly driven by the winds of strife and filled with sorrow, let us remember God still reigns. In fact, these very prophecies are one means God uses to tell us, “Do not be afraid. I have the control of men and nations in My hand, and My purposes will be worked out.” His Word says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). When the winds of this world cause you to fear and tremble, remember these words: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee” (Psalm 56:3).
The Lord frustrates the purposes of the nations; he keeps them from carrying out their plans. But his plans endure forever; his purposes last eternally. (Psalm 33:10–11 TEV)
Daniel 7:7
After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast [the Roman empire]—terrible, powerful and dreadful, and exceedingly strong. And it had great iron teeth; it devoured and crushed and trampled what was left with its feet. And it was different from all the beasts that came before it, and it had ten horns [symbolizing ten kings]. (Daniel 7:7 AMP)
“Behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible”
And the fourth kingdom [Rome] shall be strong as iron, since iron breaks to pieces and subdues all things; and like iron which crushes, it shall break and crush all these. (Daniel 2:40 AMP)
Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth. (Daniel 7:23)
And out of one of them [the four horns that arose out of Alexander’s kingdom] came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land. And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them. (Daniel 8:9–10)
“It had great iron teeth”
Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. (Micah 4:13)
Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron. (Jeremiah 28:13)
For they be thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron. (1 Kings 8:51)
Because I knew that thou [O house of Jacob] art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass. (Isaiah 48:4)
• Pagan Roman Empire = the legs of iron of chapter 2.
• Pagan Roman Empire = the dreadful and terrible beast of chapter 7.
• Pagan Roman Empire = the little horn of Daniel 8:9.
• Pagan Roman Empire = the king of the North in Daniel 11:14–30.
Throughout Scripture, iron often symbolizes harshness, affliction, bondage, and stubbornness, all of which aptly describe the Roman Empire when it ruled the world.
Why did God allow the power of Rome to rule with such fierceness and cruelty? “They are all the worst [kind] of rebels and utter and total revolters against God, going about publishing slander. They are [not gold and silver ore, but] bronze and iron, they are all corrupters” (Jeremiah 6:28 AMP). As men’s hearts became hardened in sin and revolt, God allowed the nations overthrown by Rome to be ruled by the master who most reflected their own rebellion against God. Men and nations reap what they have sown.
As the remnants of Alexander’s kingdom were decaying and growing weak, Rome appeared on the scene and grew into the great iron kingdom. “And in the latter time of their kingdom, [the four divisions of Alexander’s kingdom] when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up” (Daniel 8:23).
“And it had ten horns”
And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise. (Daniel 7:24)
Then I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, four horns [symbols of strength]. And I said to the angel who talked with me. What are these? And he answered me. These are the horns [or powers] which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem. Then the Lord showed me four smiths or workmen [one for each enemy horn, to beat it down]. Then said I, What are these [horns and smiths] coming to do? And he said, These are the horns [or powers] that scattered Judah so that no man lifted up his head. But these [smiths or workmen] have come to terrorize them and cause them to be panic-stricken, to cast out the horns [or powers] of the nations who lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it. (Zechariah 1:18–21 AMP)
So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. (Revelation 17:3, 12)
In Bible prophecy a horn represents powers or kingdoms. It may be attached to a beast and draw life from the beast, as in Revelation 17. Alternatively, horns represent subsequent powers or kingdoms that arise and come to power out of or from a beast as it decays and falls away, as in Daniel 7. The term horn is also used as a symbol for strength and glory.
Daniel 7:8
I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
“Three of the first horns plucked up by the roots”
These [filthy dreamers] are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots. (Jude 12)
Then will I pluck them [Israel] up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. (2 Chronicles 7:20)
Thus says the Lord God: Ask, Will it thrive? Will he [the insulted Nebuchadnezzar] not pluck up its roots and strip off its fruit so that all its fresh sprouting leaves will wither? It will not take a strong arm or many people to pluck it up by its roots [totally ending Israel’s national existence]. (Ezekiel 17:9 AMP, see also 2 Kings 25:1–7.)
When a plant is plucked up by the roots, it is destroyed. This is an apt illustration of what happened to three of the ten kingdoms that came out of the fourth beast, or the Roman Empire. Kings, with their military power, at the instigation of the little horn power, plucked up the Heruli, Vandals, and Ostrogoths.
While descendants from the other seven kingdoms can easily be traced today, the Heruli, Vandals, and Ostrogoths were utterly destroyed—“plucked up by the roots.” The seven kingdoms that remained were the Franks (modern France), Visigoths (modern Spain), Burgundians (modern Switzerland), Suevi (modern Portugal), Saxons (modern England), Lombards (modern Italy), and Alamnni (modern Germany).
“Another little horn”
And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. (Daniel 7:24)
• The papal church/state = the clay portion of the feet of iron and clay in chapter 2 at the end of time, helped by the kings of the earth, who are the iron.
• The papal church/state = the little horn of chapter 7.
• The papal church/state = the second phase of the little horn of chapter 8:10–11.
• The papal church/state = the king of the north in chapter 11:40 and onward.
Daniel 7:9
I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
I kept looking until thrones were placed [for the assessors with the Judge], and the Ancient of Days [God the eternal Father] took His seat, whose garment was white as snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was like the fiery flame; its wheels were burning fire. (Daniel 7:9 AMP)
“The Ancient of days did sit”
And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. (Revelation 4:2–3)
“His throne was like”
And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. (1 Kings 22:19)
And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. (Ezekiel 1:26–28)
As Daniel beheld in vision the rise and fall of nations, he saw ten kingdoms arising from the fourth beast as that beast fades into history. Then, from within the ten kingdoms, another little horn, a seemingly small and obscure power, arises. As it comes to power, it roots up three of the ten kingdoms. Daniel’s vision continues through verse 14 as he sees a judgment in heaven with the Father, the Ancient of Days, seated and the books of record examined.
Then he sees the little horn—the continuation of the fourth beast in a different form—judged and consigned to the flames. (This is also recorded in Revelation chapters 17 to 19.) At the close of his vision, he sees Christ granted an eternal dominion over all peoples and nations, and the redeemed saints of the ages are given a kingdom and dominion.
Daniel 7:10
A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
“Judgment was set”
The judge was seated [the court was in session] and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:10 AMP)
Daniel 2
• Babylon = gold
• Media Persia = silver
• Greece = brass
• Rome = iron
• The kingdoms of Europe after the fall of Rome, and the ten kings at the end of time, who join forces with the beast in the revived church-state system = iron mixed with clay.
• Judgment = In the days of these kings of the last days, God shall set up His kingdom.
• Vindication = God’s truth is vindicated. His kingdom is not left to other people but consumes the kingdoms of men and stands forever. When God stands vindicated, so are His people, as they are rescued, never more to be harassed by the kingdom of Satan and his earthly followers.
• Punishment = Stone crushes the image representing the kingdoms of man.
Daniel 7
• Babylon = lion with eagle’s wings.
• Media–Persia = bear raised up on one side.
• Greece = leopard with four heads and four wings.
• Rome = great beast with iron teeth that devours and tramples.
• Ten kingdoms of western Europe = the ten horns that arise from the head of the fourth beast.
• Little horn = the Roman church system.
• Judgment = books of judgment opened.
• Vindication = Christ receives dominion. Vindication and reward given to the saints.
• Punishment = The last beast is destroyed along with this world’s system of apostasy and rebellion.
In chapter 7, Daniel reveals to us, in a few brief verses, the rise and fall of kingdoms up to the time when Christ will set up His everlasting kingdom. As in chapter 2, the history of the world and its kingdoms are represented in symbols.
Both visions reveal aspects of judgment. In chapter 2, it is vindication and punishment. In chapter 7, it is fourfold in its work and outcome: 1) books opened and examined; 2) punishment of the rebellious power of the little horn; 3) Christ receives dominion; 4) vindication and the reward of the saints.
“Books were opened”
Book of Life—He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Revelation 3:5)
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:12)
Book of Remembrance—Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (Malachi 3:16–18)
Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! (Job 19:23–24)
Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof. (Nehemiah 13:14)
All Who Continue in Sin Blotted Out of the Book of Life—Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. (Exodus 32:32)
Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. (Psalm 69:28)
Daniel 7:11
I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
“Voice of the great words which the horn spake”
That horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. (Daniel 7:20)
And he shall speak great words against the most High. (Daniel 7:25)
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (Revelation 13:5–6)
“Beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame”
And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. (Revelation 17:1, 16)
Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. (Revelation 18:8, 10)
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. (Revelation 19:20)
Daniel beholds the scenes of the judgment, and his attention is drawn to the great words of the little horn. He beholds the judgment scene up until the beast is dealt with and destroyed. Since the fourth beast gave way to the ten horns, and eventually the little horn took its place, the beast that is destroyed is the continuance of the fourth beast in the form of the little horn power.
The little horn is called a beast in Revelation 13; the characteristics of the beast and the little horn are the same. In the destruction of the beast, Daniel is seeing the same event that John reveals in Revelation. In the final scenes of this world’s history, the Babylonian confederacy of world religion and politics and commerce, with the false prophet of apostate Christianity, will be destroyed as Christ comes to rescue His people and take His rightful place as Lord of lords and King of kings.
As I watched, the brutal fourth animal was killed and its body handed over to be burned because of its arrogance against Almighty God, and the boasting of its little horn. (Daniel 7:11 TLB)
We see in the above verse that the little horn is but the continuance of the fourth beast in a changed form.
Daniel 7:12
As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
The other beasts had their power taken away, but they were permitted to go on living for a limited time. (Daniel 7:12 TEV)
The dominion of the four beasts has been taken away, but their lives were prolonged as each successive kingdom was merged into the next. For example, the religious philosophies of Babylon are with us today in the form of astrology and the occult arts. In addition, Greek philosophy and education still have an influence.
This verse does not mean that these powers will be on the scene at the time the judgment sits. Rather, Daniel predicted that the little horn will be the active power at the time of the judgment while the “dominion” of the other powers is removed though their influence continues.
Daniel 7:13
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
“Son of man”
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, but whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:13–16)
And [Stephen] said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. (Acts 7:56)
Daniel 7:14
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)
Daniel sees the books of judgment opened, and Christ the Son of man attended by heavenly angels, coming into the presence of God, to engage in the work of assessing the books of record and sentencing the beast and which would include all that are in opposition to God.
At the end of this judgment, Christ receives dominion and glory, and the beast and all the apostate systems of this world are judged and found wanting. Their dominion is fully and finally taken away when Christ comes in the clouds of heaven. This prophecy reveals there is some aspect of assessment or judgment before Christ comes.
Daniel 7:15–16
I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
“Asked him the truth of all this. So he told me”
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)
My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:1–6)
In quick succession, Daniel beheld the scenes of the rise and fall of nations and powers. He beheld the time of the judgment and destruction of the beast that wars against God’s truth and His saints. The intensity of the transpiring events troubled Daniel, and he desired to understand their meaning. In vision, he asked the angel standing by him to explain “the interpretation of the things.” Daniel understood what we all must learn—that spiritual things are spiritually discerned. We must ask the God of all wisdom to help us understand the mysteries of prophecy and His Word.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:11–14)
Verses 17 and 18 and verses 23 to 27 are the interpretation of the vision as explained by “one of them that stood by,” and this was an angel a messenger of God.
Daniel 7:17
These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
• Beasts in Bible prophecy = kings (verse 17) or kingdoms (verse 23).
Why are there only four kingdoms of Bible prophecy? This is because the fourth beast, the pagan Roman Empire, gave way to the political-religious system of the little horn. The little horn came out of the Roman Empire, and in many respects was a continuation of Rome in a changed form.
The vision of Daniel 7 begins in the days of the prophet and carries us down to the end of time, with the little horn existing until the Lord comes. For “the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom” (Daniel 7:21–22).
Daniel 7:18
But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Even though cruel and sinful men, under the control of the evil one, have ruled the world, in the end God will vindicate His people. The reign of evil will end and God’s people will possess the earth made new. Be of good cheer, for the sure word of prophecy will come to pass. “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2 Peter 3:13–14).
“The saints … shall … possess the kingdom”
And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. (Daniel 7:27)
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3:21)
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4, 6)
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (Revelation 21:1–5)
Daniel’s Questions Answered (Verses 19–22)
Daniel 7:19
Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with his feet.
“I would know the truth of the fourth beast”
• Diverse from all the others—verse 19
• Stamped the residue with its feet—verses 7, 19
• Fourth kingdom upon the earth—verse 23
• Devoured and broke in pieces—verses 7, 19
• Had ten horns—Verse 20
Daniel 7:20
And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows.
And about the ten horns [representing kings] that were on its head, and the other horn which came up later and before which three [of the horns] fell, the horn which had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things and which looked greater than the others. (Daniel 7:20 AMP)
“And of the ten horns that were in his head”
After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns. (Daniel 7:7)
And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise. (Daniel 7:24)
The ten horns coming out of the fourth beast represent the division of the Roman Empire into ten parts or kingdoms as the Roman kingdom was crumbling and coming to its end.
Out of these ten divisions of the Roman Empire, another power was to arise to sit upon the throne of Rome.
Political and pagan Rome was to give way to political and religious Rome, the latter lasting until the end of time. This transition from beast to horn was of great interest to Daniel and is described again in chapter 8. In chapter 11 both pagan and religious Rome are described under the title the “king of the north.”
“Even of that horn”
• Eyes like the eyes of a man—verse 8
• A mouth speaking great things—verse 8
• I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake —verse 11
• The ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up —verse 20
• And before whom three of the ten horns fell —verse 20
• Even of that horn that had eyes —verse 20
• And a mouth that spake very great things —verse 20
• Whose look was more stout than his fellows —verse 20
• The same horn made war with saints —verse 21
• Ten kings shall arise: and another (the little horn) shall rise after them —verse 24
• And he shall be diverse from the first —verse 24
• And he shall subdue three kings —verse 24
• And he shall speak great words against the most High —verse 25
• And shall wear out the saints of the most High —verse 25
• And think to change times and laws —verse 25
• And they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time —verse 25
Daniel 7:21
I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them.
“Horn made war with the saints”
Past
• Revelation 13:7
• Revelation 12:13–14
• Revelation 17:6
• Daniel 8:24
• Daniel 11:33
Future
• Revelation 13:15, 17
• Revelation 18:24
• Revelation 20:4
Daniel 7:22
Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment [justice] was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
“Judgment was given to the saints”
Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. (Revelation 18:20, 24)
And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: for true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. (Revelation 19:1–4)
“Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?” (Psalm 94:3). This is an age-old question. In Daniel 7:22, God reveals that in the time of the judgment, the saints will be vindicated and the little horn judged. A just sentence will be made on their behalf, and Christ will come to end this evil and perverse generation.
“The time came that the saints possessed the kingdom”
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Matthew 25:31, 34)
[The saints] who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:5–7)
Through the mercy of God we, by faith, can possess the kingdom of grace today, manifested in hearts and lives renewed and conformed to the will of God. Possession of this kingdom of grace prepares us to receive the kingdom of glory at the second coming of Christ.
The Angel’s Interpretation (Verses 23–27)
Daniel 7:23–24
Thus he [the angel] said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
And as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise; and another shall arise after them, and he shall be different from the former ones, and he shall subdue and put down three kings. (Daniel 7:24 AMP)
This little horn power was “diverse from all kingdoms,” diverse from “the first,” from its inception, for it was and is both church and state, political and religious.
“Diverse from the first”
“The Vatican is a state-church hybrid which alternately poses as a church and as a state depending on which will prove the more profitable at the moment. The Vatican claims all the prerogatives as a state, but denies all responsibility as a state because it is a church.”1
“The better to exert its double activity (religious and political), the Catholic Church has two facets: first, the religious institution, the Catholic Church itself; secondly, the political power, the Vatican. Although they deal separately, whenever convenient, with problems affecting religion and politics, the two are in reality one. At the head of both stands the pope, who is the supreme religious leader of the Catholic Church as a purely spiritual power, as well as the supreme head of the Vatican in its quality of a world-wide diplomatic-political centre and an independent sovereign state.”2
“The Roman Catholic Church is both a church and a political system. As such she attempts to exert her influence in every sphere of human activity, expediency alone determining whether she moves as a religious institution or as a political institution. These activities may be exercised separately or in unison, depending on the purpose to be accomplished and the type of people with whom she has to deal.
“On the lower level, through her local congregations, she presents herself as a religious organization, and her appeals for money and support and public trust are made on that basis. But in her higher branches, as her influence is exerted through the hierarchy, she becomes increasingly a political organization, until in the Vatican she is concerned almost exclusively with political affairs and seeks to exert a controlling influence over the affairs of nations.
“She has a papal Secretary of State who visits other governments and functions in much the same way as secular diplomatic representatives. She sends ambassadors and ministers to other nations, and receives ambassadors and ministers from other nations. All of this political activity is, of course, utterly without Scriptural support, and is in fact contrary to what the New Testament teaches concerning the nature and purpose of the church.
“The fact is that the Roman Catholic Church professes to be a state, without accepting the responsibilities of a state government; and at the same time she professes to be a church, without accepting the limitations which the New Testament sets for the church.”3
“The Catholic Church is the only religious institution that can enter into diplomatic relations and that interests itself in international rights, acting through the Holy See, an international sovereign subject of singular characteristics,” Monsignor Parolin said. He explained that an adequate understanding of the Holy See, as such, requires two distinctions.
“First, one must bear in mind that the Holy See cannot simply be identified with the Church, as a community of believers. And second, it cannot be identified with Vatican City State, a geographical place that assures the freedom of the Roman Pontiff.
“The Holy See thus requires a particular status, such as that given by the definition of “subject ‘sui juris,’” meaning the Holy See defines for itself its juridical organization and does not receive it from outside, and as such, can enter into relationship with other states.
“The Holy See currently has diplomatic relations with 176 states. It has a presence at the United Nations as an observer state, membership in seven organizations or agencies within the UN system, and is an observer in another eight. The Holy See also has observer status in five regional organizations.”4
Daniel 7:25
And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
One thing this little-horn power of Catholicism tried to do was to alter the appointed time relating to God’s law. Their attempt to change the day of worship from Sabbath to Sunday, and the changing of the law of God in their catechisms by elimination of the second commandment and dividing the tenth commandment into two, is the fulfillment of this verse.
Read Exodus 20:2–17 and then read the law as published in the new Catholic Catechism5 to see if this power thought to change God’s law.
Besides changing God’s law, specifically the fourth commandment dealing with time, the little horn through the Jesuits sought to change the understanding of the time prophecies.
Reinterpreting the prophecies as all fulfilled in the past by A D. 100 or all in the future in the last days did this. Today we call these prophetic ideas preterism or futurism. And in both cases, what Daniel and Revelation reveals about the Roman church in its past, and in last day events, is obscured or changed.
“A time and times and the dividing of time”
For a time, two times, and half a time [three and one-half years]. … (Daniel 7:25 AMP)
The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. (Daniel 7:25 NIV. Marginal comment: or for a year, two years and half a year.)
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (Revelation 11:3)
And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. (Revelation 12:6)
And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. (Revelation 12:14)
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. (Revelation 13:5)
A day in Bible prophecy represents a year. (See Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6.) A time (is a prophetic year of 360 literal days based on the Jewish calendar as used by the prophet), times would be two years, and half a time is one half of a year. Time, times and half a time is equal to a thousand, two hundred, and threescore days, or forty-two months. All of these time prophecies reveal different details concerning events transpiring during these 1,260 prophetic years.
This period covers the rise and eventual, though temporary, downfall of the papacy. The 1,260 years is dated from the uprooting of the third horn in A. D. 538 and ended in 1798, when the head of the system, the pope, was taken prisoner and removed from the Vatican, to die a year later in exile. This captivity is referred to by John, who “saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death” (Revelation 13:3).
Daniel 7:26
But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
“Take away his dominion”
He shall also stand up against the prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:25)
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. (Daniel 2:44)
And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him. (Daniel 11:45)
In each one of the verses noted above using different symbols, Daniel describes the judgment of the little horn power.
Daniel 7:27–28
And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations [thoughts] much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
The Chapter in Review
Christ Will Prevail:
And there was given him [Christ] dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. (verse 14)
God’s People Will Prevail:
The saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever. (verse 18)
Judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. (verse 22)
The kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose [Christ’s] kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. (verse 27)
Dominion of the Wicked Powers Will Cease:
I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. (verse 11)
Four World Kingdoms Will Arise:
And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another. (verse 3)
A Little Horn Power:
• The little horn came out of the head of the fourth beast, which represents pagan Rome.
• The little horn came out of the pagan Roman Empire as it was fading away. Thus, the little horn was in existence from at least A.D. 476.
• The little horn came out from among the ten horns or kingdoms, which represent the ten divisions of the Roman Empire that were situated in what we now call western Europe. Thus, the little horn would rise in western Europe.
• The little horn plucked up three of these kingdoms. This was fulfilled when papal Rome, by its influence, had the kingdoms sympathetic to her destroy the kingdoms of the Heruli, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths.
• The little horn would have a man as its visible representative and head. He is the one in whom temporal and spiritual power is centered.
• The little horn would speak great things against God by promoting false doctrines that undermine the Bible and Christ.
• The little horn would persecute the true people of God.
• The little horn was a diverse or different power in that it was not a nation but a church and political power.
• The little horn would play a large role in leading men to worship on Sunday instead of the seventh-day Sabbath hallowed by God, thereby changing both times and laws.
• The little horn would change the time prophecies, which most Protestants have accepted. The times were changed to literal time somewhere in the future. Thus, the prophecies that apply to the little horn are now said to be applicable to some future Antichrist.
• The little horn would rule for 1,260 years, or prophetic days from a.d. 538 to 1798. The end of this prophetic time took place when it received a “deadly wound.” (See Revelation 13:3.)
Heavenly Judgment
After the little horn’s reign of 1260 years, Daniel saw that the judgment would commence and the books of record would be opened. The judgment will condemn all the apostate powers of the world and will vindicate the humble, believing children of God, who at the coming of Christ will posses their eternal inheritance. Then Christ their Great High Priest and Mediator will be given dominion over an everlasting kingdom, which will never again be marred by sin or rebellion. (See Nahum 1:9.)
Endnotes
1. C . Stanley Lowell, Christianity Today, February 1, 1960, cited by Loraine Boettner, Roman Catholicism (London: Banner of Truth Trust, 1966), 49.
2. Avro Manhattan, The Vatican in World Politics (New York: Gaer Associates, 1949), 19, cited by Loraine Boettner, Ibid., 48.
3. Loraine Boettner, Roman Catholicism, 49.
4. Zenit News, Rome, November 28, 2007
5. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, (Paulinas Publications, Nairobi, Kenya, 1994), 483–484.
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