Daniel 7
Daniel 7 presents a prophetic vision given to Daniel during the first year of Belshazzar’s reign over Babylon. This vision includes symbolic imagery of four beasts representing kingdoms that would rise and fall, leading up to the establishment of God’s everlasting kingdom. The chapter shifts from historical narratives to apocalyptic visions, giving insight into future events and the ultimate sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms. The imagery and prophecy in this chapter are foundational for understanding biblical eschatology and the Messianic kingdom.
Daniel 7:1 (NKJV)
1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts.
Daniel’s vision occurred during the early part of Belshazzar's rule. This context marks the transition from Daniel’s interpretative role of others' dreams to receiving a divine revelation himself. The vision came at night, symbolizing the mysterious and spiritual nature of the message. By recording the main points, Daniel preserved the prophecy for future readers, emphasizing its importance.
Daniel 7:2-3 (NKJV)
2 Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.
3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.
The four winds represent divine forces influencing the world, while the sea symbolizes chaos and nations in turmoil. Emerging from this chaotic sea are four beasts, each symbolizing a unique kingdom. Their differences emphasize the diversity of worldly powers and foreshadow the distinct nature of each kingdom that would dominate in succession.
Daniel 7:4-7 (NKJV)
4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.
5 And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’
6 After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it.
7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.
Daniel provides vivid imagery through his vision of four beasts rising from the sea, each representing successive empires that would dominate the ancient world. The first beast, described as resembling a lion with eagle's wings, symbolizes the Babylonian Empire. This imagery captures Babylon’s regal might and the swiftness of its conquests. The transformation of this beast, having its wings plucked off and being made to stand on two feet like a man with a man’s heart, signifies a softening in its rule, likely under Nebuchadnezzar’s later years, where he recognized divine sovereignty over his kingdom.
The second beast, which looks like a bear, represents the Medo-Persian Empire. It is depicted as raised up on one side, suggesting the uneven partnership between the Medes and the Persians, with Persia being the dominant force. The three ribs in its mouth symbolize the major conquests of this empire, possibly referring to Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt, which were significant victories for the Persians.
The third beast, described as a leopard with four wings and four heads, symbolizes the empire established by Alexander the Great, known as the Greek Empire. The four wings on the leopard denote exceptional swiftness in Alexander’s military campaigns, a hallmark of his conquests. The four heads represent the division of his empire among four of his generals following his death, which marked the fracturing and eventual weakening of the empire.
The vision then shifts to a more terrifying and powerful fourth beast, "dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong" with "huge iron teeth" and ten horns, representing the Roman Empire. This beast devours and breaks in pieces, and stamps the residue with its feet, highlighting Rome's crushing military might and its role in subjugating nations and civilizations. The ten horns are commonly interpreted as ten kings or kingdoms that will arise from this empire, signifying a continuation of Roman influence and structure in various forms.
These prophetic beasts not only outline the progression of empires but also convey deeper spiritual messages about human history and divine oversight. The terrifying nature of these beasts reflects the often brutal and oppressive characteristics of these empires, and their eventual judgment and replacement by God’s eternal kingdom emphasize the transient nature of earthly power compared to divine authority. This vision reassures the faithful of God’s ultimate control over history, ensuring that despite the rise and fall of human empires, divine justice and sovereignty will prevail.
Daniel 7:8 (NKJV)
8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.
The little horn that emerges among the ten horns on the fourth beast, often identified with the Roman Empire, is traditionally interpreted to represent the papacy. This little horn, characterized by "eyes like a man" and a "mouth speaking great things," symbolizes the papacy's blend of ecclesiastical authority and significant secular influence. The description suggests an institution that not only claims spiritual leadership but also wields political power, often making pronouncements that challenge divine authority, particularly through changes to sacred times and laws, such as the alteration of the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday. The uprooting of three of the ten horns by the little horn to facilitate its rise to power refers historically to the elimination or subjugation of the Heruli, Vandals, and Ostrogoths. These three tribes were Arian kingdoms, which means they followed Arianism. It’s important to note that Arianism has often been characterized as denying the divinity of Christ and teaching that Christ was a created being, rather than co-eternal with the Father. However, this characterization has been contested; some argue it was a later interpretation or exaggeration used to justify the opposition against them by proponents of Trinitarian doctrine. Additionally, much of the primary literature and texts supporting Arian views were systematically destroyed or lost over time, including the burning of books, which has further complicated efforts to fully understand Arian teachings directly from their sources. The elimination of these Arian tribes cleared the way for the papacy to establish its influence, reflecting a significant shift in religious and political dynamics. This prophetic vision underscores the conflict between human attempts to usurp divine authority and the ultimate sovereignty of God, promising that despite the challenges posed by such powers as represented by the papacy, divine judgment will prevail, leading to the restoration of a kingdom governed by divine law and eternal principles.
Daniel 7:9-10 (NKJV)
9 “I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire;
10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.
This majestic scene shifts focus from earthly kingdoms to God’s divine judgment. The Ancient of Days represents God in His eternal and pure nature, depicted with symbols of holiness and authority. The fire signifies judgment, while the vast assembly of heavenly beings emphasizes His sovereign rule over all creation. The opening of the books suggests that all deeds will be reviewed in this divine court, underscoring God’s role as the ultimate judge.
Daniel 7:11-12 (NKJV)
11 “I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.
12 As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.
This passage presents a powerful vision of God’s final judgment upon the oppressive powers of this world. The "little horn," known for its arrogant and blasphemous words, represents a religious-political power that exalts itself against God and persecutes His faithful people. Its destruction—along with the fourth beast, which is cast into the burning flame—marks the complete end of human dominion corrupted by pride, deception, and rebellion. The earlier beasts (Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece) had their dominion removed, but their ideologies and cultural influences lingered for a limited, God-permitted time, symbolizing the ongoing presence of flawed human systems. Yet all these kingdoms were ultimately proven to fail—incapable of establishing true righteousness, justice, or peace. In contrast, the kingdom of Christ, introduced in verse 14, is centered in truth and built on the reality that Christ rules His people from within, writing His law in their hearts and producing a life of obedience and righteousness. This inner transformation is visibly demonstrated in the lives of those who reject the mark of the beast, who remain loyal to God during earth’s final crisis. Among them are the 144,000—those who follow the Lamb wherever He goes, a symbol of the purity and faithfulness produced by Christ's indwelling presence. This judgment scene points to the climax of history, where Christ’s eternal, victorious kingdom replaces all earthly powers, a truth consistently affirmed in historic, Bible-based prophetic interpretation.
Daniel 7:13-14 (NKJV)
13 “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.
14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.
The “Son of Man” represents the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who appears in divine majesty. His arrival signifies the establishment of a kingdom unlike any earthly empire—one of eternal and unbreakable rule. This vision foretells the Messianic kingdom that will transcend all human power, inviting all nations to worship and obey God.
Daniel 7:15-16 (NKJV)
15 “I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
16 I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things.
Daniel’s distress reflects the weight and mystery of the vision. Approaching a heavenly being for understanding, he seeks clarity, showing his humility and genuine concern. The response he receives unveils the divine message behind the vision, affirming the certainty of these events.
Daniel 7:17-18 (NKJV)
17 ‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth.
18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’
The four beasts symbolize successive kingdoms, yet God’s promise remains firm. The saints, or God’s people, will ultimately inherit a kingdom without end. This reassurance serves as hope for believers, contrasting the temporary nature of worldly empires with the eternal dominion given to the faithful.
Daniel 7:19-20 (NKJV)
19 “Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet;
20 and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.
Daniel is particularly curious about the fourth beast because of its terrifying power and unusual appearance. The iron teeth and bronze nails emphasize its strength and destructive nature. Daniel also focuses on the ten horns and the little horn that arose, which symbolizes a powerful ruler distinguished by arrogance and influence. The three displaced horns signify this new power’s authority over previous rulers.
Daniel 7:21-22 (NKJV)
21 “I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them,
22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.
The little horn’s actions reveal its opposition to God’s people, leading to persecution and suffering. However, the Ancient of Days—God Himself—intervenes, delivering judgment in favor of the saints. This divine intervention promises that despite temporary suffering, God’s people will ultimately inherit His kingdom and experience His justice and protection.
Daniel 7:23-24 (NKJV)
23 “Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast shall be A fourth kingdom on earth, Which shall be different from all other kingdoms, And shall devour the whole earth, Trample it and break it in pieces.
24 The ten horns are ten kings Who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; He shall be different from the first ones, And shall subdue three kings.
The prophecy reveals the nature and progression of a powerful fourth kingdom, symbolized by a fearsome beast and historically identified as the Roman Empire, distinguished by its unprecedented territorial reach and military dominance, as it devours, tramples, and disintegrates the established order of the known world. The ten horns that emerge from this beast represent ten kings or kingdoms arising from the Roman Empire's fragmentation, including the Visigoths, Vandals, Ostrogoths, Franks, Lombards, Suevi, Burgundians, Heruli, Anglo-Saxons, and Alemanni, each playing pivotal roles in shaping medieval Europe. Following these, a distinctive "little horn" emerges, widely interpreted as the Papacy, notable for its combination of religious and political power. This new ruler differs from its predecessors by subduing three of the ten kings—specifically the Heruli, Vandals, and Ostrogoths, tribes that opposed the Trinitarian views favored by the Papacy—illustrating a significant shift in power dynamics where spiritual authority gains precedence, influencing both ecclesiastical doctrine and European political landscapes. This detailed prophetic insight underscores the Papacy's unique and formidable role, marking a crucial pivot from secular kingdoms to an era where religious dominance begins to dictate broader historical and cultural developments.
Daniel 7:25 (NKJV)
25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.
This verse provides a profound insight into the actions and influence of the 'little horn,' which emerges among the ten horns on the fourth beast, symbolizing a powerful kingdom that scholars often associate with the Roman Empire, specifically its later transformation into the papal authority. The verse states: "He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time."
This 'little horn' represents the papacy, which rose to significant ecclesiastical power starting around 538 AD. This date marks the consolidation of the papacy's power when the Byzantine General Belisarius defeated the Ostrogoths in Rome on behalf of Emperor Justinian, effectively securing the bishop of Rome's supremacy over the Christian church and removing Arian opposition, which contested the Trinitarian doctrine prevalent in the Roman Church. This power was characterized by "speaking pompous words against the Most High," referring to the claims of the papacy to possess authority even over the kings of the earth and to be able to modify doctrinal and biblical teachings.
The verse also highlights that this power would "persecute the saints of the Most High" and "intend to change times and law." Historically, this was manifested in the persecution of those who opposed the papal doctrines, including during the Inquisition and other ecclesiastical trials. The intent to "change times and law" was notably reflected in the alteration of the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday and the modification of the Ten Commandments in catechism, particularly the amalgamation of the commandment against idolatry and the renumbering of commandments about coveting.
The period known as "a time and times and half a time," or 1260 years, spans from 538 AD to 1798 AD, during which the papacy maintained significant control and influence. This period ended when Napoleon's forces took Pope Pius VI prisoner, significantly reducing the papacy's temporal power and marking a prophetic end to the era of unchallenged papal dominance.
Thus, Daniel 7:25 encapsulates a critical view of historical and prophetic developments associated with the rise and eventual limitation of papal authority, emphasizing a period marked by challenges to scriptural fidelity and the endurance of those who remained committed to the original teachings of Christianity despite institutional pressures.
Daniel 7:26-27 (NKJV)
26 ‘But the court shall be seated, And they shall take away his dominion, To consume and destroy it forever.
27 Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’
This passage foretells a celestial judgment against the oppressive power of the "little horn," interpreted as the papacy, which aligns with the depiction of the first beast in Revelation 13. This judgment results in the stripping away of the papacy's dominion, effectively ending its influence that was marked by blasphemous actions and persecution of the saints. This divine court not only judges but also sets the stage for the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. Post-judgment, the sovereignty and greatness of all kingdoms under heaven are transferred to the saints of the Most High, indicating that those who remain faithful through trials and persecutions will inherit eternal governance in a kingdom that will never be destroyed. This kingdom, under God’s direct rule, ensures that all dominions will serve and obey Him, establishing a new era of righteousness and divine justice, free from the corruptions and blasphemies of earthly powers like the papacy. This passage highlights the prophetic assurance that God's justice will prevail, leading to a permanent restoration of purity and worship in accordance with divine will.
Daniel 7:28 (NKJV)
28 “This is the end of the account. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart.”
Daniel is deeply affected by the vision, experiencing both awe and distress. Though he understands that God’s kingdom will prevail, the events leading up to this future fill him with solemnity and concern. He keeps the vision private, reflecting on its significance, aware of its profound implications for the future of God’s people.