Introduction

Daniel 7

Verse 1: 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.

In Daniel 2, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and Daniel told the king the interpretation. In this chapter, Daniel himself receives the dream and an angel gives the interpretation.

Verse 2: I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

Verse 3: And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.

Bible prophecy is given in symbols. In order to understand what these symbols mean, the reader must let the Bible interpret itself. "No prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation" (2 Peter l: 20, 21).

The first symbol used in this prophecy is "wind." In Jeremiah 49:35-37 wind represents war and strife. (See also Jeremiah 51:1.) In Revelation 7:1 John saw four angels "holding the four winds of the earth" (winds which held hurt, or strife, for the earth) until the servants of God are sealed.

"Sea" (water) represents people and nations in Bible prophecy. "The waters which thou sawest, . . . are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" (Rev. 17:15).

The third symbol in this prophecy is "beast." Each "beast" represents a king or kingdom, according to Daniel 7:17, 23: "These great beasts, which are four, are four kings which shall arise. . . . The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon the earth."

A fourth symbol in this prophecy is "horns." Daniel 7:24 says, "the ten horns . . . are ten kings." Horns in Bible prophecy represent the same thing as a beast – a king or kingdom.

The Bible interprets itself through these symbols: "I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven (war and strife) strove upon the great sea (nations)" (Dan. 7:2). This prophecy is about war among people and nations. Specifically, it depicts the great struggling nations of Europe.

Verse 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.

In Daniel 2, the first world empire, Babylon, is represented by the head of gold, the most precious of all metals. In Daniel 7, the same empire is depicted as a lion, the king of all beasts. Furthermore, this first kingdom "had eagle’s wings." Habakkuk 1:8 refers to the eagle as swift and powerful. The lion also is aggressive by nature, swift and powerful. These characteristics all accurately describe the Babylonian kingdom.

However, the verse goes on to say: "I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it (the lion) was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it." This suggests that some transformation occurred to change the lion-like strength and power that characterized the kingdom of Babylon. An explanation of this reference is found in Daniel 4:30-34.

Daniel had told King Nebuchadnezzar: "for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory" (Dan. 2:37), and King Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom did in fact become great and powerful. However, Nebuchadnezzar forgot that God had given him his power and greatness. Daniel 4:30 says: "The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?"

Human pride is a serious thing in the eyes of God, and Nebuchadnezzar was here ascribing glory to himself rather than to God. The results were disastrous. "While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee" (Dan. 4:31).

Daniel 4:32 goes on to tell King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen as a result of his pride: "And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will." Seven "times" proved to be seven literal years that passed over Nebuchadnezzar as he lived like an animal in the open field (Dan. 4:33). (The Bible refers to a "time" as a year.)

That is not the end of the story, however. "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 forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation" (Dan. 4:34).

This is one of the great conversion experiences in Scripture. In verses 35 and 36 Nebuchadnezzar extols and exalts the King of heaven and closes his testimony of praise with this advice in verse 37: "those that walk in pride he is able to abase."

Verse 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.

Babylon, Egypt, and Lydia combined forces to stay the power of Cyrus the Great, king of Persia. Lydia fell to the Persian king in 546 BC, Babylon in 539 BC, and Egypt in 525 BC. Therefore, Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt are represented by the "three ribs in the mouth" of the bear that devoured "much flesh."

Verse 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.

The lion (Babylon) in verse 4 had only two wings; the four wings of the leopard (Greece) depict even greater speed. Under the leadership of Alexander the Great, Greece was noted for the speed of its conquests. His army of 40,000 men outmaneuvered and defeated a Medo-Persian army of 900,000 men on the Plain of Arbela in 331 BC.

Alexander marched his troops for three years without returning home, conquering nation after nation of the then known world. He came to the borders of India where his troops refused to go any further. At the age of 32, after a hard round of drinking and suffering from malaria, it was evident that Alexander would not live. Following his death, the Grecian kingdom was divided into four parts and given to his four leading generals. The kingdoms of these generals, Ptolemy, Cassander, Lysimachus, and Selecus, are shown as the points of a compass corresponding to the areas in which they ruled. Thus, "the beast had also four heads (the four divisions)." Greece continued to be a mighty world power but never as mighty as when united under the military genius of Alexander the Great.

Verse 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.

The huge iron teeth of this beast have a strong connection to the legs of iron in Daniel 2. Comparing the characteristics of the iron kingdom of Rome in Daniel 2 with this great beast with iron teeth leaves no question that the same power is being depicted. Daniel 2:40 says, "And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise." Daniel 7:7 describes the fourth beast as "it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it." These are the same powers. Rome is the fourth kingdom in Daniel 2, and Rome is the fourth kingdom in Daniel 7.

All of the beasts that are described have different characteristics, but the fourth "was diverse from all the beasts that were before it." This beast had huge iron teeth and was like no creature in nature that Daniel had ever seen. The only way he could describe it was "dreadful and terrible."

One of its unique characteristics was its "ten horns." The ten horns are described in verse 24: "and the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise." Most historians agree that Rome originally divided into ten kingdoms. The ten horns represent the ten nations of Europe that arose from the breakup of the Roman Empire.

This prophecy does not end with the Roman Empire. It not only tells what has happened in the past but also continues to the end of time and tells exactly what powers will control the world and the periods of time they will be in control.

The fourth beast of Daniel 7:7 represents the Empire of Rome (Imperial Rome) that ruled the world for approximately 500 years and was still in power while Jesus was on earth. This can be shown from the Bible by turning to Luke 2:1. At the birth of Jesus, Caesar Augustus sent out a decree that "all the world should be taxed." If a ruler has the power to impose a tax on "all the world," then his empire must be a world power. Undeniably, Rome ruled the world during that period of history.

Verse 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.

The Bible begins to identify the little horn in this verse as well as in verse 25. The seven identifying characteristics found in these two verses are developed and noted throughout the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation.

Verse 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.

This is a description of the next world-controlling power, a power that will continue throughout the darkest ages of history. Note that the Bible is not identifying personalities. No one living on the planet today is responsible for what happened 200 years ago. Certainly no one today is responsible for what happened 1000 years ago. What the Bible describes is a world power. Understanding its seven identifying characteristics gives insight into what is happening in the world today.

SEVEN IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS

OF THE LITTLE HORN POWER

1. "there came up among them (the ten divisions of the Roman Empire) another little horn" (verse 8). As Daniel was considering the horns, he suddenly saw another horn, a "little" one, arise up "among" the ten. Why is it called a "little" horn? Papal Rome seemed insignificant in the beginning. Growing out of the ruins of the breakup of the Pagan Roman Empire, it grew from an insignificant power, increased in strength, and developed to the absolute apex of power from roughly AD 1000 to AD 1300 when it controlled the civilized world.

2. "before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots" (verse 8). This power came up after the division of the Roman Empire, as it came up "among" the original ten. It pushed three of the original horns out of the way in order to create space for itself and was responsible for the demise of three of the ten nations. This description also establishes that it arose in Europe. In AD 476 the following were the original divisions of the European nations:

1. Alamanni (Germany) 6. Visigoths (Spain)

2. Franks (France) 7. Lombards (Italy)

3. Burgundians (Switzerland) 8. Heruli (AD 493)

4. Suevi (Portugal) 9. Vandals (AD 534)

5. Anglo-Saxon (Britain) 10. Ostrogoths (AD 538)

Three of the original ten, the Heruli, Vandals, and Ostrogoths, were Arian Christians who stood in opposition to Papal Rome. As a result, these nations did not survive. In today’s terminology, they were "eliminated." Note the dates of their demise. Most significant is the fall of the Ostrogoths in AD 538. This was the last power to seriously oppose the "little horn" (Papal Rome) as it came to the forefront.

3. "eyes like the eyes of man" (verse 8). This power has a man as its head, an absolute monarch. Further study of the prophecies indicates that this power also has insight and foresight, carefully laying its plans centuries in advance.

5. "and shall wear out the saints of the Most High" (verse 25). Papal Rome was a persecuting power. Historians conservatively estimate that fifty million Christians lost their lives during the Dark Ages. This is common knowledge, as on May 24, 1995, Pope John Paul II issued a world apology for the persecuting role of the church during this time.

6. "and think to change times and laws;" (verse 25). Some translations say "the law." The "little horn" would purposefully try to change God’s law. Consider the three Hebrews who refused to bow to the golden image. Despite the threat of the fiery furnace and certain death, they chose to obey God’s command in Exodus 20:4, 5: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them."

This "little horn" power has attempted to change God’s law.

• Since the second commandment forbidding the worship of idols (Ex. 20:4-6) does not endorse its form of worship, the official Catechism for the Roman Catholic church has for centuries removed this injunction against bowing to idols. In the most recent catechism (1994), the second commandment (forbidding idol worship) has been reinstated but is combined with the first as one commandment. It is rationalized that bowing to an idol is actually worshipping what the idol symbolizes (Christ, Mary and the saints).

• The fourth commandment to "remember the Sabbath day" (Ex. 20:8-11) has been radically altered and is now number three. Further studies will indicate specific changes of the 4^th commandment.

7. "and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time" (verse 25). The Bible gives the definition of "time" as being one year. Daniel 4:32 says "seven times" would pass over Nebuchadnezzar while he was deposed from his throne. This proved to be seven years. Using the same reasoning, a "time and times and the dividing of time" means that this power would continue for a time (l year), and times (2 years), and the dividing of time (½ year), or a total of 3 ½ years.

In prophetic reckoning, the Bible uses what is known as the day for a year principle. Just as the Bible gives the meanings for the sea, beasts, horns, and wind as symbols, it also does the same for the day for a year principle. An example is found in Numbers 14. When the children of Israel were in the wilderness, God told them to send men to search the Promised Land. Moses, the leader of the children of Israel, sent twelve spies, one from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. These spies searched the Promised Land for 40 days. When they returned, ten of the spies reported that it was a wonderful land flowing with milk and honey. However, they said the cities had high walls, the people were giants, and the land could not be taken. The other two spies, Caleb and Joshua, said that if the Lord delighted in His people He would be with them and give them the land. Since Caleb and Joshua disagreed with the other spies, the people attempted to stone them. God could not tolerate Israel’s rebellion any longer. In Numbers 14:33 God said, "Your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years and bear your whoredoms, until your carcasses be wasted in the wilderness." Have you ever wondered why the Israelites had to wander in the wilderness for forty years? The answer is right there, for the verse continues, "After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise."

There are other references in the Bible showing that prophetic time is reckoned as a day for a year. (See Ezekiel 4:4-6.) One sure way to know is by reviewing other prophecies with the day for a year principle that have already been fulfilled to the exact day.

The story of the Great Flood holds a key to this time-reckoning clue. In Genesis 7 and 8, five months were one hundred fifty days. Genesis 7:11 says that the flood began in the "second month on the seventeenth day of the month," and Genesis 8:4 says that the waters abated and the ark rested on Ararat on the "seventh month and the seventeenth day of the month." The second month to the seventh month makes five months. Genesis 8:3 and Genesis 7:24 speak of that period of time as "one hundred and fifty days." If five months equals 150 days, one month would be 30 days (30 x 5 = 150). Twelve months of 30 days each would be 360 days to a year.

A time = 1 year (or) 360 days

Times = 2 years (or) 720 days

Dividing of time = ½ year (or) 180 days

_______ ________

3 ½ years (or) 1260 days

In Daniel 7:8 this power was to uproot three of the original ten divisions of the Roman Empire. The last of these to fall to the papal power was the Ostrogoths in AD 538. Beginning at the date AD 538 and adding 1260 years, this time period ended in AD 1798. Something of significant importance had to have happened in 1798. In that year one of the most striking events in Christian history occurred. French General Louis Alexandre Berthier moved his armies from France into Rome and requested the pope to surrender. When the pope refused to do so, General Berthier instructed his men to physically remove him from his throne. They carried him back into France as a prisoner where he died in exile. There followed a period of time with no reigning pope. This essentially ended the church’s connection with civil power, thus ending the church’s ability to persecute those who opposed her. The biblical and historical evidence is overwhelming. The "little horn" power is Papal Rome.

Some may construe this to be bigotry toward another religion. However, the Bible outlines this power so that all will be aware of the warning signs of what is actually happening today. Students of God’s Word must not close their eyes to 1,000 years of history. Humbly asking God for understanding and continuing to study His Word will lead faithful students to the answers to many of their questions. This is especially true in the study of the prophecy of Daniel 8 and 9.

In this study some information will overlap. This is necessary in building a prophetic foundation. Although each prophecy stands on its own, each prophecy also builds upon previous prophecies. This is evident in Daniel 7, which contains a review of the same time periods first brought to view in Daniel 2 and adds unequivocal identification of the "little horn" power. The papacy is the only power on the earth that meets all seven of the identifying characteristics. A power, and not the people that belong to this power, is being identified here.

Daniel 7:9-10 describes the judgment scene. For an explanation of these texts, click on Judgment.

Verse 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.

One of the identifying marks of the "little horn" was that it would speak "great words." In verse 25, the "great words" were directed against the most High.

The events described in the final words of this verse, "I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame," take place at the end of the world (Rev. 19:20).

Verse 12: As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.

When the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece slipped into the history books, their world-controlling power went with them. However, the people who were living in these kingdoms continued living under the conquering government for a "season and time." This will not be the case with the "little horn" power. When it comes to an end, the world will be depopulated. Every earthly power comes to an end at Jesus’ Second Coming (Dan. 2:35).

Verse 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.

Verse 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.

After Jesus finishes His heavenly ministry as our High Priest and every case has been decided, He receives His kingdom at the marriage supper of the Lamb. All kingdoms, power, and dominion in heaven and earth are given to Him. His kingdom will never be destroyed. The marriage supper of the Lamb takes place just before Christ returns to this earth to take His saints to heaven (Rev. 19:7-9; Rev. 11:15-17).

Verse 15: I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

Verse 16: 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.

Daniel wants to know the truth about what he has seen and what it means, just as those who study these prophecies want to know the truth of God’s Word and what it means. In the following verses Daniel is given the interpretation of what he has seen. Prayerful study of God’s word will give understanding to all who study it.

Verse 17: These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.

It is impossible to get a true biblical interpretation of more than four kingdoms out of these four beasts: the lion (Babylon), the bear (Medo-Persia), the leopard (Greece), and the great and terrible beast (Rome).

Verse 18: But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

The angel is about to reveal to Daniel the darkest part of earth’s history. But Daniel is not to despair, for eventually God’s people will be victorious. The prophecy ends in triumph with Jesus and the saints possessing the kingdom.

Verse 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.

Daniel seems to be satisfied with what he has learned about the first three beasts, the lion, the bear, and the leopard. He doesn’t ask for more information about them. But he does want to know more about the fourth beast. There is nothing in nature for Daniel to compare with this beast which is "exceedingly dreadful." It is beyond his ability to describe it.

Verse 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.

Here in verse 20 is an important point which has been frequently overlooked but which should be especially noted and remembered. The verse begins, "And of the ten horns that were in his head." Daniel 7:7 says, "and it had ten horns," but it does not specifically say they are on its head. However, verse 20 states that the horns are on the fourth beast’s head. When these ten horns appear in later prophecies, it should be remembered that they are a part of the head, the Roman power. As these prophecies are traced down to events of the 1990’s, it must be remembered that they are the ten divisions of the fourth beast’s empire.

One of the characteristics of the "little horn" power was that it would destroy three of the ten horns: "and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell" (Dan. 7:20). The last of the three to fall was the Ostrogoths in AD 538. This left an unopposed "little horn" power, which by that time had grown and was not so little anymore, "whose look was more stout than his fellows." The New International Version (NIV) says, "whose appearance was greater than his fellows." History clearly shows that Papal Rome fits this description.

Verse 21: I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

Verse 22: 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.

Although Scripture is given by inspiration of God (2 Tim. 3:16), the divisions of chapters and verses and the punctuation of the writings were furnished by translators. In the Bible, a single thought is often divided into more than one verse. Verses 21 and 22 could actually be one verse. Reading the two verses as one gives the whole thought. "I beheld, and 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." The important question now is: Have the saints possessed the kingdom? And the answer is no.

There appears to be a conflicting thought here. Previous study has shown that the "little horn" power would continue from AD 538 to AD 1798. However, verses 21 and 22 say that this "little horn" power continues to make "war with the saints" until Christ returns at which time the saints possess the kingdom. Revelation 13 sheds more light on this apparent conflict. Every prophecy in Daniel is repeated in the book of Revelation. Daniel presents the prophecies from the perspective of his day, and John gives his perspective as he sees the fulfillment of all things down to the end of time.

The first ten verses of Revelation 13 describe the "little horn" power that has been described in Daniel 7. But even more information is presented. "And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, (the same description as in Daniel 7) having seven heads and ten horns and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy" (Rev. 13:1). This depicts a world power coming up among the great struggling nations of Europe whose description in the following verses clearly fits that of Papal Rome.

Verse 2 continues, "And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard." This is the same leopard described in Daniel 7:6. And what was the leopard-kingdom? Greece. So this beast of Revelation 13 had some of the characteristics of Greece. "And his feet were as the feet of a bear." What was the bear kingdom in Daniel 7? Medo-Persia. Remember how it raised itself up on one side? "And his mouth the mouth of a lion." Who was the lion? Babylon. So this beast has the characteristics of each of the kingdoms of Daniel 7. "And the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority."

This "little horn" power, the papacy, will again be the primate of civil and religious authority. That’s how it wars with the saints until the saints possess the kingdom. "I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came…and…the saints possessed the kingdom" (Dan. 7:21,22).

Verse 23: 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.

Verse 24: And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.

Verse 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.

These verses have been explained in the study of Daniel 7: 3, 7, 8.

Verse 26: But judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

Verse 27: 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.

This is a beautiful promise. Once again Christ is victorious and the saints possess the kingdom.

Verse 28: Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.

Summary

Daniel 8 and 9 are a continuation of Daniel 7. Each chapter adds more information and comes closer to the final scenes of earth’s history.

Short Cuts