Dan. 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.
Dan. 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.
After the destruction of Antichrist, we are given a picture of the Son of man (Jesus, God’s son) coming in the clouds of heaven and being ushered into the presence of His Father. “Son of man” was Jesus’ favorite way to reference Himself. He used it in reference to His return to earth as the King of kings.
Matthew 24:30 “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
He also used it in response to the high priest when asked if He was the Messiah, the Son of God. In fact, I think he was referencing these very verses in Daniel.
Matthew 26:63–64 “But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”
This is when Jesus is given His rightful position as ruler of this world; a position that Satan, through deceit, had been allowed to usurp temporarily because of Adam’s sin.
The word for “serve” includes the idea of worship. Jesus’ position as King is eternal; His kingdom will last forever. It is clearly linked to God’s kingdom as referenced in Daniel 2.
Daniel 2:44 “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.”
Dan. 7:15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
Dan. 7:16 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 awoke from his dream and was grieved (felt a piercing) in his spirit because of what he had witnessed in his vision. He noticed some other beings close by and moved closer to talk to one of them. He asked him if he knew the truth about all that he had seen. (I can’t help but wonder how he chose the person to ask and why he thought he might know more than Daniel did.) I would assume it was an angel that answered him and interpreted for him (as did Gabriel in 8:16 and 9:21).
I am reminded that in chapter 1 we were told that Daniel “had understanding in all visions and dreams” (vs. 17). Obviously, that understanding came through revelation from God. It seems, however, concerning Daniel’s own dreams and visions that God chose to make that revelation through angels.
It seems clear to me that Daniel did not make a connection to his dream and Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. He asked what it all meant; he did not know.
Dan. 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
Dan. 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Note that the angel declares that the four kings “shall arise.” In other words, the four beasts were four kings that were yet to arise—so Nebuchadnezzar could not be one of them.
Bullinger comments: “The two which had already arisen cannot therefore be included: Babylon and Medo-Persia, which almost (at this time) equalled Babylon in extent. The vision is not continuous history, but the prophecy of a crisis: and refers to the ten toes…of Daniel 2.”
The interpreter first clarifies that the four beasts in Daniel’s vision represent four earthly kings. Their kingdoms are doomed to destruction, however, since “the saints of the most High” (those dedicated, consecrated, sanctified by God) will take possession of kingdom earth. Even though the millennial reign (the initial 1000 years) of Christ’s rule on earth will be interrupted by the creation of new heavens and earth, the kingdom will continue on into eternity after that wonderful event that eliminates forever the curse of sin in God’s creation.
Dan. 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;
Dan. 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.
Daniel was greatly interested to know more about the fourth beast that was so terrifying that it couldn’t even be compared to a known animal with similar power and strength. I liked the wording of the NIV for the last part of verse 19: “…the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left.”
This beast has ten horns on his head to begin with, but another horn comes up that causes three of the first ten horns to fall. This seems to indicate that the “little horn” (cf verse 8) begins his rise to power and the establishment of his kingdom by conquering or gaining submission from three of the ten, eventually expanding to include all ten.
It is at this point that Focht made another important point. The Aramaic for the word “before” is not a reference to a preceding point in time; it means “in the face of” or “in front of.” In other words, all four kings would face each other at the same time.
The Aramaic for the word “look” indicates that the Antichrist will have an intimidating demeanor; and his speech will be intimidating as well according to the Aramaic for “great things.”
Dan. 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
The ruler represented by this last horn is able to exert physical power over the saints (those who are sanctified by God; believers). This is information that was not included in the description of the vision at the beginning of the chapter.
Stedman notes that from this “we learn that the time of these four nations arising together will be a time of great and intense religious persecution, a time when war will be made against the saints, and quite successfully.”
I think this verse corresponds specifically to Revelation 13:7.
Revelation 13:7 “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them...”
I am reminded that scripture declares that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church.
Matthew 16:18 “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
This seems to be another affirmation that the church is not present at this time. The saints of this time have become believers during the 70th week that is designated as part of God’s plan for Israel as explained in chapter 9.
Daniel 9:24 “Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.”
Context of Revelation 13:7 is in reference to the beast that rises up out of the sea, the Antichrist. As stated previously, it also describes him as having ten horns as described in verse 20 above.
Revelation 13:1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns….
Dan. 7:22 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.
The power of this “horn” will be for a limited time—“until the Ancient of days came.” I believe this is a reference to the second coming of Jesus to set up His earthly kingdom. The saints, those who have placed their trust in the LORD, will rule with Him.
1Corinthians 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Revelation 20:4 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.
Dan. 7:23 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.
In verse 17 the fourth beast is called a king and in this verse it is said to be referencing the kingdom of the beast. (Just as we would equate a country today with its ruler.) This fourth kingdom will be different from all the previous kingdoms. It will be a worldwide kingdom that does not tolerate or recognize independent nations. I think the description of the beast that rises out of the sea in Revelation 13 testifies to the fact that the kingdoms of the first three beasts will become part of the empire of the Antichrist. Whether he conquers them or they submit to him willingly is not addressed. We do know, however, that he will eventually devour the whole earth through great destruction.
Revelation 13:7-8 “…and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him….”
Dan. 7:24 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.
Dan. 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.
“time” = a set time, technically, a year
“times” = two years
“dividing” = a half
This fourth kingdom will eventually emerge as a confederation of ten kings. After these ten kings are established, another king, the Antichrist, will come on the scene that will be unique in comparison to the first ten. He will humble or put down three of the first ten kings. I believe this is saying that he will establish prominence by “humbling” or “abasing” three of the kingdoms under his leadership.
This king will be outspoken against the God of heaven and will “wear out” (mentally afflict) those who believe in God. Satan and his followers always take pleasure in blaspheming God.
Revelation 13:4–6 “…they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? 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. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”
Psalms 74:10 “O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?”
Psalms 74:18 “Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.”
Ray Stedman posits an interesting possibility: “The Hebrew word that is used for ‘wear out’ is a most remarkable word. It means literally ‘to afflict,’ and always with a mental application. It means, therefore, to afflict mentally, and it very strongly suggests the brain-washing techniques which are now being widely developed, using serums and drugs by which the mind, the thinking, is actually changed.”
The Antichrist will establish himself in place of God by trying to “change times and laws.” Daniel had already declared that only God has the authority to change times and seasons. I noticed that several translations use the singular for “law.” As I thought about that, it made sense that it be a reference to God’s law, specifically the ten commandments. That process is already underway in America and other places throughout the world. He will probably just move to make it official as part of his new world order.
Daniel 2:20–21 “Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding….”
Note that the power and authority of Antichrist will be “given” to him for 3.5 years—“a time and times and the dividing of time.”
This timeframe is confirmed by Revelation 13:5; it states that the Antichrist will be in power for 42 months or 3.5 years. This corresponds to the time that the remnant of Israel is protected in the wilderness during the tribulation for 1260 days or 3.5 years (cf Revelation 12:6).
Revelation 12:6 “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.”
It also corresponds to the fact that He breaks the covenant with Israel at the midpoint of the 70th week, which is seven years long, and becomes the one-world ruler of the last 3.5 years (the great tribulation), declaring himself to be God (cf notes at Daniel 9:27). Paul tells us about this in his letter to the Thessalonians.
2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.”
Dan. 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
After the 3.5 years, the dominion and authority of this king will be completely destroyed. I think this is a direct reference to verses 9-10.
Dan. 7:27 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.
After the destruction of the kingdom of Antichrist, the kingdom of the “most High” (Jesus) will be established as an everlasting (time out of mind, to the vanishing point, eternity) kingdom. He will delegate ruling authority to the saints (believers), all of whom will serve (worship) and obey Him.
Stedman notes: “It is the Son of man who comes and takes the kingdom, but then he gives it to the saints of the Most High who join him in ruling over the earth.”
The “everlasting kingdom” mentioned here is directly connected to the “everlasting kingdom” referenced in Daniel 2:44.
Daniel 2:44 “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.”
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