7:1. The vision recorded by the Prophet Daniel in this chapter was revealed to him in the first year of Belshazzar’s reign, 553 B.C., when Belshazzar was made coregent with Nabonidus. Daniel’s dream predated by 14 years his experience in the lions’ den (chap. 6) which occurred in or soon after 539. When the dream came Daniel was about 68 years of age, for he was taken captive (at about the age of 16) 52 years earlier in 605 B.C.

The revelation was given Daniel in a dream through visions (cf. 2:28; 4:5, 10). In referring to the experience as “a dream” (sing.) Daniel was emphasizing the unity of the revelation and in referring to it as “visions” (pl.) he emphasized the successive stages in which the revelation was given. (Five times in chap. 7 he said “looked” [vv. 2, 6–7, 13] and once “I kept looking” [v. 11].) The dream refers to his being asleep, and the visions refer to what he saw while dreaming. Sometimes, however, a person had a vision while he was awake (cf., e.g., 9:23). Because of the great significance of Daniel’s dream, he immediately wrote down a summary of it.

Daniel had been the interpreter of two dreams by Nebuchadnezzar (chaps. 2; 4). Then the prophet-statesman became the recipient of four dreams or visions (chaps. 7; 8; 9:20–27; 10:1–12:5).

7:3–4. The second thing Daniel saw in the vision was four great beasts emerging from the agitated sea. As explained to Daniel later (v. 17) the four beasts represented four kingdoms. The first beast was like a lion, an animal symbolizing power and strength. This lion had eagle wings, which speak of swiftness. Interestingly the lion and eagle were both symbols of Babylon (cf. Jer. 4:7, 13; Ezek. 17:3). The violent wrenching of the wings from the lion would deprive it of its great mobility

The lion’s rising up on two feet (its hind legs) made it look more like a man. The fact that it got a man’s heart suggests that the animal lost its beastly nature and showed compassion. The lion’s rising on its hind legs and having a man’s heart may refer to Nebuchadnezzar’s humanitarian interests.

7:5. The second beast was like a bear, an animal of formidable strength (1 Sam. 17:34; Amos 5:19; Hosea 13:8). This represents Medo-Persia, the empire that followed Babylon. The Medo-Persian army was strong and fierce (Isa. 13:15–18). Unlike the grace of the man-like lion, the bear was ponderous and ungainly. It was evidently reclining with one side higher than the other. This suggests that though Persia rose later than Media, Persia soon overshadowed the Medes in their united kingdom. The three ribs in the bear’s mouth may represent the kingdoms of Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, which had preceded the empire represented by the bear. Or they may represent Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt, three nations conquered by the Medes and Persians. The bear was told to devour flesh. This command suggests that kingdoms operate by divine appointment, not their own authority. In devouring other kingdoms and extending its territory into a vast empire, the bear was fulfilling God’s purpose

7:6. The third beast Daniel saw was like a leopard, an animal noted for its swiftness (Hab. 1:8), cunning, and agility (Jer. 5:6; Hosea 13:7). This beast had four wings like … a bird, stressing a swiftness beyond its natural capacity. An additional feature of this beast is that it had four heads. Also authority to rule was given it. The kingdom that conquered Medo-Persia was Greece, which did so with great speed, conquering the entire empire between 334 and 330 B.C. A few years after Alexander died his kingdom was divided into four parts (cf. Dan. 8:8, 22).

7:7a. Daniel now described a fourth beast. Instead of likening it to some known animal Daniel simply called it a beast. Apparently it was a mongrel composed of parts of a lion, bear, and leopard (cf. the beast in Rev. 13:2). This fourth beast was more terrifying and powerful than the three preceding beasts, which were all ferocious and destructive. This beast had large iron teeth with which it was able to crush and devour its prey. The empire represented by this mongrel beast had crushed and assimilated into itself the three previous empires described by the lion, the bear, and the leopard (it trampled underfoot whatever was left; cf. Dan. 7:19).

7:7b–8. A significant feature of this fourth and different beast was that it had 10 horns. According to verse 24 they represent 10 kings. As Daniel focused his attention on the horns, he saw another horn begin to emerge among the 10. This little horn had an insignificant beginning but in its growth it was able to uproot three of the existing horns. This little horn was noted for its intelligence (it had the eyes of a man) and its blasphemous claims (it had a mouth that spoke boastfully; cf. vv. 11, 20, 25). (See vv. 19–26 for comments on the identity of this fourth beast and its little horn.)

The Ancient of Days (7:9–12)

7:9–10. In this portion (vv. 9–12) of the vision Daniel saw thrones of judgment set up. One throne was occupied by the Ancient of Days. This is the sovereign God (cf. Isa. 43:13; 57:15a) who exercises control over men and nations. His white clothing and hair speak of His holiness (Rev. 1:14). Daniel’s description of the glory surrounding the One seated on the flaming throne with wheels recalls the description of the glory of God which Ezekiel saw (Ezek. 1:4–28). The thousands who surrounded the throne were God’s servants, angels who execute His will. When Daniel saw God the Judge take His seat, the court (cf. Dan. 7:26) was convened, and the books were opened. (Interestingly, as stated earlier, Daniel’s name means “God has judged” or “God is my Judge”; cf. 1:7. Here Daniel saw God as the world’s Judge.) In Revelation 20:12 the opening of books refers to a review and judging of one’s stewardship. Thus God, who assigns power to kingdoms, will judge those kingdoms.

7:11–12. As Daniel was watching the little horn because of its boasting (cf. v. 8) he saw that the fourth beast was slain and consigned to blazing fire. This event will terminate “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24, 27). The kingdoms represented by the three preceding beasts had already been stripped of their power by military conquest. But the fourth beast will be relieved of its power not by being conquered militarily, but by divine judgment (cf. Dan. 9:27; Rev. 11:15; 19:15). Each of the three, however, had been allowed to live for a short time. This may mean that the cultures of each of the first three conquered empires were assimilated into the conquering nations.

The Son of Man (7:13–14)

7:13–14. In the third major portion of this vision Daniel saw the Son of Man approaching the Ancient of Days. Jesus Christ, taking the title “Son of Man” from this prophecy, frequently used it to refer to Himself (as recorded in the Gospels; cf. comments on Mark 8:31; John 1:51). When the Son of Man was brought into the presence of the Ancient of Days, all the authority, glory, and sovereign power that had been exercised by rulers in the four kingdoms over all peoples, nations, and men of every language (cf. Dan. 3:4, 7; 4:1; 5:19; 6:25) was conferred on Him and those peoples worshiped Him. This is in keeping with the Father’s promise to the Son in Psalm 2:6–9, and will be fulfilled at Christ’s Second Advent (Matt. 24:30; 25:31; Rev. 11:15).

The Son of Man will establish an everlasting dominion or kingdom (cf. Dan. 4:34; 7:27). That kingdom will never be conquered by another (cf. 6:26). His reign will be established on earth (Rev. 20:1–6). At the expiration of the 1,000 years of the Lord’s millennial reign, He will surrender the kingdom to God the Father, after which Christ will be appointed as Ruler over God’s eternal kingdom forever (1 Cor. 15:24–28).

THE INTERPRETATION (7:15–28)

a. The four beasts explained (7:15–17)

7:15–17. Like Nebuchadnezzar before him (cf. 2:1; 4:4–5), Daniel was disturbed by his dream (cf. 7:28). Though he had demonstrated the ability to interpret dreams on previous occasions (chaps. 2; 4), he could not interpret this one or his next one (8:15). So he called on one of those standing nearby, apparently the angel later identified as Gabriel (8:16; 9:21), to interpret the vision to him. It was explained that the four great beasts represent four kingdoms. As stated earlier, the four kingdoms are Babylon, represented by the lion; Medo-Persia, represented by the bear raised up on one side; Greece, represented by the winged leopard with four heads; and Rome, represented by the mongrel beast.

7:18. After the destruction of the fourth beast at the Second Advent, the saints of the Most High (cf. comments on “the Most High” at 3:26) will receive the kingdom (cf. 7:22, 27). The “saints” refer to the believing Jews (cf. comments on v. 25), not to believers of the Church Age. The existence of the church in the present Age was nowhere revealed in the Old Testament. The nation Israel has been set aside by divine discipline in the present “times of the Gentiles,” which began with Nebuchadnezzar. During the “times of the Gentiles” four empires, Daniel was told, would rise and rule over the land and people of Israel. Yet God’s covenant to David (2 Sam. 7:16; Ps. 89:14) stands and will ultimately be fulfilled. The “saints” (believing Jews when Christ returns to earth) will enjoy the kingdom, the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel.

The details of the fourth kingdom (7:19–28)

(1) The request.

7:19–20. Daniel seems to have had no difficulty in interpreting the significance of the first three beasts. It was the fourth beast that caused him consternation, and he asked the angel (probably Gabriel; cf. 8:16; 9:21) to interpret the meaning of the beast and its 10 horns and the other horn that came up among the 10 and was so imposing. What is represented by the 10 horns and particularly the little horn is of great significance. For from this point on to the end of the prophecy, Daniel concerned himself with the revelation about the person and work of the individual represented by this little horn.

(2) The judgment on the beast.

7:21–22. Several facts about this little horn had already been revealed to Daniel (v. 8): (1) It came after the 10 horns (kings; cf. v. 24) were in existence and then was contemporaneous with them. (2) It uprooted 3 of the 10 horns (kings). (3) It was intelligent (it had the eyes of a man). (4) It was arrogant and boastful (cf. v. 11).

Now (vv. 21–22) three additional facts are given: (5) He will persecute the saints of the Most High (cf. v. 25; on “the Most High” see comments on 3:26). Obviously the horn represents a person. In 7:24 he is said to be a king. As in verse 18, the saints refer to the nation Israel. His persecution of Israel will take place in the Tribulation. (6) He will overcome (he was defeating) the nation Israel and will bring that nation under his authority (Rev. 12:13–17; 17:7). (7) He will be judged by God (cf. Rev. 19:19–20), and Israel, no longer under the rule of the little horn, will enter into her covenanted blessings in the kingdom (cf. Dan. 7:18).

7:23. Though historically the sphere of the fourth beast, though greater than the extent of each of the previous three kingdoms, was limited, the sphere of this coming ruler in the fourth kingdom will be worldwide. Daniel was told that this empire will devour the whole earth (cf. Rev. 13:7). And it will be a ferocious conquest, in which that kingdom will trample and crush those who oppose it. This anticipates a coming one-world government under a worldwide dictator.

(4) The ten horns and the little horn (7:24–25).

7:24. The angel then interpreted the meaning of the 10 horns, stating that they are 10 kings in this kingdom. The fourth empire, in spite of its great power (vv. 7, 23), will be characterized by progressive weakness, deterioration, and division (cf. comments on 2:41–43 on iron and clay in the fourth part of Nebuchadnezzar’s image). When the hordes from the north conquered the Roman Empire in the fifth century A.D., they did not unite to form another empire. Instead individual nations emerged out of the old Roman Empire. Some of those nations and others stemming from them have continued till the present day. The present Age, then, is the 10-horned era of the fourth beast. (Other premillenarians, however, hold that the time of the 10 horns is yet future, that the present Church Age is not seen in this vision, and that 10 kings will coexist over a future revived [or realigned] Roman Empire.)

Sometime after the rise of the 10 horns—and no clue was given Daniel as to how much later—another king (the little horn, 7:8, 20) will arise. In his rise to power he will subdue 3 kings (called 3 horns in v. 8), that is, he will bring 3 of the 10 nations under his authority in his initial rise to power.

7:25. Besides several facts already given about this coming king (see comments on vv. 21–22), three additional ones are now revealed: (1) He will oppose God’s authority. He will speak against the Most High (cf. Rev. 13:6). On “the Most High” see comments on Daniel 3:26. (2) He will oppress His saints (i.e., Israel; cf. comments on 7:21). (3) He will introduce an entirely new era in which he will abandon all previous laws and institute his own system. As in 9:27a, he will appear as Israel’s friend, but will become Israel’s persecutor (the saints will be handed over to him) and he will occupy Jerusalem as the capital of his empire (11:45) for three and one-half years (Rev. 12:6; 13:5). A time, times, and half a time (cf. Dan. 12:7; Rev. 12:14) refer to the three and one-half years of the Great Tribulation, with “a time” meaning one year, “times” two years, and “half a time” six months. This equals the 1,260 days in Revelation 12:6 and the 42 months in Revelation 11:2; 13:5. (Cf. comments on “times” in Dan. 4:16.)