Daniel 7.21-Daniel Describes the Little Horn Waging War Against the Saints and Overpowering Them
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Thursday June 6, 2013
Daniel: Daniel 7:21-Daniel Describes the Little Horn Waging War Against the Saints and Overpowering Them
Lesson # 220
Please turn in your Bibles to Daniel 7:1.
Daniel 7:1 During Belshazzar’s, Babylon’s king, first year, Daniel saw a dream specifically visions in his mind on his bed. Then, he wrote down the dream. He declares the beginning of the account. 2 Daniel began to speak and said, “I was in a trance like state, staring because of my vision during the night as behold the heaven’s four winds were blowing violently against the great sea. 3 Then, four great beasts, one different from the other, came up out from the sea. 4 The first beast was like a lion with eagle’s wings attached to it. I was in a trance like state staring when its wings were torn off. Then it was lifted up from the ground for the purpose of it standing on two feet like a human being. A human mind was also given to it. 5 Next, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear with it raised up to one side with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. Then, they issued orders to it, ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’ 6 After this, I was staring in a trance like state as behold, another one, was like a leopard with it having four bird’s wings on its back. Also, the beast had four heads. Indeed, governmental dominion was given to it. 7 After this, I was continuing to stare in a trance like state because of these night visions as behold, a fourth beast, intimidating, yes even terrifying as well as extremely powerful, possessing two large rows of iron teeth. It devoured as well as crushed. Specifically, it violently crushed the rest with its feet. Indeed, it was characterized as different from all the beasts which were before it in the sense of possessing ten horns. 8 I was contemplating in a trance like state because of these horns as behold, another little horn emerged out from among them. Then, the first three originating from the horns was torn out by being in the presence of it. In fact, behold, on this horn, were eyes like a human being’s eyes as well as a mouth speaking boastfully. 9 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state when thrones were set up. Then, the One Ancient in Days sat. His clothing was white like snow. Also, the hair of His head was like lamb’s wool. His throne was fiery flames. Its wheels were a blazing fire. 10 A river composed of fire was flowing, yes issuing forth from His presence. A thousand times a thousand were continually rendering worshipful service to Him. In fact, ten thousand times ten thousand were continually standing in His presence. The court convened resulting in scrolls being opened. 11 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state at that time because of the sound coming from the boastful words which the horn was making a habit of speaking. I was continuing to stare in a trance like state when the beast was killed. In fact, its body was destroyed. Specifically, it was given over to the consuming fire. 12 On the other hand, the rest of the beasts, their governmental dominion was taken away, though for their benefit an extension of life was granted for a period of time, yes an appointed period of time. 13 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state because of these visions as behold One like a Son of Man was coming upon the clouds of heaven. Specifically, He went up to the One Ancient in Days in the sense that He approached His presence. 14 Then, governmental dominion was given to Him as well as honor and in addition sovereignty in order that each and every person belonging to the nations, ethnicities as well as language groups would serve Him. His governmental dominion is an eternal governmental dominion which can never be taken away so that His kingdom is one which can never be destroyed. 15 As for me, Daniel, my soul was distressed in the midst of my body. Specifically, the visions in my mind caused me to be terrified. 16 I went up to one from those standing nearby in order to request from him the truth regarding all this. Consequently, he spoke to me in order to make known to me the interpretation of these events. 17 ‘These great beasts, which are four in number are four kings who will arise from the earth’s inhabitants. 18 However, the saints belonging to the Most High will receive the kingdom. Indeed, they will possess the kingdom throughout eternity, yes throughout eternity, the ages.’ 19 Then, I desired to know the meaning concerning the fourth beast which was different from all the others, extraordinarily intimidating, its two rows of teeth composed of iron as well as its claws composed of bronze. It devoured as well as crushed. Specifically, it violently crushed the rest with its feet. 20 Also, I desired to know the meaning concerning the ten horns which were on its head as well as the one which emerged and in addition three fell by being in the presence of it. Specifically, that horn possessing eyes as well as a mouth making it a habit of speaking boastfully. Indeed, its appearance was more distinguished than its contemporaries.” (My translation)
Daniel 7:21 “I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them.” (NASB95)
Daniel under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is employing the figure of “asyndeton” in order to emphasize the statement here in verse 21, which tells the reader that the little horn was waging war against the saints and overpowering them.
The Holy Spirit uses this figure because He wants the reader to dwell upon this statement since it emphasizes how formidable the person represented by the little horn will be in relation to God’s people who from Daniel’s perspective, would be his nation, Israel.
Therefore, here in verse 21, the figure of asyndeton is employed to emphasize with the reader that the person represented by the little horn will be a significant character in the future, whom God’s people will have to deal with.
It emphasizes this person will be antagonistic to God’s people seeking to destroy them.
“I kept looking” is composed of the masculine singular peʿal (Hebrew: qal) active participle form of the verb ḥǎzā(h) (חֲזָה) (khaz-aw´), “looking” which is followed by the first person masculine singular peʿal (Hebrew: qal) active perfect form of the verb hǎwā(h) (הֲוָה) (hav-aw´), “I kept.”
The verb ḥǎzā(h) means “to stare” in the sense of Daniel steadily looking at the little horn with studious and with openmouthed wonder and amazement as he waged war against the saints and overpowering them.
The verb hǎwā(h) denotes Daniel’s trance like state when he observed the little horn waged war against the saints and overpowered them.
“And” is the conjunction wa which means “when” or “as” since it is used as a temporal marker relating points of time.
The two points of time are Daniel staring while in a trance like state and the little horn waging war against the saints and overpowering them.
Therefore, this word indicates that “when” or “as” Daniel was staring in a trance like state, the little horn was waging war against the saints and overpowering them.
“That horn” is referring of course to the little horn mentioned in Daniel 7:8 and 19.
“Waging” is the verb ʾǎḇǎḏ which refers to engaging in war or combat and the noun qerāḇ, “war” refers to a state of engaging in open and declared armed hostile conflict with another group of people
These two words indicate that the Daniel saw the little horn openly engaging in armed hostile conflict against God’s people.
The participle form of the verb is describing continuous action indicating that the little horn was “habitually” or “continually” waging war against the people of God.
The adjective qǎd∙dîš functions as a substantive and means “saints” describing those Jews and Gentiles who are regenerated through faith and as a result of have been set apart to serve the God of Israel exclusively.
This word refers to both regenerate Jews and Gentiles who will be living during Daniel’s Seventieth Week, and in particular the last three and a half years of this seven year period.
The construct state of qǎd∙dîš is the object of the preposition ʿim, which is functioning as a marker of disadvantage indicating opposition to God’s people.
Therefore, this prepositional phrase indicates that the little horn was waging war “against the saints.”
“And overpowering them” presents the result of the little horn waging war against the saints.
The verb yeḵil means “to overpower” indicating that Daniel saw the little horn waging war against the saints with the result that he “was overpowering” them.
The verb indicates that the little horn overcame God’s people with superior force, which would of course be military force and violence.
It indicates that he overcame God’s people with more power or force than was needed.
Daniel 7:21 “I was continuing to stare in a trance like state as that horn was continually waging war against the saints so as to overpower them.” (My translation)
Daniel continues to describe the little horn and specifically its actions.
As we noted in previous studies in this chapter, the description of this little horn in Daniel 7:8 and 20 makes clear that it is symbolic of a human being who is a ruler of a kingdom.
In Daniel 7:19-26, he is described as waging war against God’s people up to the time of the Second Advent of Christ, which corresponds to the depiction of the Antichrist in Revelation (Daniel 7:11, 20-26; 8:25; Revelation 13:1-10; 19:20).
The term “saints” in Daniel 7:21 is a technical term for regenerate human beings who are declared justified by God through faith.
“The saints” who are mentioned in Daniel 7:21 refer to both regenerate Jews and Gentiles who will be living during the Seventieth Week of Daniel since the Antichrist will be a world-ruler at that time.
The Scriptures make clear that Antichrist will be waging war against the Jewish nation as well as all those who trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
He will persecute and kill both Jewish and Gentile believers.
Those regenerate Gentiles who aid regenerate Jews will be put to death by the Antichrist.
In Revelation 13:7, the Antichrist, who is depicted by the first beast in Revelation 13, is described in this verse as waging war against the saints who would be both regenerate Gentiles and Jews since Revelation 14:6 says that the gospel will preached to both Jews and Gentiles during Daniel’s Seventieth Week.
Furthermore, Revelation 7:9-17 records that from every nation and people will be a multitude killed by the Antichrist during Daniel’s Seventieth Week who worship God.
Therefore, when Daniel 7:21 says that the little horn will be waging war against the saints he is speaking of regenerate Jews and Gentiles living during the tribulation period of Daniel’s Seventieth Week.
Some argue that Daniel would be thinking of only regenerate Jews.
However, Daniel knew from the prophets of Israel like Isaiah that the Gentiles would trust in the Jewish Messiah.
The term “saints” in Daniel 7:21 would not include the church for the simple reason that she will be removed from the earth at the rapture or resurrection of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; John 14:1-3).
Furthermore the church age was a “mystery” meaning that it was not known to Old Testament saints like Daniel but was made known to the apostles of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:25-27).
Revelation 13:5 says that the dragon will give authority to the first beast.
The dragon is Satan and the first beast of Revelation 13 is the Antichrist.
Therefore, this verse teaches that Satan, who is temporarily the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4), will give authority to Antichrist.
Revelation 13:7 says that Antichrist wages war against the saints and overcomes them, which is what Daniel 7:21 says as well.
The Antichrist becomes a world ruler because of Satan giving him the power and authority to do so.
Therefore, this war against the saints mentioned in Daniel 7:21 and Revelation 13:7 is Satanic in origin.
Daniel 7:21 tells us that God’s people who are living during the tribulation period of Daniel’s Seventieth Week will suffer undeservedly at the hands of the Antichrist.
The Bible teaches that God uses undeserved suffering to advance His children to greater spiritual growth and to glorify Himself.
Therefore, God will permit His people to suffer undeservedly at the hands of the Antichrist during the tribulation period of Daniel’s Seventieth Week in order to increase their faith in Him, and to produce Christ-like character in them as well as to manifest His omnipotence in their human impotence so that He is glorified.
When God glorifies Himself, He is manifesting one or more of His attributes.
So by permitting His people to suffer undeservedly at the hands of the Antichrist and Satan, God will be able to manifest His power in delivering His people.
Since He will permit His people to be killed by Antichrist, His power will be manifested through His people when He raises them from the dead.
It will be manifested when He defeats Antichrist and throws him into the eternal lake of fire and imprisons Satan for a thousand years.
His power will also be manifested through His people when He rewards them by permitting them to experience the millennial reign of His Son Jesus Christ (Daniel 7:22).