Daniel 7 Study Notes

7:9-10 The phrase the Ancient of Days refers to God’s eternal nature.

7:11-12 The destruction of the beast by burning fire refers to the end of the fourth kingdom, the revived Roman Empire. The rest of the beasts, meaning the previous three kingdoms, would continue to exist but without their earlier dominance, until the coming of the messianic kingdom.

7:13-14 Although some have maintained that the son of man is the archangel Michael or a collective personification of the “holy ones of the Most High” (v. 18), this one is none other than the divine Messiah himself, who will fulfill the destiny of humanity (Ps 8; Heb 2:5-18). Jesus understood it to be a messianic title (Mk 14:61-62), and he used it to speak of himself. Later rabbis saw it as one of the names of the Messiah.

7:15-17 Daniel is told that the four beasts represent four kings.

7:18 The holy ones of the Most High is most likely a reference to Israel when the nation turns in faith to their Messiah Jesus (Zch 12:10; Rm 11:26). The literal covenant people will receive the kingdom, emphasizing that Messiah’s final kingdom will be a literal kingdom on earth.

7:19-24a After a summary of the vision’s meaning (vv. 19-22), the angel explains that the fourth kingdom, in its future state, will devour the whole earth, indicating world domination. The ten kings could be a metaphor for completeness. More likely, it refers to an empire with a literal confederation of ten kings (cp. Rv 17:12-13).

7:24b-26 Another king, the antichrist (cp. vv. 7-8), described in the vision as the little horn, will arise and take control of this last human empire by subduing three kings. He will be characterized by blasphemy (words against the Most High), anti-Semitism (he will oppress the holy ones of the Most High), and religious corruption (he will intend to change religious festivals and laws). He will oppress the Jewish people for time, times, and half a time, meaning three and one-half years, or the second half of the future tribulation (cp. Rv 7:14). Some conclude that this was fulfilled when Antiochus oppressed the Jewish people from 167-164 BC. This is unlikely since that period was for only three years and not three and one-half years. It is better to view this oppression as yet future. When the heavenly court will convene, the antichrist will be completely destroyed forever.

7:27 The Son of Man will take his throne and rule over his everlasting kingdom. Then the people—the believing remnant of Israel, also called holy ones—will receive this kingdom under the authority of their Messiah, the Son of Man.