Introduction

Daniel 7 marks a shift from narrative to apocalyptic vision. Daniel sees four great beasts rising from the sea—a lion, a bear, a leopard, and a terrifying fourth beast with iron teeth and ten horns. Among the horns arises a little horn speaking great things. The vision shifts to heaven: the Ancient of Days takes His seat, books are opened, and the fourth beast is destroyed. Then "one like a son of man" comes with the clouds of heaven, approaches the Ancient of Days, and receives everlasting dominion over all peoples. Jesus' favorite self-designation—"Son of Man"—draws from this profound vision of divine authority given to a human figure.

The Four Beasts [1-8]

[1-6] In Belshazzar's first year, Daniel dreams of four winds stirring the great sea, and four great beasts emerging. The first is like a lion with eagles' wings; its wings are plucked, it's lifted up and made to stand like a man, and given a human mind. The second is like a bear, raised on one side, with three ribs in its mouth. The third is like a leopard with four wings and four heads, given dominion.

[7-8] The fourth beast is different—terrifying, dreadful, exceedingly strong, with great iron teeth. It devours, breaks in pieces, and stamps what remains. It has ten horns. Among them comes up a little horn, before which three fall. This horn has eyes like human eyes and a mouth speaking great things.

• From the sea [3]: Chaos, Gentile nations, the unknown
• Lion, bear, leopard [4-6]: Parallel to the statue's metals—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece
• Fourth beast [7]: Rome in traditional interpretation—different, terrifying
• Little horn [8]: A boastful ruler arising from the fourth beast's domain

The Ancient of Days [9-12]

[9-12] Thrones are placed, and the Ancient of Days takes His seat. His clothing is white as snow, hair like pure wool. His throne is fiery flames with wheels of burning fire. A stream of fire issues from before Him. A thousand thousands serve Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stand before Him. The court sits in judgment; books are opened. Daniel watches because of the great words the horn speaks. The beast is killed and its body given to be burned. The other beasts' dominion is taken away, but their lives are prolonged for a season.

• Ancient of Days [9]: God the Father—eternal, enthroned
• White clothing, white hair [9]: Purity and ancient wisdom
• Fiery throne [9-10]: Divine judgment, consuming holiness
• Books opened [10]: Record of deeds—judgment begins
• Fourth beast destroyed [11]: Divine judgment on the boastful power

The Son of Man [13-14]

[13-14] "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed."

• With clouds [13]: Divine presence—God comes with clouds
• Son of man [13]: Human figure, yet riding clouds—divine-human
• Given dominion [14]: Receives what beasts tried to seize
• All peoples serve him [14]: Universal, eternal kingdom

The Interpretation [15-28]

[15-22] Daniel is anxious; he approaches an attendant for interpretation. The four beasts are four kings/kingdoms from earth. But "the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever." Daniel asks especially about the fourth beast and the horn that waged war against the saints and prevailed until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was given for the saints.

[23-28] The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom, different from all others, devouring the whole earth. The ten horns are ten kings; another will arise different from them, subduing three. He will speak against the Most High, wear out the saints, and try to change times and law. They will be given into his hand for "a time, times, and half a time." But the court will sit, his dominion will be taken away, and the kingdom given to the saints of the Most High—an everlasting kingdom that all dominions shall serve.

• Saints receive the kingdom [18]: God's people inherit what human kingdoms lose
• War against the saints [21]: Persecution is real before deliverance comes
• Time, times, half a time [25]: Three and a half years—limited persecution
• All dominions serve [27]: The Son of Man's kingdom shared with saints

Key Takeaways

• Beastly kingdoms rise and fall [3-8]: Human empires are ultimately animalistic and temporary
• God sits in judgment [9-10]: The Ancient of Days has the final word
• The Son of Man receives eternal dominion [13-14]: Jesus claimed this identity
• Saints inherit the kingdom [18, 27]: Through the Son of Man, God's people share in His rule

Reflection Questions

• How does this vision of the Ancient of Days shape your understanding of God's authority over world powers?
• Why do you think Jesus called Himself "Son of Man" more than any other title?
• What does it mean that the saints "possess the kingdom forever"?