Daniel Chapter 7 Vs. 21

Daniel's Vision Interpreted

I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Dan. 7:21

horn made war... The Antichrist will lead a great persecution of believers, especially in Israel.

Revelation 13:5 "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 prevailed against... The tribulation saints are the believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. The antichrist will be in power for 3 and 1/2 years, and he is opposed to everything they do.

Revelation 13:7 "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations."

The judgment on the beast

Several facts about this little horn had already been revealed to Daniel (Dan. 7:8): (1) It came after the 10 horns (kings; cf. Dan. 7:24) 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. Dan. 7:11).

Now (Dan. 7:21-22) three additional facts are given: (5) He will persecute the saints of the Most High (cf. Dan. 7:25; on “the Most High” see Dan. 3:26). Obviously the horn represents a person. In Dan. 7:24 he is said to be a king. As in Dan. 7:18, 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). 

Romans Chapter 4 Vs. 24

 

The Promise Realized Through Faith

But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Rom 4:24

if we believe... The condition of the gospel is faith, not only temporary faith, but steadfast and continued faith.

Look at Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

This leaves absolutely no doubt what it takes to be saved.

Such an act of justification, however, is not for everyone. It is for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead (lit., “out from dead ones”; cf. Rom. 6:4; 8:11). Repeatedly in this chapter Paul referred to Abraham and other believers having righteousness credited to them because of their faith (Rom. 4:3, 4:5-6, 4:9-11, 4:23-24).

Daniel Chapter 7 Vs. 20

 Daniel's Vision Interpreted

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. Dan. 7:20

of the other... He is the other horn or the 11^th horn (ruler and his realm), and is small and less powerful before its big rise. Early in the future tribulation period, it (he), grows to be “larger” or more powerful than any of the horns (rulers), in the group.

of that horn... This one who had eyes (worldly wisdom), and a mouth that he spoke for all the horns, is speaking of the antichrist.

whose look was... the antichrist is more imposing than the other kings.

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.

Romans Chapter 4 Vs. 23

 

The Promise Realized Through Faith

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; Rom 4:23

it was not... Gen. 15:6 was written for all mankind.

This just means that not only is faith full payment for Abraham’s righteousness, but any one who has faith in Jesus Christ is counted righteous, as well.

All scripture has universal application, and Abraham’s experience is no exception. If Abraham was justified by his faith, then all others are justified on the same basis.

Rom. 4:23-25 apply the truth about justification and its illustration in Abraham to the apostle’s readers — from the believers in Rome who first read this letter to people today. The divine declaration of Abraham’s justification was written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness.

Daniel Chapter 7 Vs. 19

 Daniel's Vision Interpreted

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. 7:19

the fourth beast… This may refer to the Empire’s far greater diversity than previous empires, and its breath of conquest. It branches out into two great divisions (legs), then near the end into 10 horns (a confederacy of 10 nations), and even an 11^th horn (Antichrist’s kingdom), lasting until Christ’s second coming.

teeth were of... The teeth of iron picture the Roman Empire element as revealed in the legs of iron and the feet, part of clay and iron, of Dan. 2:40-43.

Iron speaks of strength, and brass peaks of judgment. They had even judged the Son of God. The Romans were in power, when Jesus was crucified. They were strong in their rule of all the people.

his nails of... This is something added by the one giving the interpretation, and not mentioned in the description of the beast in Dan. 7:7-8. They symbolize the Grecian Empire element of the image of Dan. 2:39, 2:45. There would no doubt be ten claws corresponding to the ten toes of Dan. 2:40-43 and the ten horns of Dan. 7:7-8, 7:23-24; Rev. 17:8-17.

The details of the fourth kingdom

The request.

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. Dan. 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.

Romans Chapter 4 Vs. 22

 

The Promise Realized Through Faith

And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Rom 4:22

And therefore it... Meaning because of his genuine faith.

Righteousness is not earned but received by faith. We are made righteous in God’s sight when we are washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Paul concluded his illustration about Abraham by saying, This is why (dio kai, “wherefore also”) it was credited to him as righteousness. Abraham’s response of faith to God and God’s promise to him was the human requirement for God’s justifying Abraham, for God’s declaring that Abraham stood righteous before Him. No wonder God credited such faith with righteousness!

Daniel Chapter 7 Vs. 18

 Daniel's Vision Interpreted

But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. Dan. 7:18

But the saints... Are those who trusted God and possess the kingdom headed up by the Son of Man, the Messiah. All serve Him (in verses 14 and 27); verse 27 clarifying that the one served is actually God the most High. Just as the 4 Gentile empires have individuals as kings, so the final kingdom has Christ as King.

the most High... God is referred to in this book as above all gods, as He was for Melchizedek and Abraham as well as Naaman.

The following is a companion Scripture.

Revelation 2:26 "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:"

It is the spoken and the written Word of God which overcomes the world. The saint’s weapon is the two-edged Sword.

Revelation 11:15 "And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever."

You can see from the following Scripture, just how long we reign with Him.

Revelation 22:5 "And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever."

The promise to Israel

After the destruction of the fourth beast at the Second Advent, the saints of the Most High (cf. “the Most High” at Dan. 3:26) will receive the kingdom (cf. Dan. 7:22, 7:27). The “saints” refer to the believing Jews (cf. Dan. 7:25), 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 (2Sam. 7:16; Psm. 89:1-4) 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.