Daniel Chapter 7
Daniel Chapter 7 — The Vision of Four Beasts and the Everlasting Kingdom
Daniel 7:1 (NKJV) — "In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts."
Daniel’s vision occurs during the reign of Belshazzar, before the fall of Babylon described in chapter 5. Unlike previous chapters, this vision is personal to Daniel. From this point forward, the book of Daniel shifts from historical narrative to prophetic apocalyptic vision.
Daniel 7:2–3 (NKJV) — "Daniel spoke, saying, 'I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.'"
The imagery of the sea and beasts points to political chaos and earthly kingdoms. The “Great Sea” likely represents the Mediterranean world. In Scripture, the sea often symbolizes unrest (cf. Revelation 13:1). The four beasts depict successive world empires, echoing the metal statue in Daniel 2 but now viewed from God’s heavenly perspective.
Daniel 7:4 (NKJV) — "The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it."
This beast represents Babylon. The lion with eagle’s wings suggests strength and swiftness, and the transformation of the beast into a human hints at Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling and restoration (Daniel 4).
Daniel 7:5 (NKJV) — "And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’"
The bear represents the Medo-Persian Empire. Its uneven stature signifies the dominance of Persia over Media. The three ribs possibly symbolize three major conquests: Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt.
Daniel 7:6 (NKJV) — "After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it."
This leopard-like beast symbolizes the Grecian Empire under Alexander the Great. The four wings highlight its rapid expansion. After Alexander’s death, his empire was divided among four generals (the four heads).
Daniel 7:7 (NKJV) — "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns."
This beast represents the Roman Empire. Unlike the others, it is not likened to any known animal, emphasizing its terrifying nature. The ten horns parallel the ten toes in Daniel 2 and represent a future confederation of kings or kingdoms.
Daniel 7:8 (NKJV) — "I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words."
This “little horn” is the Antichrist. He arises from the ten-kingdom confederation, subdues three rulers, and speaks blasphemously. His eyes and mouth indicate intelligence and arrogance.
Daniel 7:9–10 (NKJV) — "I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened."
Here we see a vision of God the Father—“the Ancient of Days.” His holiness (white garment) and eternal wisdom (white hair) contrast with the corrupt beasts. This scene anticipates divine judgment.
Daniel 7:11–12 (NKJV) — "I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time."
The Antichrist is destroyed directly by God. The other empires—Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece—continued to influence culture even after losing dominion, hence their prolonged existence.
Daniel 7:13–14 (NKJV) — "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. Then 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 the one which shall not be destroyed."
This is the most exalted Christological passage in the Old Testament. Jesus uses the title “Son of Man” repeatedly (cf. Mark 14:61–62). Here, the Son of Man (Jesus) is enthroned by the Father and given a kingdom that will never end—the Messianic Kingdom.
Daniel 7:15–16 (NKJV) — "I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things."
Daniel is deeply disturbed and seeks angelic interpretation. Even the prophet is overwhelmed by the gravity of these revelations.
Daniel 7:17–18 (NKJV) — "Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever."
God’s people are contrasted with the beasts. Earthly kingdoms are violent and temporary. The saints’ inheritance is eternal. From a Baptist eschatological view, this looks forward to the Millennial Reign followed by the eternal state.
Daniel 7:19–22 (NKJV) — "Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows. I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom."
Daniel focuses on the fourth beast and the Antichrist who persecutes believers. Yet, God vindicates His people. This parallels Revelation 13 and 19.
Daniel 7:23–25 (NKJV) — "Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, trample it and break it in pieces. The ten horns are ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom. And another shall rise after them; he shall be different from the first ones, and shall subdue three kings. He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.’"
The little horn (Antichrist) emerges in the last days from a revived Roman Empire. He blasphemes God, persecutes the saints, and tries to control worship and law for “a time, times, and half a time” (3.5 years)—corresponding to the Great Tribulation (cf. Revelation 11:2–3).
Daniel 7:26–27 (NKJV) — "But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever. Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him."
The end of history belongs to Christ and His people. A Baptist, dispensational interpretation sees this as the literal Millennial Reign of Christ (Revelation 20), followed by the eternal state. The saints will reign with Christ, and all earthly rule will be subject to His throne.
Daniel 7:28 (NKJV) — "This is the end of the account. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly troubled me, and my countenance changed; but I kept the matter in my heart."
Daniel is overwhelmed but silent. He knows that the visions concern the far future (Daniel 8:26), and his soberness underscores the seriousness of divine judgment.
Summary of Chapter 7 (Baptist Perspective)
The Four Beasts = Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome (and revived Rome).
The Little Horn = The future Antichrist.
The Ancient of Days = God the Father.
The Son of Man = Jesus Christ, who will reign forever.
The Saints = Believers, possibly Israel and Church distinct in their roles (dispensational view).
The kingdom given to the saints is not merely spiritual but literal, earthly, and millennial, leading into the eternal reign of Christ.
Graduate-Level Lesson: Daniel Chapter 7
Theme: The Sovereignty of God over Earthly Kingdoms and the Exaltation of the Son of Man
I. Overview and Transition
Daniel 7 marks a literary and theological shift in the book. Whereas chapters 1–6 were narrative history, chapter 7 initiates the apocalyptic visions that dominate the rest of the book. This chapter is written in Aramaic, like chapters 2–6, and forms the climax of the chiastic structure (A–B–C–D–C'–B'–A'), paralleling chapter 2’s dream but giving deeper spiritual insight into the nature of world empires and God's eternal kingdom.
II. Vision Summary (Daniel 7:1–14)
Daniel sees four beasts rising from the sea, each representing a world empire. A final terrifying beast arises and wages war against the saints. Then, Daniel sees a vision of the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man, who receives eternal dominion.
III. Theological Themes
1. The Beasts and the Corruption of Human Kingdoms (7:1–8, 17–25)
Each beast represents a successive world empire, often identified as:
Lion: Babylon
Bear: Medo-Persia
Leopard: Greece
Terrifying beast: Rome or a future final kingdom
These beasts symbolize dehumanized and destructive governments, in contrast to the Son of Man, who is truly human and rules righteously.
Baptist Theology Insight: Human governments—apart from God—are beastly in nature. Baptist ecclesiology insists that Christ alone is Head of the Church and no earthly power may usurp His role. Thus, we reject the union of church and state seen in these empires.
2. The Ancient of Days and the Son of Man (7:9–14)
Daniel sees thrones set up and the Ancient of Days (God the Father) seated in glory and holiness. Then comes one like a Son of Man, who receives everlasting dominion.
Daniel 7:13–14 — “Behold, One like the Son of Man… to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom.”
Christological Fulfillment:
Jesus quotes this passage in Mark 14:62, identifying Himself as the Son of Man who will come on the clouds with power. This is a declaration of deity, messiahship, and divine vindication.
Baptist Emphasis:
Baptists affirm the full deity and humanity of Christ. Here, the Son of Man is both divine and human—He approaches the Ancient of Days and receives universal worship, yet is distinct from Him, reflecting Trinitarian theology.
3. The Saints and Their Vindication (7:21–22, 26–27)
The little horn wages war against the saints and prevails until the Ancient of Days intervenes. Then, judgment is passed, the beast is destroyed, and the saints possess the kingdom.
Baptist Ecclesiology:
“The saints” are not an elite class but all believers—those saved by grace through faith. The Baptist view of the priesthood of all believers recognizes every true believer as a participant in God’s kingdom, destined for future glorification and co-reign with Christ (cf. Revelation 5:10).
Dispensational Distinctive:
A consistent dispensational Baptist framework distinguishes between the Church and Israel, yet both participate in the final kingdom under Christ’s rule. Daniel's vision affirms a literal, future kingdom where the saints reign, not merely a spiritualized church age.
IV. Eschatological Framework
The fourth beast and the little horn represent a revived end-times empire, often associated with the Antichrist.
The three and a half times (v. 25) corresponds to the Great Tribulation (cf. Daniel 12:7, Revelation 13:5).
The final outcome is not defeat but dominion given to the saints (v. 27).
Graduate Application:
Daniel 7 refines our eschatology: history is not random but moving toward a divinely ordained climax—the visible return and reign of Christ, the destruction of evil, and the vindication of God's people.
V. Summary and Doctrinal Lessons
1. God Reigns Over Every Empire
Daniel’s vision shatters any illusion of political autonomy. Every beast arises, rules, and falls under God's permission.
Doctrine: Sovereignty of God
2. The Son of Man Is Supreme
Jesus is not merely a moral teacher but the divine King who receives eternal worship and dominion.
Doctrine: Christology and Trinitarian Worship
3. The Saints Will Reign with Christ
The persecuted saints of all ages will be vindicated and exalted with the returning King.
Doctrine: Eschatology and the Glorification of the Church
4. Satanic Imitations Will Arise
The little horn mimics true authority but is ultimately destroyed. False religions and antichrist systems will rise, but they are doomed.
Doctrine: Spiritual Warfare and Apologetics
Practical Applications
Stand firm under opposition—God sees and will vindicate.
Study prophecy seriously—God reveals future history to prepare His people.
Do not be deceived by political power—even the strongest systems fall before Christ.
Live with eternal hope—the saints will possess the kingdom.
