Chapter 6 concludes what we might call the narrative portion of the book of Daniel, inclusive of Chapters 1 through 6, while this chapter begins what can be understood as the apocalyptic or prophetic section.
The remaining chapters of Daniel are supplementary or complementary to Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great metal image of Chapter 2. They flesh out in greater detail the interpretations Daniel gave to that phenomenal dream back when he was only a young man in his teens.
As it was, the remainder of Daniel’s life, ever since he witnessed to king Nebuchadnezzar in 603 B.C., was spent in the context of that dream, for he never forgot it and must have been struck with awe when he actually witnessed the fulfillment of its first stage at the transition point between the “head of gold” and the “breast and arms of silver” (Daniel 2:24-39). That was when “Darius the Median took the kingdom” (Daniel 5:31) away from Belshazzar the Babylonian.
But that was no accident or coincidence. It was done that way through the direct inspiration of God through the Holy Spirit who has the broad over-all picture of world events from the beginning to the end of time.
Verse 1: In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.
Belshazzar’s “great feast” (Chapter 5) took place in the last year of his reign which was 539 B.C. His “first year” was 553 B.C. when Nabonidus, his father, foolishly made him co-regent so he could devote himself to matters other than the rule of Babylon. Therefore, Belshazzar’s rule lasted some 14 years, during which he evidently plunged into a life of wanton self-gratification.
Daniel has nothing to say about his relationship to this king, or what his actual duties and obligations were during this king’s reign, other than what we derive from Chapter 5 where he scolded Belshazzar for failing to learn the lessons Nebuchadnezzar was forced to learn by hard experience (Daniel 5: 17-23). Since it appears Belshazzar forgot all about him, it is possible Daniel must have found himself ostracized (rather than persecuted or abused) to a remote part of the kingdom sometime after “the first year of Belshazzar” when he experienced this remarkable “dream and visions of his head.”
While Daniel was probably around 71 years of age at this time, he may have been much older, perhaps nearing the end of his life at the time he actually wrote or dictated the remainder of his book. But, interestingly, Chapter 7, along with Chapters 2 through 6, were written in Aramaic, while Chapters 1, then 8 through 12 were all in Hebrew, suggesting they were written at different times during Daniel’s life. Some believe that the Aramaic portion was written earlier for the benefit of the Babylonians, and the Hebrew for his contemporaries later in his life.
But, while Daniel’s political life came to a virtual standstill during Belshazzar’s reign, his spiritual life blossomed. Note Daniel’s terse mention that he “told the sum” [1] or the basic substance of the plurality “of the matters.” We can only imagine what other things he may have been shown. But speculation is not called for because the subsequent parallel visions and dreams he writes about in Chapters 8 through 12 fill in at least a portion of what he does not reveal here.
As it was, “his wonderful prophecies, as recorded by him in chapters seven to twelve . . . were not fully understood even by the prophet himself . . . [nevertheless, they] demand our special attention, as they relate to the very time in which we are living.” [2]
Verse 2: Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
Smith offers some good advice: “All scripture language is to be taken literally, unless there exists some good reason for regarding it as figurative. All that is figurative is to be interpreted by that which is literal.” [3]
Taking the “four winds” and the “great sea” to be figurative, what is the “literal meaning?”
If we are willing to accept inspiration: “The four winds of heaven striving upon the great sea, represent the terrible scenes of conquest and revolution by which kingdoms have attained to power.” [4] Therefore, “winds” represent war, and the “great sea” represents “kingdoms.” That “power” lies in the hand of the strongest, suggesting a “survival of the fittest” paradigm. [5]
Thus, this verse gives a brief word picture of Satan’s rule, characterized by war and conflict. “Satan delights in war; for it excites the worst passions of the soul, and then sweeps into eternity its victims steeped in vice and blood. It is his object to incite the nations to war against one another; for he can thus divert the minds of the people from the work of preparation to stand in the day of God.” [6]
As our study continues, we will find Daniel’s visions often referring to war and conflict. This is not because God approves, but because Satan, who started the first “war in heaven” (Revelation 12:7), is in charge of the earth. And when he is in charge, war is inevitable.
Compared to all the other things of earth that distract and disrupt, the power of war to grip the mind is awesome. It rivets the attention, keeping men intensely preoccupied, for it impacts all who stand in its path.
Verse 3: And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
Most would conclude these “beasts,” like the wind and the sea, are also figurative. Using Smith’s rule that the “figurative must always be interpreted by that which is literal,” what is the literal interpretation of the “four great beasts?” We don’t have to guess because an angel told Daniel: “These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth” (Verse 17). It is also clear, because of their origins from wind and sea, that the “four kings” represent kingdoms, not the individual kings who ruled during the time of the kingdom.
Consider what Daniel told king Nebuchadnezzar: “after thee shall arise another kingdom . . .” (Daniel 2:39). That other “kingdom” did not “arise” as soon as Nebuchadnezzar died, but after five other individual kings succeeded him, all representing the “kingdom” of Babylon. Consequently, an individual “king” reigns only a portion of the time that his “kingdom” lasts. So, again, these “four great beasts” represent kingdoms, not individual “kings” like Nebuchadnezzar.
Some stumble over the wording of Verse 3, concluding that, because the “beasts” are depicted all at once, they represent four kingdoms that appeared simultaneously. But notice in Verses 4 to 7 that they are numbered consecutively as “the first, a second” then “another” and finally, “the fourth.” Therefore, they do not arise simultaneously, but consecutively, one-after-another in distinct sequence.
We see the same sequential order of kingdoms depicted by four elements (gold, silver, brass and iron) of the great image of Daniel 2 (Verses 24-45) and it is perfectly reasonable to assume that these “four great beasts” are not only also sequential, but parallel to the “gold, silver, brass” and “iron” of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
Why such repetition? While Biblical symbols are graphic representations of reality in general, they often lack specificity and require other parallel symbols, and even literal events, to fill in the detail lacking in the original. We will see this principle being used throughout Daniel’s succeeding visions, as well as this one.
Verse 4: The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings: I beheld till the wings thereof were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth, and made stand upon the feet as a man, and a man’s heart was given to it.
So, here we go with the beginning of the sequence we just talked about. The “first,” being one of the “four great beasts,” was also the “first” to emerge from “the great sea.” While figures of winged lions that have been found by archeologists in the ancient ruins of Babylon [7] do not necessarily prove it parallel to the first beast, it is certainly substantiating evidence. Furthermore, it had to be a very familiar figure to Daniel who must have immediately associated it with the Babylonian empire.
Then, the strange transformation of the lion with its “wings” removed and caused to stand up on its hind feet, coupled with a heart transplant, is suggestive of three things that would, at least, cripple the lion. Where once it could fly, now it was grounded. Where it once had “four feet” on the ground, and then limited to only two, would, for a lion, be crippling. Then having a man’s “heart,” substituted for the heart of a lion, suggests diminished courage and aggressiveness.
Daniel witnessed all of these characteristics being played out when Nebuchadnezzar’s son “Amel-Marduk” took the throne and then was assassinated. He was followed by Neriglissar who reigned only four years and then died. His son was murdered 9 months later, after which Nabonidus was chosen. He, in effect, abdicated the throne in favor of his worthless son Belshazzar. Therefore, the majestic nature of Babylonian politics fell into ruin, giving place to unstable, self-centered and feeble monarchs, with the reign of Belshazzar bringing the kingdom to its knees. To Daniel, the symbols became reality right before his very eyes!
Bear in mind that all these figures were etched vividly in Daniel’s mind for at least 13 years before he was brought in before Belshazzar (Daniel 5:13). His scolding of Belshazzar reflects his disgust at having witnessed such irresponsibility, wanton waste, and utter degradation, as compared to Nebuchadnezzar’s style of rule, as well as Belshazzar’s failure to learn from his grandfather’s hard experience.
Verse 5: And behold another beast, a second, like to a bear, and it raised up itself on one side, and it had three ribs in the mouth of it between the teeth of it: and they said thus unto it, Arise, devour much flesh.
Back in 603 B.C., when Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar: “. . . after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee” (Daniel 2:39), he probably had little idea what kingdom that was. Now, 50 years later in 553 B.C. (the “first year of Belshazzar”), great changes had taken place in the political landscape, besides that which transpired in the Babylonian empire. It was in 553 that Cyrus, who succeeded his father Cambyses I, the Persian king [8], rebelled against Astyages king of the Medes. [9] Although it was three years later before Cyrus came off victorious, Cyrus’ revolt, in the kingdom adjacent to Babylon, must have clicked in Daniel’s mind when he saw this “second” beast raise itself up “on one side” over the other.
Why did God use the figure of a single animal to represent the two nations of Medo-Persia? History tells us that Astyages, who was the dominate king of the Medes at that time, was Cyrus II’s grandfather. Furthermore, Cambyses I, the ruler of Anshan (or Persia), and father of Cyrus II, was married to Mandane, Astyages’ daughter, which made Cambyses to be Astyages’ son-in-law. Therefore, it was very appropriate to use one animal to represent both nations in view of the very close blood relationship existing between their rulers.
Other than the bear raising itself up on one side, and the sequential relationship of the silver to the gold in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, there was nothing else for Daniel to hang his hat on. While the command “Arise, devour much flesh” was clearly an indication of the coalition’s brute strength, what the “three ribs” in its “mouth . . . between [its] teeth” represented had to be left to future developments to establish. Daniel must, at least, have suspected that Babylon would be one of them!
Seven years later (546 B.C.) king Cyrus II of Persia captured Sardis, capital of Lydia, and Lydia became a Persian satrapy. [10] That nation, lying on the western end of Asia Minor, must have been the first “rib” between the bear’s “teeth.”
We already know when Cyrus captured Babylon (Daniel 5:31), it marked the end of Belshazzar’s reign in 539 B.C., so Babylon must have been the second “rib” between the bear’s “teeth.”
According to historians, Cyrus did not venture into Egypt, as he himself died in battle along the Syr Darya in 530 B.C., nine or ten years after Daniel had this vision. However, Cyrus “was succeeded by his son, Cambyses II, who managed to conquer Egypt . . . during his short rule.” [11] Egypt must have been the third “rib” between the bear’s “teeth.” By that time, Daniel had already passed on to his grave. He had “prospered in the reign of Darius, and . . . Cyrus” (Daniel 6:28), and probably died sometime during the reign of Cyrus.
Verse 6: After this I beheld, and lo another, like a leopard, which had upon the back of it four wings of a fowl; the beast had also four heads; and dominion was given to it.
While Daniel had some idea of the nation represented by the “bear,” this “beast,” the third in the series of four, actually arose from the “great sea” of humanity centuries after Daniel’s lifetime. Other than knowing it was represented by the “belly and . . . thighs of brass” (Daniel 2:32), from that point onwards, Daniel had no clue what nation might be represented by the “leopard.”
But this symbol, with “four wings” and “four heads” added much to the sparse, “brass” symbolism of Nebuchadnezzar’s former dream. While the two sides of the bear suggested something of a dual monarchy, the quadruple wings and heads suggested a foursome of some kind, coupled with leopard-like rapidity and stealth of movement.
In Daniel’s day, from 553 B.C. to the day of his death sometime around 535 B.C., there was nothing on the political horizon indicating the possibility that Greece would occupy the position of a major world empire, even though historians generally classify this time as lying within the period of “Ancient/Classical Greek period” beginning in 776 B.C. and ending with the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C. [12] The following period is classed as Hellenistic. [13]
Today, all self-respecting historians readily agree that Greece was the nation that succeeded Persia, even though they might scoff at the possibility that anybody, even God, could predict such a thing. Nevertheless, it is readily apparent that God did predict it as we can see clearly represented in Daniel’s great visions.
Verse 7: After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
This is the second time Daniel used the term “after this.” It was used when introducing the “leopard,” and now this “fourth beast.” Therefore, there should be no question that these beasts made their appearances one after the other, not simultaneously.
Daniel was at a loss for words when he saw this “beast,” saying only “it was diverse from all the [other] beasts.” He could only describe its behavior, for it was moving around performing great feats of strength, braking things “in pieces” and trampling them under its great “feet,” chewing and devouring with its “great iron teeth.” That description brings to mind an intimidating, dinosaur-like animal, similar perhaps to Tyrannosaurus rex roaming at will destroying all its enemies.
Its non-specific name, “the fourth beast,” coupled with its “great iron teeth,” certainly called to Daniel’s mind, “the fourth kingdom . . . strong as iron” (Daniel 2:40) represented by “the legs of iron” in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
Its “ten horns,” explained to be “ten kings” (Verse 24), supply additional information that the “legs of iron” could not depict. The names of these “kings,” that made up the greater proportion of the Roman Empire, are generally considered to be the “Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Suevi, Alamanni, Anglo-Saxons, Heruli, Lombards” and the “Burgundians.”
But, not all of them, such as the Anglo-Saxons, were involved in the invasion of the Roman Empire during the fifth and sixth centuries, between 476 and 538 A.D. Others are not included in this list, because, later on, “a score or more barbarian tribes invaded the Roman Empire.” [14] Those should also be included, suggesting that the number “ten” is more representative of completeness, rather than a literal number.
Verse 8: I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
Aside from the spectacular strength and intimidating behavior of this beast, its strange “ten horns” captured Daniel’s attention. Stranger still, “another [15] little horn” joined the other “ten,” bringing the total number to eleven! While the former “ten” are depicted rooted in place from the start, the “little” one “came up” or grew up “among” the other “ten,” suggesting it to be a late arrival. When it did arrive, it displaced three of the former with them pulled up “by the roots” leaving no trace of the three, which brings the total number of the former horns down to seven.
The names of the uprooted horns are the Heruli, Vandals and the Ostrogoths. Nearly all of the ten horns, representing pagan kings, were converted to Arianism, a Christian belief which regarded the Son of God as a created being, and “that God the Father and the Son did not exist together eternally.” The originator of this belief was Arius (250-336 A.D.), a Christian priest, who was first ruled a heretic at the First Council of Nicaea, later exonerated and then pronounced a heretic again after his death. [16]
Nevertheless, the conflict between Arianism and Trinitarian beliefs was the first major doctrinal confrontation in the Church after the legalization of Christianity by the Roman Emperor Constantine I [17] (313 A.D.). Therefore, the “church,” meaning the Catholic church, found its road to political power obstructed by a tainted “Christian” monotheistic doctrine that was not pagan by any stretch. Although it denied the divinity of Christ the Son, who was affirmed to be merely a created being, it gave full recognition to God the Father as the only true God.
Consequently, while the other seven had also been converted to Arianism, the Arian Heruli, Vandals and the Ostrogoths comprised the principal obstruction to the rise of the “little horn” power, and the “Heruli were the first of the barbarian tribes to rule over Rome.” [18] They were ruled by Odoacer (433-493 A.D.) who was declared “King of Italy.” [19]
Although the Ostrogoths, ruled by king Theodoric (454-526 A.D.) invaded Rome in 489 A.D., their Arian belief made them just as unacceptable to the horn power. To compound the problem, the Arian Vandals, to the south in Africa, posed an even more serious threat. While both Odoacer and Theodoric were tolerant, the Vandals, for the most part, were violently intolerant of the Catholic faith. Justinian (482-565 A.D.), the Byzantium Catholic ruler of the eastern Roman empire, commissioned his general Belisarius who “completely vanquished the Vandals in 534.” [20]
That left the Ostrogoths as the only remaining obstruction to the horn power’s rise to prominence. So, Justinian, being true to his Catholic faith, again commissioned general Belisarius, who eventually forced the withdrawal of the Ostrogoths “from Rome in 538,” even though it is “true that they re-entered the city for a very brief time in 540.” [21]
Interestingly, all three kingdoms, the Heruli, Vandals and the Ostrogoths, have disappeared from the historical record. Therefore, it can be truly said they were “plucked up by the roots.” Some criticize this application, thinking Verse 8 mandates the “little horn” itself was to pluck up the other three by its own power. But that is a misreading of the verse which stipulates that the three were “plucked up” “before” it, not by it. [22]
Note also the “little horn” had only “eyes” and a “mouth,” feeble instruments of warfare when compared to the “great iron teeth” and the huge stamping “feet” of the “fourth beast” who consumed and destroyed all that was before it. Therefore, having the Roman generals Theodoric and Justinian to accomplish victories on behalf of the Catholic clergy was very much in keeping with the symbology representing the things that actually happened in history.
Looking back to the great image of Chapter 2, it is evident that the emergence of this horn takes place in the transition point between the “legs of iron” to the “feet of iron and clay” and, in spite of its lack of military weapons, is the iron in the “feet . . . of iron and clay,” and will endure right down to the toes of Nebuchadnezzar’s image.
In contrast, imperial Rome came to its end in 476 A.D. [23] when it was overrun by the barbarian tribes of its own kingdom, while papal Rome, beginning in 538 A.D., will be with us to the very end of time.
Its “eyes” and “mouth speaking great things” suggests it exercised power by means of its great intelligence, coupled with the ability to verbalize convincingly. While that might seem to be a severe handicap, its “eyes” and “mouth” were far more effective tools than the wings, heads, feet and teeth the others possessed.
Verse 9: I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
Daniel’s view changes from earth to heaven. In Verses 1 to 8, Daniel was beholding the quadruple beasts emerging from the tumultuous sea of humanity on earth, but here, his gaze is suddenly redirected to this spectacular view in heaven.
The first impression, of thrones being “cast down,” suggests a conflict going on there. But that is a mistaken impression. The words “cast down” are from a single Aramaic word “remah’” meaning “to place” or “set up,” as well as “to throw” [24] down pillows or set up chairs to be seated upon. So, here, because “the Ancient of days” (who is God the Father) also “did sit,” Daniel was witnessing the convening of a judgment scene.
The “Ancient of days” is “God the Father” the One who existed “before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” [25] In other words, He is infinite. He has always been and always will be, a concept that goes way beyond what the mind can fully grasp. Then, adding to that mind boggling concept, he is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent.
A Person such as that doesn’t need anybody else to help Him. He is not obligated to inquire into the thinking or the opinion of other beings who obviously originated from His hand to begin with; for in Him, we all “live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). But, in spite of such astoundingly, awesome attributes, other thrones were placed around His for He loves to associate with His created creatures. Then, encircling that extraordinary congregation, “thousand thousands ministered unto him and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him” (Verse 10).
Therefore, the four earthly beasts Daniel just described (Verses 1-8) comprise the context of this heavenly judgment scene. And, because the four beasts arose sequentially, one after another, it stands to reason that the convening of this judgment took place in heaven sometime after the other “little horn” began to speak “great things.”
This scene should make us think of what Nebuchadnezzar alluded to when he related the details of his “tree” dream in Chapter 4. While he was sleeping, he saw “a watcher and an holy one” come down from heaven to carry out “the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones.” Daniel interpreted their “decree” to be that “of the most High” (Daniel 4:13, 17 & 24), and we can add: in consultation with “the watchers.”
Therefore, it seems more than reasonable to assume Nebuchadnezzar’s “Watcher” to be parallel to “the Ancient of days” and the “watchers” and the “holy ones,” those who now place their “thrones” or seats around the great throne of the “Watcher” who is the “Ancient of days.”
But, in the case of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the heavenly counsel’s deliberation, and subsequent “decree,” was over only one individual. Here, the context has to do, not only with the four beast kingdoms, but also “the great sea” of humanity from which the beasts emerged. Therefore, the whole human race, not just one individual like Nebuchadnezzar, is the subject under consideration in this heavenly counsel session!
The “wheels” attached to God’s “throne,” [26] as well as the seating action just described, suggest movement from one area to another had just taken place. In other words, this judgment scene convenes in a different place in heaven.
Verse 10: A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Other versions call this “a river of flame” or “a flood of fire.” Even though God is called “a consuming fire” (Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3 & Hebrews 12:29) in other passages, nobody, in spite of the enormous crowd surrounding Him, is consumed in this scene. Nevertheless, His “fiery stream” implies a cleansing action is planned. Something is going to be consumed!
It will not be an indiscriminate consumption. Those things requiring cleansing will be selected intelligently, based on the record contained in “the books,” with the selection process being accomplished in full view of myriads of “holy angels, as ministers and witnesses” who “attend this great tribunal.” “Thus was presented to the prophet’s vision the great and solemn day when the characters and the lives of men should pass in review before the Judge of all the earth, and to every man should be rendered ‘according to his works.’” [27]
Therefore, these “books” contain an absolutely comprehensive record of “the lives” of “every man (in the generic sense)” which includes all woman and children, from the beginning of earth’s history to its close. The parallel to “the books” must be the “book” mentioned eight times in Revelation 5.
Once more we turn to the image dream of Chapter 2 where “a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces” (Daniel 2:34). Having learned that the phrase “cut out” (Daniel 2:34, 45) is from the Aramaic garzerin, translated soothsayers, which means “’to determine . . . the deciders,’ or ‘the determiners [of destiny]’” [28], it is clear that “the Ancient of days” is the heavenly “Watcher” (Daniel 4:13) who, along with the watchers and the holy ones, determined Nebuchadnezzar’s destiny (Daniel 4:17). The Watcher is, therefore, the heavenly “Soothsayer” who convened the great heavenly judgment scene depicted here!
In view of the fact that the “Son” of the “Ancient of days” was crucified in the midst of the “legs of iron” in Nebuchadnezzar’s image, and that this judgment scene convened near or in the “toes” of the image, we wonder in amazement at God’s great patience. At the time of the crucifixion, we can almost hear the clamor of the voices of His short-sighted angels demanding immediate justice be done because God’s son, called “Michael,” the victorious Commander in the heavenly “war” that took place more than 4,000 years prior, is hanging on the cross due to the devious conspiracy of His defeated foe “called the Devil, and Satan” (Revelation 12:9) who deceived “the whole world” into committing the most ghastly crime of all time—actually murdering the Son of God!
“Yet Satan was not then destroyed. The angels did not even then understand all that was involved in the great controversy. The principles at stake were to be more fully revealed. And for the sake of man, Satan’s existence must be continued. Man as well as angels must see the contrast between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness. He must choose whom he will serve.” [29]
So, “the judgment was set, and the books were opened” nearly two thousand years later, but, before that happened, it seems something arose that interrupted the proceedings:
Verse 11: I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
Seemingly, “the great words which [it] spake” were so loud Daniel was distracted from the scene he described (Verse 10) regarding the setting up of the judgment. But there must be a deeper reason than mere distraction. This verse continues the thought Daniel alluded to in Verse 8 where the “little horn” not only possessed “eyes like the eyes of man,” but had a “mouth speaking great things.” Those “things” are the “great words” it “spake.”
Since the context of this verse is the judgment scene of Verses 9 and 10, its “great words” must be directed against the “Ancient of days,” echoing the sentiments of Satan who said in his “heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:13, 14).
Its “eyes like the eyes of man” suggest great, earthly intelligence envisioning a blasphemous scheme to substitute itself for the “Ancient of days” who is “the most High.” Daniel’s prophecy here predicted that the scheme would be so successful that, even though the “judgment was set and the books were opened,” it would have to be put on temporary hold for the time being. In other words, the little horn’s power was so great during the great controversy between good and evil that the judgment, which was set up to be finished, had to be postponed! No wonder its “words” are called “great!”
Note, this verse, being only one sentence long, concludes with the punishment of the beast’s “body” being “slain” in “the burning flame.”
The question is: “who is the beast?” Could it be one of the others mentioned in Verses 3 to 8, with the “fourth” being the most likely? The Commentary rightly declares: “Was slain . . . represents the end of the system, or organization, symbolized by the horn.” [30] If we are willing to accept that statement, it rules out the lion, bear, leopard and even the “fourth beast.” Therefore, this “beast” must be the fully developed form of the “little horn” power.
Then John concludes with the “body” of the “beast” power being “destroyed, and given to the burning flame.” Is that the post millennial “lake of fire” depicted in Revelation 20:14, 15? Before deciding, wait until our study reaches Revelation 6, 17, 18 and 19 that provide much evidence for the answer to that question.
Verse 12: As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
At first glance, it seems clear “the rest of the beasts” are the “lion, bear, leopard” and “the fourth beast” (Verses 3-8). But, if that were the case, in what sense were the “lives” of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Pagan Rome “prolonged for a season and time” beyond that of the “little horn” who became “the beast?”
When Babylon was defeated by Medo-Persia, Babylon ceased to exist. When Persia was defeated by Greece, Persia ceased to exist. When Greece, in its Hellenistic form, was overwhelmed by Rome, Greece ceased to exist. When Pagan Rome was replaced by Papal Rome (in the form of the “little horn”), Pagan Rome ceased to exist.
The same thought of incompatibility is thoroughly confirmed in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great image composed of the gold that was incompatible with the silver, then the silver that was incompatible with the brass, then the brass that was incompatible with the iron, followed by its incompatible mixture of iron and clay.
Although there are distinct similarities between each system of government (such as the general use of force to implement their form of rule, as well as the worship of various heathen gods), they were all completely incompatible with each other. None of them could exist while the other held power. Neither could any of their “lives” have been “prolonged for a season and time” beyond that of the “little horn” that grew into a “beast.”
Nevertheless, that is the conclusion required by the wording of this verse if we insist that the four beasts (Verses 3-8) are “the rest of the beasts” Daniel is referring to who will still be alive after the “horn” power is destroyed.
As we might expect, there are no clear, definitive answers to that question in the book of Daniel, although there are some hints as we shall see. Therefore, we must, at this point, defer a clear answer until our study reaches Revelation 13:1-10. There we will see that the “little horn” power developed into a “sea beast.” Other subsequent passages in the book of Revelation will then round out a complete and satisfactory answer to this difficult question.
At this point, a partial answer can be supplied to the question of the fire that destroys the “body” of the horn/beast. We can say that it could not be the post-millennial lake of fire (Revelation 20:14, 15) because all beast powers (called “the rest of the beasts”) will be destroyed in it leaving none of “their lives” to be “prolonged [even] for a season and time.” Therefore, we are compelled to look for an alternative to the post-millennial lake of fire. The book of Revelation makes clear when that fire will do its work.
Verse 13: I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
This verse brings completion to the judgment scene, presented in Verses 9 and 10, that occurs after the parenthetical scenario of Verses 11 and 12 depicting the interference of the “horn” against the purpose of God to bring the great controversy between good and evil to a close. Having addressed the ultimate fate of the “horn” in “the burning flame,” Daniel comes back in time to the chief event in the judgment scene which is the coming of “the Son of man” “to the Ancient of days” to initiate the proceedings of the investigative phase of the final judgment. [31]
Even though Verses 10 and 13 suggest “the judgment was set, and the books were opened” before the “Son” “came forth,” we can be sure such is not the case. For example, Jesus Himself said: “the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (John 5:22).
The parallel scene in the book of Revelation confirms that the “Lamb . . . came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne” after He was judged “worthy to take the book, and open the seals” that kept it closed. It had to be that way because no one else either “in heaven, nor on earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book [32] neither to look thereon” (Revelation 5:3, 6, 7).
Consequently, the sequence is the same here with “the Son of man” coming “to the Ancient of days” at the same time “the judgment was set and the books were opened” by “the Son of man” Himself.
The investigative phase of judgment has already been depicted at least three times up to this point: 1) Belshazzar who was “weighed in the balances and found wanting” (Daniel 5:27), 2) Nebuchadnezzar who was being watched by the “watcher” and the “watchers” (Daniel 4:13, 17), 3) the “stone” that was “cut out of the mountain without hands” (Daniel 2:45), that could be reworded: “the stone, representing God’s people, was selected out of all the people in the world by the heavenly soothsayer, to bring an end to Satan’s government.” The “stone,” striking the great image on its feet, really portrays the executive phase of the judgment which follows the investigative phase that is going on in heaven right now.
Verse 14: And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
This verse depicts God’s purpose for the judgment, to establish His “everlasting dominion” in place of the crumbling, Satanic “dominion” represented by the “great image” of gold, silver, brass, iron, then iron mixed with clay. Each of those five primary dominions of the earth did “pass away” because they were established by fear, hate, superstition and force. Love for God or man played no part in their agendas.
Verse 15: I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
In Verse 2 Daniel spoke of only one “vision by night” that came to him. Here he speaks of multiple “visions” of his “head” that distressed him to the point he could feel it “in the midst of [his] body,” or we could say “he felt it in his gut.”
As we have already seen, many things were happening around him that could have contributed to his distress, besides what was shown him in vision. Since this chapter reflects back to Belshazzar’s “first year,” he had not yet been called into Belshazzar’s feast to decipher the handwriting on the wall of the palace for the terrified king. But he had just learned of king Nabonidus’ decision to employ his self-centered, egotistical son Belshazzar to be coregent with him on the throne, which must have added to the general picture of internal turmoil in court life ever since the death of Nebuchadnezzar.
Daniel tells us nothing about his experiences or duties during that time, but it could not have been pleasant, not knowing from day to day just where he stood with the various kings that came and went, ending with this irresponsible chap who cared nothing for anybody else but himself. By this time, his hope that somehow Nebuchadnezzar’s experience with God would rub off on his successors had long since vanished.
Then, being given a visionary collogue of figures and symbols depicting more turmoil and conflict could well have added to his sense of distress and anguish. Nevertheless, his faith remained strong, even though he had some questions to ask.
Verse 16: I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
Evidently, Daniel was still in vision while seeing himself approaching an angelic being whose name, although not given here, could well be Gabriel, who is named in the next two chapters.
Asking “him the truth of all this” suggests he wanted to know for sure his understanding was correct before sharing it with others. Asking about “all this” covers everything from the lion to the “Son of man’s” approach to the Ancient of days.
Verse 17: These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
The angel complies with Daniel’s request, starting with the “four great beasts [which] came up from the sea . . .” (Verse 3) but, here, he says they “arise out of the earth.” Is that a contradiction? No. Keep in mind what Daniel just said in Verse 16, that this is “the interpretation of the things.” One of the “things” is that the “sea” represents the things of “earth,” and the “things of earth” represent the comings and goings of nations and kingdoms on the earth. It has to be that way because “kings” or “kingdoms” arise either by appointment or by conflict. They, if we were to attempt a literal interpretation, were neither submarine nor subterranean!
Verse 18: But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
This angelic interpretation was exceedingly brief. While the “four” “great beasts” of Verse 17 parallel the first four parts of the great image of Chapter 2, the parallel to this verse skips any reference to its “feet, that were of iron and of clay” and passes to “the saints of the most High” represented by “the stone that smote the image [and] became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth” (Daniel 2:35) which is still future.
The angel’s brief answer must have surprised Daniel also, because Daniel itemizes the details he wanted to know more about in the next four verses.
Verse 19: 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;
According to Verse 7, the “fourth beast” succeeds the “leopard” that succeeded the “bear,” that succeeded the “lion” after it was made to “stand upon the feet as a man,” proving they did not coexist. Since Daniel does not inquire about the previous three beasts, he had no doubt that the “lion” clearly represented the present kingdom of Babylon. It probably seemed clear, at that time, that the “bear” depicted the kingdom lying adjacent to Babylon and could well be the one that would displace Babylon. While the “leopard” would have been far more difficult for him to understand at this point, the “fourth beast” was, to him, far more mysterious, as well as exceedingly dreadful.
Verse 20: 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.
In Verse 7 Daniel notes that the “fourth beast” only “had ten horns,” that we assume, are carried on his single head. Here he declares they “were in his head” which confirms that assumption. While the “leopard” had “four heads,” the “fourth beast” had only one. This is an important point to recognize because the obvious parallels to the “ten horns” are found in the book of Revelation. But they are positioned on multiple “heads” (Revelation 12, 13, 17), while those of the “fourth beast” are positioned on one, single “head.” So, while the “ten horns” of Daniel and Revelation are similar, they should not be considered exact parallels.
Of particular note to Daniel, was the eleventh “little horn” with an attention-getting “look” that “was more stout” or more powerful “than his fellows,” suggesting its ability to intimidate and impress without the force of arms. This is in distinct contrast to the “fourth beast” (Verse 7) whose aggressive behavior obviously involved the use of arms, enabling him to “devour, brake in pieces, and [stamp] the residue with the feet of it.”
Verse 21: I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Although Daniel makes no mention of it in Verse 8, where he alluded to the eleventh “little horn” having ‘the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things,” here he says that it “made war with the saints,” and even worse, “prevailed against them,” which were additional things he saw but had not mentioned in Verse 7.
This picture illustrates how the “little horn” was able to make “war with the saints.” He used the military might of other kingdoms to carry out his agenda. Having no army of his own, his “power” laid in his tremendous ability to persuade with a “mouth speaking great things.”
The same thought is found in Daniel 8:23, 24 where that king’s “look” is depicted as a “fierce countenance.” And his “power shall be mighty, but not by his own power,” suggesting it comes from some other body or organization.
Again, in Daniel 11:21 and 23, we see another prominent figure who “shall come in peaceably, and obtain the kingdom by flatteries,” instead of force of arms, and is thus able to “become strong with a small people” instead of a large army of its own.
Note that the horn power “prevailed against” the “saints,” even though the “saints of the most High” took “the kingdom” and possessed it “for ever and ever” (Verse 18), Therefore, the saints were victorious only because of God’s favor, not because of anything the “saints” could do except to depend on God for their salvation like Daniel and His three friends (Daniel 3 and 6).
Verse 22: Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
The parallel to the coming of “the Ancient of days” here is in Verse 9 where “the Ancient of days did sit,” suggesting He came from one position in the heavenly sanctuary to another, as intimated by the “wheels” of motion depicted in the same verse.
Verses 19 to 22 itemize what Daniel wanted to be certain about, namely, the “fourth beast” with its “ten horns,” and especially the eleventh “horn.” As far as the horn was concerned, the “saints of the most High” were condemned for heresy. But that decree is reversed here by “the Ancient of days” allowing “the saints” to possess the kingdom,” pictured by the “a great mountain” “that filled the whole earth” (Daniel 2:35).
This verse concludes with the same point the angel left off with in Verse 18, when “the saints possessed the kingdom,” nearly the same wording found in this verse. Interestingly, he says nothing here about the demise of the “horn” depicted in Verse 11 or “the rest of the beasts” seen in Verse 12. But, when our study reaches Revelation 17, 18 and 19, far more information relating to those details is provided.
Verse 23: Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
In answer to Daniel’s request (Verse 19), the angel begins with the “fourth kingdom” that was to succeed Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylonian kingdom in the distant future (from Daniel’s time). Of course, other kingdoms rose and fell throughout many parts of the world, other than western Europe, during the 1,080 years [33] of history from Babylon to the end of pagan Rome. We can be certain God was fully aware of them and could well have given far more information than He did, but he chose to confine Himself to details which he knew would be recorded in easily accessible records for future generations.
For example, while many kings and kingdoms sprang up and were put down in, for example, China, Japan, and even North and South America, accurate records of their past would have been exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, [34] to find and then be able to correlate them with any symbolic language God could provide. He had to confine Himself to a representation of western civilization in order to give us something that could be confirmed in easily accessible history books.
Therefore, even though no symbols representing these other kingdoms are found in Daniel’s or John’s prophecies, we cannot conclude that God was ignoring all those other nations and was paying them scant attention. When “the saints” will at last possess the kingdom, and the record of the past is opened for review, we can be assured that wonderful accounts of God’s providence will have been wrought out in all the other nations of the earth that were not recorded in any of the history books we now possess.
Therefore, “the whole earth,” mentioned in Verse 23, really pertains to the then-known kingdoms of the world centered around what we call Europe and some parts of the Middle East, as well as northern Africa, England and southern Scandinavia.
Verse 24: And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
Since “a score or more barbarian tribes invaded the Roman Empire,” [35] it is reasonable to question how definite an application should be made to the number “ten.”
In Aramaic, “ten” is translated from “’asar” [36] meaning “ten:-ten, + twelve” in Daniel 7:7, 20, 24. In Ezra 6:17 and Daniel 4:29, “’asar” is translated: “twelve”! Not being a Hebrew or Aramaic scholar, it seems to me that the least we can conclude is that “ten” should not be considered definite in the Aramaic language. Therefore, we may have made too much of its literalness.
In contrast, the number “three” is from the Aramaic “tel-awth’” which is a “cardinal number.” [37] Consequently, “tel-awth’” is always translated “three” or “third” as we find in Daniel 3:23, 24; 6:2, 10, 17; 7:5, 8, 20 & 24. The same applies to Ezra 6:4, 15. Therefore, we can hang our hats on the definiteness of the “three kings” who were subdued or “humbled.” [38] Of course, Daniel could not have understood that the “fourth beast” represented the Roman Empire, even though ancient Rome was a civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded as early as the 8th century B.C., [39] long before Daniel was even born. Nevertheless, it did not appear as a world empire until 168 B.C.
Furthermore, it is only as we look back, retrospectively, through the eyes of the historian, that we can begin to attach actual names to these “ten kings,” such as the “Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Suevi, Alamanni, Anglo-Saxons, Heruli, Lombards, [and] Burgundians.” [40]
Many commentators suggest the “ten kings” are represented by the toes of Nebuchadnezzar’s great image. But there are three major reasons for questioning that conclusion. Number one is that Daniel fails to attach a number to the “toes” of the image―he only specifies “toes” (Daniel 2:41, 42), not “ten toes.”
Another reason is alluded to right here, and in Verses 8 and 20, where the “little horn” uproots, causes the fall of, and subdues “three [of the] ten kings.” If the “ten horns” were represented by the “toes” of the great image, there should only be seven surviving “toes.” Wisely, Daniel did not specify them to be ten.
Finally, the division of the Roman Empire, caused by the barbarian tribes that overran it, occurred at the transition point between the iron of the legs, and the feet of iron and clay, perhaps at the ankle, but not at the time of the toes!
The “little horn” who “shall rise after” the first “ten horns . . . shall be diverse from the” others in that it had “eyes like the eyes of man and a mouth speaking great things” and the fact that it uprooted three [41] of the ten, suggests it dominated the others as well.
Note how Daniel and the angel addressed the “little horn” (Daniel 7:8, 20, 24) calling it “another . . . the other . . . and another . . .” horn suggesting sameness in character. In other words, apparently, from heaven’s perspective, all the horns are pagan. Although Catholics condemned the Arians [42] for teaching Christ was only a created being and not equal to the Father, they blasphemously declare Mary, the mother of Jesus, to be equal to her Son.
Verse 25: And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
In Verse 8 the “little horn” had “a mouth speaking great things.” In Verse 11 “the horn” had a “voice” uttering “great words.” Here the angel definitively explains that the “things” and “words” it uttered were “against the most High,” the “Ancient of days,” who had just convened the judgement scene (Verses 9, 10, 13). This explains the delaying action of the “horn” (Verse 11), which interrupts the Investigative Judgment scene. But, before the judgement could commence, the “little horn” would be allowed to “wear out” or “prevail against” “the saints of the most High,” the same thing depicted in Verse 21.
So, how long would that “interruption” last? For “a time and times and the dividing of time.” How long is that? Interestingly, the words “time” and “times” are from the Aramaic word “iddan,” the same word translated “times” (Daniel 4:16, 23, 25, 32) denoting the seven years of Nebuchadnezzar’s predicted insanity. In that case, the context clearly delineates the “seven times” to be defined as a literal “seven years.”
If we were to handle the “time and times and the dividing of time” in the same way, the delaying action of the “little horn” would last only three and a half literal years, during which time it would prevail against the “saints” and “wear” them “out,” after which “the Ancient of days” would have come, and the “judgment,” according to Verse 22, would have been “given to the saints” who then would have “possessed the kingdom.” Additionally, the “horn” power would have had only three and a half years to “think” or deceive itself that it had changed the “times and laws” of God.
Did Daniel think the “time and times and the dividing of time” was only three and a half years? Was prophetic, day-for-a-year time a method of time interpretation that came to be understood later on? According to the last verse of this chapter, where Daniel’s “cogitations much troubled” him, it would seem that he understood that the “time, times and the dividing of times” represented 1260 years of prophetic―not literal―time. If it were only three and a half years, it would seem that he would not be “much troubled.” Therefore, it is the context that determines how this time message should be interpreted.
However, Daniel could not have known that until after receiving the next vision in Daniel 8. Neither could he have understood the date we consider to be 1844, because Jesus’ birth, which took place in 4 B.C., happened some five hundred years after Daniel’s time. Neither could he have known that our dating system of today began in “B.C.,” or before Christ, and continues into our time known as “A.D.” From Daniel’s perspective, the time periods were marked out by the time the various kings ruled, such as we see in Verse 1 of this chapter, where “the “first year of Belshazzar” is alluded to.
Nevertheless, as we look back historically, prophetic day-for-a-year time is the only application that we can be comfortable with, because it makes good sense. Furthermore, it coincides well with the Dark Age of the past that did, indeed, last 1260 literal years―from 538 to 1798 A.D. Therefore, this verse explains the delay, implied between Verses 10 and 11, when the proceedings were interrupted by “the voice of the great words which the horn spake” during the Dark Age for “a time, and times and the dividing of times,” [43] which is three and a half years of “prophetic time” or 1260 years of literal time. It began in the year 538, when Belisarius forced the Visigoths out of Rome, and ended in 1798 when the French general Berthier took pope Pius VI prisoner. [44]
Verse 26: But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
This is the “judgment,” depicted in Verses 10 and 22, that is understood to be the Investigative Judgment that began on October 22, 1844, which would initiate court proceedings, among other things, of how to abolish the “little horn.”
When the pope was taken prisoner, the way was cleared for the Investigative Judgement to resume when “one like the Son of man” (Verse 13) came “to the Ancient of days” in the heavenly sanctuary to open “the books.” Since the “dominion” of the horn power is still growing, instead of being taken “away,” and his “body” remains unconsumed, it is clear that this “judgment,” staffed by the “Watcher (the ‘Ancient of Days’)” and “watchers” (Daniel 4:13, 17), is still ongoing. But, when the “judgement” is finished, “the beast [will be] slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame” (Verse 11).
In the meantime, Daniel remained “much troubled” (Verse 28), especially about the time period of Verse 25 encompassing 1260 years of literal time, defining the length of the delay caused by “the great words which the horn spake” (Verse 11). Up to the point in Verses 17 and 18, denoting the elapsed time between the period of the “four kings” and the saints possessing the kingdom, the time appeared to be quite short. Now, his hope for a short period of time was dashed. [45] [46]
This illustration shows where the judgment scenario of Verses 9, 10 and 13 fits with the general scheme of things in Daniel 7. Although we will learn more about the date “1844” in the next chapter, it seemed necessary to bring it in at this point in order to round out what we have learned here.
If the hand, which belongs to God, shown selecting the diamond “stone” is confusing to you, go back to our study of Chapter 2 where you will find it explained more fully.
Isn’t it awesome to understand that the judgment has already begun and that you and I could well be numbered with that diamond and be used by God to carry out His agenda like the three Hebrews in Chapter 3? Stay with me in this study and we will discover more about God’s sacred agenda.
Verse 27: And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Here the angel concludes with the same glorious thought he finished with in Verses 18 and 22. The essence of all three declarations (Verses 18, 22, 27) is spectacularly represented by the “stone [that] was cut out of the mountains without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver and the gold” and then “became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth” (Daniel 2:45, 35), which is further confirmation that the “stone” represents “the people of the saints of the most High.”
Verse 28: Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.
In spite of this conversation leaving Daniel in a state of depression, most likely due to the unexpected length of time involved for God’s purposes to be worked out, two years later, “in the third year of Belshazzar,” an even longer time period was to be revealed to him that would cause him to “faint” and become “sick” for “days” thereafter. He would have been even more depressed had he known that the eleventh “little horn” would not even arrive on the scene until 1,092 more years [47] after his time!
God, knowing the effect this news would have on His servant was, therefore, merciful in measuring out the information in amounts more easily assimilated. While these prophecies were not necessarily essential for the spiritual welfare of people living during Daniel’s time, we can see today that their importance has grown with the lapse of time. We can now look back and gain much comfort and assurance from them, knowing that God is in charge. Very soon, now, the “stone,” representing God’s people, will be the instrument in God’s hand to vindicate His character in the face of Satan’s vitriolic charges against God’s government. Then God will replace Satan’s government with His own.
Summary of Chapter 7: It is important for us to understand the parallels between Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Chapter 2) and Daniel’s vision. While Chapter 2 is a cryptic, highly symbolic outline, Chapter 7 gives us many characteristics of the same kingdoms not represented in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. More importantly, it spells out the meaning of the “stone” that was “cut out without hands” from the “mountain,” which symbolizes what the Investigative Judgment is all about (Verses 9, 10,13). The apparent delay caused by the little horn, whose voice was heard between the time when the “judgment was set and the books were opened” (Verses 10, 11) and the coming of the Son of man to the Ancient of days (Verse 13), is an important detail for us to understand. But Chapter 7 is not the end of the story, there being far more for us to study. Chapter 7 is really a bridge, setting the foundation for our understanding of Chapter 8, ―then 9, ―then 10, 11 and 12 and even further into John’s vision, revealed in the book of Revelation!
Check out this diagram showing us where Daniel 2 and 7 leave us at this point in our study and that it opens ups some big gaps of information that is filled in by Daniel’s later prophecies:
[1] The word “sum” is from the Aramaic “re’sh” meaning “the chief” or “essential content” of the “dream, visions” and “matters” (plural).
[2] Prophets and Kings by E.G. White, page 547 (ellipse and italics mine)
[3] The Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation by Uriah Smith, page 105
[4] The Great Controversy by E.G. White, page 440
[5] “Survival of the fittest” is a phrase which is shorthand for a concept relating to competition for survival or predominance. Originally applied by Herbert Spencer in his Principles of Biology of 1864, Spencer drew parallels to his ideas of economics with Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution by what Darwin termed natural selection. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survival_of_the_fittest)
[6] The Great Controversy by E.G. White, page 589
[7] see The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 820 (bottom left to top right). It refers to S.H. Langdon, in: Semitic Mythology: “The winged lion is one of the forms of the beast often pictured in combat with Marduk, the patron god of the city of Babylon.”
[8] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambyses_I_of_Anshan
[9] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astyages [see Cyrus and Astyages in Herodotus]
[10] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydia
[11] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_the_Great
[12] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Greece (see “Ancient Greece”)
[13] Ibid
[14] Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 826 (left column mid paragraph under “Ten horns.”) Some of the others are the Soissons, Germani. Rugi, Heruls, Gepids, Sklaveni, Huns, Kutrigurs, Amoricia, Maruri, Gaetulians, Frisians and Austoriani etc. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Odoacer_480ad.jpg)
[15] the word “another,” here, suggests the other ten were also “little,” and that the “little horn” shared some important characteristics that are in common with the others
[16] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arianism
[17] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantine_the_Great
[18] Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 826 (third paragraph right column)
[19] http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Odoacer.html
[20] Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 827 (first paragraph left column)
[21] Ibid, second paragraph (italics supplied)
[22] the NIV: “the first horns were uprooted before it”; the ASV: “before which three of the first horns were plucked up”; the Jerus Bible: “three of the original horns were pulled out by the roots to make way for it” ―all nearly the same as the KJV. (see also Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 826 (first paragraph, right column.)
[23] http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/romefallarticles/a/fallofrome.htm
[24] Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 828 (left column under “Cast down.”)
[25] The Great Controversy by E.G. White, page 479 & Ps. 90:2
[26] the KJV saying “his wheels,” is “its wheels” in the NIV which corresponds with the Interlinear Bible
[27] The Great Controversy by E.G. White, page 479
[28] see Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 770 (right column under “Soothsayers”) The word “gazerin,” translated “soothsayers” is the same word translated “cut out” (Strong’s #1505) in Daniel 2:34, 45
[29] The Desire of Ages by E.G. White, page 761 (italics mine)
[30] Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary Vol. 4, page 829 (under “Was slain.” Italics supplied for emphasis)
[31] see The Great Controversy by E.G. White, page 479, 480
[32] Some may doubt that the “book” of Revelation 5 and the “books” of Daniel 7:10 are parallel. If that’s the case I suggest looking up the following references: Manuscript Releases by E.G. White, Vol. 20, page 197; Vol. 12, page 296; and Vol. 9, page 7 which convince me the “book” of Revelation 5:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 contains the same absolutely comprehensive record as the “books” of Daniel 7:10.
[33] Adding 605 B.C., when Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon began, to 476 A.D., at the end of pagan Rome = 1,080 years (subtract 1 year from B.C. to A.D. ―there is no zero year)
[34] “When the rampaging armies of expanding nations invaded the lands, the great libraries of the world became the innocent victims of wanton destruction. Many of history’s missing pages were torn out in those calamitous years. ‘The famous collection of Pisastratus [Pisander] in Athens (sixth century B.C.) was ravaged. Fortunately the poems of Homer somehow survived. The papyri of the library of the temple of Ptah in Memphis were totally destroyed. The same fate befell 200,000 volumes in the library of Pergamus in Asia Minor. The city of Carthage, razed by the Romans in a seventeen-day fire in 146 B.C., is said to have possessed a library of half a million volumes. But the greatest blow to history was the burning of the Alexandrian library in the Egyptian campaign of Julius Caesar, during which 700,000 priceless scrolls were irretrievably lost. . . . There was a complete catalogue of authors in 120 volumes with a brief biography of each author.’ The library of Alexandria, however, survived this destruction and once again became a center of learning, the most important book depository in the Mediterranean world, until Omar, the second Caliph of Islam, used its millions of book rolls to heat the city’s bathing facilities in 640 A.D. For six months the fires roared, fueled by the knowledge of the ancients. The Caliph decreed: ‘The contents of these books are in conformity with the Koran or they are not. If they are, the Koran is sufficient without them; if they are not, they are pernicious. Let them therefore be destroyed.’” (Secrets of the Lost Races by Rene Noorbergen, page 36, quoting Tomas and Charles Berlitz in Mysteries from Forgotten Worlds, New York: Dell Publishing Co. In., 1972, pp. 35-36)
[35] see note #14
[36] From the Online Computer Lexicon: “ten” #6236 rse `asar (Aramaic) as-ar’ masc. hrse `asrah (Aramaic) as-raw’ corresponding to 06235; TWOT – 2932; n m/f KJV – ten 4, twelve + 08648 2; 6. 1) ten.” While it is translated “ten” in Daniel 7:7, 12, 24, the same word is translated “twelve” in Daniel 4:29 and Ezra 6:17.
[37] From the Online Computer Lexicon: “three” #8532 tlt t@lath (Aramaic) tel-awth’ masc. htlt t@lathah (Aramaic) tel-aw-thaw’ or atlt t@latha’ (Aramaic) tel-aw-thaw’ corresponding to 07969; TWOT – 3058a; n m/f KJV – three 10, third 1; 11. 1) three; 1a) three (cardinal number); 1b) third (ordinal number).” It is always translated “three” or “third” in Ezra 6:4, 15; Daniel 3:23, 24; 6:2, 10, 13; 7:5, 8, 20 and 24.
[38] the word “subdue” is from the Aramaic “shef-al’” Strong’s #8214 meaning: “humble, abase, put down” as well as “subdue”
[39] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome
[40] see Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 826 (under “ten horns”) Interestingly, the Commentary also notes that “a score or more barbarian tribes” could be considered under that list.
[41] an excellent discussion of the three fallen horns, namely the Heruli, Vandals and Ostrogoths, is found in the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, page 826 to 828
[42] see “council of Nicaea” in 325 A.D. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Council_of_Nicaea)
[43] the “time and times and the dividing of time” should be interpreted as “prophetic time” with “time” from the Aramaic “’iddan” meaning a “year” and the 360 days in the “year” amounting to 360 years of “prophetic time.” Therefore 360 + 720 + 180 = 1260 years. See Numbers 14:34 & Ezekial 4:6
[44] see http://www.historyorb.com/events/date/1798
[45] If Daniel had understood the “times, time and the dividing of time” to represent a literal three and a half years, he would have been delighted, especially because, in Belshazzar’s “first year,” another 16 years of the seventy-year period of promised Babylonian captivity remained. His reaction to this news confirms he understood it to be far longer.
[46] Interestingly, E.G. White, omitting the time period, attaches a future meaning to Daniel 7:25 saying: “By substituting human law for God’s law, Satan will seek to control the world. This work is foretold in prophecy. Of the great apostate power which is the representative of Satan, it is declared, ‘He shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and think to change times and laws; and they shall be given into his hand.’” (The Desire of Ages by E.G. White, page 763, italics supplied)
[47] Add 555 B.C. (1st year of Belshazzar) to 538 A.D. (Little Horn power began) – 1 (adjustment from B.C. to A.D) = 1,092