Daniel 7 – Vision of the Four Beasts & the Kingdom of the Most High
From Beasts to the Throne of God
Daniel 7 begins a new section of the book—one of visions and prophecy. The dream of four beasts rising from the sea reveals the rise and fall of empires, the blasphemy of a little horn, and the final courtroom of heaven where dominion is given to the Son of Man. It’s a chapter rich with symbols, timelines, and end-time relevance.
✔ Four beasts rise from a stormy sea.
✔ A little horn wages war against the saints.
✔ The Ancient of Days holds judgment.
✔ The Son of Man receives an everlasting kingdom.
📖 Key Verse: “And the kingdom and dominion… shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High.” – Daniel 7:27
🔎 Earthly kingdoms rise through violence. God’s kingdom is received by the faithful.
Daniel Chapter 7 Overview
Daniel 7:1-8 – The Four Beasts
📖 Daniel 7:2-3 – “I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.”
🔎 The four winds represent divine forces stirring world events, while the great sea symbolizes the chaotic nations of the world (Revelation 17:15). The four beasts are successive world empires.
1️⃣ Daniel 7:1 – The Dream and Its Importance
Daniel records the sum of the matters, indicating that only key details are revealed.
Unlike Nebuchadnezzar’s statue dream in Daniel 2 (which focused on outward majesty), this vision reveals the spiritual and beastly nature of world empires.
Night vision symbolizes spiritual darkness and the mystery of prophetic revelation.
2️⃣ Daniel 7:2 – The Four Winds & The Great Sea
Four Winds of Heaven:
Symbolic of divine intervention (Jeremiah 49:36, Revelation 7:1).
Represents spiritual forces and political turmoil stirring nations.
The Great Sea:
Often a symbol of chaotic humanity and the gentile nations (Revelation 17:15).
This vision shows world empires arising from a state of turmoil and unrest.
3️⃣ Daniel 7:3-7 – The Four Beasts
Each beast represents a major world empire in biblical prophecy, parallel to Daniel 2’s statue vision:
The First Beast – The Lion with Eagle’s Wings (Babylon, 605–539 BC)
The lion represents Babylon’s strength and majesty.
Eagle’s wings denote swiftness in conquest (Habakkuk 1:8).
Wings plucked & standing as a man – Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling and restoration (Daniel 4).
The Second Beast – The Bear with Three Ribs (Medo-Persia, 539–331 BC)
The bear represents Medo-Persia’s brute strength and slow, crushing conquest.
Raised on one side – The Persians were dominant over the Medes.
Three ribs in its mouth – Likely symbolizes its three major conquests: Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt.
The Third Beast – The Leopard with Four Wings & Four Heads (Greece, 331–168 BC)
The leopard represents Greece under Alexander the Great.
Four wings – Extreme speed of conquest (he conquered the world in 11 years!).
Four heads – Alexander’s empire was divided among four generals after his death: Cassander, Lysimachus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy.
The Fourth Beast – The Dreadful Beast with Iron Teeth (Rome, 168 BC–476 AD)
Unlike the others, this beast has no name, emphasizing its unnatural, terrifying nature.
Iron teeth – Matches the iron legs in Daniel 2, signifying Rome’s ruthless power.
Ten horns – Corresponds to ten kings or divisions of the Roman Empire (Daniel 2:41-42).
The 10 Horns
4️⃣ Daniel 7:8 – The Rise of the Little Horn (Antichrist)
Little horn arises from the ten horns – A new power emerges from the remnants of Rome.
Plucks out three horns – Subdues three kings, showing military or political dominance.
Eyes of a man & a mouth speaking great things – Indicates intelligence, charisma, and blasphemy.
Identified with the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, Revelation 13:5-7).
Daniel 7:9-14 – The Ancient of Days and the Eternal Kingdom
📖 Daniel 7:9 – “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.”
🔎 The Ancient of Days (God the Father) takes His throne in a divine courtroom scene, preparing to judge the kingdoms of the earth.
📖 Daniel 7:13-14 – “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 is one of the clearest messianic prophecies in the Old Testament. Jesus directly quotes this verse in Matthew 26:64, declaring Himself as the Son of Man who will return in glory.
5️⃣ Daniel 7:9-10 – The Ancient of Days Takes His Throne
“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of Days did sit…”
The scene shifts from the rise of earthly kingdoms to the heavenly courtroom.
Thrones were cast down – A transition of power from earthly rulers to divine judgment.
Ancient of Days – A rare title for God the Father, depicting His eternal reign and absolute authority.
“His garment was white as snow… His throne was like a fiery flame.”
White garments – Symbol of holiness, righteousness, and purity (Revelation 1:14).
Fiery throne & wheels – Signifying God’s consuming judgment (Hebrews 12:29).
“A fiery stream issued… the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”
A direct reference to the Final Judgment seen in Revelation 20:11-12.
The books contain the deeds of nations and individuals, reflecting divine justice.
6️⃣ Daniel 7:11-12 – The End of the Beastly Kingdoms
“The beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.”
This represents the final destruction of the Antichrist (Little Horn).
Burning flame – A reference to eternal judgment in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 19:20).
“The rest of the beasts had their dominion taken away…”
The prior empires (Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome) lost power but continued to exist in influence.
The fourth beast (Antichrist’s kingdom) is utterly destroyed.
7️⃣ Daniel 7:13-14 – The Son of Man Receives His Eternal Kingdom
“Behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven…”
Jesus directly applies this verse to Himself in Matthew 26:64 before the Sanhedrin.
Clouds of heaven – A symbol of divine authority and judgment (Revelation 1:7).
“And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom… that shall not be destroyed.”
Christ is crowned as the eternal King, fulfilling Psalm 2 and Revelation 11:15.
This is God’s final answer to the rebellious nations—Christ reigns forever!
Daniel 7:15-28 – The Rise of the Antichrist and the Eternal Kingdom
📖 Daniel 7:23-25 – “The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth… and shall devour the whole earth… And he shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High.”
🔎 This fourth beast represents a revived end-time empire, with the Little Horn (Antichrist) rising to power. He will persecute the saints and attempt to change times and laws (likely altering religious observances and moral laws).
📖 Daniel 7:26-27 – “But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion… shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High.”
🔎 The Antichrist’s reign will be short-lived; God’s divine judgment will remove his authority, and Christ’s eternal kingdom will be established.
8️⃣ Daniel 7:15-18 – The Interpretation Begins
Daniel is troubled by the vision – He is distressed because he sees the future destruction and the power of the beasts.
An angelic being explains the vision – Daniel approaches one of the heavenly attendants (likely Gabriel, as in Daniel 8:16) for understanding.
Four great beasts = Four kingdoms – The interpretation confirms that the beasts represent earthly kingdoms, paralleling the prophecy in Daniel 2.
The saints shall possess the kingdom – Despite the reign of these earthly powers, the final victory belongs to God’s people, who will reign forever.
9️⃣ Daniel 7:19-22 – The Fourth Beast and the Little Horn
Daniel focuses on the fourth beast – Unlike the others, this beast is different, dreadful, and overpowering.
Teeth of iron, claws of brass – Reinforcing Rome’s unparalleled might and destruction.
Ten horns = Ten kings – A division of the Roman Empire into ten kingdoms (fulfilled historically, yet foreshadowing a future prophetic fulfillment).
The Little Horn = Antichrist:
Subdues three kings – Gains dominance over three rulers.
Speaks great things against the Most High – Blasphemy and persecution (Revelation 13:5-6).
Wages war against the saints – The Antichrist will persecute believers (Revelation 13:7).
Prevails… until the Ancient of Days intervenes – God’s judgment will destroy the Antichrist and establish His kingdom.
🔟 Daniel 7:23-25 – The Reign of the Antichrist
The fourth beast shall devour the earth – Represents a final, global empire.
Little Horn will change times and laws:
Attempts to alter God’s laws – This aligns with Revelation 13, where the Beast demands worship and control.
Persecution for a time, times, and half a time (3.5 years) – This period aligns with Daniel 9:27, Revelation 12:14, and Revelation 13:5, indicating the Antichrist’s great tribulation reign.
1️⃣1️⃣ Daniel 7:26-28 – The Judgment and Eternal Kingdom
The court will sit, and his dominion shall be taken away – Divine judgment will end the Antichrist’s rule.
The everlasting kingdom will be given to the saints – Christ’s millennial reign and eternal dominion will replace all earthly kingdoms (Revelation 11:15).
Daniel was deeply troubled – The vision shook him to the core, showing the weight of end-time prophecy.
Daniel Chapter 7 - Deeper Study
Overview: From Earthly Powers to Heavenly Rule
🔹 Timeframe: First year of Belshazzar (before Daniel 5’s events).
🔹 Setting: Daniel’s private vision—likely written while Babylon still ruled.
🔹 Theme: The transfer of dominion from beastly kingdoms to God’s everlasting reign.
Key Takeaways from Daniel 7
🔑 Earthly powers are temporary and often violent.
🔑 Heaven keeps record—and holds court.
🔑 The little horn represents a power that persecutes God’s saints.
🔑 Jesus, the Son of Man, will receive eternal dominion.
🔑 The saints will inherit the kingdom—not through force, but by faith.
Prophetic Patterns & Dual Fulfillment
🔮 Parallels to Daniel 2 – The four beasts align with the image’s gold, silver, bronze, and iron empires.
🔮 The little horn – Points to a future religious-political power that speaks great words against the Most High.
🔮 Heavenly courtroom – Mirrors Revelation’s judgment scene (Revelation 20:11–15).
Historical & Future Significance
📜 Beasts in prophecy – Symbolic of empires and nations (Daniel 7:17).
📜 The sea – Represents multitudes, nations, and chaos (Revelation 17:15).
📜 Ancient of Days – A title for God in judgment and eternal authority.
💡 Final Reflection: Where Is Your Dominion Coming From?
The world builds kingdoms with force. But God gives dominion to the lowly who trust Him.
📌 Are you focused on earthly power—or eternal inheritance?
📌 Is your faith strong enough to endure when the little horn rises?
📌 Are you living for a kingdom that will never pass away?
🚀 Beasts will rage, horns will rise—but the Ancient of Days still sits on the throne.
Daniel’s Vision of the Four Beasts
Dan 7:1 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.
Dan 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
Dan 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.
Dan 7:4 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.
Dan 7:5 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.
Dan 7:6 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.
Dan 7:7 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.
Dan 7:8 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.
The Ancient of Days Reigns
Dan 7:9 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.
Dan 7:10 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.
Dan 7:11 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.
Dan 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
The Son of Man Is Given Dominion
Dan 7:13 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.
Dan 7:14 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.
Daniel’s Vision Interpreted
Dan 7:15 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.
Dan 7:16 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.
Dan 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
Dan 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
Dan 7:19 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;
Dan 7:20 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.
Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Dan 7:22 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.
Dan 7:23 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.
Dan 7:24 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.
Dan 7:25 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.
Dan 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
Dan 7:27 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.
Dan 7:28 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.
Date Written
605–536 BC
Written By
Daniel – a Hebrew prophet during the Babylonian exile
Language
Hebrew (Chapters 1-2:4a, 8-12)
Aramaic (Chapters 2:4b-7)
Verses
28