Jesus conquered the world! Sin and death are under His authority.
A C Gaebelein - There are other Saints besides "Church Saints." The Saints of whom Daniel was thinking were his own beloved people (Jewish believers). To that people is promised a kingdom in the days of the Messiah. With Him the Lord in Glory, there is a heavenly people, so as Messiah and the Son of Man in
connection with the earth He has an earthly people, Saints which will receive and possess with Him that kingdom which will fill the whole earth. These Saints are the God-fearing Jews, who pass through the great tribulation and inherit the blessings and promises which God gave through their own prophets.
In 1776, American preachers, politicians, and many ordinary citizens interpreted this chapter as applying to America, particularly the promise that the "saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom". Evidence seems clear that our forefathers saw themselves as a nation with a millennial destiny. In 1771, Timothy Dwight, for instance, wrote a hymn, "America," which expresses this fond ideal:
Hail Land of Light and Joy! Thy power shall grow
Far as the seas, which round thy regions flow;
Through earth's wide realms thy glory shall extend,
And savage nations at thy scepter bend.
But America has not and will not launch God's kingdom of justice and plenty. For that, we await the climactic and glorious return of Jesus Christ. Dr. Donald Campbell.
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Note that these passages would suggest that the anti-Christ exerts his nefarious influence on the world in general and the saints in particular. in the three and one-half years immediately preceding the Lord's return.
For the first time in the book, Daniel could not make sense of a vision and needed someone to explain it to him. He questions one of the throne room attendants, who clarifies the meaning of the beasts and the little horn. The account ends with the anticipation of God’s kingdom and a glimmer of hope. The vision will be expanded upon in later chapters.
The four kings represent four kingdoms. Historically it represents the persecution of the Jews under Antiochus.The approximate duration of Antiochus’ Jewish persecution—three-and-a-half years. If the little horn is the antichrist, this is the final three-and-a-half years of the tribulation period.
For those who believe the fourth beast is Rome, the 10 horns may represent a 10-nation confederation that will arise during a seven-year tribulation period preceding Christ’s return. Faithlife Bible.
There are three common interpretations as to the ten kings who shall arise from this kingdom: (1) The fourth beast is Greece and the ten horns are ten divisions of the Grecian Empire. (2) The fourth beast is Rome and the ten horns are the fragments of the Roman Empire. (3) The fourth beast is a revived Roman Empire and the ten kings are members of a future realm. Another refers to the little horn of v. 8. This king will subdue three others, blaspheme God, persecute the saints, attempt to change times and law, and dominate the saints for a limited time. The dominion of the little horn will come to a violent end when he submits to the court of God.
The kingdom of God, governed by His saints, will exercise rule over all the earth. NKJ Bible.
Daniel 7:15–28 (NKJV)
15 “I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. 16 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: 17 ‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth. 18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’
19 “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; 20 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.
21 “I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, 22 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.
23 “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.
24 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.
25 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.
26 ‘But the court shall be seated,
And they shall take away his dominion,
To consume and destroy it forever.
27 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.’
28 “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.
Revelation 13:1 (NKJV)
13 Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name.
Revelation 13:7 (NKJV)
7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation.
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