I, Daniel, was distressed in my spirit within its sheath, and the visions of my head alarmed me (Daniel 7:15).
Having seen the vision of the four world powers of the Gentile nations, Daniel’s rational center is distressed as he attempts to understand the meaning of the vision. He asked one of those who stood by him about the truth of all this (Daniel 7:16). The one Daniel inquired of then revealed to him that these are four kingdoms which will arise out from the earth, but the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom (Daniel 7:17–18).
Daniel then turned his focus to the fourth beast, inquiring the truth about this beast that was different from all the other beasts, for it was exceedingly dreadful, with iron teeth and nails of bronze. This beast devoured and broke into pieces, and trampled what remained (Daniel 7:19). This beast had ten horns, and then another horn that uprooted three of the horns. This horn had eyes, and a mouth that spoke pompous words, and its appearance was greater than the other horns (Daniel 7:20). This horn made war against the saints and prevailed until the Ancient of Days came. His judgment was for the saints, and they possessed the kingdom (Daniel 7:21–22).
Daniel then asked what it meant. The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom on earth, different from the others. It will devour the whole earth, trample it, and break it into pieces (Daniel 7:23). The ten horns are ten kings who shall rise from this kingdom (Daniel 7:24). These kings will rise for one hour for one purpose; they will give their authority to the small horn. These kings have no kingdoms yet, and will not receive them until after the Church has been taken from the earth (Revelation 17:12–13). The other horn Daniel saw will rip out three of the other horns after he rises because they change their mind and seek to restore their authority (Daniel 7:24).
The little horn, known as the man of lawlessness and the first beast of Revelation, will set himself up in the temple of God, claiming to be a god (2 Thessalonians 2:4). For three years the saints will be given into his hands (Daniel 7:25). However, they will take away his dominion, and his kingdom will be destroyed (Daniel 7:26). Then the greatest kingdom under the whole heavens will be given to the people and the saints of the Most High (Daniel 7:27).
Daniel is foretelling the coming of the Tribulation and the rise of the man of lawlessness after the Church has been resurrected and sits with Christ in the heavens (2 Thessalonians 2:3). When the ten kings are allowed to rise, after the Church is no longer on the earth, they will give their authority to the first beast of Revelation, and he will make a seven-year covenant with Israel. This is the beginning of the tribulation period in which God will judge the dispensation of law and the Gentiles. Christians are not to fear this, for they have a happy hope and are not appointed to wrath; therefore, they will not know who the ten kings are, nor the man of lawlessness they bring to power (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:9).
After knowing the truth, Daniel’s thought still alarmed him, and his face changed, but he kept the matter to himself (Daniel 7:28).
