Daniel 7
Daniel 7 retells the story of Daniel 2 β but from heaven's perspective. The empires that looked like noble metals are now revealed as predatory beasts. And then the heavens open.
Four Beasts from the Sea (vv. 1β8)
Daniel sees four great beasts arise from the sea: a lion with eagle's wings (Babylon β the wings plucked, the beast given a man's heart), a lopsided bear with three ribs in its mouth (Medo-Persia β three conquered powers: Lydia, Babylon, Egypt), a four-headed leopard with four wings (Greece β Alexander's speed, the four-way split after his death), and a terrible beast with iron teeth and ten horns (Rome and its successors). Among the ten horns a little horn arises, uprooting three, with eyes like a man and a mouth speaking great things.
The Heavenly Courtroom (vv. 9β14)
This is the visual apex of the chapter. The Ancient of Days takes his throne β white clothing, white hair, a river of fire before him, a thousand thousands attending. The court sits. Books are opened. Then One like the Son of Man comes on the clouds and is presented before the Ancient of Days and receives dominion, glory, and a kingdom. This is not the Second Coming β Christ is being presented in heaven, not descending to earth. It is his enthronement as King-Priest, confirmed by Hebrews 8β9.
The Little Horn Identified (vv. 19β27)
The interpreter angel explains: the ten horns are ten kingdoms from Rome's territory. The little horn is a different kind of power β it speaks words against the Most High, wears out the saints, and thinks to change times and law. It is given authority for 'a time, times and half a time' β a prophetic period of 1,260 days (years, by the day-year principle of Num 14:34). History confirms: three kingdoms were uprooted (Heruli 493, Vandals 534, Ostrogoths 538 AD). The 1,260-year period runs 538β1798 AD. The Reformers β Luther, Calvin, Tyndale, Knox, Newton, Wesley β unanimously identified this power as the medieval papacy. This was the dominant Protestant position for 300 years.
Jesus used the title 'Son of Man' more than any other self-designation β deliberately evoking this chapter. At his trial before the Sanhedrin he quoted Daniel 7:13 directly: 'You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven' (Matt 26:64). The high priest called it blasphemy because he understood the claim: Jesus was asserting that he is the one presented before the Ancient of Days, the one who receives the eternal kingdom. Daniel 7 is not a political prophecy with a religious footnote. It is a Christological revelation that ends with the Son of Man receiving all authority.
βThe great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.β