VERSE 1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed (HbeK.v.mi-l[; Hveare ywEz>x,w> hz"x] ~l,xe laYEnID' lb,B' %l,m, rC;v;al.bel. hd'x] tn:v.Bi [prep beth w/noun f.s.constr. shenah year + adj.f.s.abs. chad one + prep lamedh w/proper noun Belshazzar + noun m.s.abs. melek king + proper noun Babel + proper noun Daniel + noun m.s.abs. chelem dream + peal perf.3m.s. chaza see, behold; "saw" + waw w/noun m.p.constr. chezu vision + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. re-sh head + prep al upon + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. mishkab bed]; then he wrote the dream down and related the following summary of it [rm;a] !yLimi vare bt;k. am'l.x, !yId;aBe [prep beth w/adv edayin then + noun m.s.w/art. chelem dream + peal perf.3m.s. ketab write + noun m.s.abs. re-sh head; "summary" + noun f.p.abs. millah word, thing; "of it" + peal perf.3m.s. amar say, relate, command]).

VERSE 2 Daniel said, "I was looking in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the great sea (aB'r; aM'y:l. !x'ygIm. aY"m;v. yxeWr [B;r>a; Wra]w: ay"l.yle-~[i ywIz>x,B. tywEh] hzEx' rm;a'w> laYEnId' hnE[' [peal part.m.s.abs. anah answer + proper noun Daniel + waw w/peal part.m.s.abs. amar say + peal part.m.s.abs. chazah see; "looking" + peal perf.1c.s. hawa come to pass; "was" + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr.w/1c.s.suff. chezu vision + part im with; "by" + noun m.s.w/art leyla night + waw w/interj. aru behold + adj.f.s.abs. arba four + noun both p.constr. ruach spirit, breath, wind + noun m. dual w/art. shemayin heaven + aphel part.f.p.abs. giach burst forth; "were stirring" + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.w/art. gam sea (Med) + adj.m.s.w/art. rab great]).

VERSE 3 "And four great beasts were coming up from the sea, different from one another (aD'-!mi aD' !y"n>v' aM'y:-!mi !q'l.s' !b'r>b.r; !w"yxe [B;r>a;w> [waw w/adj.f.s.abs. arba four + noun f.p.abs. chewah beast; Hebrew means "living" or "animal" + adj.f.p.abs. rab great + peal part.f.p.abs. seleq come up + prep min + noun m.s.w/art. yam sea + peal part.f.p.abs. shanah change; "different" + adj.f.s.abs. da this + prep min + adj.f.s.abs. da this; "from one another"]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 1-3

1. Chapters 7 through 12 constitute a series of prophetic revelations given through Daniel.
2. The Book now turns from episodes in the life of Daniel to a series of visions and revelations granted him in the latter part of his career.
3. The revelation in this chapter is dated "in the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon."
4. Nabonidus, his father, came to the throne in 556; but he apparently entrusted to Belshazzar the "army and the kingship" of Babylon while he himself campaigned in North and Central Arabia according to the Nabonidus Chronicle.
5. Daniel apparently dated events from the time this co regency began, thus making the "first year of Belshazzar" 556 or 555.
6. While sleeping Daniel experience this divinely induced dream (sing).
7. This dream like the one in chapter two contained a sequence of "visions" (pl).
8. Immediately afterward God the Holy Spirit prompted him to write down a "summary of it" (cf. 2Pet.1:20-21).
9. The noun translated "summary" means literally "head" or "beginning."
10. This suggests that what we have in the twenty-seven verses beginning with verse 2 is not everything he in fact saw, even though these verses appear to present a rather full report.
11. So what we have here is a summation of the dream-visions Daniel experience that evening.
12. He saw more than he reports but the decision to summarize the experience was not his but God’s.
13. The scene of action for this great drama is "the great sea" a clear reference of the Mediterranean Sea.
14. This is how the Jews referred to it as it constituted their western border (cf. Num.34:7; Josh.1:4).
15. "The four winds of heaven" represent invisible forces (AC) agitating the nations (water below) in accordance with their lusts.
16. That the sea is symbolic of the nations at large see Isa.57:20: "But the wicked are like the tossing sea, for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up refuse and mud."
17. The four winds represent the angelic conflict which largely remains unseen but accounts for much of what happens in the visible realm.
18. Especially the turmoil of nation against nation, crime and social unrest.
19. Daniel saw "four great beasts" surfacing from the raging sea.
20. It is widely understood that the four represent empires or super states.
21. Among orthodox conservative theologians the four are almost universally considered to be the same four empire represented in the gold, silver, bronze, iron and iron-clay mix of the colossus of chapter two.
22. That of course being Neo-Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, Rome and the Revived Roman Empire (EU in its tribulational configuration).
23. However, the present study sees the "four great beasts" as four major world powers existing simultaneously in the last days just before and during the seven year tribulation.
24. Those being: USA (Anglo power), Russia, China & kings of the East, and the RRE or EU headed by the Antichrist (commonly called the king(s) of the West).
25. Notice that all four are called "great" and all four are called "beasts."
26. All four are predatory and all four dominate world politics.
27. The four are "different from one another" based on culture, political traditions, race and economic standing.
28. One piece of evidence that supports the interpretation presented in this study is the preposition/particle found in v.7 translated "before."
29. It is the particle/preposition qodam with the 3^rd feminine singular suffix.
30. It occurs 46x in 38 verses in Ezra and Daniel.
31. It corresponds to the Hebrew qedem (check it out in Bible Works).
32. This Aramaic word means "before" in the sense of "in the presence of" rather than "before" in the sense of sequential.
33. In other words, the fourth beast in its prophetic resuscitation phase (which pre-millennial interpreters agree is the RRE) is seen standing "before" or "in the presence of" the other three beasts.
34. This fact alone contradicts the ancient empire identification of chapter two as these empires came and went so that the 4^th could not be said to be "in the presence" of the preceding three.
35. The fourth beastRomeis the same in both chapter two and seven but the other three are different.
36. While it is true that Rome as an empire is "different" than the great empires that preceded it, so it is "different" than the world powers that are contemporaneous with its revival.
37. The difference lies in its revival in the last days in what we now see as the EU.

VERSE 4 "The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle (Hl; rv;n>-yDI !yPig:w> hyEr>a;k. at'y>m'd>q; [adj.f.s.w/art. qadmay former, first + prep kaph w/noun m.s.abs. aryeh lion + waw w/noun f.p.abs. gaph wing + rel di + noun m.s.abs. neshar eagle + prep lamedh w/3f.s.suff.]).

I kept looking until its wings were plucked (HyP;g: WjyrIM.-yDI d[; tywEh] hzEx' [peal part.m.s.abs. chaza see; "looking" + peal perf.1c.s. hasa come to pass + part ad until + rel di + peil perf.3m.p. merat pluck, pull off + noun f.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. gap wing] , and it was lifted up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man; a human mind also was given to it [Hl; byhiy> vn"a/ bb;l.W tm;yqih\ vn"a/K, !yIl;g>r;-l[;w> a['r>a;-!mi tl;yjin>W [waw w/peil perf.3f.s. netal lift up + prep min + noun f.s.w/art. ara ground, earth + waw w/prep al + noun f. dual abs. regel foot; "two feet" + prep kaph w/noun m.s.abs. anash man + hophal perf.3f.s. qum stand + waw w/noun m.s.abs. lebab heart + noun m.s.abs. anash man + peil perf.3m.s. yehab give + prep lamedh w/3f.s.suff.]).

ANALYSIS: VERSE 4

1. The "first beast" is typically taken as the Babylonian Empire of Nebuchadnezzar.
2. A procession of enameled yellow lions lined either side of the Isthar Gate in blue-glazed brick fashioned in high relief.
3. And the part about "a human mind/heart was given to it" is taken as a reference to the change in Nebuchadnezzar as a result of his insanity and restoration to the throne.
4. While the lion symbol was characteristic of Babylon so it is characteristic of one of the major Gentile powers of recent or modern history, that being, Great Britain.
5. The lion by itself (e.g., apart from the wings of an eagle) represents British dominance.
6. The lion with wings represents Anglo-American dominance or empire.
7. The lion with wings represents Anglo political prominence taken to new heights by the American experience as symbolized by the symbol of America, the eagle.
8. The lion is to the animal kingdom what the eagle is to the aviary kingdom.
9. Combine the two and you have the powerful American Empire of the last century and last days.
10. The lion was responsible for the colonization of the American continent and is behind America’s approach to governance.
11. The Magna Charta and Blackstone’s commentaries on law illustrate this fact.
12. America’s heritage is based on the background of its founders who were or Anglo extraction.
13. Daniel continued to "watch" the lion with eagle’s wing for a period of time until he saw the wings "plucked" which represents a dramatic change in the Anglo history and domination.
14. The plucking up of the wings symbolizes America’s sudden and dramatic destruction in the Tribulation (cf. Jer.50-51; Rev.18).
15. Absent the wings the lion as a political entity continues.
16. After America’s fall Britain will continue and so will the Anglo presence in the world.
17. Britain’s reaction to America’s overthrow is recorded in Jer.50:12.
18. America unlike any other people in history is built upon emigration but that of course will end in the 5^th cycle (see Jer.51:44).
19. The "lifting up" of the lion and the making of it "to stand on two feet like a man" which is of course the posture of the British lion and the giving to it a "man’s heart" must refer to something dramatic in the history of the British people.
20. This must refer to something positive for the people living at that time.
21. It seems we have here an example of a people who will turn to the Lord perhaps on a scale akin to the Assyrian situation of Jonah’s time.
22. The shock of the Rapture, America’s fall and the rise of Antichrist will bring out the positive volition of the British people.
23. See Doctrine of the US in Prophecy for details.

VERSE 5 "And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear (bdol. hy"m.D' hn"y"n>ti yrIx\a' hw"yxe Wra]w: [waw w/interj aru behold + noun f.s.abs. chewah beast + adj.f.s.abs. acharan another + adj.f.s.abs. tenyan second + peal part.f.s.abs. demah to be like + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. dob bear]).

And it was raised up on one side (tm;qih\ dx;-rj;f.liw> [waw w/prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. setar side + adj.m.s.ab.s chad one], and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth [ÎHN:viÐ ¿HY:N:viÀ !yBe HM;puB. !y[il.[i tl't.W [waw w/adj.f.s.abs. telath three + noun f.p.abs. ala rib + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr.w/3f.s.suff. pum mouth + prep ben between + noun f.p.constr.w/3f.s.suff. shen tooth]; and thus they said to it, 'Arise, devour much meat [ayGIf; rf;B. ylikua] ymiWq Hl; !yrIm.a' !kew> [waw w/adv/part ken thus + peal part.m.p.abs. amar say, command + prep lamedh w/3f.s.suff. + peal imper.f.s. qum arise + peal imper.f.s. akal eat, devour + noun m.s.abs. besar flesh + adj.m.s.abs. saggi much])!'

ANALYSIS: VERSE 5

1. Suddenly Daniel draws our attention to the 2^nd beast which is like a bear.
2. The conventional view is that the bear (Medo-Persia) replaces the lion (Babylonia).
3. The conventional view is at a loss to explain the three ribs and the eating of much flesh.
4. Following the end-times view of this chapter the bear is responsible for the uprooting of the eagle’s wings of the lion; a reference to the destruction of the US by Russia.
5. Russia has historically been portrayed by the bear.
6. The bear appears to have been in hibernation and awakes hungry.
7. This is seen by the detail that it arises on one side.
8. The three ribs in its mouth indicate dominion over three political entities.
9. The text does not say how the ribs came to be in the bear’s mouth or even that the bear was responsible for the ribs being stripped of flesh.
10. Clearly the ribs are living entities which call upon the bear to "arise, devour much flesh!"
11. The conventional view sees the three ribs as the three main conquests the Medes and the Persians made under Cyrus and his son Cambyses: viz., the kingdom of Lydia which fell to Cyrus in 546, and the kingdom of Babylon which fell to Cyrus in 539, and the kingdom of Egypt which Cambyses annexed in 525.
12. But, there is no historical fulfillment of the three ribs commanding the bear to devour much flesh.
13. The identity of the three ribs remains a mystery that will be cleared up the closer we get to the prophetic fulfillment of the bear going on a "eating" rampage in the tribulation.
14. Perhaps the three ribs are three countries that are on the border of Russia and who seek support in the face of American imperialism.
15. There are nations in the Caspian region that are rich in natural resources (oil).
16. Then there are nations that were once a part of the former USSR that are targets of the growing NATO alliance (NWO).
17. Russia figures prominently in Bible prophecy as seen in her invasion of Israel in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39.
18. Then there is the references to prophetic Babylon being annihilated in a fiery holocaust brought on by the "arrows" of a power from the "north" (see Jer.50:3,9,41; 51:48).
19. Russia retains the ability to launch an all-out nuclear attack fulfilling the command of the ribs to "arise and devour much flesh!"
20. This attack will occur in the first half of the tribulation in about the 3^rd year (Jer.51:46).
21. The nuclear annihilation of the US in "one hour of one day" will certainly fulfill the command of Dan.7:5 (see Rev.18:8 cp v.10).
22. A study by the US Foreign Military Office at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, titled "Prototypes for Targeting America, a Soviet Military Assessment" states that reports to the contrary, Russia remains a nuclear superpower, arguably the greatest superpower; between Moscow and Washington the two governments can lay claim to 96 percent of the world’s 30,000 nuclear weapons; in Russia, says the National Resources Defense Council, most of the 8,200 nuclear warheads are pointing at American cities and defense sites; the commander of the Strategic Air Command has only about three minutes to decide if a nuclear attack is real or not; then he has 10 minutes to find the president and give him the 30-second attack briefing; after that the president has three minutes to decide whether or not to retaliate.
23. The report goes on to say while Russia’s overall military structure continues to suffer from a lack of funding; Moscow continues to pour scare military funding into more nuclear weapons.
24. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told reporters Moscow will test its mobile version of the Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile once more before it is put into service.
25. The missile, which will form the backbone of Russia’s nuclear defenses, is 47 tons, will carry one warhead, and has an estimated range of 6,900 miles.
26. Ground-based Topol-M rockets are already in use; the mobile version could be operational by 2006.
27. The "Bear" plays a big role in the Tribulation.

VERSE 6 "After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird (@A[-yDI [B;r>a; !yPiG: Hl;w> rm;n>Ki yrIx\a' Wra]w: tywEh] hzEx' hn"D> rt;aB' [prep beth w/noun m.s.abs. atar; used with beth, is used for time, after + adj.m.s.abs. denah this + peal part.m.s.abs. chazah see + peal perf.1c.s. chawa come to pass + waw w/interj aru behold + adj.f.s.abs. achari another + prep kaph w/noun m.s.abs. nemar leopard; tiger + waw w/prep lamedh w/3f.s.suff. noun f.p.abs. gap wing + adj.f.s.abs. arba four + rel di w/noun m.s.abs. op fowl, bird; the beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it [Hl; byhiy> !j'l.v'w> at'w>yxel. !yviare h['B.r>a;w> ÎHB;G:Ð ¿HY:B;G:À-l[; [ prep al upon + noun m.s.constr.w/3f.s.suff. gab back; "the beast"+ waw w/adj.m.s.abs.. arba four + noun m.p.abs. re-sh head + prep lamedh w/noun f.s.w/art. chewah beast + waw /noun m.s.ab.s shaltan dominion + peal perf.3m.s. yehab give + prep lamedh w/3f.s.suff.]).

ANALYSIS: VERSE 6

1. The conventional view has this being the Grecian Empire with the four wings symbolizing the speed of Alexander’s conquests and the four heads as the four divisions of his empire after his death.
2. This fits nicely with the symbolism but does not fit in this chapter (see vv. 17 & 18).
3. The end-times view sees the third beast as being the "kings from the east" (see Rev.16:12) which invade the Middle East as a two hundred million man army in time for the 2^nd Advent.
4. The four heads symbolize the oriental peoples like China, Indo-China, Japan and Korea.
5. The wings indicate the speed and ease with which there way is made in time for the great battle of God (Rev.16:16).
6. These peoples are made fanatical by the demons who do miracles in their presence encouraging them to march on Jerusalem (Rev.16:13,14).

VERSE 7 "After this I kept looking in the night visions (ay"l.yle ywEz>x,B. tywEh] hzEx' hn"D> rt;aB' [prep beth w/noun m.s.abs. atar place; with beth is used for time, after + adj.m.s.abs. denah this + peal part.m.s.abs. chazah see + prep beth w/noun m.p.constr. chezu vision + noun m.s.w/art. leyla night], and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrifying and extremely strong; and it had large iron teeth [!b'r>b.r; Hl; lz<r>p;-yDI !yIN:viw> ar'yTiy: ap'yQit;w> ynIt'm.yaew> hl'yxiD> Îha'['ybir>Ð ¿hy"['ybir>À hw"yxe Wra]w: [waw w/interj aru behold + noun f.s.abs. chewa beast + adj.f.s.abs. rebi-i fourth + peal pass.part.f.s.abs. dechal to fear; "dreadful" + waw w/adj.f.s.abs. emetan terrible + waw w/adj.f.s.abs. taqqip strong + adj.f.s.abs. yattir pre-eminent, surpassing + rel di + waw w/noun f. dual abs. shen tooth + noun m.s.ab.s parzel iron + prep lamedh w/3f.s.suff.; "it" + adj.f.p.abs. rab great]).

It devoured and crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet [hs'p.r' hs'p.r' ÎHl;g>r;B.Ð ¿HY:l;g>r;B.À ar'a'v.W hq'D/m;W hl'k.a' [peal part.f.s.abs. akal eat + waw w/aphel part.f.s.abs. deqaq be shattered; "crushed" + waw w/noun m.s.w/art. she-ar remainder, rest + prep beth w/noun f.p.constr.w/3f.s.suff. regel foot + peal part.f.s.abs. repas tread, trample]; and it was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns [Hl; rf;[] !yIn:r>q;w> Hym;d'q' yDI at'w"yxe-lK'-!mi hy"N>v;m. ayhiw> [waw w/pro.3f.s. hi, "and it" + pael pass.part.f.s.abs. shana change; "was different" + prep mi from + noun m.s.constr. kol all, every + noun f.s.w/art. chewa beast + rel di "that" + part/prep qadam before (in the sense of ‘in the presence of’ not sequentially) + waw w/noun f. dual abs. qeren horn + adj.f.s.abs. asar ten + prep lamedh w/3f.s.suff.]).

ANALYSIS: VERSE 7

1. Verse 7 introduces the 4^th symbolic beast, unlike any corresponding creature from the animal kingdom.
2. Daniel in his nocturnal visions saw a beast that was "terrifying and frightening, and very powerful."
3. This description suggests that it would be fiercer and stronger than any empires that preceded it.
4. Its teeth were of iron and its crushing military power would surpass the others.
5. "It trampled underfoot whatever was left."
6. All of this point to the rise and dominance of the Roman Republic followed by the Empire (began with Caesar Augustus).
7. The Roman military machine was without ancient precedence.
8. Roman conquest involved instances of complete destruction of cities, leaving no standing buildings or population.
9. Case in point was the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
10. Those who rebelled against Roman rule were treated to total destruction (Carthage, Corinth, and Jerusalem).
11. In v.7 everything up to the sentence "and it was different from all the beasts that were before it" concerns the ancient Roman civilization.
12. The words "and it was different" does not refer to Roman militarism as is widely thought.
13. This is because the preposition/particle "before" (Hym;d'q' qadam w/3f.s.suff.) never means "before" in the sense of one thing preceding another; but rather means "in the presence of."
14. The interpretation of this entire chapter hinges on the sense of the word "before."
15. If it meant "before" as in a point of time the four beasts of this chapter would parallel the four metals of chapter two.
16. This is the conventional interpretation of Daniel chapter seven by conservative interpreters.
17. This Aramaic word occurs 46X all occurrences being in Ezra and Daniel (Ezra.4:18,23; 7:14,19; Dan.2:6,9,10,11,15,24,25,27,36; 3:13,32; 4:3,4,5; 5:13,15,17,19,23,24; 6:2,11,12,13,14,19,23,27; 7:7,8,10,13,20).
18. This term in the Aramaic original is never used of "before" in the sense of something preceding.
19. This interpretation of the term means that "the beasts" plural of v.7 cannot refer to the ancient empires prophesied in the metals of the vision of the colossus in chapter two, since Rome as a world power did not coexist with Neo-Babylonia, Medo-Persia and Macedonia.
20. This poses a problem since Rome of old did not coexist with the three modern world powers indicated in verses 4 though 6.
21. This problem is solved by recognizing that the 4^th beast has two lives so to speak.
22. The modern counterpart of ancient Rome is the RRE as represented by the "ten horns" of verses 7 and 8.
23. This is what makes the 4^th beast "different from all the beasts that were before it."
24. The Revived Roman Empire will coexist with the Anglo (v.4), the Russian, and the Oriental Powers of the last days.
25. The RRE will consist of a ten kingdom confederation.
26. Horns are symbolic of political power.
27. Here they are used of "10 kings" (see Rev.17:12).
28. Like Rome of old they will consist of European nations/peoples.
29. No empire of antiquity will ever have a second go at it.
30. Only Rome will be revived.
31. We see this developing in the EU.
32. The current headquarters of the EU is Brussels.
33. The official poster for this new confederation depicts an uncompleted Tower of Babel.
34. The words on the poster: "EUROPE: MANY TONGUES, ONE VOICE."
35. Why did the Council of Europe create a poster using the Tower of Babel to symbolize the building of the European superstate?
36. And why were the stars (11) inverted to form occult pentagrams (see "The New American" July 26, 2004 issue page 7)?
37. Also the July 12 issue of this bi-weekly has an article entitled "Rogues Gallery of EU Founders."
38. The EU is the brainchild of the European illuminati.

VERSE 8 "While I was contemplating the horns, behold, another horn, a little one (hr'y[ez> yrIx\a' !r,q, Wla]w: aY"n:r>q;B. tywEh] lK;T;f.mi [hithpaal part.m.s.abs. sekal consider, contemplate + peal perf.1c.s. hawa come to pass; "I was" + prep beth w/noun f.p.w/art. qeren horn + waw w/interj. alu behold + noun f.s.abs. qeren horn + adj.f.s.abs. achoran another + adj.f.s.abs. ze-aq "little"], came up among them, and three of the first horns were pulled out by the roots before it [ÎHm;d'q\Ð ¿HY:m;d'q\À-!mi Îhr'q;[]t.a,Ð ¿Wrq;[]t.a,À at'y"m'd>q; aY"n:r>q;-!mi tl't.W Î!heynEyBeÐ ¿!AhynEyBeÀ tq'l.s [peal perf.3f.s. seleq come up + prep ben between w/3m.p.suff. "among" + waw w/adj.f.s.abs. telat three + prep min w/noun f.s.w/art. qeren horn + adj.f.p.w/art. qodam before w/3m.f.s.suff. + itpeel perf.3f.p. aqar rooted up + prep min w/prep qodam before w/3f.s.suff]; and behold, this horn possessed eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth uttering great boasts [!b'r>b.r; lLim;m. ~puW ad'-an"r>q;B. av'n"a] ynEy>[;K. !ynIy>[; Wla]w: [waw w/interj alu behold + noun f.p.abs. ayin eye + prep kaph w/f.p.constr. ayen eye + noun m.s.w/art. anash man + prep beth w/noun f.s.w/art. qeren horn + adj.f.s.abs. da this + waw w/noun m.s.abs. pum mouth + pael part.m.s.abs. melal speak + adj.f.p.abs. rabreban noble, lord; "great boasts"]).

ANALYSIS: VERSE 8

1. The primary focal point of Daniel’s concentration with respect to the 4^th beast was its ten horns.
2. While his attention was upon the 10 horns of the beast suddenly "another horn" sprang up among the 10.
3. This development caused his focus to be upon that horn and its peculiar characteristics.
4. The fact is suddenly sprang up upon the 10 made it special.
5. Then it is described in relation to the other 10 as being "little."
6. What are we to make of that?
7. I see as referring to the stature of the 11^th king/ruler.
8. The 10 horns represent 10 kings who in the day of John the Apostle (c. 96 AD) were future individuals (Rev.17:12 "The 10 horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast" (i.e., 11^th horn/king).
9. Alexander the Great (like Napoleon and Hitler) was diminutive.
10. Before moving on to describe two more of his assets Daniel mentions that fact that three of the ten horns "were pulled out by the roots before it" meaning the "11^th" horn.
11. At some point in the relationship the little king there is a falling out or rebellion to the "little king."
12. This is the presumed reason that "three" of the "ten" are overthrown.
13. This is based on the preposition "before whom" (qodam w/f.s.suff.).
14. He is the cause of the pulling out by the roots (see v.24).
15. The 10 under the direction of the 11^th horn destroy the Babylon of Revelation 17 (see v.16).
16. What nations are represented by the three we have no clue at this time.
17. After this event there are 7 horns/ruler left making the little horn the 8^th.
18. The eyes of the little horn symbolize great human intelligence.
19. While the "mouth speaking great boasts" signifies his considerable oratorical prowess.
20. This will be a big part of his appeal to the masses.

VERSE 9 "I kept looking (tywEh] hzEx' [peal part.m.s.abs. chazah see; "looking" + peal perf.1c.s. hawah come to pass; "I kept"]),

Until thrones were set up (wymir> !w"s'r>k' yDI d[; (part ad until + rel di + noun m.abs. kose throne + peil perf.3m.p. rema cast, throw; "set up"])

And the Ancient of Days took His seat (btiy> !ymiAy qyTi[;w> [waw w/adj.m.s.abs. attiq ancient; used only of God in Dan.7:9,13,22 + noun m.p.abs. yom day + peal perf.3m.s. yetib sit; "took his seat"]);

His vesture was like white snow (rW"xi gl;t.Ki HveWbl. [noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. lebush garment + prep kaph w/noun m.s.abs. telag snow + adj.m.s.abs. chiwwar white])

And the hair of His head like pure wool (rm;[]K; Hveare r[;f.W

[waw w/noun m.s.abs. se-ar hair + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. re-sh head + prep kaph w/noun m.s.abs. amar wool + adj.m.s.abs. neqe pure, clean]).

His throne was ablaze with flames (rWn-yDI !ybiybiv. HyEs.r>K' [noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. korse throne; like Hebrew kisse + noun m.p.abs. shebib flame + rel di + noun m.s.abs. nur fire]),

Its wheels were a burning fire (qliD' rWn yhiALGIl.G: [noun m.p.constr.w/3m.s.suff. galgal wheel + noun m.s.abs. nur fire + peal part.m.s.abs. delaq burn]).

VERSE 10 "A river of fire was flowing (dgEn" rWn-yDI rh;n> [noun m.s.abs. nehar river + rel di + noun m.s.abs. nur fire + peal part.m.s.abs. negad flow])

And coming out from before Him (yhiAmd'q\-!mi qpen"w> [waw w/peal part.m.s.abs. nepaq go out + prep min + prep qodam before w/3m.s.suff.]);

Thousands upon thousands were attending Him (HNEWvM.v;y> Î!ypil.a;Ð ¿~yIp;l.a;À @l,a, [noun m.s.constr. alap a thousand + noun m. dual abs. alap a thousand + pael impf.3m.p.w/3m.s.suff. shemash to minister]),

And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him (!WmWqy> yhiAmd'q' Î!b'b.rIÐ ¿!w"B.r;À ABrIw> [waw w/adj.s.abs. ribbon myriad; only used in Dan.7:10 for a very large number; as in 10 thousand times 10 thousand; the Hebrew appears to mean literally ten thousand in Ezra 2:64 + adj.p.abs. ribbon myriad + prep qadam before w/3m.s.suff. + peal impf.3m.p. qum stand]);

The court sat (btiy> an"yDI [noun m.s.w/art. din judge; "the court" + peal perf.3m.s. yetib sit]),

And the books were opened (WxytiP. !yrIp.siw> [waw w/noun m.p.abs. separ book + peil perf.3m.p. petach open]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 9-10

1. At this point the Aramaic text becomes poetical as the parallelism shows.
2. Verses 9-10 and 13-14 are poetry and verses 11-12 are prose.
3. With verse 9 we have the ushering in of the millennial or 5^th kingdom.
4. It represents the final form of earthly power, which is destined to overthrow and completely replace all the preceding world powers set by men who lived according to the flesh.
5. Daniel moves to the next scene in sequence in which he sees the setting up of multiple "thrones" (KJV has "were cast down" which is wrong).
6. The next line draws our attention to one great throne, on which, the God-Man attired in white "was seated."
7. He is described as "the Ancient of Days," with pure white hair and attired in pure white garments.
8. His throne is described as portable with wheels of burning fire.
9. From the throne comes a stream/river of fire.
10. White signifies God’s absolute righteousness (+R) and the fire signifies judgment.
11. Then the attendants to the Judge are presented as "thousands upon thousands."
12. The attendants are an astronomical number.
13. Next are the "myriads (thousands) upon myriads" that are seen "standing before Him."
14. Both terms used are figurative for an innumerable multitude.
15. These beings are no saints who are in their resurrection bodies (see Mk.8:38; Rev.14:10).
16. The angels are there as attendants (cf. Mk.8:38; Rev.14:10).
17. And the spectators are glorified saints from the dispensations.
18. Those seated as secondary judges are probably CA believers who are worthy of this honor.
19. "The court sat" refers to the beginning of formal proceedings.
20. The opening of "books" refers to the evidence to convict or acquit.
21. The subjects are those Gentiles who survive the tribulation and are judged prior to the outset of the Millennial Kingdom.
22. Both believers and unbelievers will survive the Tribulation.
23. Believers are "sheep" who are segregated from the "goats" (see Matt.25:32ff.).
24. Unbelievers will be baptized in fire and believers in their natural bodies will be allowed to enter and initiate the 1000 years when Christ will rule the nations from Jerusalem (Matt.25:34; 3:11).
25. Surviving Jews will be judged in the same fashion but at a different venue (see Ezek.20:34ff.).
26. Surviving tribulational humanity will be supernaturally regathered by angels and brought to Israel where they will be judged (Matt.24:31).
27. The Gentile survivors of this judgment will disperse and pioneer the establishment of the millennial nations.
28. That this judgment is connected with the 2^nd Advent and not the Last Judgment is seen in what follows in verses 11 and 12.
29. All that will remain of unbelievers will be their ashes (Mal.4:3).
30. At the outset the peoples of the millennial civilization will consist of believers only (so at the outset of the post-deluvian civilization).
31. "The Ancient of Days" is the duly appointed Judge of humanity Jesus Christ.
32. This title refers to His antiquity as eternal God (see Mic.5:2; Jn.8:58).
33. It is also a title for God the Father (Dan.7:13).

VERSE 11 "Then I kept looking because of the sound of the boastful words which the horn was speaking (hl'L/m;m. an"r>q; yDI at'b'r>b.r; aY"L;mi lq'-!mi !yId;aBe tywEh] hzEx' [peal part.m.s.abs. chazah see; "looking" + peal perf.1c.s. hawa come to pass; "I kept" + prep beth w/adv edayin then + prep min because + noun m.s.abs. qal voice; "sound" + noun f.p.w/art. milla word; "words" + adj.f.p.w/art. rab great; "boastful" + rel di + noun f.s.w/art. qeren horn + pael part.f.s.abs. melal speak]);

I kept looking until the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and given to the burning fire (aV'a, td;qeyli tb;yhiywI Hm;v.GI db;Whw> at'w>yxe tl;yjiq. yDI d[; tywEh] hzEx' [peal part.m.s.abs. chazah see + peal perf.1c.s. hawah come to pass; "I kept" + part ad until + rel di + peil perf.3f.s. qetal kill; "slain" + noun f.s.w/art. chewa beast + waw w/hophal perf.3m.s. perish; "was destroyed" + noun m.s.constr.w/3f.s.suff. geshem body + waw w/peil perf.3f.s. yehab give + prep lamedh w/noun f.s.constr. yeqedah burning + noun f.s.abs. eshsheh fire]).

VERSE 12 "As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away (!Ahn>j'l.v' wyDI[.h, at'w"yxe ra'v.W [waw w/noun m.s.abs. she-ar remainder; "rest" + noun f.p.w/art. chewa beast + haphel perf.3m.p. adah pass over; "was taken away" + noun m.s.abs. w/3m.p.suff. sholtan dominion], but an extension of life was granted to them for an appointed period of time [!D'[iw> !m;z>-d[; !Ahl. tb;yhiy> !yYIx;b. hk'r>a;w> [waw w/noun f.s.abs. arekah a lengthening + prep beth w/noun m.p.abs. chay life + peil perf.3f.s. yehab give; "granted" + prep lamedh w/3m.p.suff. + part ad until; "for" + noun m.s.abs. zeman time + noun m.s.abs. iddan period]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 11-12

1. The setting remains the 2^nd Advent just after the battle of Armageddon.
2. After all the combatants gathered to the great battle of God Almighty are defeated comes the judgment of the nations.
3. Between which is the resurrection and reward of all OT saints (like Daniel etc.).
4. This great company along with the glorified church could account for the audience of verse 10d: "And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him."
5. In the night visions Daniel was drawn to "the sound of the boastful words" (literally "great") coming from the mouth of the beast (Antichrist).
6. Throughout the short period of his career (7yrs) the beast is noted (among other things) for his oratorical skills (Rev.13:5,6).
7. These skills are used to deceive, frighten, and rally mankind.
8. His speeches are blasphemous and arrogant.
9. He along with the false prophet he is permitted to engage in this evil propaganda for a limited period of time.
10. Then it all comes to an end with his capture.
11. While his army is defeated at the 2^nd Advent, he is taken alive (cf. Zech.14:12ff.).
12. Since his defeat comes directly at the hands of the King of kings it will be no contest.
13. He will be tried along with the survivors of the tribulation and will be found guilty and executed on the spot.
14. His physical body will be destroyed by fire (see Rev.19:20).
15. His soul along with that of the false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire where it will await the resurrection of the lost at the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the 1000 years (Rev.21).
16. At his capture his big-mouthed defiance of the Almighty will come to an abrupt and dramatic end.
17. The citizens of the other world powers of the tribulation will likewise come under temporal judgment.
18. But out of these nations and peoples will be survivors who will believe in the true Messiah and who will survive the Tribulation to enjoy life under the 5^th and final kingdom.
19. This is the point of v.12.
20. The "appointed period of time" is the 1000 years.
21. In the Millennium there will be Anglos, Russians, Chinese, Europeans, etc.
22. They are the "sheep" nations of Matt.25.
23. Those who come to saving faith after the Rapture will fall into two categories: (a) those who survive in their natural bodies; and (b) those that are martyred or die the SUD.
24. Tribulational martyrs will be resurrected along with OT saints (Rev.6:9-10; 7:9, 11-17; 13:7, 10, 15).
25. So the "extension of life" represents the believing survivors of the Tribulation who are blessed as subjects of the 5^th and final kingdom.
26. The words "an appointed time" refers to the time God sovereignly established for their blessing under kingdom rule.
27. Everything comes in its set time on the divine timeline.

VERSE 13 "I kept looking in the night visions (ay"l.yle ywEz>x,B. tywEh] hzEx' [peal part.m.s.abs. chazah see + peal perf.1c.s. hawa come to pass + prep beth w/noun m.p.constr. chezu vision + noun m.s.w/art. leyla night]),

And behold, with the clouds of heaven (aY"m;v. ynEn"[]-~[i Wra]w: [waw w/interj aru behold + prep im with + noun m.p.contr. anan cloud + noun m. dual w/art. shemayin heaven, sky])

One like a Son of Man was coming (hw"h] htea' vn"a/ rb;K. [prep kaph w/noun m.s.abs. bar son + noun m.s.abs. anash man + peal partm.s.abs. ata come + peal perf.3m.s. hawa come to pass]),

And He came up to the Ancient of Days (hj'm. aY"m;Ay qyTi[;-d[;w> [waw w/part ad until, even to + adj.m.s.abs. attiq ancient + noun m.p.w/art. yom day +[peal perf.3m.s. meta reach, attain])

And was presented before Him (yhiWbr>q.h; yhiAmd'q.W [waw w/prep qadam before w/3m.s.suff. + haphel perf.3m.p.w/3m.s.suff. qereb approach; "presented"; as in "they presented Him"]).

VERSE 14 "And to Him was given dominion (!j'l.v' byhiy> Hlew> [waw w/prep lamedh w/3m.s.suff. + peil perf.3m.s. yehab give + noun m.s.abs. sholtan dominion, rule]),

Glory and a kingdom (Wkl.m;W rq'ywI [waw w/noun m.s.abs. yeqar honor; "glory" + waw w/noun f.s.abs. malku kingdom]),

That all the peoples, nations and men of every language aY"n:V'liw> aY"m;au aY"m;m.[; lkow> (waw w/noun m.s.abs. kol all + noun m.p.w/art. am people + non f.p.w/art. ummah nation + waw w/noun f.p.w/art. lishshan tongue, language

Might serve Him ((!Wxl.p.yI Hle [prep lamedh w/3m.s.suff. + peal impf.3m.p. pelach serve]).

His dominion is an everlasting dominion (~l;[' !j'l.v' HnEj'l.v' [noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. sholtan dominion + noun m.s.abs. sholtan + noun m.s.abs. alam perpetuity; "everlasting"])

Which will not pass away (hDe[.y< al'-yDI [rel di + neg la + peal impf.3m.s. adah pass away]);

And His kingdom is one (HteWkl.m;W [waw w/noun f.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. malku kingdom])

Which will not be destroyed (lB;x;t.ti al'-yDI [rel di; "Which" + neg la + hithpaal impf.3f.s. chabal destroy]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 13-14

1. At this point Daniel reports seeing the glorified Son of Man (v.13).
2. This is the verse from Daniel most quoted in the NT.
3. The expression "like a son of man" identifies this final Ruler of the world (head of the 5^th kingdom) not only as a man, in contrast to the four beasts, but also as a heavenly or divine being.
4. During Jesus public ministry, He often referred to Himself as "the Son of Man" (83x in Matt., Mk., Lk., and Jn.).
5. Jesus spoke of His humanity experiencing glorification (Jn.3:13, 14; 5:27; 6:26, 53, 62; 8:28; 9:35; 12:23, 34 31).
6. Dan.7:13 is the only place in the OT where this expression is used of a divine person.
7. The Hebrew equivalent is used by Ezekiel about 90x of himself.
8. It should also be noted that Jesus Himself prophesied His return to earth "in clouds with great power and glory" (Mk.13:26), or "upon (prep epi) the clouds of heaven/sky" (Matt.24:30) or "sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming with the clouds" (Matt.26:64).
9. See also Rev.1:7: "Look, He is coming with the clouds (Gk prep meta parallel to the Aramaic im here in v.13)".
10. Nothing could be clearer that Jesus Himself regarded Dan.7:13 as predictive of Himself and the two elements "like a son of man" and "with the clouds of heaven" combined to constitute a messianic title.
11. Frequently in the OT God is said to come from heaven in a chariot of clouds to execute judgment and to deliver (Pss.18:10; 97:2-4; 104:3; Isa.19:1; Nah.1:3).
12. God in the Person of Jesus Christ will return to this planet to judge the nations, reward the righteous and set up God’s eternal kingdom among men.
13. At His physical birth Jesus became the God-Man incarnate, and at His resurrection He became the glorified God-Man.
14. At His 1^st ascension into heaven, appearing with the souls of OT saints, He was told by God the Father to "Ask of men, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession" (Ps.2:8).
15. At His 2^nd ascension (10 days before Pentecost) when He ascended in the presence of His disciples from the Mount of Olives, He was told "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet" (Ps.110:1).
16. Verse 13d through verse 14 references His first ascension when He was officially granted a kingdom.
17. The words "And He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him" refers to the occasion of His 1^st ascension in Psalm 2.
18. Christ’s right to rule is based on His redemptive work on the cross.
19. Line 5 of verse 13 curiously reads: "And they presented Him before Him."
20. The verb "presented" is a perfect.
21. In v.9b the title "Ancient of Days" is clearly used of the messianic Ruler but in v.13 it is used of God the Father.
22. Both share this august title since both are co-equal in divine attributes ("I and My Father are One" said Jesus.).
23. God is one in essence but three in personalities.
24. The structure of v.13 presents the coming Ruler ("with clouds") followed by His formal presentation before God the Father where He is granted an indestructible and eternal kingdom.
25. The order of the actual events is reversed.
26. His coming with clouds (participle) is predicated by His acceptance by the Ancient of Days.
27. Verse 14 describes the divine Ruler’s dominion.
28. It includes a dominion that encompasses "all the peoples, nations and languages" of this earth.
29. The universality of the rule of the Son of Man is emphasized in v.14: "He was given authority, glory/honor and sovereign power; all humans, whatever their race, nationality, ethnic origin, or language, will serve and worship Him."
30. His appointment as Lord and Judge is by virtue of His atoning ministrythe One who achieved a sinless life (Isa.53:9), paid the price for man’s redemption (Isa.53:5-6), and was vindicated by His bodily resurrection as Judge of the entire human race (Acts.17:31; Rom.2:16).
31. "His dominion" (in contrast to the ephemeral power of rulers ancient and modern) "is an everlasting dominion, that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed"as, of course, all man-erected empires have been and ultimately will be.
32. The final outcome of human history will be the return of the divine Son of Man to rule Adam’s race in righteousness and justice for all.
33. When Jesus gave the Great Commission to His disciples just after His 1^st ascension He had His experience of Ps.2:8 in mind (see Matt.28:19).

VERSE 15 "As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within me, and the visions in my mind kept alarming me (ynIN:luh]b;y> yviare ywEz>x,w> hn<d>nI aAgB. laYEnId' hn"a] yxiWr tY:rIK.t.a, (ithpeel perf.3f.s.s kera be distressed + noun s.constr.w/1c.s.suff. ruach spirit + pro.1c.s.s anah I + proper noun Daniel + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr. gaw midst; "within me" + noun m.s.ab.s nidnah sheath; "in my mind"; meaning uncertain; perhaps a Persian loanword + waw w/noun m.p.constr. chezu vision + pael impf.3m.p.w/1c.s.suff. behal dismay]).

VERSE 16 "I approached one of those who were standing by and began asking him the exact meaning of all this (hn"D>-lK'-l[; HNEmi-a[eb.a, ab'yCiy:w> aY"m;a]q'-!mi dx;-l[; tber>qi [peal perf.1c.s. qereb approach + prep al w/adj.m.s.abs. chad one + prep min + peal part.m.p.abs.w/art. qum stand + waw w/adj.f.s.abs. yesab certain, true + peal impf.1c.s. be-a ask + prep min w/3m.s.suff.; "him" + prep al + nou m.s.constr. kol all + adj.m.s.abs. denah this]).

So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things (ynIN:[id>Ahy> aY"L;mi rv;p.W yli-rm;a]w: [waw w/peal perf.3m.s. amar say; "told" + prep lamedh w/1c.s.suff. + waw w/noun m.s.abs. peshar interpretation + noun f.p.w/art. millah word, thing + haphel impf.3m.s.w/1c.s.suff. yeda know]):

ANALYSIS: VERSES 15-16

1. Daniel actually was a participant in the audio-visual animation.
2. At the end of the visions that focused on the 5 kingdoms the dream-event was not over.
3. In the 1^st person he mentions his response to what he had experienced.
4. Despite the victorious conclusion of his dream, Daniel was distressed.
5. His distress centers in the 4^th beast and its 11 horns.
6. It was the rise of the little horn that especially troubled him (cf. vv.19ff.).
7. The thing that distressed him was the depiction of the violence done to the saints (v.21).
8. He was further distressed by his inability to understand what it all meant.
9. Therefore, he sees himself approaching the angels who were standing nearby.
10. They too were seen in the vision as spectators of the unfolding drama.
11. This detail was not previously mentioned and serves to illustrate the fact that the elect angels are keening interested in prophetic fulfillment.
12. Daniel’s positive volition prompts him to inquire of one of them about the puzzling 4^th beast.
13. It was probably Gabriel that speaks to him in the verses that follow.
14. Dan.9:21 seems to imply that it was this particular angel who acts here as Daniel’s teacher.

VERSE 17 'These great beasts, which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth (a['r>a;-!mi !WmWqy> !ykil.m; h['B.r>a; [B;r>a; !yNIai yDI at'b'r>b.r; at'w"yxe !yLeai [adj.p.abs. illen these + noun f.p.w/art. chewah beast + adj.f.p.w/art. rab great + rel di + pro.3f.p. innun they + adj.f.s.abs. arba four + adj.m.s.abs. arba four + noun m.p.abs. melek king + peal impf.3m.p. qum arise + prep min from + noun f.s.w/art. ara earth]).

VERSE 18 'But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come (aY"m;l.[' ~l;[' d[;w> am'l.['-d[; at'Wkl.m; !Wns.x.y:w> !ynIAyl.[, yveyDIq; at'Wkl.m; !WlB.q;ywI [waw w/pael impf.3m.p. qebal receive + noun f.s.w/art. malku kingdom + adj.m.p.constr. qaddish angels, saints + adj.m.p.abs. elyon the Most High + waw w/aphel impf.3m.p.chasan take possession + noun f.s.w/art. malku kingdom + conj ad until + noun m.s.w/art. alam perpetuity = "forever" + waw w/conj ad until + noun m.s.abs. alam perpetuity + noun m.p.w/art. alam perpetuity = "for all ages to come"]).'

ANALYSIS: VERSES 17-18

1. Daniel first asks a general question (v.16) to which the angel gives a general reply (vv.17-18), indicating that the four beasts represent four kingdoms lead by four leaders "who will arise out of the earth."
2. It would be strange if not misleading if these four kingdoms represent the kingdoms of chapter two considering the fact that Babylon had already risen!
3. The four kings/kingdoms exist together in the last days.
4. The first three are contemporaneous with the fourth one.
5. The very important addition that the angel supplies is the fact that "the saints of the Most High will receive and possess the kingdom" (#5).
6. Verse 25 makes it clear who these holy ones are, and they certainly are not angels, though the word can be used either way.
7. Actually we know that all believers who have ever lived will participate in the future kingdom of God on planet earth.
8. Both resurrected saints and saints living in mortal bodies will interact in the Millennium.
9. It is very important to understand that the 5^th kingdom has two distinct phases.
10. The 1^st is the 1000 years in which resurrected saints from the previous dispensations (Gentiles, Israel, CA and Trib) will be on the earth with the growing millennial populations.
11. The 2^nd and final phase is the eternal state with its new heavens and new earth in which only absolute righteousness exists (see Rev.21-22 for details).
12. What believers "receive" and "possess" is the blessings associated with the eternal rule of God and Christ beginning with the 2^nd Advent and extending into the ages of eternity future.
13. We know that Church Age believers will receive positions of authority in the millennial phase according to their Ph2 output (Rev.5:10; 20:6).
14. We also know that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will be there (Matt.8:11) which means that all OT saints will have a place in the 1000 year phase (so Daniel see 12:13).
15. We see in Rev.5:10 believers in heaven while the Tribulation is going on singing a hymn of praise to God for making them a kingdom of priests reigning on earth with the Lord for a 1000 years.
16. The reason for emphasizing the participation of the family of God seems to be that it is a literal earthly kingdom.
17. All of this works against a kingdom that is simply confined to heaven.

VERSE 19 "Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast (at'y>['ybir> at'w>yxe-l[; ab'C'y:l. tybic. !yId;a/ [adv edayin then + peal perf.1c.s. tseba be inclined + prep lamedh w/pael infin.constr. yetsab make certain; "know the exact meaning" + prep al + noun f.s.w/art. chewah beast + adj.f.s.w/art. rebi-i fourth], which was different from all the others [Î!yheL.K'Ð ¿!AhL.K'À-!mi hy"n>v' tw"h]-yDI [rel di + peal perf.3f.s. hawah come to pass; "was" + peal part.f.s.abs. shanah change; "different" + prep min from + noun m.s.constr.w/3m.p.suff. kol all; "all the others"], exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze [vx'n>-yDI Hyr;p.jiw> lz<r>p;-yDI ÎHN:viÐ ¿HY:N:viÀ hr'yTiy: hl'yxiD> [peal qal pass f.s.ab.s dechal to fear + adj.f.s.abs. yattir surpassing + noun f.p.constr.w/3f.s.suff. shen tooth + rel di + noun m.s.abs. parzel iron + waw w/noun f.p.constr.w/3f.s.suff. tepar nail, claw + rel di + noun m.s.abs. nechash bronze], and which devoured, crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet [hs'p.r' Hyl;g>r;B. ar'a'v.W hq'D]m; hl'k.a' [peal part.f.s.abs. aka devour + aphel part.f.s.abs. deqaq be shattered + waw w/noun m.s.w/art. she-ar rest + prep beth w/noun f.p.constr.w/3f.s.suff. regal foot + peal part.f.s.abs. repas trample]),

VERSE 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up (tq;l.si yDI yrIx\a'w> Hv;areb. yDI rf;[] aY"n:r>q;-l[;w> [waw w/prep al + noun f.p.w/art. qeren horn + adj.f.s.abs. asar ten + rel di + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr.w/3f.s.suff. re-sh head + waw w/adj.f.s.abs. achoran another + rel di + peal perf.3f.s. seleq come up], and before which three of them fell [tl'T. ÎHm;d'q\Ð ¿HY:m;d'q\À-!mi Îhl'p;n>WÐ ¿Wlp;n>WÀ [waw w/peal perf.3m.p. nepal fall + prep min from + part qodam before + adj.f.s.abs. telat three], namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts and which was larger in appearance than its associates [Ht;r'b.x;-!mi br; Hw:z>x,w> !b'r>b.r; lLim;m. ~puw> Hl; !ynIy>[;w> !KedI an"r>q;w> [waw w/noun f.s.w/art. qeren horn + adj.s.abs. dikken this, that + waw /noun f.p.abs. ayin eye + prep lamedh w/3f.s.suff. + waw w/noun m.s.abs. pum mouth + pael part.m.s.abs. melal speak + adj.f.p.abs. rab great + waw w/noun m.s.constr.w/3f.s.suff. chezu vision, appearance; "in appearance" + adj.m.s.abs. rab great; "larger" + prep min + noun f.s.constr.w/3f.s.suff. chabrah companion; "associates"]).

VERSE 21 "I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them (!Ahl. hl'k.y"w> !yviyDIq;-~[i br'q. hd'b.[' !KedI an"r>q;w> tywEh] hzEx' [peal part.m.s.abs. chazah see + peal perf.1c.s. hawa come to pass + waw w/noun f.s.w/art. qeren horn + adj.s.abs. dikken that + peal part.f.s.abs. abad do; "waging" + noun m.s.abs. qerab war + prep im with + adj.m.p.abs. qaddish saints, angels + waw w/peal part.f.s.abs. yekil be able; "overpowering" + prep lamedh w/3m.p.suff.])

VERSE 22 until the Ancient of Days came (aY"m;Ay qyTi[; ht'a]-yDI d[; [part ad until + rel di + peal perf.3m.s. ata come; usual word for "come" in BA while bo is the usual word in BH + adj.m.s.abs. attiq ancient + noun m.p.w/art. yom day] and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One [!ynIAyl.[, yveyDIq;l. bhiy> an"ydIw> [waw w/noun m.s.w/art. din judgment + peil perf.3m.s. gehab give; "was passed" + prep lamedh w/adj.m.p.constr. qaddish saints + adj.m.p.abs. elyon the Most High], and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom [!yviyDIq; Wnsix/h, at'Wkl.m;W hj'm. an"m.zIw> [waw w/noun m.s.w/art. zeman time + peal perf.3m.s. mtea reach, attain; "arrived" + waw w/noun f.s.w/art. malku kingdom + haphel perf.3m.p. chasan take possession + adj.m.p.abs. qaddish saints]).

ANALYSIS: VERSES 19-22

1. Of all the beasts Daniel observed, he regarded the 4^th beast with the greatest interest.
2. This was due in part to the fact that it resembled no animal known to human experience.
3. In particular, he was fixated on the 10 horns from the midst of which a little horn emerged (v.20) which was permitted to ravage God’s people (v.21).
4. Despite the assurance (v.22) that the ultimate victory would be the Lord’s and that His people would at the end prevail, Daniel was deeply distressed by what he saw with respect to their persecutions.
5. With respect to the 4^th beast Daniel saw its teeth or iron and bronze claws which were efficient instruments of military subjugation.
6. This portrayed the ancient Roman conquests which were surpassed in their ferocity and destruction of enemies.
7. This presentation shows how God viewed the Roman military conquests.
8. Clearly the little horn which grew "larger in appearance that its fellows" was the real focus of interest for Daniel.
9. Daniel saw much more than he reports (cf. v.1).
10. The genocide of believers was especially gruesome and troubling to him (v.21).

VERSE 23 "Thus he said: 'The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth (a['r>a;b. awEh/T, Îha'['ybir>Ð ¿ay"['ybir>À Wkl.m; at'y>['ybir> at'w>yxe rm;a] !Ke [adv ken thus, as follows + peal perf.3m.s. amar say + noun f.s.w/art. chewa beast + adj.f.s.w/art. rebi-i fourth + noun f.s.abs. malku kingdom + adj.f.s.abs. rebi-i fourth + peal impf.3f.s. hawa come to pass + prep beth w/noun f.s.w/art. ara earth], which will be different from all the other kingdoms [at'w"k.l.m;-lK'-!mi anEv.ti yDI [rel di which + peal impf.3f.s. shanah change; "will be different" + prep min from + noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun f.s.w/art. malku kingdom] and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it [HN:qiD>t;w> HN:viWdt.W a['r>a;-lK' lkuatew> [waw w/peal impf.3f.s. akal eat, devour + noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun f.s.w/art ara earth + waw w/peal impf.3f.s.w/3f.s.suff. dush tread down + waw w/aphel impf.3f.s.w/3f.s.suff. deqaq be shattered; "crush it"]).

VERSE 24 'As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise (!Wmquy> !ykil.m; hr'f.[; ht'Wkl.m; HN:mi rf;[] aY"n:r>q;w> [waw w/noun f.p.w/art. qeren horn + adj.f.s.abs. asar ten + prep min w/3f.s.suff. + noun f.s.w/art. malku kingdom + adj.m.s.abs. asrah ten + noun m.p.abs. malku kingdom + peal impf.3m.p. qum rise]; and another will arise after them [!Ahyrex]a; ~Wqy> !r'x\a'w> [waw w/adj.m.s.abs. acharan after + peal impf.3m.s. qum rise + part achri another], and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings [lPiv.h;y> !ykil.m; ht'l't.W ayEm'd>q;-!mi anEv.yI aWhw> [waw w/pro.3m.s. hu he + peal impf.3m.s. shanah change; "will be different" + prep min + adj.m.p.w/art. qadema former time; "previous" + waw w/adj.m.s.abs. telath three + noun m.p.ab.s melek king + haphel impf.3m.s. shapel be low, be humbled; "subdue"]).

VERSE 25 'He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One (aLeb;y> !ynIAyl.[, yveyDIq;l.W lLim;y> Îha'L'[iÐ ¿ay"L'[iÀ dc;l. !yLimiW [waw w/noun f.p.abs millah thing, word; goes with the verb "speak"; "out"+ prep lamedh w/noun m.s.ab.s tsad side + adj.m.s.abs w/art . illa the Most High +pael impf.3m.s. melal speak + waw w/prep lamedh w/adj.m.p.constr. qaddish saints + adj.m.p.abs. illa the Most High + pael impf.3m.s. bala wear away; "wear out"], and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time [!D'[i gl;p.W !ynID'[iw> !D'[i-d[; HdeyBi !Wbh]y:t.yIw> td'w> !ynIm.zI hy"n"v.h;l. rB;s.yIw> [waw w/peal impf.3m.s. sebar think, intend + prep lamedh /whaphel infin.constr. shanah change; "to make alternations" + noun m.p.abs. zeman time + waw w/noun f.s.abs. dath law + waw w/hithpeel impf.3m.p. yehab give + prep beth w/noun f.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. yad hand + prep ad until + noun m.s.ab.s iddan time, span of time + waw w/noun m.p.abs. iddan time + waw w/noun m.s.abs. pelag half + noun m.s.abs. iddan time]).

VERSE 26 'But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away, annihilated and destroyed forever (ap'As-d[; hd'b'Ahl.W hd'm'v.h;l. !AD[.h;y> HnEj'l.v'w> bTiyI an"ydIw> [waw w/noun m.s.w/art. din judgment; "court" + peal impf.3m.s. yetib sit + waw w/noun m.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. sholtan dominion + haphel impf.3m.p. ada pass on; "taken away" + prep lamedh w/haphel infin.constr. shemad destroy; "annihilated" + waw w/prep lamedh w/haphel infin.constr. abad perish; "destroyed" + part ad until + noun m.s.w/art. sop end = "forever"]).

VERSE 27 'Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One (ynIAyl.[, yveyDIq; ~[;l. tb;yhiy> aY"m;v.-lK' tAxT. tw"k.l.m; yDI at'Wbr>W an"j'l.v'w> ht'Wkl.m;W [waw w/noun f.s.w/art. malku kingdom; "sovereignty" + waw w/noun m.s.w/art. sholtan dominion + waw w/noun f.s.w/art. rebu greatness + rel di + noun f.p.constr. malku kingdom + prep tehot under + noun m.s.constr. kol all + noun m. dual w/art. shemayin heaven + peil perf.3f.s. yehab give + prep lamedh w/noun m.s.abs. am people + adj.m.p.constr. qaddish saint + adj.m.p.abs. illay the Most High]; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him [!W[M.T;v.yIw> !Wxl.p.yI Hle aY"n:j'l.v' lkow> ~l;[' tWkl.m; HteWkl.m; [noun f.s.constr.w/3m.s.suff. malku kingdom + noun f.s.constr. malku + noun m.s.abs. alam perpetuity; "everlasting" + waw w/noun m.s.abs. kol all + noun m.p.w/art. sholtan dominion + prep lamedh w/3f.s.suff. "Him" + peal imperf.3m.p. pelach serve + waw w/hithpaal impf.3m.p. shema hear; "obey"]).'

ANALYSIS: VERSES 23-27

1. The interpreting angel supplies Daniel with the information he requested.
2. He begins by identifying the 4^th beast as a future "kingdom on earth."
3. History has proven this kingdom to be the Roman Empire.
4. It was "different from" the preceding kingdoms of man due to its organizational skills and unity enabling it to endure for centuries beyond the empires of history.
5. "The whole earth" does not refer to all known parts of the earth, but rather to its unrivaled supremacy based on extent of conquest and longevity (1000 years for Republic and Empire).
6. So the phrase "the whole earth" is equivalent to the NT oikoumene (the territory within the Roman Empire).
7. The Roman state is here seen as devouring all the surrounding nations (i.e., by the picturesque term akal, "to eat/devour") and thus acquiring an entire complex of subject kingdoms and nations.
8. Trajan’s empire in A.D. 110 extended from England to beyond the Tigris and included all of North Africa and Rumania.
9. In v.24 the teaching angel turns from the ancient Roman Empire to its final ten-horn phase (corresponding to the ten toes in Nebuchadnezzar’s image [2:4`-43] and the emergence of the final world-dictator.
10. He arise after the ten horns are in place; and, he subdues three of the ten horns sometime after his rise to power.
11. According to Rev.17:16 the ten horns and the beast will destroy religious Babylon (RRC).
12. So it must be after that event that he goes to war against three of the ten European nations he heads up.
13. This fact is also insinuated in the Book of Rev.17:11.
14. Here in v.24 it explicitly says he will subdue three kings.
15. It seems as though 10 European nations voluntarily join him and later three rebels and he destroys those leaders/nations.
16. The pulling out by the roots imagery of v.8 indicates a violent sudden destruction of three nations.
17. The ten horns represent 10 "kings" which have power over ten realms or nations.
18. The little horn will claim divine honors (even as he blasphemes the one true God).
19. He will abandon all pretense of permitting freedom of religion and will actually revile the Most High (2Thess.2:4).
20. He will make speeches against God and His plan (cf. Rev.13:6).
21. He will verbally and physically assault those who hold fast to their confession of faith in Jesus Christ his rival (Rev.13:7; Dan.7:21; cp. Rev.11:7; 6:9-11; 7:9).
22. Wherever there are believers he will seek to silence their witness.
23. Millions will die as a result of his genocide (Rev.6:9-11).
24. By cruel and systematic pressure he will "wear down" or "wear out" as friction wears out sandals.
25. Continual and protracted persecution will stretch believers faith to the max.
26. Rev.13:16-17 indicates how economic pressure will be brought to bear on tribulational saints during the rule of the mark of the Beast.
27. This tyrant will impose a new legal system on all his subjects based on totalitarianism.
28. Like the illuminists of the French Revolution who attempted to change the calendar his regime will seek to overthrow all that reminds people of Christian influence.
29. This kind of calendar reform attempted during the French Revolution, when it was desired to replace AD dating by the first year of the Republic, 1792.
30. There was an elaborate attempt to revise months and weeks.
31. For 12 years from 1793 to 1805 the calendar of the revolution was obligatory and those who adhered to the Christian (Gregorian) calendar were subject to criminal prosecution (cf. EBr, 14^th ed,. 9:909).
32. He will wipe out the RCC and suppress all faiths.
33. People will be rewarded and absolved from killing believers.
34. Evil will be enshrined in the common law.
35. He will be satanically inspired and indwelt.
36. He will seek to offset the divine timeline but he will only be able to "do his thing" for three and one half years (v.25).
37. The cryptic words "a time and times and half a time" refers specifically to the last 31/2 years of the Tribulation.
38. His career is for the entire period but it is in the last half that he sits in the temple in Jerusalem declaring himself to be God.
39. Again, the last 3 and 1/2 years is the really radical phase of the rule of the Beast.
40. The word "time" (!D'[I iddan) in the prophetic portions of Daniel is technical for one year.
41. Later in chapter nine it was revealed to Daniel the prophet that the extent of the reign of the little horn would be 7 years (Dan.9:26-27).
42. The three and one half years of 7:25 is the last half of what is called Daniel’s 70^th week of years.
43. This period is called in the Bible "the great tribulation."
44. We know for other Scripture that he will not prevail over all believers.
45. The 144,000 will be totally protected from his wrath.
46. So will believing Jews living in the land who flee to specified areas of refuge and remain there until Christ returns.
47. Then there will be those Jews living in the land who are saved in the 2^nd half who defend Jerusalem and who are delivered when the Mount of Olives splits in half and the Lord comes to their rescue (Zech.14).
48. Of course he will martyr the 2 witnesses only to witness their decapitated bodies resurrected in full view of the televised world 3 and one half days later (Rev.11)!
49. The angel presents the inevitable victory of the 5^th and final kingdom in vv. 26-27.
50. The judgment of the surviving nations will end the career of the most notorious sinner of all time.
51. He will face the Lord the Judge and the saints of the ages will witness his conviction and execution (along with Satan and the false prophet).
52. The saints of the dispensations will then inherit a kingdom that has no end.
53. They will act as civil servants ruling and reigning with Christ over "all dominions."
54. In other words, the nations of the 5^th kingdom will exist and be subservient to the kingdom of Christ.
55. Even in the eternal phase there will be kings (Rev.21:24).

VERSE 28 "At this point the revelation ended (at'L.mi-ydI ap'As hK'-d[; [part ad until + adv kah here = "At this point" + noun m.s.w/art. sop end + rel di + noun f.s.w/art. millah word; "revelation"]).

As for me, Daniel, my thoughts were greatly alarming me (ynIN:luh]b;y> yn:Ay[.r; ayGIf; laYEnId' hn"a] [pro.1c.s. anah I + proper noun Daniel + adj.m.s.abs. saggi great + noun m.p.constr.w/1c.s.suff. ra-yon thought + pael impf.3m.p.w/1c.s.suff. behal alarm] and my face grew pale, but I kept the matter to myself [trej.nI yBiliB. at'L.miW yl;[] !ANT;v.yI yw:yzIw> [waw w/noun m.p.constr.w/1c.s.suff. ziw brightness; "face" + hithpaal impf.3m.p. shanah change; "grew pale" + prep al upon w/1c.s.suff. + waw w/noun f.s.w/art. millah word; "matter" + prep beth w/noun m.s.constr.w/1c.s.suff. lebab heart + peal perf.1c.s. netar keep])."

ANALYSIS: VERSE 28

1. The final verse shows the tremendous emotional drain on Daniel that evening based on what he witness in his prophetic visions.
2. He felt most keenly his own inadequacy as a mortal (cf. Isa.6:5).
3. Daniel’s face turned pale over what he saw regarding the oppression of believing humanity under the satanic pogroms of the Antichrist.
4. Hitler’s holocaust will pale by comparison.
5. At this time these matters were not to be shared with others.
6. So apart from writing them down, he kept them to himself.
7. This is a burden in and of itself.
8. He laced the solace of human comfort.
9. The burden of this secret knowledge weighted heavy upon him.

August, 2004