Daniel 7 Explained

The Four Beasts, the Little Horn, and the Judgment Hour

Introduction: Daniel 7 — The Turning Point in the Book of Daniel

Daniel 7 marks a major transition in the book of Daniel. Chapters 1–6 focus on historical narratives illustrating faithfulness under pressure. Chapters 7–12 move into explicit apocalyptic prophecy, revealing God’s final plan for the world.

Daniel 7 is foundational because it:

  • Expands Daniel 2’s prophetic outline
  • Introduces symbolic beasts
  • Reveals the little horn power
  • Unveils the heavenly judgment
  • Points to the final kingdom of the saints

Ellen G. White states:

“The visions of Daniel were designed to be understood by the people of God in these last days.”
— Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 267

Daniel 7 is not speculation—it is God’s roadmap for the closing scenes of earth’s history.

Daniel 7:1 — Historical Setting of the Vision

“In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream…”

Unlike earlier chapters, this vision occurs before Babylon’s fall and is given directly to Daniel—not to a pagan king.

This signals:

  • Increased responsibility
  • Deeper revelation
  • Prophecy entrusted to God’s faithful servant

Adventist scholar Jacques Doukhan notes:

“Daniel 7 shifts prophecy from public display to covenant revelation.”
— Secrets of Daniel, p. 93

Daniel 7:2–3 — The Four Winds and the Great Sea

“The four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.”

In prophecy:

  • Sea = peoples, nations, multitudes (Revelation 17:15)
  • Winds = strife, war, political upheaval

Four great beasts arise—representing successive world empires.

Ellen G. White affirms:

“These symbols represent nations rising amid confusion and strife.”
— Prophets and Kings, p. 551

Daniel 7:4 — The Lion with Eagle’s Wings (Babylon)

The lion symbolizes Babylon:

  • Power
  • Royalty
  • Swiftness (eagle’s wings)

The wings being plucked indicate Babylon’s humbling under Nebuchadnezzar.

Suggested Reading for Further Understanding:
👉 Daniel 2 Explained — The Head of Gold (Babylon)

Daniel 7:5 — The Bear Raised on One Side (Medo-Persia)

The bear represents Medo-Persia:

  • Raised on one side → Persia dominant
  • Three ribs → Babylon, Lydia, Egypt

This perfectly aligns with history.

Ellen G. White confirms:

“Each succeeding kingdom fulfilled prophecy with exactness.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 324

Daniel 7:6 — The Leopard with Four Wings and Four Heads (Greece)

The leopard symbolizes Greece:

  • Speed (four wings)
  • Division (four heads)

After Alexander the Great’s death, the empire split among four generals.

Adventist historian C. Mervyn Maxwell writes:

“No prophecy has been more accurately fulfilled than Daniel’s description of Greece.”
— God Cares, vol. 1, p. 141

Daniel 7:7 — The Terrible Beast (Rome)

The fourth beast is:

  • Dreadful
  • Strong
  • Unlike any before

Rome fits perfectly:

  • Iron strength
  • Crushing dominance
  • Global reach

Ten horns represent Rome’s division into European kingdoms.

Suggested Reading for Further Understanding:
👉 Daniel 2 Explained — The Legs of Iron and Feet of Clay

Daniel 7:8 — The Little Horn Appears

A “little horn” rises among the ten horns.

Key characteristics:

  • Uproots three horns
  • Has eyes like a man
  • Speaks great words

This power represents papal Rome, fulfilling all identifying marks.

Ellen G. White states clearly:

“This little horn power is the papacy.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 356

Daniel 7:9–10 — The Heavenly Judgment Scene

The scene shifts from earth to heaven.

“The Ancient of Days took His seat… the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”

This is the pre-Advent investigative judgment, preceding Christ’s return.

Suggested Reading for Further Understanding:
👉 The 2300-Day Prophecy & the Heavenly Sanctuary

Ellen G. White writes:

“The judgment of the righteous dead has begun.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 480

Daniel 7:11–12 — Judgment on the Horn

The little horn is judged and destroyed—not at the Second Coming, but after judgment.

This distinguishes Daniel 7 from Daniel 2 and clarifies the prophetic timeline.

Daniel 7:13–14 — The Son of Man Receives the Kingdom

“One like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven…”

This is Christ’s coronation, not His return to earth.

He receives:

  • Dominion
  • Glory
  • An everlasting kingdom

Ellen G. White explains:

“This coming is not the second advent, but Christ’s entrance into the most holy place.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 479

Daniel 7:15–18 — The Saints Will Inherit the Kingdom

The angel explains:

  • The beasts are kingdoms
  • The saints receive the kingdom forever

This offers hope amid persecution.

Daniel 7:19–22 — The Horn’s Persecution of the Saints

The little horn:

  • Makes war against the saints
  • Prevails for a time
  • Is judged and defeated

This describes 1260 years of persecution (AD 538–1798).

Ellen G. White confirms:

“For centuries the church suffered under papal oppression.”
— The Great Controversy, p. 54

Daniel 7:23–25 — Changing Times and Law

The horn:

  • Speaks against God
  • Persecutes saints
  • Attempts to change God’s law

This points directly to:

  • Sabbath vs Sunday issue
  • Authority claims of the papacy

Suggested Reading for Further Understanding:
👉 The Sabbath Truth Explained
👉 Sunday Laws & the Mark of the Beast

Daniel 7:26–27 — Final Judgment and the Saints’ Victory

The judgment removes the horn’s dominion.

“The kingdom shall be given to the saints of the Most High.”

This is the final triumph of God’s people.

Why Daniel 7 Is Central to Apocalyptic Prophecy

Daniel 7 introduces:

  • Symbolic prophecy
  • Judgment theology
  • The antichrist power
  • The saints’ final victory

🔗 Further Reading for Daniel Series

  • Daniel 1–6 → Faithfulness in Crisis
  • Daniel 2 → Prophetic Timeline
  • Daniel 3 → False Worship
  • Daniel 6 → Law vs Conscience
  • Daniel 8 → Sanctuary & Judgment
  • Revelation 13 → Beast Power

Ellen G. White affirms:

“Daniel and Revelation are one book.”
— Testimonies to Ministers, p. 114

Conclusion: We Are Living in the Judgment Hour

Daniel 7 reveals that:

  • Earth’s powers are temporary
  • Judgment is now in session
  • Christ is our Advocate
  • The saints will inherit the kingdom

This calls for:

  • Faithfulness
  • Obedience
  • Trust in Christ

Next Study: Daniel 8 — The Sanctuary, the 2300 Days, and the Judgment Hour

Daniel 8 expands the judgment theme introduced in Daniel 7.

👉 Continue to the next article:
Daniel 8 Explained: The Sanctuary, the Little Horn, and the 2300-Day Prophecy

This chapter leads directly to 1844, the heavenly sanctuary, and Christ’s final work.