Page 207 - Daniel

kingdom forever, contrasting the everlasting character of the fifth
kingdom to the preceding kingdoms, which in due time passed away.

The “Most High” translates a plural noun that could mean “high ones”
or “high places.” Young is correct, however, in identifying this as God,
with the plural expressing majesty. The expression is repeated in Daniel
7:22, 25, 27. This kingdom is eternal in its characteristics and
sovereignty, yet it also may without difficulty include the millennial

kingdom and God’s eternal rule that follow.

DANIEL REQUESTS INTERPRETATION OF THE FOURTH BEAST
(7:19–22)

7:19–22 “Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast,

which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its
teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in
pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, and about the ten
horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and
before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth
that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions.
As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over

them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the
saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed
the kingdom.”

Daniel wanted to know the particulars about the fourth beast,
especially those that distinguished it from the beasts that preceded. After
the end was introduced in verse 18, beginning in verse 19 attention
again focused on the conflict leading up to this and the items requiring

explanation—among them the traits of the fourth beast that made it so
terrifying. Here Daniel added particulars not previously indicated in his
recital of the vision, namely, the bronze claws, the fact that the little
horn was stronger than the other horns, that this little horn made war
with the saints and prevailed against them (cf. Rev. 11:7; 13:7), and that
judgment was given to the saints.

The fact that Daniel raised questions about the fourth empire rather
than the preceding ones has been taken by critical scholars as another