15 "As for me, Daniel , my spirit was distressed within me, and the visions in my mind kept alarming me. 16 "I approached one of those who were standing by and began asking him the exact meaning of all this . So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things : 17 'These great beasts , which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from the earth . 18 'But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever , for all ages to come .' 19 "Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast , which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful , with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze , and which devoured , crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet , 20 and the meaning of the ten horns that were on its head and the other horn which came up, and before e which three of them fell , namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth uttering great boasts and which was larger in appearance than its associates . 21 "I kept looking , and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them 22 until e the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One , and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom . 23 "Thus he said : 'The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth , which will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it. 24 'As for the ten horns , out of this kingdom ten kings will arise ; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings . 25 'He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One , 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 . 26 'But the court will sit for judgment, and his dominion will be taken away , annihilated and destroyed forever . 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 ; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom , and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.' 28 "At this point the revelation ended . As for me, Daniel , my thoughts were greatly alarming me and my face grew pale , but I kept the matter to myself ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 7:15-28
Commentary on Daniel 7:15-28
(Read Daniel 7:15-28)
It is desirable to obtain the right and full sense of what we see and hear from God; and those that would know, must ask by faithful and fervent prayer. The angel told Daniel plainly. He especially desired to know respecting the little horn, which made war with the saints, and prevailed against them. Here is foretold the rage of papal Rome against true Christians. St. John, in his visions and prophecies, which point in the first place at Rome, has plain reference to these visions. Daniel had a joyful prospect of the prevalence of God's kingdom among men. This refers to the second coming of our blessed Lord, when the saints shall triumph in the complete fall of Satan's kingdom. The saints of the Most High shall possess the kingdom for ever. Far be it from us to infer from hence, that dominion is founded on grace. It promises that the gospel kingdom shall be set up; a kingdom of light, holiness, and love; a kingdom of grace, the privileges and comforts of which shall be the earnest and first-fruits of the kingdom of glory. But the full accomplishment will be in the everlasting happiness of the saints, the kingdom that cannot be moved. The gathering together the whole family of God will be a blessedness of Christ's coming.