17 'The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth.
17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth.
17 'These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth.
17 "'These four huge animals,' he said, 'mean that four kingdoms will appear on earth.
17 'Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth.
17 "These four huge beasts represent four kingdoms that will arise from the earth.
20 The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia.
20 The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.
20 As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia.
20 "'The double-horned ram you saw stands for the two kings of the Medes and Persians.
20 The ram which you saw, having the two horns--they are the kings of Media and Persia.
20 The two-horned ram represents the kings of Media and Persia.
(Read Daniel 8:15-27)
The eternal Son of God stood before the prophet in the appearance of a man, and directed the angel Gabriel to explain the vision. Daniel's fainting and astonishment at the prospect of evils he saw coming on his people and the church, confirm the opinion that long-continued calamities were foretold. The vision being ended, a charge was given to Daniel to keep it private for the present. He kept it to himself, and went on to do the duty of his place. As long as we live in this world we must have something to do in it; and even those whom God has most honoured, must not think themselves above their business. Nor must the pleasure of communion with God take us from the duties of our callings, but we must in them abide with God. All who are intrusted with public business must discharge their trust uprightly; and, amidst all doubts and discouragements, they may, if true believers, look forward to a happy issue. Thus should we endeavour to compose our minds for attending to the duties to which each is appointed, in the church and in the world.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Daniel 7:17
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.