Below are some preliminary questions to assist in the study of this passage. For a comprehensive study of the passage, download the Study Guide (PDF download).
1. What word is repeatedly used to describe the people of God in this present passage of Daniel (note verses 18,21,22,25,27 printed below?) How does the New Testament define this term? See 1 Corinthians 1:2 (printed below)
But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, indeed, forever and ever… (21) As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and was defeating them; (22) until the Ancient of Days came and a verdict was pronounced in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom…(25) He will utter words against the Most High and will wear out the saints of the Most High. He will try to change the set times and the natural laws; and the saints will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time…(27) Then the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven, will be given to the people who are the saints of the Most High—his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and all dominions will serve and obey him. (Daniel 7:18,21-22,25,27)
…to the church of God that is in Corinth—to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints (1 Corinthians 1:2)
In the seventh chapter of Daniel the people of God are six times designated as “saints.” In contrast to the Roman Catholic concept of sainthood for the super Christian, the Bible defines every true believer in Christ as a saint who has the obligation of a saint, namely, a life of full time devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior. By way of example, the apostle Paul writes as follows to the church in Corinth: “…to the church of God that is in Corinth—to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2) By virtue of your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, which brings you into a living union with Him, you have been “sanctified:” you have been set apart for God to be His own possession, and you have been made like God in His holiness (you have come to possess Christ’s own merit and nature). Now, as a Christian, you are called by God to live out in everyday life the new identity of holiness that you have entered into by virtue of your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. What happens to the people of God? See Daniel 7:21,24-25 (printed below)
As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and was defeating them…(24) The ten horns represent ten kings who will come from this kingdom. Then another king shall come after them; he will be different from the previous ones, and he will subdue three kings. (25) He will utter words against the Most High and will wear out the saints of the Most High. He will try to change the set times and the natural laws; and the saints will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. (Daniel 7:21,24-25)
The people of God meet with intense opposition and persecution at the hands of “the horn” (representing a world leader who embodies and enacts the sinful world’s hostility towards God and His people). As a Christian, you have become a saint of God in Christ Jesus; and as a saint of God you can expect to encounter the hostility of the world (note John 15:18-21). The point being made in Daniel chapter seven is this: the saints of God especially experience the enmity of the world when they are living under a government that overtly expresses its hostility to God, and such conditions will especially prevail in the closing period of history.
3. What are we told about the activity of “the horn,” (also referred to as “another king” in verse 24), with regard to the Most High and His saints (see verses 20-25 printed below?)
I also wanted to know about the ten horns that were on its head, and about the other horn that came up, before which three of the horns fell—the horn that had eyes and a mouth that uttered great things, and that looked more imposing than the others. (21) As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and was defeating them; (22) until the Ancient of Days came and a verdict was pronounced in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. (23) He gave me this explanation: The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on earth, one that will be different from all the other kingdoms; it shall devour the whole earth and trample it down and break it to pieces. (24) The ten horns represent ten kings who will come from this kingdom. Then another king shall come after them; he will be different from the previous ones, and he will subdue three kings. (25) He will utter words against the Most High and will wear out the saints of the Most High. He will try to change the set times and the natural laws; and the saints will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. (Daniel 7:20-25)
“The horn” mentioned in this passage represents a final and distinct empire and ruler, the final anti-Christ (verses 24b-26). We are informed that the horn “will utter words against the Most High” (or, “he will speak words along side the Most High.”) That is to say, he will consider himself to be God’s equal as well as God’s enemy (note 2 Thessalonians 2:4, a passage also referring to the anti-Christ.) Furthermore, we are told, “he will wear out the saints of the Most High;” he will pursue a relentless and “successful” persecution of the Christian church.
4. What is the final fate of “the horn?” See Daniel 7:24-26 (printed below)
The ten horns represent ten kings who will come from this kingdom. Then another king shall come after them; he will be different from the previous ones, and he will subdue three kings. (25) He will utter words against the Most High and will wear out the saints of the Most High. He will try to change the set times and the natural laws; and the saints will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time. (26) But the court will sit in judgment, and they shall take away his dominion, consuming and destroying it totally. (Daniel 7:24-26)
“The horn,” representing the anti-Christ and his kingdom, will finally face the judgment of God and be condemned. He and his entire kingdom will be totally consumed and destroyed, being replaced by the coming of the eternal kingdom of God in its final and glorious manifestation (note, too, Revelation 11:15).
5. What is the final destiny of “the saints,” the people of the Most High? See Daniel 7:21-22 and 26-27 (printed below)
As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and was defeating them; (22) until the Ancient of Days came and a verdict was pronounced in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom. (Daniel 7:21-22)
But the court will sit in judgment, and they shall take away his dominion, consuming and destroying it totally. (27) Then the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven, will be given to the people who are the saints of the Most High—his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and all dominions will serve and obey him. (Daniel 7:26-27)
In verse 21 we read this disconcerting report: “As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and was defeating them.” But in verse 22 we are told the rest of the story: “the Ancient of Days came and a verdict was pronounced in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.” Verses 26-27 once more repeat the prophecy of the Final Judgment with the emphasis on the certainty that the Lord God shall act for His glory and for His saints. The final destiny of “the saints,” the church of Christ composed of all those who have entrusted themselves to the Savior, shall be to inherit the kingdom of God. As the Lord Jesus assures us in Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
