Dan 7:17-27 | TNotes | STEP | 7:17 beasts represent ... kingdoms: God gave Daniel a vision of the course of history, a feat no human could accomplish. These kingdoms from the earth (cp. 7:2 ) are not heavenly kingdoms but human kingdoms of this world.

7:17 ^a beasts represent ... kingdoms: God gave Daniel a vision of the course of history, a feat no human could accomplish. These kingdoms from the earth (cp. 7:2 ^b) are not heavenly kingdoms but human kingdoms of this world.
7:18 ^c The holy people (also in 7:21-22 ^d, 25 ^e, 27 ^f) are people who belong exclusively to God and share his character. In Daniel’s era it referred to the people of Israel.

• Only the Most High God can declare what the end of history will be. Other ancient writers spoke of the ages or eras of earthly history, but none knew how it would all end.
Summary for Dan 7:19-28: 7:19-28 ^g Daniel requested and received more information about the fourth beast, the ten horns, and the little horn.
7:21 ^h The object of the little horn’s hatred and arrogance was God’s holy people. In this, the little horn was like Pharaoh and Haman (see Exod 1:22 ⁱ; Esth 3:8-9 ^j; cp. Dan 11:36-40 ^k).
7:22 ^l The Ancient One turned the tide of the battle when he judged in favor of his holy people. In God’s time, his people would take over the kingdom with their King (7:13-14 ^m).
Summary for Dan 7:24-25: 7:24-25 ⁿ Its ten horns are ten kings: This number might refer to ten specific individuals, or it might be a symbolic number meaning that this kingdom lasted through the reigns of many kings (cp. Rev 13:1 ^o).

• Then another king, who corresponds to the “little horn” (Dan 7:21 ^p), will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people by blaspheming the Lord, trying to interfere with worship of the Lord, trying to make the holy people follow his religion, and subjecting them to constant threats.

• a time, times, and half a time: The text is not explicit as to the length of time. Nonetheless, the period of oppression for the holy people would be limited and would end suddenly and unexpectedly.
7:26 ^q God’s court has the authority to pass judgment and the power to remove and destroy this arrogant king.
7:27 ^r When this arrogant king has been destroyed, God’s kingdom will be established forever over all the kingdoms under heaven (cp. Ps 2 ^s; Isa 9:6-7 ^t). The holy people of the Most High are officers of God’s kingdom (cp. Luke 22:29-30 ^u; 1 Cor 6:2-3 ^v; Rev 3:21 ^w; 20:4 ^x).