Big Idea: Although details remain mysterious and persecutions come, God defeats all forces of evil in the end and establishes his everlasting kingdom, in which his holy ones share.

Understanding the Text

See the unit on 7:1–14 for a discussion of the larger context, structure, and comparisons of this chapter. Within this framework, 7:15–28 is outlined primarily by three personal responses of Daniel that frame its question-and-answer core. First, the confused seer inquires about the vision and discovers that the beasts represent kings and kingdoms (7:15–18). Second, he probes more deeply regarding the fourth beast and the little horn, learning of a war against the “holy ones” that leads to the establishment of God’s kingdom (7:19–27). Third, this section closes with Daniel’s response to the v…