What does Daniel 7:19 mean?
Though gifted in dreams and visions (Daniel 1:17), Daniel was fallible. His recent vision (Daniel 7:1) made him unsettled and nervous (Daniel 7:15). So, he wisely asked one of the angelic beings in his dream for an explanation (Daniel 7:16). So far, the being has explained that the four beasts represent four kingdoms of earth (Daniel 7:16–17), in parallel to those seen in Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Daniel 2:31–35). In a hopeful addition, Daniel is told that God's people will inherit a kingdom that can never be destroyed (Daniel 7:18).The first three animals in Daniel's vision shared enough parts with real-world animals to be associated with lions, eagles, bears, and leopards. The fourth, however, was simply described as "terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong" with iron teeth and—in a detail included here—bronze claws (Daniel 7:7). Presumably, this is like no natural animal Daniel has ever seen. He asks for further details about this monster that brought destruction and devastation.
This "beast," history's final Gentile kingdom, conquers the previous Gentile kingdoms and shows no mercy as it does so. It mauls and crushes them with its bronze feet (Daniel 7:7–8). Imperial Rome dominated as an empire. It showed no mercy as its powerful armies marched across country after country in the Mediterranean region (Daniel 2:40). Yet the government ruling during the end times will somehow be even crueler. Its leader, one of the beasts of the book of Revelation (Revelation 13:1–2), will be empowered by Satan. This tyrant will demand absolute submission and worship, and whoever refuses to worship him will not be allowed to buy or sell (Revelation 13:15–17).
Daniel will also ask about this beast's arrangement of horns (Daniel 7:20), prompting an explanation of both (Daniel 7:23–27).