What does Daniel 7:20 mean?
Daniel's dream (Daniel 7:1) was distressing and needed explanation (Daniel 7:15, 19). Daniel has asked the interpreter (Daniel 7:16) for the meaning of the fourth beast's ten horns and the smaller horn which emerged from among them (Daniel 7:7–8). In this verse, Daniel repeats some of those earlier details. Three of the horns fell, and the horn that emerged had eyes and a mouth that spoke "great things," probably meaning blasphemy and overt hatred towards God (Daniel 7:25).Daniel observed that this horn "seemed greater" than the others. Earlier, Daniel referred to this horn as "little" (Daniel 7:8). Perhaps Daniel watched this horn grow until it was big enough to displace three. This takeover, which defeated three other horns, showed that the king and kingdom represented by the eleventh horn was distinct from the others. It would somehow be more powerful and prominent. This fourth beast captured most of Daniel's attention.
Daniel 7:15–28 offers a detailed interpretation of Daniel's dream and visions (Daniel 7:1–14). The interpretation deals mainly with the fourth beast with teeth of iron and claws of bronze. It ends with the prediction that God will judge this fourth beast and give an everlasting kingdom to the Messiah. The New Testament reveals that this Promised One is Jesus Christ (Acts 13:23).
Daniel experiences a troubling vision in the form of a dream. He sees animal-like beasts representing successive kingdoms. The last of these is uniquely powerful and led by a mysterious figure. This person, depicted as a "little horn," will be known for usurping power, blasphemy against God, and intense persecution of the saints. Yet his time will be short and it will end in God's successful judgment.