Daniel 7:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’

NIV: But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.’

NASB: But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and take possession of the kingdom forever, for all ages to come.’

CSB: But the holy ones of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever, yes, forever and ever.’

NLT: But in the end, the holy people of the Most High will be given the kingdom, and they will rule forever and ever.'

KJV: But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.

NKJV: But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’

Daniel's vision of strange creatures (Daniel 7:1–8) and their conflict with heaven (Daniel 7:9–14) led to anxiety and fear (Daniel 7:15). One of the angelic beings in Daniel's dream has explained that these are prophecies of human kingdoms that will arise in the Mediterranean region (Daniel 7:15–17). This might have seemed daunting to Daniel, so here the being offers reassurance. Dire news and frightening images are interrupted by the word "but," leaving room for hope.

The divine interpreter gives Daniel good news to go with the prior bad news. These earthly human kingdoms will not last forever. Yet true believers in God will be given an eternal kingdom. When the Messiah returns to earth to establish a literal thousand-year kingdom, some of His saints will have survived the tribulation (Revelation 7:13–17). Others will be resurrected when their Messiah returns to earth (Daniel 12:1–3). God has temporarily set aside Israel as a people "until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in" (Romans 11:25). However, God's covenant to David (2 Samuel 7:16; Psalm 89:1–4) has never been rescinded. The times of the Gentiles will end, and the fulfillment of God's covenant will come to fruition. God's saints will receive the everlasting kingdom.

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.

This chapter is the intersection of two different divisions in the book of Daniel. This is the last passage written in Aramaic, the common language of the world at that time. It is also the first segment focusing on prophecy, shifting from a record of events in the past to show a glimpse of the future. This passage connects to other descriptions of the end times, such as those found in Revelation chapters 13, 19, and 20.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.