Daniel 7:22 - Printer Friendly

ESV: until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom.

NIV: until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.

NASB: until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom.

CSB: until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgment was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom.

NLT: until the Ancient One — the Most High — came and judged in favor of his holy people. Then the time arrived for the holy people to take over the kingdom.

KJV: Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

NKJV: until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

Earlier in his vision, Daniel saw God and referred to Him as "the Ancient of Days" (Daniel 7:9–10). He observed Jesus Christ being given power and authority by God the Father (Daniel 7:13–14). Though Daniel's dream meant that God's people would be oppressed and persecuted (Daniel 7:21), this would only be a temporary condition. Revelation 19:19–21 describes the downfall of this leader and his followers.

The world leader symbolized by a "little horn" (Daniel 7:8, 20) of a strange beast will not win ultimate victory in his fight against believers. Revelation 17:14 indicates that the beast and his forces attempt to make war against the Lord Jesus and will be conquered. The ten warring rulers and the beast are kings, but they are no match for Jesus, the "Lord of lords and King of kings." Psalm 2 predicts that the kings of the earth will declare war on God's Son, but God will laugh at their arrogant ambition. He will present the ends of the earth to His Son as His possession (Psalm 2:8), and His Son will destroy the rebellious nations (Psalm 2:9).

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.