Daniel 7:19-22

5. Daniel’s request for interpretation of the fourth beast 7:19-22

Daniel repeated the descriptions of the fourth beast and the little horn, and in doing so mentioned four previously unrevealed details about them. The beast had claws of bronze, stressing its fierce nature (Daniel 7:19). The little horn was more prominent than the other horns, accounting for its ability to rise in the place of three other horns (Daniel 7:20). The little horn waged war with the saints and overcame them, which explains one reason for God’s final judgment of him (Daniel 7:21; cf. Revelation 11:7; Revelation 12:13-17; Revelation 13:7; Revelation 17:17). Daniel seems to have had particular concern about the fate of the saints whom the little horn overpowered. Finally, God passed judgment in favor of His saints, further indicating the importance of the saints in God’s actions. "Ancient of Days" and "Highest One" appear to be two titles of God the Father, stressing His eternality and sovereignty, respectively.