Daniel 7:23

The interpreting angel now granted the prophet more insight about the fourth beast and particularly about the little horn. Here the dual identification of the beasts with kings and kingdoms becomes transparent. The fourth beast does not only represent a king (Daniel 7:17), but also a kingdom. The angel repeated the facts already revealed (Daniel 7:7), but clarified that the previous description referred to a kingdom.

The phrase "whole earth" does not necessarily mean the whole planet (cf. Luke 2:1). The Old Testament generally uses this term to refer "to the entire territory of the Near and Middle East that in any way relates to the Holy Land." [Note: Ibid.] Another view is that a "one-world government under a worldwide dictator" is in view. [Note: Pentecost, p. 1354.] Later revelation seems to support the second view (Revelation 13).