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Day 24: The Little Horn

In Daniel’s dream, God gives a “Son of Man” a kingdom that will never be destroyed. That’s the good part, but there was more.

The worst being the fourth beast, terrifying and powerful. This beast had ten horns, each designating a king. Suddenly, another horn—a little one—came up among them, with eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. This little horn clearly represents either a person or a group of people.

Some of the activities of this little horn are described. “As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them” (Daniel 7:21) “Holy people” in this context refers to the people of Israel—those who will possess the kingdom ruled by the Son of Man. “But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever’ (Daniel 7:18). This is followed by: “As I watched, this horn was waging war against the holy people and defeating them, 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” (Daniel 7:21-22).

In verse 25, it describes more activities of this little horn. “He will speak against the Most High and oppress his holy people and try to change the set times and the laws. The holy people will be delivered into his hands for a time, times and half a time.” These activities are clearly in opposition to God. Yet many people throughout history who claimed to be Christians have oppressed God’s people, Israel, and have tried to change His set times—His Sabbaths and festivals. They’ve also tried to convince people that God’s laws are no longer in effect.

There may be an allusion to this beast in Revelation 17, where we have a woman, a great prostitute, riding on a beast with seven heads and ten horns. The seven heads are defined as seven hills, which symbolized the city of Rome. This is clarified in 17:18 where it says, “The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”

Without trying to identify specifically who the woman or the little horn represents, I want to urge you not to follow their example. They are clearly representative of opposition to God. Instead, we should love and respect the people of Israel, and pay careful attention to God’s laws and set times. God established a Sabbath and festival days to be remembered by His people for their good. Do you consider yourself one of God’s people? Then don’t emulate the little horn, but honor God’s instructions for living.