What scriptural connections exist between Daniel 7:25 and Revelation 13? Opening the Texts Together “He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change times and law; and the holy ones will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.” “The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for forty-two months. And he opened his mouth to speak blasphemies against God, to slander His name and His tabernacle—those who dwell in heaven. Then he was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and he was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.” Shared Vocabulary and Concepts • Blasphemy against God • Persecution of “saints” or “holy ones” • A divinely limited timeframe of authority • Worldwide dominion granted—yet restricted • Empowerment that ultimately comes from a supernatural evil source (cf. Revelation 13:2, the dragon) Blasphemy Against the Most High • Daniel: “He will speak words against the Most High.” • Revelation: “The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words… to slander His name.” • Parallel idea: A single end-time figure openly defies God through speech (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). A War on the Saints • Daniel: “Oppress the holy ones… wear out the saints.” • Revelation: “Wage war against the saints and to conquer them.” • Result: Temporary victory over believers, echoed again in Revelation 12:17. A Limited Time of Authority • Daniel: “Time, times, and half a time” (1 + 2 + ½ = 3½ years). • Revelation: “Forty-two months” (3½ years). • Both measure the same prophetic span, underscoring God’s control over evil’s duration (cf. Revelation 11:2-3; 12:6,14). Global Dominion—Yet God-Bounded • Daniel 7:23 speaks of a fourth beast “devouring the whole earth.” • Revelation 13:7 adds authority “over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.” • The scope is worldwide, but permission is granted and later revoked (cf. Revelation 19:19-21). Attempt to Change Divine Order • Daniel: “He will intend to change times and law.” • Revelation: The beast institutes a new economic/religious order (Revelation 13:16-17). • Underlying goal: Erase God’s ordained patterns and impose a counterfeit system. Empowered by Satan • Revelation 13:2—“The dragon gave the beast his power, his throne, and great authority.” • Daniel 8:24 echoes that the little horn’s power is “not by his own power.” • Connection: The same satanic source stands behind both visions. The Antichrist Portrait Comes into Focus • 1 John 2:18 identifies a coming personal “antichrist.” • Daniel’s “little horn” and Revelation’s “beast” converge into that single eschatological figure. • Final defeat is foretold: Daniel 7:26-27; Revelation 19:20. Takeaway for Believers • God sets strict limits on the beast’s time and reach. • Persecution, though intense, is temporary and purposeful (Daniel 11:35; Revelation 14:12). • The Son of Man receives the everlasting kingdom (Daniel 7:13-14), and the saints reign with Him (Revelation 20:4). |
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