What does Daniel 7:18 mean by "saints of the Most High"? Text and Immediate Context Daniel 7:18 : “But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever—yes, forever and ever.” Daniel’s night-visions (7:1-28) unfold four successive earthly empires (vv. 3-7), the rise of a blasphemous “little horn” (vv. 8, 11), the heavenly court (vv. 9-10), and the enthronement of “One like a Son of Man” (vv. 13-14). Verse 18 summarizes the destiny of “the saints of the Most High” as the divine verdict is rendered against the final beastly power (vv. 22, 26-27). Original Language and Semantics 1. “Saints” translates the Aramaic plural קַדִּשִׁין (qaddišin) meaning “holy ones, consecrated ones, set-apart ones.” 2. “Most High” renders עֶלְיוֹנִין (ʿelyônîn), the plural of majesty paralleling Hebrew ‘El ʿElyon, “God Most High” (Genesis 14:18-20). 3. The phrase can read literally “the holy ones of the Highest Ones,” a superlative construction emphasizing Yahweh’s absolute transcendence and the people who belong exclusively to Him. Canonical Cross-References • Daniel himself repeats the title: 7:22 “judgment was given in favor of the saints of the Most High,” 7:27. • Old Testament: Psalm 50:5; 1 Samuel 2:9-10; Psalm 149:4-9; Isaiah 60:21 connect holiness with covenant loyalty and future dominion. • New Testament: Matthew 5:5; Luke 12:32; Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 6:2; Ephesians 1:18; Colossians 1:12; Revelation 5:10; 20:4; 22:5 echo Daniel’s promise of kingdom inheritance. Identity of the “Saints” 1. Covenant Community of Faithful Humans • The term “saints” commonly designates the believing remnant of Israel (Deuteronomy 33:2-3; Psalm 16:3). Within Daniel, notes of persecution (7:21, 25) indicate human sufferers, not sinless angels. • Dead Sea Scroll 4QDaᶮ (4QDana, 2nd century BC) preserves the phrase exactly as in MT, showing the early Jewish reading of “holy ones” as God’s people. 2. Saints in Union with the Messiah • The “Son of Man” (v. 13) receives an everlasting kingdom (v. 14) and immediately shares it with the saints (v. 18). The New Testament reveals that believers are co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) and reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 3:21). • The logic is covenantal: God grants dominion to His anointed king and, through Him, to all redeemed people. 3. Angelic Hosts? • Daniel calls angels “holy ones” elsewhere (4:13, 17, 23), so some propose that 7:18 refers to angels. However, angels are never said to “possess” a kingdom; humans are (Genesis 1:26-28; Hebrews 2:5-9). • Daniel distinguishes angels (“watchers”) from saints under persecution, strengthening the human identification. Character and Marks of the Saints • Set-apart by God’s elective grace (Exodus 19:5-6). • Persevering under tribulation (Daniel 7:21, 25; Revelation 13:7-10). • Destined for vindication (Daniel 12:2-3). • Clothed in imputed righteousness (Isaiah 61:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Eschatological Framework • “Receive the kingdom” presupposes the public defeat of the antichristian “little horn” (Daniel 7:11, 26; 2 Thessalonians 2:8). • The duration is thrice emphasized—“forever—yes, forever and ever”—mirroring Revelation’s “they will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:5). • A literal, future earthly reign aligns with the premillennial reading (Revelation 20:4-6) and preserves the text’s normal sense that dominion follows historic persecution. Historical and Archaeological Corroboration • Cuneiform contract texts from Babylon (e.g., “Nabû-sharrussu-ukin” tablets, published by Wiseman, 1985) verify the accuracy of Daniel’s setting. • The “Verse-Account of Nabonidus” confirms Belshazzar’s co-regency, matching Daniel 5:1 and supporting Daniel’s eyewitness credibility—reinforcing confidence in chapter 7’s prophetic authenticity. Purpose and Practical Implications • Assurance: Persecuted believers know the outcome—everlasting dominion granted by God. • Holiness: Being a “saint” is not an achievement but a divine calling to live set apart (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Hope-driven Mission: Confident of future reign, saints evangelize and disciple nations, anticipating the consummation when “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ” (Revelation 11:15). Summary “Saints of the Most High” in Daniel 7:18 are the covenant people whom God has set apart, redeemed, and destined to share in the messianic kingdom. The phrase gathers the faithful remnant of Old Testament Israel and, in light of progressive revelation, every believer united to the risen Son of Man, Jesus Christ. Their inheritance is certain, perpetual, and cosmic, grounded in the unassailable decree of the Ancient of Days and validated by the resurrection of Christ, whose victory secures their everlasting reign. |
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