Daniel 7:18 - But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’
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What does "Daniel 7:18" mean?
Daniel 7:18 is a powerful and hopeful verse found within a larger vision in the Book of Daniel. To understand its meaning, let's break it down:
Context:
Daniel's Vision: Chapter 7 describes Daniel's vision of four beasts representing earthly kingdoms that are characterized by violence, oppression, and arrogance.
Judgment and the Ancient of Days: The vision includes a scene of divine judgment presided over by the "Ancient of Days" (God). These earthly kingdoms are judged and ultimately their power is taken away.
"Son of Man" Figure: Daniel sees "one like a son of man" coming on the clouds of heaven, who is given dominion, glory, and a kingdom that will never be destroyed.
Meaning of Daniel 7:18:
"But the saints of the Most High..."
"Saints": The word "saints" (Hebrew: qaddiysh or Aramaic qaddisin) literally means "holy ones" or "set apart ones." They are God's people, those who are faithful and loyal to Him. In the context of Daniel, these "saints" were likely understood to be the faithful Israelites who were suffering persecution. However, its interpretation has broadened to refer to all of God's faithful followers throughout history.
"Most High": This is a title for God, emphasizing His supreme power and authority.
"...will receive the kingdom..."
"Receive the kingdom": This indicates that the saints will inherit or be given the kingdom that the earthly, oppressive kingdoms were stripped of. It's a kingdom of righteousness, justice, and peace. It's not something they seize by force, but something they receive as a gift from God.
"...and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever."
"Possess the kingdom": This signifies that the saints will not just temporarily inherit the kingdom, but will have a lasting and secure ownership of it.
"Forever, even forever and ever": This emphasizes the eternal nature of the kingdom. There is no end to its duration or to the saints' enjoyment of it.
Interpretations:
There are different interpretations of this verse, often debated within different theological traditions:
Literal Kingdom: Some believe this refers to a literal, earthly kingdom to be established by God, where the saints will reign with Christ during the Millennial reign described in Revelation.
Spiritual Kingdom: Others interpret this as referring to the spiritual kingdom of God, which exists in the hearts of believers and will be fully realized in the eternal state (heaven). This view emphasizes the present reality of God's reign in the lives of His people, as well as the future hope of eternal life with Him.
Historical/Symbolic: Some view it as a symbolic representation of the triumph of God's people over earthly powers and the establishment of a just and righteous society. In the historical context of Daniel, this could have been understood as the eventual restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile.
Key Themes:
Hope: This verse offers a message of hope and encouragement to those who are suffering for their faith. It promises that God will ultimately vindicate His people and give them a lasting reward.
Sovereignty of God: It highlights the sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms and His ultimate control over history.
Eternal Kingdom: It emphasizes the eternal nature of God's kingdom, contrasting it with the temporary and fleeting nature of earthly power.
Victory of Good over Evil: It speaks to the ultimate victory of good over evil, of righteousness over injustice, and of God's people over their oppressors.
In summary, Daniel 7:18 is a powerful promise that God's faithful people ("the saints of the Most High") will inherit an eternal kingdom of righteousness, justice, and peace. While interpretations vary, the core message remains one of hope, vindication, and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over all earthly powers.
Daniel 7:18 - But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’
What does "Daniel 7:18" mean?
Daniel 7:18 is a powerful and hopeful verse found within a larger vision in the Book of Daniel. To understand its meaning, let's break it down:
Context:
Daniel's Vision: Chapter 7 describes Daniel's vision of four beasts representing earthly kingdoms that are characterized by violence, oppression, and arrogance.
Judgment and the Ancient of Days: The vision includes a scene of divine judgment presided over by the "Ancient of Days" (God). These earthly kingdoms are judged and ultimately their power is taken away.
"Son of Man" Figure: Daniel sees "one like a son of man" coming on the clouds of heaven, who is given dominion, glory, and a kingdom that will never be destroyed.
Meaning of Daniel 7:18:
"But the saints of the Most High..."
"Saints": The word "saints" (Hebrew: qaddiysh or Aramaic qaddisin) literally means "holy ones" or "set apart ones." They are God's people, those who are faithful and loyal to Him. In the context of Daniel, these "saints" were likely understood to be the faithful Israelites who were suffering persecution. However, its interpretation has broadened to refer to all of God's faithful followers throughout history.
"Most High": This is a title for God, emphasizing His supreme power and authority.
"...will receive the kingdom..."
"Receive the kingdom": This indicates that the saints will inherit or be given the kingdom that the earthly, oppressive kingdoms were stripped of. It's a kingdom of righteousness, justice, and peace. It's not something they seize by force, but something they receive as a gift from God.
"...and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever."
"Possess the kingdom": This signifies that the saints will not just temporarily inherit the kingdom, but will have a lasting and secure ownership of it.
"Forever, even forever and ever": This emphasizes the eternal nature of the kingdom. There is no end to its duration or to the saints' enjoyment of it.
Interpretations:
There are different interpretations of this verse, often debated within different theological traditions:
Literal Kingdom: Some believe this refers to a literal, earthly kingdom to be established by God, where the saints will reign with Christ during the Millennial reign described in Revelation.
Spiritual Kingdom: Others interpret this as referring to the spiritual kingdom of God, which exists in the hearts of believers and will be fully realized in the eternal state (heaven). This view emphasizes the present reality of God's reign in the lives of His people, as well as the future hope of eternal life with Him.
Historical/Symbolic: Some view it as a symbolic representation of the triumph of God's people over earthly powers and the establishment of a just and righteous society. In the historical context of Daniel, this could have been understood as the eventual restoration of Israel after the Babylonian exile.
Key Themes:
Hope: This verse offers a message of hope and encouragement to those who are suffering for their faith. It promises that God will ultimately vindicate His people and give them a lasting reward.
Sovereignty of God: It highlights the sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms and His ultimate control over history.
Eternal Kingdom: It emphasizes the eternal nature of God's kingdom, contrasting it with the temporary and fleeting nature of earthly power.
Victory of Good over Evil: It speaks to the ultimate victory of good over evil, of righteousness over injustice, and of God's people over their oppressors.
In summary, Daniel 7:18 is a powerful promise that God's faithful people ("the saints of the Most High") will inherit an eternal kingdom of righteousness, justice, and peace. While interpretations vary, the core message remains one of hope, vindication, and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over all earthly powers.