The Little Horn Series

The Little Horn

Book of Daniel Series

March 2nd, 2025

Scripture- Daniel 7

Introduction

First, there will be a lot of scripture today. I’ve printed a page of the relevant scripture, and if you want the notes just let me know and I’ll send you copy.

Mention podcast and sermon central.

Summarize why series jumped from chapter 4 to 7.

The book of Daniel is the key that unlocks our ability to understand and interpret all of the bible’s prophetic verses, and especially the book of Revelation.

In this church, we believe in what is called a pre-tribulation eschatological position. This means we believe that God will take the church out of the world in an event called the rapture prior to executing judgment on the earth during the 7-year period called the tribulation.

This chapter opens that door to us by revealing a person called “The little horn”

You might know him by a different name-

The antichrist.

We will first review how this chapter coincides with Daniel 2, and then look at who this mysterious person is, and how we can identify him.

Let’s begin with prayer

Prayer

Let’s look at how Daniel’s Vision here is similar to the one that Nebuchadnezzar had in chapter 2.

The Vision Unfolded (Daniel 7:1–8)

Daniel’s vision begins with four great beasts emerging from the tumultuous sea, symbolizing chaotic world systems and the rise of successive empires. These beasts correspond to the kingdoms represented in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Daniel 2), but with added emphasis on their moral and spiritual corruption.

1. The Lion with Eagle's Wings (Babylon) (vs 4)

o This is analogous to Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of a statue with a head of gold.

o to The lion, often a symbol of royalty and power, represents Babylon. The eagle’s wings depict the swiftness of Babylon’s conquests under Nebuchadnezzar. The wings being plucked and the lion standing like a man symbolizes Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling and subsequent restoration after acknowledging God’s sovereignty (Daniel 4).

2. The Bear with Three Ribs (Medo-Persia) (vs 5)

o This is analogous to Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of a statue with a torso and arms of silver

o The bear, raised on one side, reflects the dual nature of the Medo-Persian empire, with Persia dominating the partnership. The three ribs in its mouth signify the major conquests of Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. The command to "devour much flesh" underscores the empire’s brutal expansionism.

o Anyone who has seen the movie 300 can see the depths of evil that was in Persia at that time.

3. The Leopard with Four Wings and Four Heads (Greece) (Vs 6)

o This is analogous to Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of a statue with Stomach and thighs of Bronze

o The leopard, known for its speed, aptly depicts Alexander the Great’s lightning-fast conquests. The four wings intensify this imagery, while the four heads foreshadow the division of his empire among his generals after his death — Lysimachus, Cassander, Ptolemy, and Seleucus.

o This is also talked about in Daniel chapter 8, where Alexander is portrayed as a huge goat with three horns that ravages the nations.

4. The Dreadful and Terrifying Beast with 10 horns (Rome and the Revived Roman Empire) (Vs 7)

o This is analogous Nebuchadnezzar’s vision of a statue with legs of iron representing the Roman Empire.

o The fourth beast, described as so exceedingly dreadful that Daniel has trouble describing. In doing so he emphases its unparalleled destructiveness.

o Rome crushed all opposition with iron-like strength.

Now- note that the ten horns In Daniel’s vision align with the ten toes of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue (Daniel 2:41-42),

o Both represent a future confederation of ten kings, which Revelation 17:12 confirms will exist in the end times.

Rev 17:12 The ten horns that you saw are ten more kings, who have not yet come into power, and they will rule with the beast for only a short time.

That is the tie in with Daniel 2 with Nebuchadnezzar’s statue.

That’s the review part of this message.

The rest of the message will now focus on verse 8 of Daniel 7. I’ll include verse 7 for context.

This is the point in the sermon where we will be cross referencing a lot of scripture.

Dan 7:7-8 The fourth beast was stronger and more terrifying than the others. Its huge teeth were made of iron, and what it didn't grind with its teeth, it smashed with its feet. It was different from the others, and it had horns on its head—ten of them. (8) Just as I was thinking about these horns, a smaller horn appeared, and three of the other horns were pulled up by the roots to make room for it. This horn had the eyes of a human and a mouth that spoke with great pride.

What is this “Little Horn”?