Who is the Little Horn in Daniel 7:8? How is God mentioned in 7:9-10 and who is the one like the son of man in Daniel 7:13. These are difficult questions to pin down. Depending on your eschatological beliefs I will probably anger or disappoint a few people with my unintentional evasiveness.
Daniel has a dream of four beasts. The fourth beast or kingdom is described as having “iron teeth” & “ten horns”. It was terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It crushed and devoured its victims and trampled what was left. As Daniel observes this an eleventh horn or “the little horn” arises. He uproots or destroys three of the original ten horns (or symbol of power/kingship). It is personified has having human eyes and a boastful mouth. Depending on the historical or theological point of view the “little horn” takes on different persona. Wiersbe views the little horn as the last world ruler or the Antichrist. It would be a frightful kingdom unlike any of the other kingdoms. We see later that this is a good probability because in verse 25 we see that the “little horn” even speaks out/boasts against the Most High God and oppress His saints. I could quite literally write a book on this but I believe I have pinpointed at least one of the interpretations of who the “little horn” is here (Wiersbe 283).
A historicist’s interpretation would understand the fourth kingdom as the Macedonian Empire which was inaugurated by Alexander the Great and would make the “little horn” a probable allusion to Antiochus Epiphanes who viciously persecuted the Jews during the intertestamental era and had perpetrated the Abomination of Desolation in the temple (this also happens in Revelation). Another identification for who this is this: If the first beast was Babylon, the second was the Medo-Persian Empire, and the third was the empire of Greece, then we are following a closely linked chronological order that next leads to Rome being the fourth beast. If Rome is the fourth beast than the obvious choice for one who rises up and speaks against the Most High would’ve been none other than Caesar.
We again run into a situation like the age of Daniel under Darius. It is subject to theological viewpoint and method of interpretation. I am not versed enough in both to make a solid determination. If pressed, after prayer I would have to say the the “little horn” is a tool of Satan. Possibly THEE Antichrist of Revelation or a form of antichrist/shadow of the real deal like the ones John mentions in 1 John...
"Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen; from this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, in order that it might be shown that they all are not of us." ~1 John 2:18-19
If it was a form of historical Antichrist this allows of a number of historical possibilities for the “little horn’s” identity as stated above. Regardless we must understand that an antichrist is an epitome of what we as believers are to avoid and be wary of so that we are not duped by one whether he/it be in history past (biblical/intertestamental) or the future (Revelation).
God in verse 9 & 10 is called the Ancient of Days. We now enter the throne room of God and the heavenly realm. The Ancient of Days is a term unique to Daniel in the Old Testament. It also means “One who endures” (Longman, Garland 139). God is visualized as having:
(v. 9) Clothing was as white as snow: The white garments symbolize both God’s splendor and purity
(v. 9) The hair of his head was white like wool: Also speaks of God’s majesty and splendor was well an allusion to wise (of age; aged deity as wisdom is usually indicative or age)
(v. 9) His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.: Fire was often associated to Theophanies (Moses, Mt. Sinai), fire is associated with judgment, fire purifies.
(v. 10) A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him: Something akin to lightning?
(v. 10) Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: Attendants denote an person or entity of great importance to be given reverence
(v. 10) The court was seated and the books were opened: Perhaps books of Law, Judgment or even the Lambs Book of Life.
The reference to the “one like a son of man” is a human figure seen in the vision. It may or may not be human or totally human but it does have the appearance of a human (Longman, Garland 139). We also see the Son of Man approach the Ancient of Days and He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. It is at that point we understand his identity: Jesus Christ. That is if we never read the Gospels and heard Jesus refer to himself as the Son of Man ;).
Longman, Tremper, and David Garland. "Daniel." Daniel-Malachi (Expositor's Bible Commentary, The). New Rev ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2009. 132-145. Print.
Wiersbe, Warren. “Thy Kingdom Come." Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament: The Prophets (Bible Knowledge). Acambaro: Victor, 2003. 283. Print.
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