Who does the little horn represent (Daniel 7)?

The prophecy of Daniel chapter 7 is one of the most detailed and powerful visions in the Old Testament. It presents a symbolic picture of world history, focusing particularly on the rise of powers that would dominate God’s people. Among these powers, the “little horn” stands out as a blasphemous and persecuting force.

Over centuries of Protestant interpretation, this little horn has been consistently identified as the Papacy. This article will explore the identity of the little horn by carefully examining the biblical text in Daniel 7, comparing Scripture with history, and using the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible.

The Four Beasts of Daniel 7: Overview of World Kingdoms

Daniel 7 begins with a dream Daniel received during the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon. In the vision, Daniel sees four great beasts rising from the sea. These beasts represent four world empires:

• Daniel 7:3 says, “And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other.”

Each beast symbolizes a kingdom, as confirmed in Daniel 7:17: “Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth.”

These four beasts are generally understood to be:

1. Lion with eagle’s wings – Babylon (Daniel 7:4)
2. Bear raised up on one side – Medo-Persia (Daniel 7:5)
3. Leopard with four wings and four heads – Greece (Daniel 7:6)
4. A dreadful and terrible beast with iron teeth and ten horns – Rome (Daniel 7:7)

This fourth beast is not like any known animal and is described as exceedingly strong, devouring everything in its path. This imagery matches the iron kingdom of Rome from Daniel chapter 2.

The Ten Horns and the Emergence of the Little Horn

From the fourth beast come ten horns, symbolizing the ten divisions of the Roman Empire. History shows that the Western Roman Empire was divided into ten tribal kingdoms around the 5th century A.D. Among these tribes were the Vandals, Heruli, Ostrogoths, Lombards, Burgundians, Franks, Anglo-Saxons, Suevi, Visigoths, and Alemanni. Three of these were later uprooted, as we will see.

Daniel 7:8 introduces the little horn:

“I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.”

Several key points must be highlighted here:

• The little horn arises among the ten horns, meaning it must come from Western Europe.
• It appears after the ten horns, so it arises after the division of the Roman Empire.
• It plucks up three horns by the roots, suggesting it destroys or removes three of the previous kingdoms.
• It has eyes like a man and speaks pompous words.

These characteristics narrow down the identification of the little horn.

Identifying Marks of the Little Horn

Daniel’s vision gives multiple characteristics of the little horn. Let’s summarize and interpret each:

1. Arises Among the Ten Horns

The little horn comes up among the ten, meaning it must originate in Western Europe, where the ten divisions of Rome were located.

2. Comes Up After the Ten Horns

This means the power appears after the fall of the Roman Empire, which occurred in 476 A.D.

3. Uproots Three Kingdoms

The little horn “plucked out by the roots” three of the original ten horns (Daniel 7:8). Historically, the Heruli, Vandals, and Ostrogoths opposed the rise of papal supremacy and were completely uprooted between the 5th and 6th centuries. The Heruli fell in 493, the Vandals in 534, and the Ostrogoths in 538 A.D.

4. Eyes Like the Eyes of a Man

This represents a human leadership, not merely a military or political force. It is guided by human insight and authority.

5. Speaks Pompous Words Against the Most High

Daniel 7:25 says, “He shall speak pompous words against the Most High.” This implies blasphemy. In Scripture, blasphemy includes claiming to forgive sins (Mark 2:7) and claiming to be God (John 10:33). The Papacy has historically claimed both, as popes have claimed divine titles and priests are said to forgive sins.

6. Persecutes the Saints

Daniel 7:25 also says, “Shall persecute the saints of the Most High.” This refers to religious persecution. History confirms that the Roman Church persecuted dissenters, particularly during the Inquisition and other crusades against “heretics.”

7. Thinks to Change Times and Law

The little horn will “intend to change times and law” (Daniel 7:25). The Roman Catholic Church has changed the Sabbath commandment, substituting Sunday for Saturday. This is not authorized in Scripture. The second commandment (against idols) is often downplayed in Catholic catechisms, and the tenth is split to maintain the number ten.

8. Power Lasts for a Time, Times, and Half a Time

Daniel 7:25 concludes, “Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time.” This prophetic period appears several times in Scripture (Daniel 12:7; Revelation 12:14). A “time” = 1 year, “times” = 2 years, and “half a time” = half a year. Using prophetic reckoning (360 days per year), this equals 1,260 days or 1,260 years (Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34).

The Papacy gained temporal power in 538 A.D. when the Ostrogoths were defeated. Exactly 1,260 years later, in 1798 A.D., Napoleon’s general Berthier captured Pope Pius VI and declared the Papal States abolished.

This fulfills the prophetic timeframe precisely.

The Judgment Scene: God’s Response to the Little Horn

Daniel 7:9-10 presents a judgment scene. Thrones are set up, and the Ancient of Days sits in judgment. Books are opened. This corresponds to the investigative judgment also described in Revelation.

Daniel 7:26 says: “But the court shall be seated, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and destroy it forever.”

Although the little horn had great power, its dominion would be removed by divine judgment.

Daniel 7:27 adds that “the kingdom and dominion…shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.”

This shows that in the end, God’s faithful people will inherit the eternal kingdom, even though the little horn had oppressed them for centuries.

Confirmation from History

Let’s summarize the parallels between the little horn and the historical Papacy:

1. Rises in Western Europe – The Papacy rose in Rome.
2. Arises after Rome’s division – The Papacy gained civil power after 476 A.D.
3. Destroys three horns – The Papacy opposed and outlasted the Heruli, Vandals, and Ostrogoths.
4. Eyes of a man – The Pope is the central human authority of the Church.
5. Blasphemous words – Popes claim divine authority and the power to forgive sins.
6. Persecutes the saints – Millions of Christians were persecuted for not submitting to papal authority.
7. Changes law – The Church changed the seventh day Sabbath to the first day and edited the Ten Commandments in catechisms.
8. Rules for 1,260 years – From 538 to 1798, the Papacy ruled as a dominant political and religious power.
9. Faces judgment – The prophecy shows God’s judgment would end its supremacy.

Protestant Reformers’ View of the Little Horn

Throughout history, many Protestant reformers identified the Papacy as the little horn. Some notable examples include:

• Martin Luther: “We here are of the conviction that the Papacy is the seat of the true and real Antichrist.”
• John Calvin: Referred to the Papacy as the Antichrist predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2.
• John Knox, John Wesley, and William Tyndale all saw the Papacy as fulfilling the prophecy of Daniel 7.

Their conclusion was based not on hatred but on careful study of Scripture and historical facts.

Final Victory of God’s People

Daniel 7 ends with hope:

Daniel 7:27 (NKJV): “Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.”

Although the little horn dominates for a time, God’s kingdom will ultimately prevail. Jesus Christ will return, and the saints will reign with Him forever. This assures believers that justice will be done, and the suffering caused by false religious powers will come to an end.

Conclusion

The little horn in Daniel 7 represents a significant and blasphemous power that arises from the Roman Empire, historically identified as the Papacy. This interpretation is supported by the characteristics outlined in the prophecy, such as its emergence among the ten horns, its role in uprooting three kingdoms, and its claims to divine authority. The timeline of its dominance from 538 to 1798 aligns with historical events, further confirming this identification.

Moreover, the prophecy assures believers of God’s ultimate judgment against the little horn and the eventual victory of His faithful people. Despite the trials and persecutions inflicted by this power, the promise of God’s everlasting kingdom provides hope and encouragement for believers to remain steadfast in their faith and trust in His justice. The message of Daniel 7 serves as a reminder of the triumph of Christ’s kingdom over all false religious systems.