7:15-16 Even though Daniel understood all kinds of visions and dreams (1:17), much of what he had just seen baffled and alarmed him (cf. 7:28). He now saw himself participating in the events of his vision. He evidently addressed his question to an angel (cf. 8:16; 9:21). The fourth beast, and particularly the little horn, were the parts of the vision that he could not understand and had most interest in.
7:17 The interpreter gave Daniel a general answer to his question. He stressed that each of the four beasts represented a king (cf. v. 23). They arose from the earth, which is what the sea symbolized (v. 2; cf. Isa. 17:12-13; 57:20-21; Jer. 46:7-8).
"The four kings' obviously refer to four kingdoms, as the beasts represent both a king and a kingdom."278
7:18 The saints of the Highest One (vv. 22, 25, 27) probably refer to believers of all ages (v. 27).279They will receive the (fifth) kingdom and will possess it forever. People will have a share in the Son of Man's everlasting kingdom after He establishes it. This involves reigning with Christ (cf. Matt. 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 5:10; 20:4, 6; 22:5).280
"The reason for emphasizing the participation of God's people in the final kingdom seems to be that it is a literal, earthly kingdom, replacing the previous empires of men, rather than a spiritual domain, a sort of ideal kingdom of God consisting only of the Lord himself."281
