Chapter seven of The Book of Daniel mentions four mysterious looking Beasts, which Beasts have to do with ruling and influencing the Jewish people. They are gentile kingdoms, and the terrible Beast of Daniel 7:7 is exceedingly strange, sporting ten horns. What does all this mean? As he considered what he saw, his vision turned to scenes in heaven at the very throne of God (Daniel 7:9-14). However, Daniel was grieved in his spirit and wanted to know the interpretation of the vision, and he requested information from the angel in his vision (Daniel 7:15-16). He was told the Beasts represented kings or kingdoms.
he fourth kingdom would have 10 horns, which were also kings or rulers (Daniel 7:20, 24), and most scholars agree that the fourth kingdom is Rome. However, the interpretation of the ten horns varies, but most prevalent understanding is that they are resurrections of the Roman Empire, and, accordingly the Roman Catholic Papacy is the little horn, which makes it all possible. Of course, none of this has any evidence for support. It is all conjecture, without a single scripture to lend any credibility to their postulations.
I find the interpretation about Roman Catholics extremely distasteful, and I wonder if any of these scholars who hold to such beliefs ever read and understood Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:1-2. I know and understand the historical data taken into consideration to make such claims, but there was hardly a Protestant denomination that was birthed without bloodshed and/or persecution. Please, may we lay aside our shame and conduct ourselves properly, while considering the interpretation of the word of God, which, by the way, tells us, we know only in part (1Corinthians 13:9, 12) and shouldn’t judge one another? In this context, we need to keep in mind the words, which Peter wrote in 2Peter 2:1-3.
Returning now to Daniel’s vision, long-story-short, I believe a better understanding of the ten horns that grew out of the Roman Empire were the ten procurators that ruled Judea and Samaria from the times of the ministry of Jesus until the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in AD 70. There were only ten of these leaders according to Josephus, and they ruled the Jews as kings. They are:
- Pontius Pilate – 26-35 AD (Luke 3:1; 23:1)
- Marcellus – 35-38 AD
- Marullus – 38-41 AD
- Cuspius Fadus – 44-46 AD
- Tiberius Alexander – 46-48 AD
- Ventidius Cumanus – 48-52 AD
- M. Antonius Felix – 52-59 AD (Acts 23:26-24:27)
- Porcius Festus – 59-61 AD (Acts 25)
- Albinus – 61-65 AD
- Gessius Florus – 65-70 AD
Daniel tells us that the men represented by the horns would have their dominion taken from them, but their lives would be spared (Daniel 7:12). While Festus died a naturel death in office, the others were allowed to live, although some were banished or exiled. Yet, none were executed, which is what the text implies would not occur.
The governors of Judea and Jerusalem were called either proconsuls or prefects, but all possessed the authority of imperium.[1] What this means is: they were autonomous in their authority and could govern as they saw fit. They were under no obligation to consult higher authorities, including the emperor, before making decisions within their provincial command. The only condition was that the emperor received his taxes from the province and that the governor was able enough to keep the peace and put down any insurrection that might develop. In all things he exercised the authority of a king. It all occurred in the 1st century AD before the Jewish war with Rome that destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD. There is absolutely no reason to look for 10 future kings to reign before the return of Jesus to this earth.
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[1] “The governor, whether proconsul, propraetor, legate or prefect, wielded the power of Rome in his province. He was bound by the provincial charter to honor specific arrangements for tax exemption and other prerogatives, and the provincials could complain about his administration to the senate or emperor. Otherwise, his exercise of imperium was very nearly absolute. He made deals with the local authorities in the cities or tribes. He exercised police powers through his command of the legions, if any were stationed in the province, or more often through a smaller military unit made up of auxiliary troops composed of non-Roman citizens. He heard law cases and pronounced capital sentences…” THE GRECO-ROMAN WORLD OF THE NEW TESTAMENT by James S. Jeffers; Chapter 6 “Governing of the Provinces & Palestine” – page 114.
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8 responses to “The 10 Horns of Daniel 7”
Wow, I didn’t know that. That definitely made them unique and shows how God can work out amazing things when His people turn to Him to take care of them in adverse circumstances.
But surely some taxes went to Caesar – otherwise why would the Jews question Jesus about whether they should pay taxes to him, and there appears to be a separate Temple tax in Mt 17:24 and so on?
Good, I’m glad you found its meaning to your satisfaction, Shari. It has been years since I really delved into the study of prophecy. These blogs are the result of much earlier studies. However, when I come to something that needs correction, I correct it. If it is something really meaningful, I put a footnote in the blog showing a previous held error that was corrected in the blog. Nevertheless, even what is now there, I sometimes have trouble remembering exactly what brought me to this conclusion. I remember many things, but not all the details. I’m glad you found what you were looking for.
Actually, it isn’t as I claimed in my previous reply. I thought I remembered a specific tax (not all taxes) that other nations sent to Caesar, that the Jews were allowed to send that money to Jerusalem. However, I cannot find where I read that, so I may have misunderstood or don’t remember the specifics properly. The Jews of the Diaspora were permitted to send money unhindered to Jerusalem as a “tax” whether tithe or offering. Moreover, the Jews were exempt from paying their land tax every seventh year, because nothing was planted that year. In addition to all this, the Jews were allowed a great deal of liberty with respect to their laws, which included keeping the Sabbath unhindered, and not being judged in court on the Sabbath etc.