Daniel 7 is foundational for understanding much of Revelation. Hundreds of years before John saw his vision of a ten horned beast, Daniel saw a vision of a ten horned beast. Both Daniel and John saw the judgment of this beast along with a transition into a new period of time when the saints would rule.
First, though, let me say that modern prophecy speculation has skewed our perception of what the ten horned beast is supposed to represent. In Revelation, the symbols are explained as to what the seven heads and ten horns mean. They speak of kings and kingdoms interacting in such a way as to govern the world during the final 42 month period. The ten horns are ten kings which give their power unto the beast for a short period of time in order to fulfill God’s will, Revelation 17:12-18.
Most focus only on the aspect that this beast is supposed to represent a person in charge of this end times governmental structure, known by most as the antichrist. But it should not be overlooked that this beast also represents the governmental structure itself. The seven heads and ten horns mean something other than one person inhabited by Satan. In Daniel 7, this empire is judged in such a way that the saints begin to possess the dominion under the whole of heaven. All dominions (kingdom authorities) shall serve and obey the saints, Daniel 7:27.
When we come to Revelation 19-20 which explains the destruction of the beast, we should see the parallel with Daniel 7. The beast is cast into the lake of fire, which focuses a bit on the person of the antichrist, but remember that the beast is the governmental framework from Daniel 7 as well. So when this beast is destroyed, we should expect to see the saints reigning immediately after this.
And we do. In Revelation 20:4-6 John has a vision of the saints which were martyred sitting on thrones because they came to life. They reigned and ruled with Christ, who is the Son of Man of Daniel 7, for 1000 years. This should be seen as a direct parallel to the reigning of the saints in Daniel 7. The same events occur. The Son of Man comes to judge the earth, Daniel 7:13, Revelation 19:11-16. The beast empire is destroyed, Daniel 7:11, 26, Revelation 19:19-21. Then the Son of Man begins to rule, Daniel 7:13-14. The saints also rule with Him, Daniel 7:18, 22, 27, Revelation 20:4-6. These passages compliment each other quite nicely.
This points to the fact that during the 1000 years that the saints will be reigning here on the earth since Daniel 7:27 names the realm of their dominion as “the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole of heaven”. The earthly empire is dealt with and the saints possess the kingdom. This presents a problem for an A-Millennialist interpretation of Revelation 20:4-6. Firstly, they deny that this resurrection is physical in nature. This is untenable since martyrs who were beheaded for their witness during the great tribulation are coming to life. Secondly, they believe that these thrones are heavenly thrones occurring now rather than at the future resurrection. Some point to Revelation 6:9-11 as a parallel passage to Revelation 20:4-6. The problem is that at the fifth seal, the martyrs are not brought back to life, they are told to wait. They also are not seen reigning from thrones at the fifth seal either. I see no evidence in Revelation 20:4-6 that these are heavenly thrones. With the foundation of Daniel 7, it should be obvious that at this point in time, the meek have inherited the earth.
Read Daniel 7 today, and then compare with Revelation 19-20. Do you see the parallel?
Have fun and stay busy – Luke 19:13
-The Orange Mailman
P.S. The NET has a footnote regarding Revelation 20:4-6. Here it is.
On the use of the aorist ἔζησαν (ezhsan) BDAG 425 s.v. ζάω 1.a.β says, “of dead persons who return to life become alive again: of humans in general (3 Km 17:23) Mt 9:18; Ac 9:41; 20:12; Rv 20:4, 5.”