The little horn

“He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.” Daniel 7:25
Yesterday we read about the four beasts that Daniel saw in a vision. The fourth beast was “terrifying and frightening and very powerful” (Dan. 7:7), having ten horns, and then a little horn that grew up later. We are told the little horn spoke boastful things against God and against His people. The horn refers to a man who will rise in the end times, commonly called the Antichrist. We read that he will try to change the set times and the laws. ‘Set times’ is the word zeman, an appointed time. It is used several times in the book of Daniel, referring to a time that God has set. A variation also appears in Eccl. 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” ‘Laws’ is the word dath, used of a royal or divine decree. God has decreed that judgement will come upon the world at a set time. The Antichrist seeks to change this. He is empowered and inspired by Satan, who knows that when this day comes, his time is short (Rev. 12:12).
Another very important thing to note is that the ‘saints’ being referred to here are not the church. The church is a mystery in the Old Testament (Eph. 3:3-5) – it is concealed. We are promised victory over the enemy, and freedom from Satanic oppression. Rather, the saints in view here are those who come to faith during the Tribulation. Many of these believers will be Jewish, because their current blindness will be lifted (Rom. 11:25-27). But although they will be oppressed, ultimately God’s purpose will stand. He will provide deliverance for them. What a glorious day that will be!