In Daniel's vision, "Dan. 7:3---four great beasts came up from the sea," means the kings and their kingdoms that rose up from among the people. The sea means the people.
In "Dan. 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth." That which rises out of the earth has to do with religions or belief systems and their leaders. They are like great beasts in that the scale of their influence extends beyond borders. They're no longer just local beliefs but they've become international. They are like kings in the manner of the extent of the faith and adoration its followers grant to them.
Christianity is one of these great beasts. Don't think of it here as in its separate elements like God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord, but as it is in its totality---a great movement of people with a common belief. This common belief is one of the kings that dominates the people and moves them to follow a distinct course which sometimes extends to violence against real or perceived enemies. Islam is another beast or king. Hinduism and Buddhism are others.
Judaism is not one because, in comparison, it has very few adherents. Besides that, the Jews were to be kept separate and not counted among the people (Ex. 33:16-17). They are "the rod of thine (God's) inheritance (Psalm 74:2)", "the first dominion (Micah 4:8)", and where he will return (Zach. 8:3, Joel 3:17.
"Dan. 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever." This means that God shall give power to his saints that believe and trust in him. These are not adherents to a religion. These are the true followers who have sought him and know him and are known of him. He is not a man, a building or an icon. He is God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
In "Dan. 7:17 These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth." That which rises out of the earth has to do with religions or belief systems and their leaders. They are like great beasts in that the scale of their influence extends beyond borders. They're no longer just local beliefs but they've become international. They are like kings in the manner of the extent of the faith and adoration its followers grant to them.
Christianity is one of these great beasts. Don't think of it here as in its separate elements like God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord, but as it is in its totality---a great movement of people with a common belief. This common belief is one of the kings that dominates the people and moves them to follow a distinct course which sometimes extends to violence against real or perceived enemies. Islam is another beast or king. Hinduism and Buddhism are others.
Judaism is not one because, in comparison, it has very few adherents. Besides that, the Jews were to be kept separate and not counted among the people (Ex. 33:16-17). They are "the rod of thine (God's) inheritance (Psalm 74:2)", "the first dominion (Micah 4:8)", and where he will return (Zach. 8:3, Joel 3:17.
"Dan. 7:18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever." This means that God shall give power to his saints that believe and trust in him. These are not adherents to a religion. These are the true followers who have sought him and know him and are known of him. He is not a man, a building or an icon. He is God the Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.