Daniel 7 Little Horn Prophecy: Who Is It?
Daniel's vision names no names. It gives identifying marks instead: a power that would rise from among ten kingdoms, speak against God, persecute His people, and "think to change times and laws" (Daniel 7:25). History records only one power that matches every detail. The Protestant Reformers knew its identity. The evidence has not changed.
This is not an attack on individuals within any religious system. It is an examination of what Daniel prophesied and what history confirms.
The Prophecy in Daniel 7
Daniel 7 describes four beasts representing four kingdoms: Babylon (lion), Medo-Persia (bear), Greece (leopard), and Rome (terrible beast with iron teeth). From the fourth beast arise ten horns, representing the divided kingdoms of Western Europe after Rome's fall.
Among these ten horns, a different power emerges:
"I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things."
Daniel 7:8Daniel then receives more detail about this horn's activities:
"And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time."
Daniel 7:25The Identifying Marks
Daniel provides specific criteria to identify this power. Only one institution in history matches every mark:
Daniel's Description
- Arises among the ten kingdoms of divided Rome
- Different from the other kingdoms
- Three horns "plucked up" before it
- Eyes like a man (human leadership)
- Speaks "great words against the most High"
- Persecutes ("wears out") the saints
- Thinks to "change times and laws"
- Rules for 1260 prophetic years
Historical Fulfillment
- The papacy arose in Rome among divided Europe
- Religious power, not merely political
- Heruli (493), Vandals (534), Ostrogoths (538) destroyed
- Pope as visible human head
- Claims to be "God on earth" and "Vicar of Christ"
- Inquisition, persecution of Waldenses, etc.
- Changed the Sabbath to Sunday
- Dominated from 538-1798 AD (exactly 1260 years)
Changing Times and Laws
The phrase "think to change times and laws" is remarkable. Which of God's laws involves time? Only the Fourth Commandment specifies a day:
"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy... the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God."
Exodus 20:8, 10The Catholic Church openly admits changing the Sabbath from Saturday to Sunday by its own authority:
"You may read the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find a single line authorizing the sanctification of Sunday."
James Cardinal Gibbons, The Faith of Our FathersThe Catholic Church also altered the Ten Commandments themselves, removing the second commandment (against images) and splitting the tenth to maintain the count of ten. Daniel's prophecy of "changing times and laws" finds exact fulfillment.
The 1260 Years
Daniel predicted this power would rule for "a time, times, and the dividing of time" (3.5 years = 42 months = 1260 days). Using the biblical day-for-a-year principle (Numbers 14:34; Ezekiel 4:6), this equals 1260 literal years.
- 538 AD: Papacy gains civil authority after the Ostrogoths (the last Arian power opposing papal supremacy) are defeated
- 1798 AD: French General Berthier captures Pope Pius VI, abolishing the Papal States
- 538 + 1260 = 1798: Exactly fulfilled
This mathematical precision demonstrates that Daniel's prophecy is not speculation but fulfilled history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the little horn in Daniel 7?
The little horn is historically identified by Protestant Reformers as the papacy. Daniel 7:25 describes a power that would speak against God, persecute the saints, and "think to change times and laws." The papacy matches every identifying mark.
What does Daniel 7:25 mean by "change times and laws"?
The Fourth Commandment is the only commandment involving time (the seventh-day Sabbath). The Catholic Church admits changing the Sabbath to Sunday, claiming this as a mark of her authority. This fulfills Daniel's prediction exactly.
How long would the little horn have power?
Daniel 7:25 says 3.5 prophetic years (1260 prophetic days). Using the day-for-a-year principle, this equals 1260 literal years. From 538 AD (papacy gains civil power) to 1798 AD (pope captured by Napoleon's general), exactly 1260 years elapsed.
Did the Reformers believe the little horn was the papacy?
Yes. Luther, Calvin, Knox, Wesley, Wycliffe, Tyndale, and Newton all identified the little horn and the beast of Revelation as the papal system. This was standard Protestant interpretation for centuries.
Go Deeper
The Full Picture
- Chapter 8: The Mathematical Prophecy — Full chapter on Daniel's timeline
- The 1260-Day Prophecy — Detailed timeline analysis
- Appendix D: 1260 Timeline — Complete historical documentation
The Evidence
- Catholic Admissions — Their own words about changing the law
- Quote Wall — 89 hostile witness quotes
- 1260 Timeline — Interactive prophetic timeline
The Sabbath Connection
- What Day Is the Sabbath? — Biblical evidence for Saturday
- When Was It Changed? — Historical timeline
- The Mark of the Beast — The prophetic implications