“As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.” Daniel 7:8
The remainder of Daniel is the hardest part of the book to write on. There are so many interpretations of Daniel, so it is difficult to know the true prophecy. Some interpreters believe that Daniel did not even write this part of the book. Conservative interpreters are agreed that this is genuine prophecy, that it is futuristic, that is, related to future events from Daniel’s point of view, and that its culmination is in the kingdom which Christ brings. I believe that Daniel wrote the book with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I will be writing with this viewpoint.
The little horn represents the last world ruler, the man called the antichrist. The final ruler will be both a counterfeit Christ and an enemy who is against Christ. This man is described as the man of lawless. “Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3) According to Daniel the antichrist has to overcome the power of three other rulers to be able to do what he wants to do and what Satan wants to do. The mention of his eyes suggests that he has remarkable knowledge and skill in planning his exploits. He will also be a man skilled in using words and able to promote himself so that people will follow him. He will also blaspheme God and ultimate convince the unbelievers that he is god. He will become the ruler of the world and will control not only the economy and religion, but also seek to change the times and the law.