Daniel 7:15-18 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

I Daniel was grieved in my spirit Upon account of the extraordinary changes which seemed to be signified by the vision, the particulars of which troubled me, though I had not a perfect apprehension of their meaning. I came near unto one of them that stood by Namely, to one of the angels who were attending as ministering spirits. And asked him the truth, &c. Desired him to give me a clear understanding of all this. So he told me, &c. Explained to me the true and plain meaning of these things. These great beasts are four kings Four kingdoms, or monarchies. So the word king is used Isaiah 23:15. Which shall arise out of the earth Which shall raise themselves merely upon carnal, worldly grounds and considerations, and that by wars and troubles, and which shall think of and concern themselves with only earthly things; whereas the kingdom of Christ is described, in the next verse, as a heavenly, spiritual kingdom, fitting men for heaven. But the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom When the earthly kingdom shall be destroyed, the heavenly, or spiritual kingdom of the saints shall commence; they shall enter upon it on earth, but shall retain it in heaven for ever. The Chaldee word עליונין, rendered Most High, is literally high ones, as it is translated in the margin: and these saints are indeed high ones, being children and heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ. Sometimes, however, the one true God is spoken of in the plural number by way of eminence, as Joshua 24:19, where it is in the Hebrew, He is the holy Gods. The expression may therefore mean as we have it rendered.