Daniel 7:25

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 7:25 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to Daniel’s vision of four beasts, which represent four successive empires: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. In verse 25, the focus narrows to a particular ruler, often called the “little horn,” who arises from the fourth beast. This ruler opposes God and persecutes God’s people.

Meaning

The verse describes four actions of this ruler. First, he “shall speak great words against the most High,” meaning he boasts arrogantly and sets himself up as a rival to God, claiming authority that belongs only to God. Second, he “shall wear out the saints of the most High,” indicating prolonged, exhausting persecution of God’s faithful people. Third, he “think[s] to change times and laws,” showing his intention to alter religious festivals and God’s law, though the word “think” suggests an attempt rather than a permanent success. Fourth, the saints “shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time,” a phrase commonly interpreted as three and a half years. This limited period shows that the persecution has a divinely appointed end.

Biblical connections

The same three-and-a-half-year period appears elsewhere in Daniel and in Revelation, linking this verse to a broader prophetic timeline. The emphasis on God’s sovereignty in limiting the ruler’s power connects with the vision’s later scene where the Ancient of Days sits in judgment (Daniel 7:9-10). That judgment scene confirms that the horn’s apparent triumph is not final; God examines the situation and acts in His own time.

Application

This verse warns against the arrogance of human power that exalts itself against God. It also comforts believers that opposition, however severe, is temporary and under God’s control. The call is to endure faithfully, trusting that God sets the limits of persecution and will ultimately vindicate His people.

Reflection

When facing opposition or weariness, remember that no earthly power can exceed the boundaries God allows. The same God who revealed this vision to Daniel still governs the rise and fall of rulers, and He remains faithful to those who are worn down by trials. The certainty of a fixed end to suffering gives strength for present endurance.