Yes, there appears to be a strong correlation between Daniel’s “little horn” and the beast in Revelation whose deadly wound was healed.
Daniel's Vision of "Little Horn" and John's
vision of the Head of the Beast springing from
the last world power; that is Wounded and then
healed...
It seems reasonable to think both visions
refer to the earth's last wicked King! The revelation of the obnoxious little horn seems a sign indicating the last days and what to expect; to those wise enough to see! (Rev 17:9-18)
1. Daniel’s Little Horn
In Daniel's vision, the little horn rises out of the ten earthly kingdoms springing from Rome's demise. Daniel's vision portrays England and the U.S. as a continuation of Rome, rather than a new and distinct world power. Rome wasn't destroyed by them, they grew up out of the ruins of her demise; and, they carried forward much of her government and culture. They are in some sense a continuation of the Roman Empire! In Revelation, As we go on to consider John's eight head or king, realize John saw England and America as a totally new world power. In both cases, however, in Daniel's little horn and then John's eight head or king, each grew out of what they each represented as our same last earthly world power... Both prophecies point to our day in time and their destruction in the Revelation of God's final King of the earth! (
Dan 2:44;
Rev 21:1-4)
WEB: “I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one... and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.”
The horn appears obnoxious and boastful.
GNB . . ."When the end of those kingdoms is near and they have become so wicked that they must be punished [destroyed], there will be a stubborn, vicious, and deceitful king. (24) He will grow strong---but not by his own power. He will cause terrible destruction and be successful in everything he does [in a wonderful way he will cause ruin]. He will bring destruction on powerful men and on God's own people. (25) Because he is cunning, he will succeed in his deceitful ways. He will be proud of himself and destroy many people without warning. (26) This vision about the evening and morning sacrifices which has been explained to you will come true. But keep it secret now, because it will be a long time before it does come true."
The horn [last wicked king] appears intelligent, observant, and arrogant. His success and power not being his own, may indicate Satan's controlling influence as the source of his power.
BSB: “He will speak against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the set times and laws...”
The little horn opposes God and persecutes God's people. He seems intent on causing chaos...
BBE: “But the judge will be seated, and they will put an end to his authority...”
God eventually removes this power and gives the Kingdom to the
saints.
The little horn:
- rises from among kings,
- speaks arrogantly against God,
- persecutes the saints,
- changes laws and times,
- temporarily prospers,
- is finally destroyed, not by human hands.
Annotation: The "little horn" springs from the kingdom becoming dominant [England-America] among the ten that arise after Rome's demise, and the little horn itself becomes or tries to become the eighth king of the earth. In part, just by drawing special attention to the little horn; the Bible seems to indicate the little horn's assault is not just against God's own people, but against righteousness and integrity in general. The Little Horn clearly represents something the world had never seen exposed... He is a fleshly manifestation of Satan's world wide assault on integrity!
2. Revelation’s Beast With the Head Wound Healed
John in vision describes a beast rising from the sea.
GNB - (12:18 And the dragon stood on the seashore.) - (1) Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads; on each of its horns there was a crown, and on each of its heads there was a name that was insulting to God. (2) The beast looked like a leopard, with feet like a bear's feet and a mouth like a lion's mouth. The dragon gave the beast his own power, his throne, and his vast authority. (3) One of the heads of the beast seemed to have been fatally wounded, but the wound had healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast.
The world becomes amazed by the apparent recovery and/or survival of the eighth head or king after his head wound.
GW: “The beast was allowed to speak arrogant and insulting things... It was allowed to fight against God's holy people and defeat them.”
Revelation repeats the same themes found in Daniel: arrogance, blasphemy, and persecution of the righteous.
The beast:
- receives worldwide admiration,
- blasphemes God,
- persecutes believers in truth and integrity,
- rules for a limited time,
- is empowered by the dragon,
- is ultimately destroyed by Christ.
Annotation:
3. Direct Parallels Between Daniel 7 and Revelation 13
Rev 13:2 "The beast that I saw had the body of a leopard, the feet of a bear, and the mouth of a lion. The dragon handed over its own power and throne and great authority to this beast."
Rev 13:3 "One of its heads seemed to have been fatally wounded, but now it was well. Everyone on earth marveled at this beast,"
John combines much of Daniel’s earlier beast imagery into one final beast.
BSB: “They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast...”
The beast receives worship and authority by Satan's power; thus encouraging the worship of badness and a mockery of justice and mercy.
Annotation: The world marvels at the little horn and what he accomplishes; but apparently not in his own power
[Likely, no one can understand "why" he has such great {apparent but short lived} success.]. (
Dan 8:24 of 23-26) Food for thought: Jesus Christ had to read about his future suffering as he grew up. (
Isa 53:1-12) Do you suppose who ever the "little horn" proves to be will read these scriptures and realize they are talking about him; as he plays out his part like a marionette on strings, and awaits what the Bible foretells about him
[foretold thousands of years in advance]. (
Isa 45:22-25) Do you suppose he considers converting to Christianity? At this late date; do you suppose he could actually do that?
Annotation: The "little horn" and the "last wicked king"
[the eighth world power] who springs from the seventh head of the wild beast [seventh world power - England/America] are likely one and the same! He is an eighth king, seemingly for the sole purpose of going off into destruction; as he leads Satan's whole wicked world system with him.
Rev 17:9-11 GNB . . ."This calls for wisdom and understanding. The seven heads are seven hills, on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings: (10) five of them have fallen, [Egypt, Assyria, Medo-Persia, Greece] one still rules, [Rome] and the other one has not yet come; [England-America] when he comes, he must rule only a little while. (11) And the beast that was once alive, but lives no longer
[and was healed], is itself an eighth king who is one of
[or rose from among] the seven and is going off to be destroyed.
Can you see why it is perfect this eighth wannabe king of the world is also its "last" king? That is perfect in the sense of him being the final and absolute manifestation of mankind's attempts to govern themselves apart from God. Which is the same as saying they have chosen to be under the influence of Satan. Satan and his kings have tried to appear righteous and upright. (
2 Cor 11:12-15) So, this eighth and final king and/or world power must be for the purpose of revealing this simple truth clearly to everyone: There is no hope in anything except the Kingdom of Christ Jesus. Submit to Christ; or die with Satan's world, and it's last wicked king...
WEB: “In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed...”
God's Kingdom permanently replaces human kingdoms.
Annotation: The
conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard is, fear the true God and give him glory. This is the whole obligation of man
[and woman]. For the [true] God himself will bring every sort of work into the
judgment in relation to every hidden thing, as to whether it is good or bad. (
Ecc 12:13-14)
Isaiah's Vision...