Daniel 7 is a passage many premillenialists point to as that future time when the church experiences the tribulation followed by the return of Christ to establish His kingdom on earth.

I would argue, however, that Daniels vision is not unfulfilled – it was fulfilled when Christ came to Earth establishing His Kingdom, dying on the cross to reconcile man to God, and raised from the dead establishing His Kingship over the world.

But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever — yes, for ever and ever. – Daniel 7:18

Daniel foresaw the time when the saints – true Christians – will be given ruler-ship over the earth with Christ.

It’s thought the first three of these beasts symbolize Babylon, the Medes, Persia and Greece.  The fourth beast symbolizes the Roman Empire that was in power during the time of Christ.

As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom. – Daniel 7:21,22

Futurists see these verses as occurring sometime in the future when Christ returns and sets up His millennial kingdom.  I, on the other hand, believe Daniel was describing the fourth beast (Rome) destroying the Jewish sacrificial system in 70 A.D. and establishing Christ’s kingdom that will last forever. This is the same kingdom preached by Philip the evangelist, the disciples, the Apostle Paul, and the kingdom we are to be preaching today.

Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him. – Daniel 7:27

Those followers of the Scofield Reference Bible, John Nelson Darby, John Walvoord, J. Dwight Pentecost, Hal Lindsey, and Tim LaHaye might reject this perspective because they have not seen the literal physical reign of Christ.  They look to a future revival of the Roman Empire, the appearance of the Antichrist, and the Second Coming of Christ to destroy all that and establishing His kingdom on Earth.  I disagree.  While I concede we have not witnessed the ultimate completion of the physical reign of Christ on Earth, I believe His Kingdom is here now in our midst and the saints have been given authority and possession of all it entails.  Those that have accepted Christ as their savior do not need to wait for their salvation… they already possess it and is the gospel we were told to preach.

Not only does God have a plan for the empires of earth, He has a plan for you and has provided the way to enter into that glorious new life and participate in the Kingdom of God now.