What does Daniel 7:18 mean?

Daniel's vision of strange creatures (Daniel 7:1–8) and their conflict with heaven (Daniel 7:9–14) led to anxiety and fear (Daniel 7:15). One of the angelic beings in Daniel's dream has explained that these are prophecies of human kingdoms that will arise in the Mediterranean region (Daniel 7:15–17). This might have seemed daunting to Daniel, so here the being offers reassurance. Dire news and frightening images are interrupted by the word "but," leaving room for hope.

The divine interpreter gives Daniel good news to go with the prior bad news. These earthly human kingdoms will not last forever. Yet true believers in God will be given an eternal kingdom. When the Messiah returns to earth to establish a literal thousand-year kingdom, some of His saints will have survived the tribulation (Revelation 7:13–17). Others will be resurrected when their Messiah returns to earth (Daniel 12:1–3). God has temporarily set aside Israel as a people "until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in" (Romans 11:25). However, God's covenant to David (2 Samuel 7:16; Psalm 89:1–4) has never been rescinded. The times of the Gentiles will end, and the fulfillment of God's covenant will come to fruition. God's saints will receive the everlasting kingdom.