Setting The Stage with Daniel 7:14

First, Daniel 7:14 is a Messianic prophecy referring to Christ, not the Antichrist. It is the victorious reign of the Lord portrayed in the text. The fourth, ten-horned beast (ancient Rome) was prophesied to dominate the ancient world, which it did, (Daniel 7:23) and was so ruling in the time of Christ, (Luke 2:1).

Secondly, the little horn (first century national Israel) gave their allegiance to Rome, thus flirted with the beast, conspired with Rome to murder Christ. Through the power of that allegiance fleshly Israel later persecuted the saints, --Christians, (Daniel 7:25) until Christ, the Ancient of Days, came and destroyed Israel and the Beast (Rome) in A.D. 70.

Matthew 24:30 is Jesus quote and application of Daniel 7:13, 14, an event he places within the generation of those living in the first century, (Matthew 24:34) Further, Matthew 24:30 and Revelation 1:7 are parallel texts speaking of the same event, hence Johns message of imminence of an event shortly to come to pass.

Broken Without Hands

Romes destruction, noted at the times of the Gentiles being fulfilled came about not through physical demise of war, but through the spiritual influence of the reign of Christ in his kingdom which could not be subdued by physical power(s).

In the words of Paul, For though we walking the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3, 4).

The Kingdoms of the World Become the Kingdoms of the Lord

This power (dunamis) of the gospel had even infiltrated Caesars household without striking one battering ram against the palace of Caesar, hence without hands (Philippians 4:22). The impact was so effective that even the Palace guards and all the rest, were favorable to Christianity. Understanding the spiritual nature of Pauls message they saw it as no threat to Romes national security, releasing him from prison upon further examination, (Acts 28:17-18, 29).

This is clear evidence that the nations were no longer being deceived by national Israel and that Judaisms claim that Christians and Christianity were seeking to overthrow Rome and Caesar were false. That was the great lie of the first century and the foreign policy agenda of national Israel.

It was they who wanted Romes destruction (an act which they later instigated) much to the disappointment and against the will of Titus which led to their own ill-fated demise in A.D. 70. Up to that time, they had sought to use Christians as the scapegoat. Hence they charged that Jesus was committing insurrection, (Luke 23:2). They alleged the same against the apostles, (Acts 17:7)