When will the prophecy of Daniel 7:27 be fulfilled, and which rulers does it speak of?

Daniel 7:27 promises the ultimate triumph of God's Kingdom and the participation of the redeemed people in it. This prophecy does not foresee an earthly political coup, but describes the culmination of the great controversy between Christ and the powers of evil following the heavenly judgment and the Second Coming of Jesus.

Place in the Prophecy of Daniel 7

The seventh chapter of the book of Daniel reveals a historical sequence of earthly empires represented by beasts, as well as the rise of the "little horn," a power that opposes God and persecutes His faithful ones. However, earthly history does not end with the victory of violence or religious apostasy. Daniel sees a heavenly judgment in which the dominion of the hostile power is taken away, and the Kingdom belongs to God.

“‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.’” Dan 7:26

Following this comes the promise concerning the saints of the Most High. It is a continuation of the preceding vision, where the "Son of Man," Jesus Christ, receives royal authority from the Ancient of Days, God the Father.

“He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Dan 7:13-14

Thus, the kingdom belongs first and foremost to Christ. Yet He, the Savior and King, shares the fruits of His victory with His people.

When Will This Happen?

There are several interconnected stages in this prophecy. From an Adventist perspective, the heavenly judgment depicted in Daniel 7 precedes the visible return of Christ. God does not need this judgment to acquire information, for He knows all things; rather, it is an open judgment before the universe that reveals the justice of God's decisions and the faithfulness of those who have accepted salvation in Christ.

The ultimate fulfillment of Daniel 7:27 will occur after the Second Coming, the millennial period, and the final destruction of sin. When Christ returns, He will raise the righteous and take His people to Himself. After the millennium, the judgment upon evil will be brought to an end, and God will create a new earth. It is then that the saints will inherit the kingdom in its fullness.

“Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.” 1 Cor 15:24-25

“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” Rev 21:1

Ellen White, in the book *The Great Controversy*, describes this event as the restoration of the world lost through sin: after the final cleansing of the earth, God's people receive their eternal inheritance. This is not a temporary dominion of one group over another, but life in God's restored order, free from death, sorrow, and sin.

“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Rev 21:4

Who Are the "Saints of the Most High"?

The "saints" in Daniel are not people who have earned eternal life through their own moral perfection. They are God's people who belong to Him through faith, receive Christ's grace, and remain faithful to God amidst trials. In the context of the chapter, they are those who were persecuted by the anti-God power, but whom God vindicates and delivers.

The kingdom is not taken by the saints by force. It is given to them as a gift from Christ. The redeemed will not reign independently of Him, but together with Him, serving Him as kings and priests.

“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Rev 5:10

What Does "All Rulers" Mean?

The phrase "all rulers will serve and obey him" refers to all dominions, powers, and kingdoms. Primarily, this stands in sharp contrast to the beast-kingdoms from the beginning of Daniel 7. Earthly empires arose, laid claim to absolute power, persecuted God's people, and ultimately vanished. God's Kingdom, on the contrary, is eternal.

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

These "rulers" do not imply that wicked earthly monarchs will remain alive in the new world and receive a second chance. The Bible teaches that unrepentant evil will be completely eradicated. What is meant here is the universal acknowledgment of God's supremacy: no power in the universe will ever again rebel against Christ. All legitimate authority will be subordinate to His righteous reign.

Hope and Practical Application

Daniel 7:27 reassures us that injustice will not have the final say. Christ is already King, and His ultimate reign will soon be made visible to all. Therefore, a believer should not place their hope in political leaders, the might of nations, or human systems. What matters most today is belonging to Christ's people—accepting His salvation, living by His Word, preserving faith in times of trial, and preparing daily for His return.