the “holy ones,” we should expect it to have both a heavenly and an earthly dimension. Daniel is not concerned with giving us information about this future kingdom. He is, however, quite definite that the kingdoms of the Gentiles will come to an end. As in Daniel 2 this judgment is pronounced on all at once, without regard for chronological sequence. Daniel is less concerned with the sequential development of history than with the confrontation with Gentile power in the critical moment of the present.