Daniel 7
ScriptureDaniel 7:13-14“…there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 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.”ObservationDaniel receives a dream and a vision of four great beasts. He is given the interpretation of the dream and the meaning of these beasts by one of the multitude from every tribe, nation and tongue who are worshiping the Ancient of Days. The beasts represent four future kingdoms that will arise, out of which will come a future leader who will wage war against God’s holy people; defeating them until the Ancient of Days pronounces judgement against this imposing, powerful and boastful “horn”. This king will be utterly destroyed and the sovereignty, power and greatness of all of the kingdoms the world will be given to the holy people of the Most High and this will be an everlasting kingdom.Understanding
As we began our study of the Book of Revelation in Higher Learning last Wednesday, a few people shared about why the think so many Christians shy away from reading the book; the most obvious reason being out of fear – fear produced by the vivid and overwhelming pictures of the cataclysmic and apocalyptic events of the end times. Daniel states that he was just as overwhelmed and troubled by his visions of the end times. And certainly, if both Daniel’s visions and the Book of Revelation only contained these horrifying descriptions and prophecies, then terror would be the only proper response. But Daniel’s visions, as well as the Apostle John’s visions on the island of Patmos, are accompanied with the promise of triumph, deliverance, dominion and authority for the people of God and praise, honor, and everlasting worship for God Most High! Knowing the glorious outcome from the very outset allows us to have hope and faith even as these necessary events unfold across the world stage.
Life Application
When the circumstances of life become overwhelming; when it seems that evil is triumphing, and when I am overwrought with fear, anxiety and doubt I need to remember the end of the story - that no matter what transpires, no matter who they are that sit in positions of power, no matter if all seems lost, God’s victory is preordained, my victory is assured by virtue of being “In Christ” and God will forever reign over His eternal kingdom of peace and prosperity; a kingdom of which I am already a citizen.
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-Gary Parker