Dominion

Readings for today: Daniel 7-9

Martin Luther once said that we interpret Scripture through prayer, meditation, and the “tensions of life.” I thought about that last phrase as I read through the chapters from Daniel today. Certainly it’s not hard to see the rise of beasts and kingdoms and evil forces around the world today. The assassinations of political leaders like Charlie Kirk and Melissa Hortman. The attempted assassinations of President Trump and Governor Josh Shapiro. The deadly shootings at schools and churches. The random violence on mass transit systems and in our inner cities. We live in a terrifying world and it’s tempting to read Scripture through the lens of our fear and despair.

Daniel, however, points us a different direction. He certainly is a man well-acquainted with fear. He has seen death and destruction up close and personal. He suffered terribly as he was taken into exile. He has been imprisoned. He has been threatened with death on numerous occasions. He’s been persecuted for his faith. He has spoken God’s truth to pagan kings and emperors at great personal cost. And now he finds himself tormented by dreams of future death and destruction. The visions are so terrifying, Daniel is often incapacitated for days. But even in the midst of those dreams, Daniel is given a vision of hope. The Ancient of Days sitting on His throne. One like the Son of Man coming on the clouds. Unlike all the other kingdoms, His Kingdom will be an everlasting Kingdom and He will reign forever.

It’s worth reading again. Especially in light of recent events. “As I kept watching, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was white like snow, and the hair of his head like whitest wool. His throne was flaming fire; its wheels were blazing fire. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from his presence. Thousands upon thousands served him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was removed, but an extension of life was granted to them for a certain period of time. I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a Son of Man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve  him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.” (Daniel‬ ‭7‬:‭9‬-‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Friends, Jesus is the Son of Man. The Ancient of Days has given Him dominion and glory and a kingdom so that people every tribe, tongue, and nation will serve Him. His dominion is everlasting. His Kingdom cannot be destroyed. No matter how dark things may get, look to Jesus and let your hopes rise again!

Readings for tomorrow: Daniel 10-12

Hope

Readings for today: Daniel 7-9, Psalms 57

Today we read one of my favorite passages in the Old Testament about the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man. A prophetic vision of the end times when God Himself will set up His throne on earth to bring judgment and an end to all injustice, fear, and violence. He will give His kingdom to the Son of Man who has been prepared from eternity to rule a kingdom that will last forever. No matter how strong and fearsome the principalities and powers of this world may seem, they are no match for the Son of Man. The great “beasts” of this world with all their arrogant, corrupt, oppressive, and abusive ways will be killed and thrown into the eternal fire. They will be no more. It’s a day I long for with all my heart. It’s a day I pray for with all my soul. I long for the day when the Son of Man will come again, bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth, reign and rule over all creation.

Listen again to the words of the vision of Daniel, “As I kept watching, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was white like snow, and the hair of his head like whitest wool. His throne was flaming fire; its wheels were blazing fire. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from his presence. Thousands upon thousands served him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. I watched, then, because of the sound of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued watching, the beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was removed, but an extension of life was granted to them for a certain period of time. I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him. He was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, so that those of every people, nation, and language should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will not be destroyed.” (‭‭Daniel‬ ‭7‬:‭9‬-‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

Our world is on fire. Beasts of all kinds rise up and create all kinds of chaos and destruction. None of us are immune. No one can escape. We live in so much fear, so much anger, so much hate. Things are so bad even the “holy ones” of God, believers in Jesus Christ, are led astray. We turn on the news and see the violence. We scroll through social media and drown in disinformation designed to incite all kinds of outrage. We listen to our leaders lie with impunity and without shame. Perhaps worst of all, we become numb to the suffering we see. It’s heartbreaking. Thankfully, we are not at the mercy of the evil in the world. Sin will not have the last word. God Himself is coming to judge. He will take His seat on the throne of this world. And though the nations of the earth rage against Him, they resist in vain. God will remove their dominion and give it to His Son. He will reign forever and ever with glory and power. Every tribe, tongue, and nation will serve Him. His Kingdom will have no end. This is our only hope.

Readings for tomorrow: Daniel 10-12, Psalms 58