Daniel 7:9-14 (ESV) As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. 10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. 11 “I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
Nebuchadnezzar has been deposed by Darius the Mede, and Daniel had to spend the night defended from lions in a pit due to the scheming of some jealous leaders under Darius, and Darius is helpless to do anything but fast and pray for Daniel.
God defends Daniel, and he is delivered. Glory to God!
There is so much upheaval and so much distress in the world of kingdoms and kings and conspiracies and the threat of life during this time.
In the midst of all of that upheaval, Daniel has a vision from the Lord about upcoming kingdoms, and in the midst of this geopolitical historical upheaval is one King and Kingdom that is unshaken, in fact, everlasting is God’s word.
God, in this Advent Scripture, sees fit to remind Daniel and us, that he, the Ancient of Days, has given to the Son of Man, Jesus, a kingdom that is ever increasing and will not be transient like the kingdoms of men.
What is the Advent connection? Jesus uses this Scripture when he is on trial before his crucifixion and resurrection:
Matthew 26:63-64 (ESV) But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Jesus quotes Daniel’s vision when asked if he is the “Christ”, the Son of Man. Jesus’ response? Yes! I AM that Son of Man who is presented by the Ancient of Days.
Daniel, by the Holy Spirit, sees Jesus’ ascension and second coming and the scope of his eternal kingdom in this vision, and Jesus owns it as the King of the universe.
Who is Jesus who has come and coming again? He is the Son of Man. He is the one presented by the Ancient of Days as the King. Jesus, the King who will not be deposed like Nebuchadnezzar or manipulated like Darius.
Advent. Jesus has come, and he is coming again to put into effect the full reign of his kingdom.
Worship Jesus today.
Theology in the Dirt 