Behold the Days are Coming
As I write this it’s -14 degrees here in Minnesota, brr! But I know soon that warmer days will be here. What I long and hope for is just around the proverbial corner. Spring, Easter, new life, longer, brighter days—and the fullness of the kingdom of God on earth. It’s hard to imagine light in dark days, especially when we feel it’s getting darker.
Consider then, being a believer in Daniel’s time. Israel was defeated and the best and brightest of the country were kidnapped to serve a pagan king. Life was difficult, even for those in high positions like Daniel. Jealous officials used your faith against you and even tried to kill you, just to advance their own position. These were not easy times, but Daniel and his friends remained faithful to God through everything. They probably longed for the “glory days” to return. But something far more glorious was coming.
In those days Daniel received a terrifying vision one night—a vision of the powers that ruled the earth until the Ancient of Days disarmed them and gave the "Son of Man" an everlasting dominion, with authority over all nations. How could Daniel have foreseen the coming of Jesus unless God revealed it to him? In Daniel 7 God announces the gospel of the coming king and a kingdom that will never be destroyed. This is perhaps why the name Jesus used most for Himself was the "Son of Man."
In fact, Jesus used the title for Himself 78 times, fulfilling Daniel 7 by announcing the kingdom’s coming and His death, resurrection and ascension. In Mark 14:61–63, Jesus quoted Daniel 7 to claim He was the prophesied "Son of Man." The Pharisees knew what He was saying and called Him a blasphemer. But His death was the only way for Him to be glorified and presented to the Ancient of Days to be King forever, just as Daniel saw.
In Matthew 28 Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me,” because He had been presented to the Ancient of Days and received all authority and an everlasting kingdom as the now risen "Son of Man" of Daniel 7. But wait, there’s more! Daniel 7 has something to say about us too.
In Daniel 7:26–27 the authority of the "Son of Man" is also given to the saints of God to rule with Him. In Luke 10:17–24 Jesus rejoiced at the disciples' return by saying, He “saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven,” when they declared the gospel of the kingdom. Satan was dethroned and they were a part of his fall. By being and making disciples obedient to Christ, we establish the kingdom of God until He appears. Disciple-making grows the kingdom and speeds the return of Christ. Our Great Commission remains.
When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, does it inspire us each day to work hard to bring the kingdom here on earth, as it is in heaven, and to seek first the kingdom of God? Daniel 7 says it’s going to be our kingdom too. That is significant. We are not biding our time until heaven—we are establishing God’s kingdom here on earth—God's kingdom, which is nothing like a human one. The groom is coming. Has the bride made herself ready (Revelation 19:7)? Let’s keep working to make this earth a place fit for a king.
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Chris Jones is the Global Outreach Director at New Hope Church. He longs for the unreached people of the world to experience the life-changing love of God and for people at New Hope Church to find fullness of joy by obeying the Great Commission.