From 1880 to 1910 Africa was colonized. Although most countries were decolonized between the mid-to-late 1950’s to 1975, some were decolonized much earlier. There was regime change before colonization and then regime change after colonization. Even once decolonization took place, many African countries have seen regime change on a number of occasions, often with war being the instrument of change. But then regime change is not limited to Africa, we have seen this in the Middle East and Far East. Regime change could come through peaceful election but there were many hostile takeovers. During decolonization, apart from smaller principalities with unrecognizable names, I counted 52 countries that were released. Since then, many African countries, although decolonized had major regime changes such as South Africa from a Union to an Apartheid Republic to a Democracy.
In our Notes on Dare to be a Daniel, we have seen in Daniel’s dream / vision / words from God, four major regime changes. These regimes were in control over the inhabited and known world. The king of the day was the supreme ruler … the de facto one … and often he was deified. But we have seen that they come and they go, yet there is another Kingdom that never changes and remains forever under the same King.
Da 7:13 “In my vision at night I looked, and 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. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men 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.”
What a comparison to those four kingdoms who thought they were everlasting, with kings who were classed as gods or the only means of accessing the gods. I was chatting with some dear friends who spoke of dreams and nightmares.
Have you noticed that when you dream, it ends before the “story” can end and you are left dangling? Daniel’s is different because he has a climax to his dream. Verses 13-14 is that climax. What is remarkable is that the Judgment Daniel sees does not end with the destruction of world powers. It continues as the Kingdom of God under the leadership of the Son of Man.
1) Coming with the clouds. Once again commentators differ greatly as to whether it is with the clouds, in the clouds, on the clouds or surrounded by clouds. We need to use Scripture to understand the meaning though.
Rev 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen.
2) A Son of Man. Because of the authority, glory and sovereign power He is given we can only deduce this to be deity. Remember that although Messiah was coming and looked for, He was a long way off from stepping into this world. I say this because the wording is “one like the Son of Man.” In this vision Daniel sees one “like” the Son of Man. This does not mean “man” but like man. At this stage we need to see “like” as important, yet Deity must be seen because His Regime and Kingdom is an Eternal One! Just as an aside, the Messiah became known to the Jews as “anami” meaning “Cloudy One” or “nivli” meaning the Son of a Cloud. Although the word “like” is important here, we know that our Lord’s favorite title for Himself is the Son of Man. Look at the following verses where Jesus uses this title for Himself.
Mt 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.”
Mk 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Lk 17:24 “For the Son of Man in his day will be like the lightning, which flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other.”
3) Into the presence of the Ancient of Days. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. The Ancient of Days is indisputably God represented by the Father. The Son of Man is led or escorted into His presence where an Eternal Kingdom is given to Him.
4) Credentials to reign. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power. This reminds us of the Lord Jesus giving His Great Commission to His Church. Matthew informs us
Mat 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
5) Kingdom. The Kingdom is given to the Son of Man, but the text that follows says it is given to the people of God … the saints.
Da 7:18 But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever—yes, for ever and ever.
Da 7:27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.
The text is actually saying more than God’s people will be part of the Kingdom, because we read:
Rom 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.
If this was not written down for us in the Bible it would be unbelievable!
6) The Kingdom is made up of … all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. The “all” here must not be confused with all people throughout the planet but as “from all peoples, nations and languages”. Clarity is given in:
Rev 5:9 And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God”
“from” every tribe and language and people and nation. Only Blood Washed, Blood Covered and Blood Purchased souls are able to worship God in spirit and in truth.
7) The Eternal Kingdom.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Without question Daniel’s God given dream shows that kingdoms come and go but the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ is an eternal Kingdom with all occupants saved from the fiery furnace set apart for those who do not belong to it. Are you part of Jesus’ Kingdom?
Our Father, thank You for the insight You give us into Your Eternal Kingdom … and for saving us for it through Jesus. Amen.