Daniel Chapter 7 Part 2

The Times of the Gentiles – The Heavenly Scene

 

By I Gordon
 

Introduction

 
We looked last time at the major kingdoms that would arise and rule on this earth as presented to us in Daniel chapter 7. We saw that the major focus in this chapter was upon the last kingdom and upon a king with a big mouth that will arise in the last days. This king, we saw, will hate God and hate God’s people and will change the laws of the land to persecute and kill the saints.

 

Now, if that was all that the chapter gave us then it would be pretty grim! But it’s not! You see, the chapter also shows us the plan of God during this time. We are given a glimpse into the heavenly scene and that’s what we will look at now!

 

The thrones hot’in up!

 

Dan 7:8-9  “While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully.  “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.

 

While big mouth makes his move for dominance on earth we see a whole different scene emerge in heaven. We read first of all that ‘thrones are set in place’. So what thrones are these? What is being setup? What do you think? The setting before us is one of a heavenly courtroom and the thrones are for judgement with one central throne for the judge![1]

 

Now, what would you say stands out in the scene before us? Two things stand out to me. One is the ‘whiteness’ of the Judge. The other is the fire that seems to engulf the throne He sits on. As types His appearance as white as snow stands for the absolute purity and righteousness of His character. Hence He is someone truly qualified to act as Judge. The fire however stands for the judgement of God. The scene before us is not one that you would call ‘friendly’. This is a terrifying scene for those that come before it.[2] This is what the writer of Hebrews spoke about when he said ‘Our God is a consuming fire… It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” But how good is it to be “in Christ” who has already taken the wrath of God?[3]

 

God’s library…

 

Daniel 7:10 “A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.”

 

So we read that thousands upon thousands attend the one on the throne and await His judgement. Remember as you read this that this is the Heavenly scene as the Antichrist wreaks havoc upon the earth. Innumerable angels stand at God’s side waiting to execute the sentence that God announces. And as the court sits, the books are opened.[4] Nothing escapes His notice and it looks like something big is about to happen!

 

Enter ‘One like a son of man!’

 

Daniel 7:13-14 “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. 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.

 

As Daniel continued to look into this Heavenly vision, he sees ‘one like a son of man’ coming before the Ancient of Days. You can imagine Daniel thinking as he saw this that ‘God is giving all authority, power and dominion… to a man! Well, one like a son of man!’ Who is this one to whom God gives all authority? That’s probably one of my easiest questions yet (I hope!) This is the first mention of Jesus as ‘the son of man’[5] – a title He applied to Himself more than any other.[6]

Now what kind of scene is before us in Dan 7:13-14? It is a coronation scene.[7] The Ancient of Days is giving all power and authority over all the nations and peoples into the hands of this one like a son of man. It is the crowning of the King of kings as His rule and Kingdom are about to begin. We have seen this time prophesied elsewhere. Psalm 2 is a corresponding passage to this one which shows God’s response to the rebellion of mankind on earth at this time…

 

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand

and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.”  The One enthroned in heaven laughs;

the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will proclaim the decree of the LORD:

He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance ,the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

 

For mankind to trust and live in relationship with its creator is the most sane, logical and reasonable thing one can do. On the other hand, to disbelieve and defy the Almighty (as we see in Psalm 2) is about as irrational and stupid a thing a person can do. But, as we see from Psalm 2 and Daniel 7, the majority of humanity seems to be choosing the later and not the former in the last days. That will however not in anyway stop the ‘son of man’ from taking this planet by force when He returns! And just as Daniel saw Him coming on the clouds of heaven so Revelation 1:7 tells us that

 

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.

 

Someone else is given power and sovereignty over the nations…

 

Daniel 7:25-28 He (the Antichrist) will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints…”‘But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever.  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.’ “This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”

 

In concluding this passage I just want to draw your attention to the last words of the chapter. We have seen that the Antichrist will be persecuting the saints on earth and doing his best to lead a total rebellion against God and His anointed – the Messiah Jesus in the last days. We have also seen that the time will come for judgement as the court in Heaven sits and the books are opened. At this time all authority will be given to Jesus who will take complete control of this earth when He comes.

 

But look also at who is given sovereignty, power and the greatness of the kingdoms at this time… It says above that this will be ‘handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High’. What a privilege that is! Does it not create a greater desire in you to live for Christ now? What about if things become more difficult to live as a Christian in the future? Will you still take your stand to serve and live for Jesus? Remember that as Daniel thought about what he saw he says he was ‘deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale.’ He was visible shaken. The things that Daniel saw that will come upon the earth are alarming. They are full on. Whether you believe in a Pre, Mid or Post Tribulation rapture[8] doesn’t change the fact that difficult times lay ahead for Christians. We need to bear this in mind.

 

Conclusion - Utopia at last?

 

One last thought before we close this study… Men have always looked for paradise on this Earth. They have looked for the way in which the human race can live in peace and prosperity. Sir Thomas More wrote about such a place in 1516. He wrote of a place that was blessed with an ideal social and political state… a place where peace reigned. He called the place ‘Utopia’. This word has come to mean ‘a place or state of ideal perfection.’ Mankind continues their search for Utopia thinking that through education, science and technology such a place can be formed. However, the Greek word Utopia means ‘No place’. There is no such place and nor can there be. Well, not until the King of kings returns and reigns. Daniel chapter 7 tells us that Utopia will come to planet earth. It will come when the only one capable of creating such an environment approaches the Ancient of Days and all power and sovereignty is given into His hands.

 

Hopefully we live to see that day.

 

“Now come the days of the King. May they be blessed!”