Daniel 7:13-14. 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. 14And 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.
Daniel is one of those books that everyone knows and nobody really knows. Everyone has heard of Daniel in the lion’s den, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, or the handwriting on the wall. But it’s the second half of the book, with Daniel’s strange apocalyptic visions, that loses us. One of those visions includes one like a son of man presented to the Ancient of Days in the clouds and then given dominion and glory over an everlasting kingdom.
The ascension of Jesus is the fulfillment of this prophetic vision.
The vision in Daniel 7 begins in a very disturbing way. Four beasts (kingdoms) come walking out of the sea. A powerful lion, a devouring bear, a destroying leopard, and then finally, and worst of all, a fourth beast unlike anything Daniel had ever seen. This beast is extremely powerful and led by an anti-Christ figure (the “little horn”) who will blaspheme God and oppress his people. The vision reveals great suffering for God’s people, and it leaves Daniel “anxious,” “alarmed,” and “pale.”
But there is also great hope in the vision. Daniel then sees the Ancient of Days seated on the fiery throne of Heaven (7:9-10). He sees him open the books, call the heavenly court into session, and then execute judgment on the evil kingdoms, destroying the terrifying fourth beast.
Daniel 7:11. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire.
God wins! The Ancient of Days destroys the evil beast. But how can the Ancient of Days destroy all evil without destroying you and me? Aren’t we all part of the same problem? Don’t we all deserve the fiery furnace? The lion’s den? Aren’t we all anti-Christ?
That’s where Daniel’s vision in verses 13-14 comes in (read it again). Daniel sees, not a beast, but a man. The Son of Man presented to the Ancient of Days, and then given an everlasting kingdom where he has all authority on Earth, right now!
The ascension has placed Jesus in charge of all things. He is the cosmic ruler of the universe (Col. 1:16). Highly exalted (Phil. 2:9). All things are under his feet (Eph. 1:22). He is the heir of all things (Heb. 1:2). The ruler of kings on Earth (Rev. 1:5). Putting all enemies under his feet (1 Cor. 15:25). Glory Hallelujah!
Where does this leave us – serving our enthroned king!
But by our union with Christ, it also leaves us reigning alongside our enthroned king (Rom. 5:17). Seated at his right hand (Eph. 2:6). A royal priesthood (1 Pt. 2:9). Adopted as sons (Rom 8:23). All things are ours (1 Cor. 3:21). This is how Daniel heard it:
Daniel 7:27. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’
The everlasting kingdom of Christ is given over to all who are saints in Christ.
Again, I ask, “Where does this leave you today?” As one who is in Christ, you are both the servant of Christ and a co-ruler with Christ. The Son of Man rules your life. Your heart is his fiery throne. The beasts of your heart have been crushed. The kingdom of your soul is his indestructible kingdom. Together, we share the destiny of the Son of Man – an everlasting kingdom without evil and suffering. Without death and sorrow. Without tears or pain. A kingdom of love and goodness where we will serve our good and gracious king forever and ever.
You: Can you see your future? What do you see?
You in Christ: In Christ, your destiny is an eternal kingdom ruled by the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man. How does this reality strengthen your heart today?
Christ in you: How can you stand up to the kingdom of the evil beasts today in the power of Christ?
Prayer: Father, you are the Ancient of Days who has shared your kingdom with Jesus, the Son of Man, and now with me. How I made it into this group I’ll never fully understand. Help me to reign with Jesus as a servant-priest-king, ready to love any and all who enter my little corner of the kingdom. Amen.
To Live is Christ 