Daniel 7 (4)

Introduction
The psalms refer to and describe the exaltation of Christ to His eternal throne and Kingdom (cf. Pss. 2, 47, 93, 110). In these verses, Daniel glimpses the exaltation of Christ and the giving of God’s Kingdom to Him. Let’s see if we can fit this part of Daniel’s dream into events relating to the life of Christ, and bring a little more light from Scripture to bear on what’s happening here.

Read Isaiah 9.1-7; Psalm 47.

Read Daniel 7.13, 14.

Think it through
1.  Acts 1.9 records Jesus being taken up in His ascension by a cloud. How does Daniel 7.13 connect with this? Meditate on Zechariah 3 (from a bit later than Daniel) and Psalm 47 (from a bit earlier). How do these help us fill out the picture of what Daniel saw in verses 13 and 14? Why did this “One like the Son of Man” come before the Ancient of Days (cf. Ps. 110.1, 2)? Why are these heavenly events so significant?

2.  The “One like the Son of Man” received a Kingdom from the Ancient of Days. How would you describe that Kingdom? What kind of Kingdom is it? Where does it come to power? How great is its extent? How does it compare with all earthly kingdoms? What is the purpose of this Kingdom? Why are “dominion and glory and a kingdom” connected as one continuous idea? To what does this Kingdom compare in Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2.44, 45? Where is this Kingdom now?

Meditate
“What, I ask, is more obvious than these words? ‘And all the peoples, tribes and tongues will serve him.’ See how he embraced every nation of the world. See how he took the judge’s seat and power. Lest you should think that this is temporary, he says, ‘These things will not pass away, and his kingdom will not perish’ but will stay and remain.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 1 Corinthians 15.24, 25

Lord, You are subduing every enemy to Yourself, and that includes those parts of my own soul and life that yet rebel against You. Help me, Lord, to fight Your good fight, and to submit always to Your rule, so that…

Pray Psalm 107.10-16
Let the Lord search your soul as you pray, to bring to light any areas of lingering rebellion against Him, so that you may cry out to Him from your trouble and know His mercy, saving you from your distresses. Give Him thanks and praise!

Psalm 107.10-16, 1-3 (Faithfulness: Great is Thy Faithfulness)
Though we in darkness of death and affliction,
Pris’ners of sin and rebellion were bound;
Though we Your Word denied, You brought conviction,
Crying to You we deliverance have found!
Refrain vv. 1-3
  Lord, for Your wondrous works, and for Your steadfast love,
  We give You thanks, we exalt Your great Name!
  We who from east and west, north and south gather,
  Boldly redemption in Christ we proclaim!

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.