CHRIST'S INCREASING KINGDOM " . . . and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever." " . . . And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom" (Dan 7:13). -- Tomorrow:
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. OF THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE THERE SHALL BE NO END, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this!" (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Devotion 5 of 36
I am presently dealing with Daniel's prophecy of the Messiah receiving a kingdom. The giving of this kingdom assumes the sovereignty of God, for a kingdom cannot be given by one who does not have all power.
The book of Daniel contains several affirmations of Divine authority and power. Here are a few of them.
1. God changes times, removes and sets up kings, gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those of understanding (2:21).
2. God reveals deep and secret things, knows what is in darkness, and light dwells with Him (2:22).
3. The God of heaven reveals secrets (2:28).
4. God is the God of gods, Lord of kings, and Revealer of secrets (2:47).
5. God was able to deliver Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace (3:17).
6. There is no god who can deliver as the God of heaven (3:29).
7. God's signs are great, His wonders mighty, His kingdom everlasting, and His dominion from generation to generation (4:3).
8. The Most High rules in the kingdoms of men, giving them to whomever He pleases (4:25).
9. God lives forever, His dominion is everlasting, and His kingdom from generation to generation (4:34).
10. God does what He desires in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, and no one can hinder or question Him (4:35; 5:21).
11. All of God's works are truth, His ways judgment, and He is able to abase those who walk in pride (4:37).
12. God is the living God, is steadfast forever, His kingdom will not be destroyed, and His dominion will be to the end (6:26).
13. God delivers, rescues, and works signs and wonders in heaven and earth (6:27).
This is a point God wants the world to know. He taught the world this aspect of His nature in the flood, the dispersion at Babel, the calling of Abraham, and the deliverance of Israel. It is also seen in the sustaining of those who live by faith, and the inability of the devil and his hosts to carry out their will.
OBSERVATION
As if this remarkable and consistent testimony is not enough, Daniel has been shown the throne of God – a throne established for judgment, and reckoning with His creation. That judgment is seen not only as incontestable, but irresistible. While some theologians have concocted jargon like "irresistible grace," they ought to be thinking more about the inevitability, certainty, and finality of Divine judgment.
Now the Divine manner is once again chronicled in Daniel's vision. Because the final phase of worldly history is governed by "the Man Christ Jesus," He is now introduced to Daniel. This is the One who appeared "to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself" (Heb 9:26). He is the One who "destroyed" the devil (Heb 2:14), "blotted out" the "handwriting of ordinances that was against us" (Col 2:14), and plundered "principalities and powers" (Col 2:15). He is the One through whom God speaks to men in "these last days" (Heb 1:1-2). This is the One who alone enabled God to be both "Just and Justifier" (Rom 3:26).
This is the One through whom God will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31), and to whom all judgment has been committed (John 5:22). It is not possible, therefore, to focus upon the demise of worldly kingdoms without bringing "the Son of man" into the picture. Nearly six centuries before "the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14), Daniel is given to see Him in majesty and splendor.
THE INTENTION OF THIS SECTION
The intention of this section is to confirm that the most powerful and successful governments of this world could not delay the promised coming of the Messiah for one millisecond. From Daniel's vantage point, He would enter the world on schedule, return to heaven, and would receive all power in heaven and earth.
For the believers of succeeding generations, this is intended to confirm that Divine purpose drove the entrance of Christ, not mere human need – although that was in the Divine equation. Not only did Babel, the Medo-Persians, Greece, and Rome, rise when God had determined, and continue only as long as He had purposed, the ultimate King also appeared when God had appointed. Satan was powerless to thwart the coming of Christ, His atonement, His resurrection, His ascension, or His enthronement. Neither, indeed, will he be able to delay His judgment for a moment, nor will those who oppose "the Son of man" be able to avoid that judgment. The reins of the Kingdom are in His hand alone, and He is wielding that power wisely for the good of the saints.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You that a Sovereign King is bring us to glory!