CHRIST'S INCREASING KINGDOM "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him" (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 11 of 36
Allow me to clarify once again that Daniel is now being shown the exalted Christ. Later, he will be shown the vicarious death of Christ (9:26). But for now, the Son of man returning to the Father is what He sees.
HE CAME
". . . and came to the Ancient of days . . . " Other versions read "He came UP to the Ancient of Days" (NASB/DARBY), "He approached the Ancient of Days" (NIV), and "and unto the Ancient of Days He hath come" (YLT).
The entrance of the risen Savior into heaven is a key point of Apostolic doctrine. Here, as well as some other places, it is seen in prophecy, which, by its very nature, is not as specific as the declaration of the fulfillment of the prophecy. The fulfillment of the prophetic word is what Peter referred to as "a more sure word of prophecy" (KJV), or "the prophetic word confirmed" (2 Pet 1:19, NKJV). It is to our advantage to acquaint ourselves with the ascension of Jesus. Once again, this is the point at which He "came" "with the clouds of heaven," and "unto the Ancient of Days."
IN PROPHECY
The Psalms contain allusions to the ascension of Christ. The immediate use of this language applies to the return of the ark of the Covenant. However, that was a foreshadowing of the return of the conquering Savior to heaven.
1. "God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet" (Psa 47:5).
2. "Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them" (Psa 68:18). This passage is quoted in the book of Ephesians, where the ascension of a victorious Christ is declared (4:8-9).
3. The twenty-fourth Psalm contains an especially vivid picture of the ascension of Christ. "Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah" (Psa 24:8-10). In this Psalm we have a Man, for the first time, entering into the very presence of the throne of glory. This provides a most glorious picture of the returning Conqueror with the spoils of warfare, having soundly defeating the foe.
IN THE GOSPELS
1. "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God" (Mark 16:19).
2. "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?" (Luke 24:26).
3. "And He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven" (Luke 24:50-51).
4. "What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before?" (John 6:62).
5. "Then said Jesus unto them, Yet a little while am I with you, and then I go unto Him that sent Me" (John 7:33).
6. "In My Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2).
7. "Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for My Father is greater than I" (John 14:28).
8. "But now I go my way to Him that sent Me; and none of you asketh Me Whither goest Thou?" (John 16:5).
9. "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you" (John 16:7).
10. "Of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more" (John 16:10).
12. "A little while, and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me, because I go to the Father" (John 16:16).
13. "I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father" (John 16:28).
14. "Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God" (John 20:17).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a Savior that returned victoriously to heaven, and was received with honor and glory.