CHRIST'S INCREASING KINGDOM " . . . that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him . . . " (Dan 7:14b) -- 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 20 of 36
Now Daniel is told of the marvelous extent of the kingdom given to "the Son of man." In the vision given to him, this kingdom is given upon the Son of man's return to heaven, having finished the work God gave Him to do. Jesus stated His mission in summary. "Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father" (John 10:17-18).
In His death He took away the sins of the world (John 1:29), destroyed the devil (Heb 2:14), and plundered the principalities and powers that had dominated the world (Col 2:15). In that death He "made peace" (Col 1:20), reconciled the world to God (2 Cor 5:19), and blotted out "the handwriting of ordinances that was against us" (Col 2:14).
In His resurrection He took back His life, defeating death, and was declared to be "the Son of God with power" (Rom 1:4). His resurrection attested that God was "satisfied" with the travail of His soul, which He made an offering for sin (Isa 53:10-11). His resurrection confirmed that "it was not possible" for Him to be held within the grip of death (Acts 2:24). He had finished the work God gave Him to do (John 17:4), and thus in total triumph returned to heaven to receive a kingdom.
Daniel foresaw the marvelous extent of the kingdom Jesus received and is presently administrating. The earthly constituency of this kingdom is described as "all people, nations, and languages." The extent of the dominion is said to be "an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away." We know from later revelation, that the authority given to Him included all that was in heaven and well as on the earth (Matt 28:18) – including "angels, authorities, and powers" (1 Pet 3:22). Consider the earthly portion of this dominion – "all people, nations, and languages."
SHOULD SERVE HIM
" . . . should serve Him . . . " Other versions read, "might serve Him" (NASB), "Worshiped Him" (NIV), "were His servants" (BBE), "shall serve Him" (DOUAY), "became His servants" (NJB), "would obey Him" (NLT), "must serve Him" (TNK), and "do serve Him" (YLT).
Thus, considering the various translations, and from a linguistic point of view, a number of views are possible. The "Son of man" received "dominion, glory, and a kingdom," in order that:
1. All people SHOULD, or ought, to serve Him.
2. The RESULT would be that all people worshiped Him.
3. The result would be that everyone will EVENTUALLY become His servants.
4. All people WOULD, indeed, serve Him.
5. It would become an OBLIGATION to serve Him.
While men will be tempted to do so, they must avoid philosophizing about the glorification of Christ, as well as Him being served by all.
First, those who are not in Christ are "not a people" (1 Pet 2:10). Hence, the legitimacy of all peoples, nations, and languages is owing to the remnant who have believed through grace. In this sense, believers are the "salt of the earth" (Matt 5:13). From this perspective, the glorified Christ is being served by Divinely recognized people "out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (Rev 5:9). That sanctified remnant brings genuineness and legitimacy to humanity as a whole – all people, nations, and languages.
Second, a comparison is being made between the temporal global kingdoms of the world (Babylon, Medo-Persian, Grecian, and Roman), and the kingdom given to Christ. In a fuller and more extensive way, "all people, nations, and languages" serve Him – as compared with Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, Alexander, etc., each of whom all nations also served. In this case, the emphasis is on "HIM" – the "Son of man."
In this sense it was said of Nebuchadnezzar, "all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down" (Dan 5:19). Also, when Darius wrote to his subjects he addressed them as "all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth" (Dan 6:25). When Cyrus addressed his subjects he confessed, "All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me" (2 Chr 36:23).
In this view, the language is that of universal dominion and power, where the ruler does his will, governing the world with his interests in mind. This is certainly true of the Lord Jesus, who presently has, and is using, "all power in heaven and in earth." Wherever conflict with Him arises among people, nations, and languages, by default His will supersedes theirs.
The will of the exalted Christ is focused upon the giving eternal life to as many as has been given to Him (John 17:2). Having been given power over all adversaries as well as the reconciled ones, King Jesus can keep the saints from falling (Jude 1:24-25). He can make the tender of heart stand (Rom 14:4). He can work all things together for their good (Rom 8:28). He can bring the sons home to glory (Heb 2:10). The people among whom the saved are found cannot thwart the work of the Lord. The nation in which they reside cannot stop the King from bringing them to glory. The language that they speak cannot hinder the work. All people and nations and languages serve Him!
Individuals can be converted from among any people, any nation, and any language! Christ's interests are being served, and there is no power or personality that can thwart them. Believer, you are safe in His hands!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You there is no person, place, or thing over which Jesus does not have absolute authority.