CHRIST'S INCREASING KINGDOM "His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." (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 24 of 36
One of the primary purposes of "all Scripture" is "that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:17, NKJV). No word of Scripture is the mere statement or commentary of a man. No word of God is a lifeless account of history, a mere human biography, or the recollection of a mortal man. There is purpose in Scripture, and intention in revelation, and neither of them allow for the content of Scripture to originate with man. That purpose or intention is not to ensure we obtain all of the facts, or have an exact and thorough view of history. Although, to be sure, such things are involved, they are not the paramount reason for the Word of God.
One of the primary aims of the inspiration of God, and the moving of holy men by the Holy Spirit, is to stabilize the children of God – those who are in Christ Jesus. It is to make their faith strong, ensure the validity and power of their hope, and increase their joy in the Lord. If we read the Word of God without these objectives in mind, we will inevitably be drawn into fruitless by-paths.
If this is not seen, scholarship becomes a thief and a robber, and history is reduced to a mere distraction. One of the great disservices of contemporary Christian education is that it is sorely lacking in an emphasis of Divine objectives. The Bible is too often viewed as a compilation of facts, rules, and proof texts, without due regard for what God is actually accomplishing through Scripture. Such an approach allows for the assignment of too much value to academic pundits who have little or no expertise in the things of the Kingdom. Such people actually have no rank in God's Kingdom!
The text before us is one in which Divine objectives must be seen. These things "were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Rom 15:4).
Thus Daniel is given a view of the Messiah that will be of incalculable benefit to succeeding generations of believers. He will be shown things that bear directly upon the faith and hope of those in Christ Jesus. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Daniel will now confirm the solidity of our hope, assuring our hearts that, by grace, we have become part of a glorious Kingdom that will never end. In perfect harmony, it will blend with the eternal day toward which everything is moving by Divine appointment.
The kingdom that has been given to Jesus, and over which He presently presides, is one which shall "never be destroyed." That is, it will never be succeeded by another kingdom. Babylon was succeeded by the Medo-Persian Empire. The Medo-Persians were succeeded by the Greeks, and the Greeks were succeeded by the Romans. But Christ's kingdom will never be replaced. It is appropriately called "the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 1:11). It will not give way to another and differing kingdom upon this earth. Even when Jesus delivers the kingdom back to God the Father (1 Cor 15:24-28), it will essentially by the same kingdom that was given by the Father to Him.
David saw the kingdom of God as "an everlasting kingdom" (Psa 145:13). Even Nebuchadnezzar, after some tutelage, affirmed to the entire world, "His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom" (Dan 4:3). Again he published, "His kingdom is from generation to generation" (Dan 4:34). A heavenly messenger told Daniel that the kingdom of "the most High is an everlasting kingdom" (Dan 7:27). Isaiah was moved to say of Jesus' kingdom, "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" (Isa 9:7).
This is a kingdom that has no beginning – it is an eternal kingdom. There was a time when it began to be apparent among men. John the Baptist announced was coming: "the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt 3:2). Following His baptism, and temptation in the wilderness, Jesus Himself began to preach, "the kingdom is at hand" (Matt 4:17). During His ministry He announced to His critics, "But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you" (Luke 11:20). However, that was not the beginning of the kingdom itself. Rather, it was the revelation of a kingdom that has always been, and will always be.
This is the kingdom that has been given to Jesus. It is the one into which God has "translated us" (Col 1:13). You ought to expect a kingdom like this to deal primarily with eternal matters. You should also anticipate the ultimate demise of every foe, and the eventual removal of every competitive influence.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for revealing that the kingdom into which we have been translated will never end. Grant me grace to live with this in mind.