Christ The King, Our Advent Hope.

CHRIST THE KING, OUR ADVENT HOPE.

Daniel 7:9-10; Daniel 7:13-14.

Our reading in Daniel needs to be looked at within its own context: that of a dream portraying the chaos of Empire and Empire building, and the cruelty and ultimate futility of it all.

In DANIEL 7:9, “thrones have been thrown down and the Ancient of days is seated” (Y.L.T.). This is a done deal, outside the realm of time and space. Despite all the upheavals of history, God is still Sovereign.

This is one of fullest descriptions of God that we have. “Ancient of days” is used here as a term of veneration for the LORD. “White” and “wool” indicate purity (cf. Isaiah 1:18). “His throne like a fiery flame” recalls Isaiah 6:1-4. “Wheels as fire” reminds us of Ezekiel 1:13-21.

In DANIEL 7:10, “a flood of fire is proceeding and coming forth from before Him” (Y.L.T.). This is no Santa Claus type figure, then. There is such a thing as the wrath of God against those who oppose Him (cf. Psalm 97:3)!

“A thousand thousands do serve Him” (Y.L.T.). A thousand times a thousand is a million. A representative number, no doubt.

Then “a myriad of myriads do rise up, the Judge is seated, and the books have been opened” (Y.L.T.). We imagine a courtroom: the command comes, ‘All rise!’ The Judge enters and takes his seat.

“The books are opened” (cf. Malachi 3:16-18; Revelation 20:12). This is ominous for the arrogant kingdoms of this earth (cf. Daniel 7:26-27).

Moving on quickly to the next part of the dream:

In DANIEL 7:13, “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.” In the Gospels, ‘Son of man’ is Jesus’ favourite name for Himself (cf. Mark 14:61-62). It was understood to be clearly Messianic, even by those who opposed Him.

We have here a picture of the Son of man coming to claim a kingdom, like in Luke 19:12. All this is occurring outside of time and space: but our connection to it, here in the sphere of time, is the ascension of our risen Saviour, and His return (Acts 1:9-11).

In DANIEL 7:14, Jesus is given that kingdom, and is even now seated at the right hand of God (cf. Mark 16:19). And we in Him (cf. Ephesians 2:6-7).

“And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him.” The one who is the ultimate ‘Son of man,’ the new Adam, is given dominion over all mankind.

“His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

‘A stone cut out without hands’ shatters the kingdoms of this earth and fills the whole earth (cf. Daniel 2:34-35). ‘The stone which the builders refused is become the head of the corner’ (cf. Acts 4:10-12).

The doctrine of Christ the King gives rise to our Advent hope (Mark 13:26).