The Everlasting Kingdom of God

Do you know what the name ‘Daniel’ means? It means ‘God is my judge’. As his name implies, we witnessed in the first half of the book of Daniel how Daniel struggled to live before God as his only judge, and also how God proved himself the judge and ruler of kings, nations, and the world. In this chapter, we find Daniel in the twilight of his life during the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon. Throughout his life, Daniel had interpreted the dreams of others but this time Daniel himself had a dream. Through this dream and visions, God gave Daniel, his people and even us an outline of the course of history. God has a blueprint for his creation, and works all things out according to his plan. There are some secret things God hides from men and there are others that he reveals. As Deuteronomy 29:29 reads, “the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law”. As God unfolds his revelation, may we be attentive to and follow all the words of his law.

1. Daniel’s vision of four beasts (1-8)

Look at verse 1. “In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.” As we recall in Daniel chapter 5, Daniel became a forgotten man, though he had been a great leader in Babylon. Whatever we may say about Nebuchadnezzar, he had big thoughts and big dreams and he was an effective ruler. However, Belshazzar was a different kind of man. It is during Belshazzar’s reign that this vision comes to Daniel. Perhaps Daniel already realized what kind of a man Belshazzar was and God sought to comfort Daniel in this vision. No matter how the circumstances, including Daniel’s personal circumstances had changed, God’s purposes would continue.

There seems to be a relationship between Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter 2 and Daniel’s vision in this chapter. Both cases involved four kingdoms. In both, the kingdom of God is contrasted with the kingdoms of this world. But in chapter 2, the theme is very general - that earthly kingdoms will be overpowered by the kingdom of God, whereas in this chapter, the theme is very specific. The depravity, greed and brutality of earthly kingdoms are sharply contrasted against the godliness, the righteousness and the eternal nature of God’s kingdom, which will never end.

What was the general content of the dream? Look at verses 2 and 3. “Daniel said: ‘In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.” The first thing Daniel saw was the great sea whipped into a tumult by the four winds of the heaven. The sea symbolizes the political forces in the world and the universal chaos among the kingdoms of men. In the midst of the world’s tumult, God is sovereign, for it is the winds of heaven that control the rise and fall of nations in the world. Daniel then observed four fearsome beasts emerging from the sea: a lion with eagle’s wings, a bear, a leopard and an unknown beast. These four beasts represent kings or kingdoms which would rise and then fall.

First, a lion with the wings of an eagle. Look at verse 4. “The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it.” The lion rules the animal kingdom and the eagle is the king of the birds. This beast symbolized the Babylonian Empire. At the time of Daniel’s dream, the power of the Babylonian Empire was weakened by the rising power of the Medo-Persian army. When its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground, the Babylonian Empire stood on two feet like a man. When God stripped Babylon of its power and glory, it became like the other nations – it was no longer a superpower. The Babylonian Empire rose and fell and disappeared in the background in human history. Its glory did not last - this is the destiny of the worldly kingdoms.

Second, a bear that had three ribs in its mouth. Verse 5 reads, “And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Get up and eat your fill of flesh.” A bear looks chubby and slow but is also very powerful. The bear symbolized the kingdoms of the Medes and Persians. These kingdoms actually had no strategy when they fought with enemy nations. They simply mobilized a huge number of people to attack their enemies. They were hungry for slaughter and were urged on by their appetite for power. Just like the Medes and Persians with their appetite for expansion, nations everywhere even now seize any opportunity to expand their borders: stockpiling weapons, encouraging economic sanctions, and heeding that voice crying to them, “Get up and eat your fill of flesh.”

Third, a leopard with four wings on its back. Verse 6 reads, “After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.” The leopard-like beast symbolized the Greek Empire. Its wings represented the rapidity of the conquests of Alexander the Great. When he moved too fast, his generals had to slow him down. He ruled the world for 8 years from 330 B.C. to 323 B.C. However, he died of a marsh fever at the age of 32. The four heads probably represented the divisions of Alexander’s kingdom by four generals after his death. The glory of Alexander was very short and his Empire crumbled soon after he died.

Fourth, a beast with iron teeth. Look at verse 7. “After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.” This beast is not clearly identified. It can represent the Roman Empire, but it is also given a special significance as the power that put to death the Messiah. No likeness can be found for it in all the vast animal kingdom. It is grotesque and terrifying, half-animal and half-machine. It has large iron teeth and bronze claws, and it devours everything in its path. It has ten horns upon its head, representing various kingdoms which will exist during a prolonged second phase of the beast's history. They will not necessarily arise immediately after the downfall of Rome, but they can trace their lineage back to Rome.

Then a little horn came up among them. This horn had "eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully". This horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them. It may stand for a man, a government, a coalition of governments or even an ideology. Whatever it is, what is clear is that he opposes the saints until God brings about the destruction of this final beast.

Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse of this little horn which seems to be the antichrist, saying, “coming of the lawless one which will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders and in every sort of evil that deceives" (2 The 2:9-10). This beast tries to change set times and set laws (7:25). He seeks to control world events, and to rule providence itself. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 also says, “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” Here we see one characteristic of the antichrists - they substitute themselves in the place of God.

These days we see many signs of the end times. Humanism and relativism replaces God. Many people worship money and technology instead of God. The mood of Wall Street sets the tone of the day. Some churches say that homosexuality is okay. Catholic churches are struggling to overcome sexual scandals involving their priests. America used to be a Bible-believing and missionary-sending nation. But today people are more concerned about their individual achievements. In the name of freedom many people live for their selfish sinful desires. Many people are hostile towards God. The antichrist’s schemes seem successful in many parts of our life. But then Daniel says, the end is at hand; "the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom" (7:22). With the conviction of victory that will come to us, we must pray that God may bless America to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation once again so that people may worship God and may not become the prey of the antichrist.

2. Daniel’s vision of the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man (9-14)

This part of Daniel’s vision reveals the eventual victory of the kingdom of God over the little horn and the fourth beast. The important point in this passage is that all the world powers are destroyed by the decree of the sovereign God who rules over all.

First, the throne of God. Let’s read verses 9-10. “As I looked, ‘thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.” As Daniel heard the arrogant boasting of the Antichrist, he was distressed. But suddenly he saw that the throne of God was set in place and that God had taken his seat. Kingdoms come and kingdoms go. But the Ancient of Days is still on the throne. What is the goal of every earthly kingdom? To last a long, long time. But these beasts, as terrifying and powerful as they are, are grasshoppers in the sight of God. Their days are numbered by him, the great Ancient of Days.

Daniel has just described the world’s various powers at their most wicked. In contrast to the wickedness of human government, he pictures the Ancient of Days white as snow indicating his righteousness and his purity. The designs of world governments may be altruistic, but they end up brutalizing their subjects. However, the Ancient of Days reigns with peace and righteousness. What a comforting thing for Daniel to know that while Belshazzar who was ruling over a corrupt kingdom, in fact, it was ultimately Daniel’s good God who was seated on the throne.

One more encouraging thing to Daniel was that thousands upon thousands were before the throne. How often had Daniel had to stand alone for his God? Yet in his vision, he saw a place where there were thousands and tens of thousands worshipping God Almighty. There he would be at home and there he would not be alone. In this world, we may be called to stand in the minority. Here we may be called to stand alone. But there, we will be with a multitude that no man can number.

That day will also be a judgment day. Note that in Daniel’s vision, he sees books that are open, symbolizing God’s courtroom. God is not only in control, it is He who will judge the world. In the midst of this glorious scene Daniel watches the fourth beast again. But you know what? The terrifying and frightening beast has been slain and very little is said about it. God comes in and He wipes out the fourth beast, and that is all there is to it.

Second, the son of man. Let’s read verse 13. “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.” Here we see a picture of awesome power and comfort, the coming of one who is called the Son of Man. This is the first reference in the Bible to the Messiah as the son of man. When Jesus is asked by the high priest “Are You the Messiah, the Son of God?” Jesus says, “Yes, it is as you say. But I say to all of you: in the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven”(Mt 26:63-64), Jesus was referring to Daniel chapter 7 verse 13 when he said, “I am the Son of Man.” Though Jesus is the Son of God, King of kings, and Lord of lords, he humbled himself to be like a servant. Though Jesus is the one and only Son of God, he did not use his glory and power to subdue the people of the world. Rather, he became the eyes to the blind, a friend to the lonely tax collector and even washed his disciples’ dirty feet. Daniel envisioned this Jesus coming with the clouds of heaven. Where is Jesus at this point? According to Hebrews 1:3b, Jesus is sitting down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. He is listening to all our prayers and pleads to God on our behalf. Though God’s fiery judgment looks terrifying, we can approach to God through Jesus who died for our sins and rose again. We can stand before God’s judgment seat by the grace of God through Jesus.

Now let’s read verse 14. “He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Now here in the presence of God, the Son of Man is crowned as a king. God gave Jesus an everlasting dominion. The kingdoms of the world appear and disappear like mosquitoes in the summertime. But the Kingdom of God is forever and his dominion is everlasting that will not pass away. And his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Jesus is worthy to be worshipped by all people.

3. The everlasting Kingdom (15-28)

Daniel concludes this vision troubled in his heart. We are a bit baffled by that because we are exhilarated by the encouragements that Daniel was given in this particular vision. The King is on the throne. The Lord will bring judgment against the world. But to Daniel, it is very clear from this vision that God establishes his kingdom once and for all, but there will be much suffering endured by his people.

God had shown Daniel the nature of his kingdom. Far beyond simply returning the people of Israel into their own homeland, God had plans for a kingdom that would extend around this world and would bring in men and women from every tribe and tongue and nation to worship the living God. But it was going to involve incredible suffering. And it was a measure of Daniel’s shepherd heart that he was distressed for people that he would never know. He knew the kind of suffering they were going to experience, His heart was troubled and so he needed every bit of the encouragement that God gave him. And we need it, too. One of the practical implications of this vision is that first of all, the people of God must never be naive about the strength and the reality and the durability of evil forces. They are with us in this fallen world. They are the forces of wickedness and harm and we must never underestimate what they can do. They even lie within us, constantly inflicting us in our life of faith. We must remember that the kingdom of God is a kingdom of suffering in the here and now. We must not only be prepared for it ourselves, but we must be in unity with all our fellow coworkers who suffer in persecution and in oppression. We must care for one another and pray to be one in Christ through the struggles and troubles.

This vision was key, especially for the Israelites to understand that when the Messiah came, He would not immediately set up a kingdom where his followers would reign in political power, but where at first, they would be swallowed up and persecuted. That is the kind of kingdom that we experience in the here and now. This vision also reminds us that our gaze must penetrate beyond history into the throne room of God. All of us brought certain circumstances in our lives to this room that could overwhelm us. If we just sit down and dwell upon them, we could be overwhelmed and discouraged. We all need to be reminded of what is beyond and under and behind all these circumstances. In the throne room, God rules in His majesty and goodness, and the Lord Jesus sits at His right hand. Our hope in this life does not center on the focal points of world power. It centers on the one who is on the throne, and who will one day take us to reign with Him in His kingdom forever.

We have received much grace from God to be called the saints. And in this turbulent world, we saints will have troubles. No matter what political and personal situation we may be in, we must worship the holy God and the son of man who judges all mankind one by one. May we all continue to work out our salvation with trembling and fear, looking forward to the everlasting kingdom of God.