Daniel 7:13-14 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… This sublime prophecy carries us on to the final establishment of Christ's kingdom. Of that kingdom His ascension may be regarded as the pledge and commencement. He reigning even now; shall reign more visibly and fully hereafter. His kingdom is to supplant and supersede all earthly kingdoms. See vision of four beasts (empires) in previous verses. Their thrones to be "cast down" (v. 9), to make room for a nobler one. It shall excel all earthly kingdoms. 1. To be universal — "All people, nations, languages," etc. 2. To be everlasting — "not to pass away"; "not to be destroyed." Contrast in these respects the greatest of human kingdoms which stretch only over part of men: carry seeds of own decay: sink before superior force. It is to be the mediatorial kingdom of Christ; distinct from His empire as the everlasting God; for: I. IT IS "GIVEN TO HIM" (v. 14). By Ancient of Days, i.e., the Eternal Father. This explained in the New Testament (Philippians 2:6-10). Given as the purchase of His blood, and recompense of His obedience (Isaiah 53:12; Psalm 110:7). II. GIVEN TO HIM AS "SON OF MAN" (v. 13). The glory of the Ascension carries us back to humility of the Incarnation (Ephesians 4:9, 10). The one is the top stone in "the mystery of godliness," the other its foundation (1 Timothy 3:16). It was through His death in the flesh He conquered the usurper (Hebrews 2:14). By His sacrifice for sin as our High Priest, He prepared way for His throne us our King. Hence Zechariah 6:13. First the cross, then the crown. III. SHARED WITH HIS PEOPLE. Saints of the Most High to "possess the kingdom"(v. 18). This was Christ's design (Titus 2:14). This was His prayer (John 17:22-24). He would not have the kingdom apart from them. What love from Him! what honour on us! It is this which makes the subject so intensely practical. We are even now either amongst His enemies or His friends. If the former, how terrible! (Luke 19:27). "Whither I go, ye cannot come." If the latter, how blessed! (Matthew 24:34). "Where I am, there shall also my servant be." All of us by nature enemies, rebels, etc. What Christ did to bring us from this state (Colossians 1:20-22). How are we to be savingly connected with His glorious reign? By faith in Him (1 Peter 2:7-10): by true reception of Him into our hearts (John 1:12); by grace of His Holy Spirit (John 3:3, etc.). Are we now the subjects of His kingdom of grace, that so we may be hereafter sharers of His reign of glory? Observe the twofold pledge of His kingdom in the Ascension and the Pentecost, and how closely they come together (next Sunday-week). Christ has taken one part of the pledge (our nature) up to Heaven; He Sends down the other part (His Spirit) to us on earth. The last that the disciples saw of Him on earth was human nature carried up ; the next they knew of Him was the Holy Ghost sent down. He holds a pledge from us; we hold one from Him. Both for our assurance — His kingdom shall come. 1. Present duties resulting. Service, obedience, loyalty. He is our king, though absent; has left us work to do; talents to improve; His cause to advance; His enemies to oppose, and still heavenly-mindedness to be cultivated. (See the Collect for the day.) 2. Present comforts suggested. Such hopes for the future, and their influence (1 John 3:1, 2). Grounds for patience and expectation (Hebrews 10:36, 37). What are present sorrows in comparison with such coming joys? (Romans 8:18). Through the cross lies our way to the throne; so it was with Christ; so it must be with us; "He himself went not up," etc. (See Visitation of Sick.) Let "Thy kingdom come" ever indissolubly link itself to "Thy will be done." (W. P. Walsh, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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