Eternal Dominion

Eternal Dominion

His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Daniel 7:14

IN WORD David asked why the nations raged and conspired against God, and then answered that question with an image of God laughing at them (Psalm 2). No matter how many of the earth’s kings take their stand against God, their position is an absurd one. God can sit on His throne and laugh, because He knows the futility of their plans and the certainty of their end. Earthly maneuvers are no threat to His purposes.

That’s the same image Daniel gives us when he recounts his heavenly vision. The pure and purifying Ancient of Days was on His throne, with a river of fire flowing from Him. Fire destroys filth and makes truer elements glow. And in Daniel’s prophecy, a filthy spirit of pride rages against the truest Kingdom. The river of fire resolves the conflict.

The beauty of Daniel’s vision is that the pure and holy Ancient of Days has all the majesty of the Holy One in Isaiah’s and Ezekiel’s visions. He’s the same God. But the majesty doesn’t just define the difference between God and humanity. In Daniel, it immediately shows us a King and a Kingdom. All of the chaos and corruption of this world will bow in order and obedience to the sovereign God. The evil reports that we read in today’s news are temporary travesties. Their destiny is a river of fire; they have no power against God or His people.

IN DEED A vision of God will convince us of that. When our eyes are filled with beasts and headlines, we panic. But if we fill them with the majesty of God, we can hold the human devices in highest contempt. No king can threaten His sovereignty.

As part of your devotion today, read a newspaper. Let the trauma of national and international events sink in. Then open your eyes to God and let Him sink in even more. All of today’s trials are on a short leash. They will burn in the river of fire. How do we know? The Ancient of Days says so.

Faith in the kingdom of God is what . . . Christian joy is all about.

—JOHN MAIN