9 As I continued to watch,
thrones were set in place,
and the Ancient of Days took His seat.
His clothing was white as snow,
and the hair of His head was like pure wool.
His throne was flaming with fire,
and its wheels were all ablaze.
10 A river of fire was flowing,
coming out from His presence.
Thousands upon thousands attended Him,
and myriads upon myriads stood before Him.
The court was convened,
and the books were opened.

11 Then I kept watching because of the arrogant words the horn was speaking. As I continued to watch, the beast was slain, and its body was destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was removed, but they were granted an extension of life for a season and a time.

13 In my vision in the night I continued to watch,
and I saw One like the Son of Man
coming with the clouds of heaven.
He approached the Ancient of Days
and was led into His presence.
14 And He was given dominion,
glory, and kingship,
that the people of every nation and language
should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that will not pass away,
and His kingdom is one
that will never be destroyed.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Susan Duc

If Daniel’s dream was a feature film, what we get with today’s passage is a ‘cut’ or ‘scene transition’. We move from yesterday’s earthly scene of four beasts rising from the churning sea, all the way up to the heavenly realm where God’s courtroom is being prepared for the beasts to face judgment.

The first to take his seat is the Ancient of Days, that is, God, in all his pure and fiery majesty. Then, God’s people in their thousands upon thousands gather before Him. As the heavenly court begins its session, the books are opened (v10). The four beasts, who seemed so threatening a scene ago, are dealt with so efficiently they appear almost insignificant.

Then the spotlight shifts to a new character, “One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven” (v 13). Unlike the animal-like beasts which come from the waters below, this human-like figure comes from above. He is presented to the Ancient of Days and is given power forever and an everlasting kingdom. Unlike the earthly kingdoms, which are limited and fleeting, this one will continue into eternity.

In the New Testament, Jesus gives himself the title ‘the Son of Man’. He said that one day he will return in power and glory riding on clouds, in fulfilment of Daniel’s vision (Matt 24:27-30). When he returns, he will raise back to life believers who have fallen asleep and gather up those who are alive to set up God’s forever kingdom (1 Thess 4:14-17). That’s the end scene God has planned for the feature film that is all of human history.

I’ve been avoiding reading or watching the news over the past few months. It all feels so overwhelming – the horrific, endless wars in the Middle East, the corruption and ugliness of politics in the West, and the economic and social challenges we face in our own country. But this passage is such a comfort. It’s a call not to despair about the beast-like kings that reject God and rule the earth, but to look up in hope, to wait expectantly for the triumph of God’s perfect kingdom when Jesus returns.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan is one of our Assistant Ministers.