The Promise

Daniel 7:27-28 “‘Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’ 28 This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.”
 
COULD you say that Daniel’s dream in chapter 7 is a summary of the entire Bible? He sees humanity’s confusion under the rule of powerful anti-God rulers. Then an even more powerful, deceptive ruler rises above the earthly nations. Good and evil engage in a great battle. The Holy God – the Ancient of Days – anoints the Son to rule over an eternal kingdom. In glory, all will worship him with the promise: Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High.
    This is our great hope, isn’t it? Our hope is not, “Maybe God will triumph over evil.” Instead, our sure hope is, “His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.” Yes, it will happen.
    Why, then, was Daniel deeply troubled? Let’s consider that Daniel had seen a series of overwhelming, soul-disturbing events that would affect his people in the near future. He was troubled to know great struggles were coming for his people and the world. Seeing such visions as the unstoppable iron beast would weaken one’s resolve and cause a weariness of soul. Even in the promised victory, enduring such destructive, worldwide warfare can deeply trouble our hearts.
    One way we know the Bible is true is prophecy. God used such prophets as Daniel to tell of the physical and spiritual struggles we will encounter and must undergo in a broken world. The Bible even declares Satan’s way will seem to be the winning way. And God even prepares his faithful to be martyrs – to take up a cross – to sacrifice.
    Out of sin’s death comes eternal life. The LORD God declares his salvation forever and ever. The faithful will live in eternal glory! This is God’s true message to prepare us. This is God’s Word sure hope for us.
 
Romans 8:24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.