Walking Through Ephesians
“Daniel’s Dream”
Categories: Journey with DanielDaniel’s Dream
Not everything in the book of Daniel is peachy-keen. In chapters 7-12, there are some real downers. Through Daniel, God reveals colossal events would take place in the world’s history. What Daniel sees is not comforting at all. In fact, when he finally sees all that is about to occur, his mind is so troubled that his face turns white. If these things were to happen, and he did not understand God’s purposes in them, he might well have doubted in God’s love and power. Daniel was allowed to see, that while many things about the future were scary, the people of the Most High had nothing to fear. Because in the end, the true and everlasting kingdom belonged to them.
Much like Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter two, Daniel’s dream is about four kingdoms that will all come and go. Each one will be lifted with her own pride and think she is the most powerful, and no king can stand against their rule.
Both Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel received basically the same revelation about the future, but from a different perspective. In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the focus was on the power of the various kingdoms that are eventually overpowered by the kingdom of God. In Daniel’s vision, the focus is on the depravity of the various kingdoms that are outlasted by the righteous kingdom of God.
In addition, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream focuses on that fourth kingdom to tell us what God is going to do in the days of “those kings.” In Daniel’s dream, we learn more about the terrible actions of the fourth kingdom that leads to their divine destruction.
So, the two visions taken together provide a more complete understanding of what the future looks like for the kingdom of God and the saints of the Lord. The message still comes through clearly as it did in Daniel 4:17; “Let the living know that the Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men.” Daniel also sees a triumphant Son. He will reign victorious and ascend back to the presence of God (Daniel 7:9).
Our take-away is much the same as Daniels. The people of God must never be naïve about the reality, strength, or durability of evil. Daniel’s sense of horror and his resulting concern for God’s people are an example to us all. We may live in a day and a place where life is relatively tranquil for Christians. Do we remember to pray for those who know evil’s full force? Are we concerned for the saints of God in the future who will face such trials? If this vision does not produce this spirit in us, we have not really understood its message.
We must be aware of the suffering in the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is a kingdom of suffering. The forces of hell will not prevail against it, but they will do all in their limited power to overwhelm the saints. Suffering of one kind or another is integral to being a Christian.
“The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory” (Rom 8:16-17).
One last thing this vision teaches us. The Messiah will be lifted up, ascend back to the Father and His rule will never be defeated. That is reassuring to us!
Bringing it home: We are constantly tempted to live in the present, for the here and now, and when that is our only focus, it’s easy to lose focus on the things that really matter, the things that are eternal. That’s why it’s important that we remind ourselves of the certain promises of Scripture. Because a hope in the future, will be a more fervent work in the present.
