August 2, 2023 - Daniel 7

Daniel 7-12. These chapters affirm what all the rest of the Bible teaches, that is, that God is in control of history. As David watched in his visions, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat” (7:9). “Took his seat” . . . reminds me of Psalm 2: “He who sits in the heavens laughs” (Psalm 2:4). The Lord simply sits down on his throne and rules. Daniel saw that the four beasts and the horns have created such chaos, and then suddenly, God sits down and it’s as if all is now right or will be made right.

The Lord will sit down, the court will convene (7:26), and power will be taken from the terrible fourth beast and “the kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him” (7:26,27). In the midst of all the upheaval, it is good to know that the great judge will convene his court and make all things right. And so it is throughout the rest of the chapters, as God announces to Daniel what is to come and how He will deal with it all. The Lord omnipotent reigns! The psalmist gives us a wise piece of counsel: “O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 2:10-12).

O worship the King all-glorious above,

O gratefully sing his power and his love:

our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,

pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

O tell of his might and sing of his grace,

whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.

His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,

and dark is his path on the wings of the storm. -- Robert Grant (1833)