Daniel 7:13-14. 13“I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
You probably know some of the stories in the book of Daniel. The fiery furnace. Daniel in the lion’s den. These are great stories found in the first half of the book. But the second half of the book of Daniel can get pretty weird. In it, Daniel records several visions that God gives to him, including the one in today’s scripture. It’s a vision where someone like a son of man is presented to the Ancient of Days and receives a kingdom. Oh yes, and all of this happens in the clouds.
Daniel’s vision is a vision of the ascension of Jesus.
- Son of man: Jesus called himself the Son of Man when he was on Earth. In fact, he used this title more than any other.
- Ancient of Days: this is God.
- Clouds: Jesus ascended into the clouds to meet God, the same place where the Son of Man met the Ancient of Days in Daniel’s vision.
- Given a kingdom: The Son of Man is given a kingdom by the Ancient of Days. When Jesus ascended he was made the king of everything by God
Jesus is in charge of everything. The Bible calls him the ruler of the universe (Col. 1:16). It says that he has been highly exalted by God (Phil. 2:9). It says that all things are under his feet (Eph. 1:22). And it calls him the heir of all things (Heb. 1:2) – that means he will inherit everything. According to the Bible, Jesus is actively defeating his enemies and putting them “under his feet” (1 Cor. 15:25).
What does all this mean? It means that we serve our enthroned king!
But Jesus’ ascension as the Son of Man ruling over everything means even more for us. Because Jesus lives in us and with us, we are also ruling with Jesus. The Bible says that we reign in life with Jesus (Rom. 5:17). It says that we are seated at his right hand already (Eph. 2:6). It calls us a royal priesthood (1 Pt. 2:9) – that means that we are both kings and priests. Jesus inherits everything but we are adopted by God and co-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:23). In one place, the Apostle Paul even says that all things are ours (1 Cor. 3:21). And here’s how Daniel says it:
Daniel 7:27. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’
The everlasting kingdom of Jesus is given to all who are saints (all Christians).
Again, I ask, “What does all this mean?” It means that with Jesus you are both his servant and his co-ruler. But remember, Jesus is a ruler that always serves. He always does what is best for others and not just for himself.
It also means that together we share the destiny of the Son of Man – an everlasting kingdom without evil and suffering. Without death and sorrow. Without tears or pain. A kingdom of love and goodness where we will serve our good and gracious king forever and ever.
You: Is Jesus your king?
You with Jesus: You both serve Jesus and serve others as a co-ruler with him. What can serving others look like today?
Prayer: Father, you are the Ancient of Days who has shared your kingdom with Jesus, the Son of Man, and now with me. Help me to reign with Jesus as a servant, ready to love any and all who enter my little corner of the kingdom. Amen.
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