Daniel 7:15-18 – “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things. ‘These four great beasts are four kings who shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’
In school as a kid, I was taught the evolutionary myth that humanity is inherently good, great, and continually improving. But, the longer I have lived and the more I have witnessed in this world and read about the history of this world, it seems obvious that things are getting worse and not better.
According to the storyline of the Bible in general, including God’s revelation of the end of time to Daniel, things will get much worse before they get all better. The contrast in Daniel 7 is that the culture of hell comes up with kingdoms and cultures empowered by demonic beasts. Conversely, the Kingdom of God comes down with the Lord Jesus at His Second Coming.
The Kingdom of God exists right now in the unseen realm. King Jesus is seated on His throne, surrounded by divine beings and departed believers, ruling and reigning. Jesus’ reign on the earth is active right now through the power of the gospel and presence of the Spirit in and through the Church, which is God’s Kingdom outpost. One day, Jesus will return to reunite the seen and unseen realms, conquer His enemies, and establish one global Kingdom that will replace all religions, nations, cultures, and economies. As you see the world decline, don’t lose hope because one day King Jesus will descend and make it all better forever.
What are you most looking forward to when Jesus returns to rule the earth?
In addition to this introduction to and overview of Daniel, you can find the corresponding sermons, daily devotions, men’s ministry resources, and hundreds of additional sermons and Bible teaching resources for free at markdriscoll.org or on the Mark Driscoll Ministries app.
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