November 20, 2024
The Son of Man - Part 3
Daniel 7:11-12
11/20/2024
11 I looked then because of the sound of the great
words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked,
the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and
given over to be burned with fire.
12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was
taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a
season and a time. (ESV)
This morning we are discussing the judgment on the last day
of the world as recorded by the prophet Daniel. In his vision,
he had seen the four kingdoms of Babylon, Persia, Greece, and
Rome come to power only to be replaced. Daniel saw the coming of
the Antichrist who fought against the Church and against the
truth that our salvation from sin and death is because of God's
grace and love alone.
I looked then because of the sound of the great words
that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast
was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be
burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their
dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged
for a season and a time.
The kingdoms of the world, the power of the Antichrist who
fights against the truth of the Gospel, is destroyed at the
judgment. Nothing unholy can stand in the presence of the
almighty God as He sits on His throne, the books of judgment open
before Him.
God, the righteous Judge, in His mercy, allows the kingdoms
of this world to remain for a while. Jesus, and the prophets and
apostles, taught that God desires all people to be saved and come
to the knowledge of the truth. Therefore, even the nations who
seek to destroy the truth of the Gospel are given time to repent.
How long is that time? No one knows the day or hour when
Jesus will return, when the books will be opened, and the
judgment will happen. Therefore, Daniel's vision is a call for
each of us to seek first the kingdom of God, even as Jesus taught
His followers.
May our Lord grant us His love, grace, and mercy as we await
the end of the ages. Amen.