Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Daniel 7:
9 “As I watched, thrones were set in place;
and the Ancient One took his seat.
His clothing was white as snow,
the hair on his head was like pure wool.
His throne was fiery flames,
with wheels of burning fire.
10 A stream of fire flowed from his presence;
thousands and thousands ministered to him,
millions and millions stood before him.
Then the court was convened, and the books were opened.
13 “I kept watching the night visions,
when I saw, coming with the clouds of heaven,
someone like a son of man.
He approached the Ancient One
and was led into his presence.
14 To him was given rulership,
glory and a kingdom,
so that all peoples, nations and languages
should serve him.
His rulership is an eternal rulership
that will not pass away;
and his kingdom is one
that will never be destroyed.
[Complete Jewish Bible]What are we to make of these "night visions" of the prophet Daniel? For the ancient Hebrews these were words that caused both anxiety and provided hope. Indeed, for 21st century Christians these words evoke similar feelings. Of course, we see these verses through the lens of our Christian faith. Thus, we see Jesus as the "one like a human being" given everlasting dominion and glory. Therein lies our hope, that the Savior of the current world will also be the king of the everlasting kingdom.
And that future promise offers us hope in the present that no matter what we face--trials, tribulations, and difficulties--the King of Kings is with us. The children of God take comfort in knowing that we have a Savior who knows what we deal with on a daily basis and walks with us as we face whatever comes our way.
King of Kings, help us to remember that you are our hope and our salvation now and for all eternity. Amen.
Tracy Hinkel
St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Northglenn, Colo.
Master of Divinity , 2009
Daniel 7:9 As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire.
10 A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.
13 As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him.
14 To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.[New Revised Standard Version]
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