SCRIPTURE: Daniel 7
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed. [Daniel 7:13-14]
This is a key passage explaining why Jesus used the title ‘Son of Man’ to describe Himself.
What Daniel sees, in addition to the many symbols of world kingdoms, is the final conclusion of history, when God’s kingdom finally comes, when God’s king finally is revealed.
God created this world to be under humanity, but they surrendered that authority to Satan, the ‘prince of this world’.
God sent His Son, as a human, to restore humanities rightful place on earth, as God’s ruling agents.
His kingdom is coming, His will one will be done on earth as it is now in heaven.

Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world —from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven. [Matthew 24:29-31]
Jesus expands on this in His message to His disciples [the Olivet discourse, Matthew 24].
He also shows that for a long period of time it will seem as if the kingdom(s) of darkness have the upper hand.
There will be days of anguish when the ‘horn’ (kingdom of eveil) will wage war against God’s holy people and defeat them.
But these days of anguish will conclude with a tumultuous series of events, and the Son of Man will be revealed with His army of angels, and He will set things right.

I do not spend a lot of time trying to figure out the details of His return.
The symbols and visions in the bible are confusing to me at times.
But one thing I cling to, and therefore I have hope: no matter how ugly or hard things get, at the end of the day the Lord Jesus will come, and finally things will be set to right.
Until then we persevere, knowing that “all authority has been given to Him”, and that “He is with us to the very end of the age.” [Matthew 28:18-20].
We persevere, demonstrating and declaring God’s new world of love and justice and grace, until He returns!
Then the sovereignty, power, and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will last forever, and all rulers will serve and obey him.” [Daniel 7:27]

PRAYER:
Lord, I do not always think about this stuff, but when I do, it inspires me. Thank You for the visions of the end that motivate me to stand firm to the end!