Daniel 7 is like the “Book of Kingdoms”. Through the passage, these powers rise with incredible strength. They dominate, threaten, and make themselves out to be completely permanent. But one after one, their authority and power prove to be temporary.
Then, Daniel sees something … different.
 
He sees “One like the Son of Man” coming on the clouds of heaven and approaching the Ancient of Days. He then receives dominion, glory, and a Kingdom. Unlike the beastly kingdoms he’s seen before, His rule isn’t temporary; His dominion won’t pass away and will never be destroyed.
 
Daniel’s vision helps to shape the way we understand Jesus’ ascension. When Jesus rises from the earth in Acts 1, we should think beyond Him taking some cosmic space adventure to a place far away. Daniel provides us with a Kingdom-tinted lens through which to see the victorious Messiah. The risen Son receives the kind of everlasting rule that no human empire before or since has ever possessed. This Kingdom is, well, different.

That’s an important distinction because earthly powers are remarkably good at making themselves appear ultimate and permanent. Governments rise, leaders brag, and nations flex their strength. Some systems of power can dominate entire generations or thousands of years, even. From inside these empires, they can often feel permanent. But Daniel teaches us to see them differently.
 
Every manifestation of human authority, from your local school board to the world powers dominating the global scene, has limits. Jesus doesn’t. Every earthly empire will eventually pass, but His remains. There’s no election, war, cultural shift, economic collapse, or political triumph that can pose any threat to Jesus’ throne.
 
Now, this isn’t to say earthly authority is irrelevant. Daniel doesn’t treat oppressive regimes lightly; he simply lets us know which throne is the ultimate authority. It’s easy for us to place His name on earthly institutions and somehow feel as though we can then measure Christ’s Kingdom by the power and influence the earthly ones possess. But that’s backwards. We should measure the kingdoms and powers of this world by the everlasting dominion of the Son. And they will always be found wanting.

Which earthly powers or circumstances are easiest for you to treat as though they were ultimate or at least more powerful than they are? How would Daniel's vision reshape the way you see them?

Father, teach me to see Jesus as ultimate. I know earthly kingdoms rise and fall, help me remember His dominion lasts forever. Guard my heart from fear when these temporary powers overwhelm me and help me not to place undue confidence in them when they appear strong. Fix my focus on Jesus, the True King. Form a steady allegiance in me to the Kingdom of God. Amen.

“When the world feels unstable, I need to remember __________________.”