The Third Sunday of Advent (OT)

Daniel 7:9-14

⁹ “As I looked, 

thrones were placed, 

and the Ancient of Days took his seat; 

his clothing was white as snow, 

and the hair of his head like pure wool; 

his throne was fiery flames; 

its wheels were burning fire. 

¹⁰  A stream of fire issued 

and came out from before him; 

a thousand thousands served him, 

and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; 

the court sat in judgment, 

and the books were opened. 

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. 

¹³ “I saw in the night visions, 

and behold, with the clouds of heaven 

there came one like a son of man, 

and he came to the Ancient of Days 

and was presented before him. 

¹⁴  And to him was given dominion 

and glory and a kingdom, 

that all peoples, nations, and languages 

should serve him; 

his dominion is an everlasting dominion, 

which shall not pass away, 

and his kingdom one 

that shall not be destroyed. 

The one like a son of man comes to present himself to the Ancient of days.  He does this to destroy all the enemies of the nations.  The Ancient of days offers the son of man dominion and everlasting rule.  This is a Kingdom which shall never pass away or be destroyed.

Many people when this text is read will leave out the middle part.  They will focus on the Authority and power of God depicted here.  But take a minute and look at the middle part of the text.  The beast and the little horn are in the world and around us.  The beast and the horn are speaking with great and persuasive words.  They are leading people away from the Truth.

But Here Not only does the Ancient of Days take his seat upon a Throne of holiness.  He sends forth streams of Fire to purify others.  He sits in judgment over the nations.  He sits in Judgment over the Beast, the horn and their followers.  He will allow them to live for a time.  But then the one like the Son of Man will appear on the clouds.  He will present himself to the Judge, the Ancient of Days, as the eternal sacrifice.  He will be established as King forever.

It is the one like a son of Man who is the sacrifice for your sins.  It is the Ancient of Days who refines you with fire and sits in Judgment over all people.  It is the new spirit with you that will rejoice and serve the son of Man and the Ancient of Days.