This morning I felt led to turn to the Book of Daniel the prophet. This is such an interesting book, and one that spoke prophetically about the future times, which then came to pass. I am reflecting on some verses this morning, that while written some 2200-2600 years ago, are encouraging to the Body of Christ today. Daniel uses the phrase "holy people of the Most High" and I think that could be applied to us, the Body of Christ. Here are the verses - Daniel 7:9-18,26-27 NIV:
[9] “As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. [10] A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.
[11] “Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. [12] (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)
[13] “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. [14] He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
[15] “I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. [16] I approached one of those standing there and asked him the meaning of all this. “So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: [17] 'The four great beasts are four kings that will rise from the earth. [18] But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever---yes, for ever and ever.'
[26] “ 'But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. [27] Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.'
These verses are clearly seeing into the heavenly realm, and speaking of a time that was yet to come. I love the fact that the Ancient of Days was seated on His throne, for this is the place where judgments are given! The books were opened and court was seated - this is a heavenly courtroom. God's judgment was issued against the beasts, and they were slain or stripped of their authority. Today, let us pray for the Ancient of Days to judge this virus, and destroy it or strip it of its authority (ability to hurt us).
The Son of Man is clearly Jesus, and we know that He has already come to earth, and now sits on His throne at the right-hand of the Father (Heb 8:1, 12:2). What is interesting is that when this was all accomplished the very next thing that happened is that the "holy people of the Most High" receive the kingdom and possess it forever! (See verse 18 above). This wasn't seen by Daniel in the vision, but was described by the one who was helping Daniel understand it all. In fact, to make sure this fact wasn't missed it is reiterated again in verse 27. This is an amazing passage - "Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High."
Can we believe this is true? Do we realize that this is actually where we are at presently? Jesus is seated on the throne, so we are into the next act, and that my friends is the time of the "holy people of the Most High"! We have received the Kingdom, this is what Jesus handed to His disciples. The Kingdom of God was the one message that Jesus spent His whole ministry explaining and teaching to the Disciples. It was what He spent the 40 days after He rose from the dead, teaching and explaining (See Acts 1:3). The Book of Acts described the remainder of Paul's ministry this way - Acts 28:30-31 NIV: For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. [31] He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ---with all boldness and without hindrance!"
We are living in the time of the Kingdom of God, being stewarded by the "holy people of the Most High". My encouragement this morning is for us to step into that place of authority, sovereignty and power that we have been given! Let us press into the Lord, to receive instruction and guidance on how to do that which we are called to do! Let us take our rightful place, and learn to operate in authority and power, coupled with the humility, mercy, compassion and selflessness of Christ.
Amen and Amen!
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