Does
the "kingdom" referenced in Daniel encompass all the universe, both those in heaven (saints making up the church, the body
of Christ) and those in the earth (Jewish believers and gentiles)?
As you know, the
book of Daniel is part of God's prophetic program with the nation of Israel,
and thus has nothing to do with what he is doing with us in the dispensation of grace. Therefore, whatever this verse
is referring to, we know that it is not talking about Christ delivering up the body of Christ, or his heavenly kingdom
to God.
So what exactly is
it talking about?
Earthly kingdom
delivered
Well, look at what Daniel
writes...
Daniel 7:13-14
I
saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the
clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him
near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom,
that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an
everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which
shall not be destroyed.
Notice that he says
that in this vision he sees the "Son of man," a term used in
reference to Israel's Messiah, coming with the clouds of heaven. Where was he
coming from? And when he gets there he is brought before the Ancient of days? Who is that? Whoever this Ancient of
days is, he gives the Son of Man, Israel's Messiah, all this kingdom and glory
of all peoples, nations, etc.
As you can see,
these things, as per prophecy, pertain to the earth! So what I see is that this is the Lord Jesus Christ (Son of Man, a term that he calls himself
while on earth) coming before God the Father
(The Ancient of days), to get the earthly kingdom. But once he, the Ancient of days,
gives unto the Lord Jesus, the Son of Man, this earthly kingdom, then what?
Well, notice the light that we get from other scriptures....
Luke 19:11-13
And
as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh
to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should
immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman
went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to
return. And he called his ten
servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I
come.
Here we see that
during the latter time of our Lord's earthly ministry to Israel—at a time when
they think that he is going to Jerusalem to take the throne of David (vs. 11)—that he now tells them that he has something else in mind first!
He then tells them
a parable about a nobleman (himself) who goes into a far country (heaven), to get a kingdom (that earthly
kingdom of Daniel 7), and to return (that
is come back to earth to establish it)!
I see this as when
after his resurrection from the dead, he then ascends into heaven in Acts 1.
Acts 1:6, 9
When
they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou
at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
And
when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and
a cloud received him out of their sight.
Notice here, that
at his ascension, he goes up and a cloud
receives him. (I believe that this cloud has to do with those clouds in Daniel 7:13—very well could be
a cloud consisting of the angels of heaven!)
So, what I see is
that at his ascension to the heavens in and with this cloud, he goes up into
the third heaven, victorious over death, hell, and the Enemy, into his Father's
(the Ancient of days') throne room, and then his Father gives him the earthly
kingdom. Then one day, when the time is fulfilled, he will return with it and
set it up on the earth!
Daniel 7:13-14
I
saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man [the Lord Jesus Christ] came with the clouds [of
angels] of heaven, and came to
the Ancient of days [God, the Father], and they [angels] brought him [the Lord Jesus Christ] near before him [God, the
Father]. And there was given him [the Lord Jesus
Christ] dominion, and glory,
and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his
dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom
that which shall not be destroyed.
Heavenly kingdom
delivered
As far as the Lord
handing us, the church, the body of Christ, off to the Father...that is what
the verse in 1 Corinthians 15:24 is all about. What else would the Lord Jesus
Christ do with us after he is done with the Judgment Seat? After the Lord Jesus
finishes with us, he still has to go on to finish his plan and purpose for
Israel right? We are not part of that
because our vocation is for the heavenly
places. So once he is done with us, he has
to then commend us to the Father. That is what Paul is making reference to in 1
Corinthians 15.
1 Corinthians 15:24
Then
cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to god,
even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and
power.
2 Timothy 4:18
And
the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his
heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Hopefully this
helps!
†††
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for Pastor Ron?
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