Today’s Reading: Dan 7:1–8:27, 2 Thess 1:1–12, Job 41:21–34

Today’s Theme: The growth and inheritance of the saints

Today’s theme is the inheritance God has stored up for the saints as we endure and grow in Christ, we will one day reign with Him.

Daniel 7:1–8:27,

Write it down

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter. (Daniel 7:1, ESV)

It is good to write down what the Lord speaks to our hearts in prayer, meditation, reading the Bible and in our sleep. It helps me to have really solid thoughts and pin down my thinking, making it clear.

The Ancient of Days

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. (Daniel 7:10, ESV)

Again a glimpse into the order of heaven, God is the Ancient of Days.

Jesus, The Son of Man

“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. (Daniel 7:13, ESV)

Very often the Son of Man title is given to Jesus in these visions.

The Everlasting Kingdom of all peoples

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. (Daniel 7:14, ESV)

Jesus is given an everlasting kingdom by God the Father. Note again, no mention of colour of skin but of nations, tribes and tongues.

On the basis of these verses it is understandable that an average Jewish reader of the Old Testament would be confused as to the “now and not yet” nature of the kingdom of the Son of Man.

The inheritance of the saints

But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever.’ (Daniel 7:18, ESV)

We shall posses the kingdom forever, what amazing grace! This is such an awesome promise and gives purpose and meaning to our lives.

God’s government

And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’ (Daniel 7:27, ESV)

There will be an inheritance and transfer of power from the governments of this world to the saints, but this is not progressive, this will be given by God.

The enemy

It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them. (Daniel 8:10, ESV)

Sounds like a reference to a spiritual parallel to the devil, but not sure, or it could be talking about when the Greeks desecrate the temple in Jerusalem, or the parallel of the Antichrist, just reading ahead to Gabriel’s interpretation it seems this is for the end times. We can be sure this is the enemy in one of his guises.

Gabriel

And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.” (Daniel 8:16, ESV)

One of the first angels named in the Bible.

Jesus’ victory at the second coming

By his cunning he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind he shall become great. Without warning he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken—but by no human hand. (Daniel 8:25, ESV)

This lines up with the account in the book of Revelation of the final battle.

A heart for God’s people

And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king’s business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it. (Daniel 8:27, ESV)

Daniel was no prophecy buff, he had a heart for God and His people.

2 Thessalonians 1:1–12

Grace and peace to you

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:2, ESV)

This is a greeting that Paul uses and is wonderful, what a great greeting, Grace to you and peace…

Evidence of growth

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. (2 Thessalonians 1:3, ESV)

This is wonderful, the church was healthy, they were growing in faith and there was evidence of this because their love towards one another was increasing, this is a sign of growth in faith.

Unfortunately today faith can so often be associated with jostling for position, pride and a superiority or master complex rather than loving servants growing in love, dependence and service toward their master.

Be steadfast

Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. (2 Thessalonians 1:4, ESV)

In our “Dr Phil” world, we are called to steadfastness, we should not make excuses though modern ways of thinking that we will all have ups and downs and cannot be steadfast in most things…. NO! We must be steadfast and consistent.

Obedience is demanded

in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (2 Thessalonians 1:8, ESV)

Jesus will inflict great vengeance, He is zealous for the glory of His Father. The Gospel is not just news it is a proclaimed truth and call which demands obedience.

Eternal punishment

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, (2 Thessalonians 1:9, ESV)

The punishment of hell is eternal.

A daily prayer

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, (2 Thessalonians 1:11, ESV)

We should pray this for ourselves and fellow believers everyday.

Lord make me worthy of Your calling
Give me firm resolve to do good
Give me both resolve and faith to work for You
To the glory of Your name

Job 41:21–34

The dragon

He sees everything that is high; he is king over all the sons of pride.” (Job 41:34, ESV)

This has all been a description of a mighty dragon now known as dinosaurs, this is not a crocodile or hippopotamus. Here is a reference to the spiritual parallel with the devil.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Thessalonians 1