Scripture Reading: Daniel 7:1-28
Review: Everyone loves a good conspiracy theory, even though most of them prove to be unfounded. There is one conspiracy theory, however, that turns out to be absolutely true. It's the conspiracy of the Kingdom of God, and God Himself is the one behind it. Ever since the Fall, God has been moving human history toward the goal of restoring the earth as a place where His rule is fully honored and obeyed. The Book of Daniel is chocked full of information about God's plan. In Daniel 7, for example, Daniel the prophet has a series of dreams and visions which lay out a broad outline of God's plan for certain human government superpowers beginning with Nebuchadnezzar and moving on from there. Daniel sees four beasts: (1) a lion with eagle's wings; (2) a bear, raised up on one side, with three ribs in its mouth; (3) a leopard with four heads and four bird-like wings on its back; and (4) a beast described as "terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong." Each of the four beasts represents one of the same four superpowers identified earlier in Daniel 2 in connection with Nebuchadnezzar's dream. In Daniel 7:13-14, Daniel receives a vision of a fifth kingdom, presented to the Son of Man by the Ancient of Days. This fifth kingdom corresponds to God's Kingdom established here on the earth physically through Christ. It is the end-game for God's conspiracy to restore the earth as a place where His rule is fully honored and obeyed.
Reflection Questions: What words would you use to explain how your heart responds to the description of the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7:9-10? What does it mean to you to know that God has a plan to restore the earth as a place where His rule is honored and fully obeyed? How does it impact your life on a daily basis?
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