For Ever And Ever. Amen.

There is a majesty in the Bible that testifies to its divine revelation and supernatural origin. In holy scripture we learn how God has intervened extraordinarily in the course of this sinful world’s history for the salvation of men and women otherwise lost. The scriptures reveal God’s gospel purpose of grace. They tell us, ‘while we were yet sinners Christ died for us’ and that we are ‘saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation’.

The Ancient of Days

Today’s portion is one such majestic passage. Daniel speaks of a vision of Jehovah God, the Ancient of Days; the Eternal Three In One. He tells us, ‘A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him’. What a spectacle Daniel beheld by divine revelation. Here is the Judge of all the earth, seated on His throne of authority and power, attended by angels, judging and ruling over men.

One like the Son of Man

Daniel also speaks of the Godman; Christ in the flesh, distinct from Jehovah. Daniel’s ‘behold’ conveys a sense of wonder and awe at such a One. Daniel has spoken of four kings and four kingdoms of world history. Each of these empires of human power and dominion once seemed immovably secure but their rise and fall was known to God and foretold by Him. Over all these kingdoms the everlasting kingdom of the Lord Jesus will rule without equal and without end. Christ’s kingdom is spiritual and endures forever. In this spiritual kingdom the saints of God; chosen, redeemed, called and converted by God, will be preserved and reign with their Saviour for ever and ever.

A message to comfort

The Old Testament saints were informed and comforted by the greatness of the Messiah centuries before He appeared. The church in the Old Testament looked in faith to Christ for all their salvation just as now we do. The power of God to accomplish His will is the source of confidence and assurance for the Lord’s people. In Jeremiah 32:40, the Lord says of His elect, ‘And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good’. He promises, ‘I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me’. The Lord promises not to forsake His people, and He promises to put His fear in their hearts that they shall not turn from Him.

Safe and secure

When Daniel declares, ‘But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever’ he is speaking of the fulfilment of God’s saving purpose and covenant grace. Those chosen in election, sanctified in Christ, redeemed by the blood of the Godman and converted into His kingdom by gospel preaching will not fall away. They shall not be lost or removed from God’s hand. Christ shall have His perfect Bride and they with Him shall inherit and possess glory for ever and ever.

Christ our Rock

In the New Testament the security of the church is emphasised over and over again. The Lord Jesus speaking of His redeemed people says, ‘I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My hand’ (John 10:28). Later He tells Peter how the gates of hell shall not prevail against His church for they are founded upon the Rock Christ Jesus. The security of God’s chosen people is in the full accomplishment by the Lord Jesus of everything needful for their deliverance.

A discerning people

Again, we are told that the elect, having been blessed with justification, sanctification and redemption also possess spiritual wisdom so the chosen of God cannot be deceived, even, says our Lord, when false Christs, and false prophets arise showing great signs and wonders! (Matthew 26:26). The Lord’s covenant people shall most assuredly be preserved from all their foes and shall persevere to the end because this is the will and purpose of God.

For ever and ever

When Daniel wrote of ‘the saints of the most High’ taking, or being given, the kingdom ‘for ever and ever’ he was assuring the Lord’s people then and in the ages following of Christ’s power to save and determination to keep all who have been placed into His hands in the covenant of grace. Your life, as a believer, is hid with Christ in God and you may be ‘confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ’ (Philippians 1:6).

Amen