(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)
One day you will come face to face with God. What will you say to Him? ...More importantly, what will He say to you?
The recent birth to Prince William (Duke of Cambridge) and Kate (Duchess of Cambridge) of a son who might one day become King of England (and head the Church of England) has captivated the attention of people around the world. All the excitement is something of a curiosity to many in America, because we do not have a royal class (although politicians in Washington may come close). The type of government we have, a democracy in the form of a republic,1 dates back to the Greeks. The type of government Great Britain had at one time, a monarchy, goes back much farther and is one of the oldest kinds of government known to man. It is the form of ancient superpowers—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon—and is the form God chose for His people,2 Israel, perhaps because it mirrors His own realm.
When the biblical writers describe heaven, it is often as a royal court where God presides.3 They depict Him (anthropomorphically) as a king on a throne4 and His administration as a monarchy.
As people's desire for independence grows, their attachment to and reliance on government wanes. Many European countries that once had kings—France, Austria-Hungary, Yugoslavia, Greece, Germany, and a host of smaller nations—have traded their monarchy for some version of democracy.5 These countries have demoted their ruling class to figureheads or deposed them altogether. The titles of royalty may remain, but the power of royalty is gone. It is not so with God's rule. David says in Ps 29, "The LORD is enthroned as king forever" (Ps 29:10b).6
Still, there is one individual in particular who would like to depose God and rule in His place. That individual is Satan, one of God's created beings whose aspirations exceed his abilities. Toward accomplishing his goal, especially when other attempts have been unsuccessful, Satan will work through a surrogate, called the "beast" in our passage this morning, not because he is an animal but because he behaves like one—without moral constraints. In the end, this "beast," also known as the antichrist, will bring his master no closer to the throne. In fact, because of his efforts, the "beast" will eventually find himself making an uncomfortable appearance.
The heavenly court is where God conducts official business and makes official pronouncements. In the future, this is where we will see...
* XXX. The Foremost Confrontment
In these verses, we also see that God occupies a specialized chair, characteristic of His exalted status.
The hearing in Dan 7 will be public, and the evidence presented will be public as well, consisting of irrefutable documentation, because...
Daniel does not identify which books are opened at this time, but they may include ones noted elsewhere.
As I mentioned earlier, the heavenly court will convene for two high-profile trials:
A middle-aged woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. While on the operating table she had a near death experience. Seeing God, she asked "Is my time up'?" "No," he replied, "you have another 40 years to live." Upon recovery, she decided that since she had so much more time than she thought, she might as well make the most of it. So she stayed in the hospital to have some work done. She had a facelift, liposuction, and a tummy tuck. She even had someone come and dye her hair. After her last operation, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, though, she was hit and killed by an ambulance. Arriving in front of God (again), she asked Him, "You said I had another 40 years. Why didn't you save me from being hit by the ambulance?" God replied, "Sorry about that...I just didn't recognize you!"What will you say when you come face to face with God? More importantly, what will He say to you? ...Hopefully it will go better than it did for this woman. Certainly, it will go better than The Foremost Confrontment, when another individual encounters the presiding of God at his trial.
The recent birth to Prince William (Duke of Cambridge) and Kate (Duchess of Cambridge) of a son who might one day become King of England (and head the Church of England) has captivated the attention of people around the world. All the excitement is something of a curiosity to many in America, because we do not have a royal class (although politicians in Washington may come close). The type of government we have, a democracy in the form of a republic,1 dates back to the Greeks. The type of government Great Britain had at one time, a monarchy, goes back much farther and is one of the oldest kinds of government known to man. It is the form of ancient superpowers—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon—and is the form God chose for His people,2 Israel, perhaps because it mirrors His own realm.
When the biblical writers describe heaven, it is often as a royal court where God presides.3 They depict Him (anthropomorphically) as a king on a throne4 and His administration as a monarchy.
- The prophet Micaiah said:
1 Kgs 22:19b I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the host of heaven standing around him....
- The prophet Isaiah said:
Isa 6:1 ...I saw the Lord seated on a throne.... 2a Above him were seraphs...flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty..."
- The prophet Ezekiel said:
Ezek 1:26b ...on the throne was a figure like that of a man.... 28a Like the appearance of a rainbow...so was the radiance around him.
- The apostle John said:
God is, of course, more than a head of state, and those who surround Him in heaven are not merely His subjects; neither are they elected officials. They are His creatures, ones He has made. In His administration, His rule is absolute, and His word is law.Rev 4:2 ...there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.... 6b In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures.... 8b Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty...."
As people's desire for independence grows, their attachment to and reliance on government wanes. Many European countries that once had kings—France, Austria-Hungary, Yugoslavia, Greece, Germany, and a host of smaller nations—have traded their monarchy for some version of democracy.5 These countries have demoted their ruling class to figureheads or deposed them altogether. The titles of royalty may remain, but the power of royalty is gone. It is not so with God's rule. David says in Ps 29, "The LORD is enthroned as king forever" (Ps 29:10b).6
Still, there is one individual in particular who would like to depose God and rule in His place. That individual is Satan, one of God's created beings whose aspirations exceed his abilities. Toward accomplishing his goal, especially when other attempts have been unsuccessful, Satan will work through a surrogate, called the "beast" in our passage this morning, not because he is an animal but because he behaves like one—without moral constraints. In the end, this "beast," also known as the antichrist, will bring his master no closer to the throne. In fact, because of his efforts, the "beast" will eventually find himself making an uncomfortable appearance.
The heavenly court is where God conducts official business and makes official pronouncements. In the future, this is where we will see...
* XXX. The Foremost Confrontment
- The presiding of God (Dan 7:9-10)
Dan 7:9 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.God holds a specialized title, the "Ancient of Days," which appears only in this chapter (Dan 7:9,13,22). It alludes both to the eternality of His existence and the antiquity of His reign.
- He has been on the job (as God) for a very long time (hence, His white hair). Moses says to Him in...
Ps 90:2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
God has been on the job for a very long time. Moreover...
- He has been on the throne (as king) for a very long time. Another biblical author says this to Him in...
Ps 93:2 Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity.
God has been on the throne for a very long time.In fact, no human, living or dead, remembers a time when God was not around or not reigning. Unlike most royals in Europe, God has never been demoted or deposed.
In these verses, we also see that God occupies a specialized chair, characteristic of His exalted status.
- His throne is distinctive in that it is on wheels (Dan; Ezek) which may symbolize His ability to be anywhere He pleases.7
NB: This was very unusual in the Ancient Near East. Israel's king did not have a wheeled throne. I found only one example: There is a wall panel relief depicting the supreme ruler of Assyria, Ashurbanipal, on a horse-drawn, two-wheeled vehicle (chariot or throne) after his capture of Babylon (648). This is the only example I found of a wheeled throne in antiquity, and it was not self-propelled. Ezekiel also describes God's wheeled throne, but it has its own propulsion system and does not rely on horses.
Ezek 1:16a This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like chrysolite, and all four [not "two"] looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel.... 20 Wherever the spirit would go, they would go...because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
God's throne is distinctive in that it is on wheels. Moreover...
- His throne is distinctive in that it (like its occupant) is on fire, which may symbolize the consuming power of His presence.8
Ordinarily, fire in the throne room, uncontained like this, would be a sign of danger. King Ashurbanipal would not have wanted to see his throne on fire, especially if he were sitting on it. With God, however, such fire poses no danger and is, in fact, a sign of power. This is also similar to what Ezekiel witnessed when he caught a glimpse of the Lord.
Ezek 1:27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.
This description of God forms the backdrop for the trial that follows. Because of His exalted position, He is eminently qualified to judge...God's throne is distinctive in that it is on fire.
1. Your sovereign will convene the heavenly court.When does this happen? ...Indications elsewhere in the chapter place the time when Jesus returns to reign, after the Great Tribulation.9 This is a high profile case, one of two that will come before this court as God's program advances toward a climax. Again, the person on trial here is the antichrist, whom Daniel calls the "beast" (v. 11), and his crimes are clear. For several years at this point he has been the devil's front man, but that will come to an abrupt end when Jesus returns. Then the antichrist, having been defeated, will appear before the bar of divine justice. The angel who has been explaining to Daniel what lies ahead, says the antichrist's activity for Satan, detailed in v. 25, will result in three charges against him.10
a. The antichrist will be charged with crimes against the person of God, because "He will speak against the Most High,"
b. The antichrist will be charged with crimes against the people of God, because he will "oppress his saints," and
c. The antichrist will be charged with crimes against the precepts of God, because he will "try to change...the laws."At the trial there will be no doubt about the beast's guilt—the evidence will be overwhelming, and the sentencing will be swift.11
The hearing in Dan 7 will be public, and the evidence presented will be public as well, consisting of irrefutable documentation, because...
2. Your sovereign will consult the heavenly record.12This is not what Santa Claus supposedly does at Christmas, when "he's making a list, and checking it twice; gonna find out who's naughty [or] nice." The records in evidence at this trial are not just seasonal.
Daniel does not identify which books are opened at this time, but they may include ones noted elsewhere.
a. The "Book of Truth" appears later in Daniel (10:21) and is a chronicle of historical events from God's perspective.
- This would likely document every time the antichrist opposed God's agenda and will certainly be damning evidence against him.
b. The "Book of Life" appears most often in scripture (8x)13 and is a registry of everyone God has redeemed.
At the close of these proceedings, there will be no doubt about the beast's guilt or the fairness of God's verdict.
- This will not include the antichrist, and that omission will also be damning.14
As I mentioned earlier, the heavenly court will convene for two high-profile trials:
- The first trial (Dan7) will be for the antichrist, following his defeat; it will take place before the Messianic Age.15
- The second trial (Rev 20) will be for the wicked, following Satan's defeat; it will take place after the Messianic Age.16
When the antichrist is at the height of his malevolent activity, seemingly operating without restraint, God's people may wonder about the reliability of God's plan. Given that things do not seem to be going well, will they really end well?
When you see examples of injustice, of people who get away with conduct you know is wrong, you may wonder if God is paying attention, if there actually are consequences to bad behavior. That is a question Asaph asks in Ps 73. The answer he receives is that it may be necessary to take a long view of events and realize that God is not finished.17 The psalmist writes...
While most earthly monarchies have lost some or all of their authority, especially to make life and death decisions for the people within their realm, God, the great king of the universe, has lost none of His authority, and He will use that authority at The Foremost Confrontment, the presiding of God in a trial of the ages, a trial you will witness.
Having considered The Foremost Confrontment, we will look next at The Foremost Consignment, which is the presiding of God, in Rev 20:10.
For the Bibliography and Endnotes, see the pdf here.
When you see examples of injustice, of people who get away with conduct you know is wrong, you may wonder if God is paying attention, if there actually are consequences to bad behavior. That is a question Asaph asks in Ps 73. The answer he receives is that it may be necessary to take a long view of events and realize that God is not finished.17 The psalmist writes...
Ps 73:3 ...I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4a They have no struggles.... 12 This is what the wicked are like—always carefree, they increase in wealth. 13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.... 16 When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.Likewise, when you see examples of injustice and wonder if there really are consequences for bad behavior, it may be necessary to take a long view of events. Remember that God's delay in responding to sinners is intentional.
- When God does not act immediately, it may be to allow more time for their repentance. As Peter says...
2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
- When God does not act immediately, it may be to allow more opportunity for them to increase their retribution. As God says to Abraham...
Either way, God is not finished, and you can still depend on His fulfilling the promise He made to bring history to a glorious conclusion for His people, including you. As the prophet Habakkuk said, "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea" (Hab 2:14).18Gen 15:16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure.
While most earthly monarchies have lost some or all of their authority, especially to make life and death decisions for the people within their realm, God, the great king of the universe, has lost none of His authority, and He will use that authority at The Foremost Confrontment, the presiding of God in a trial of the ages, a trial you will witness.
Having considered The Foremost Confrontment, we will look next at The Foremost Consignment, which is the presiding of God, in Rev 20:10.
For the Bibliography and Endnotes, see the pdf here.
(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted)
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Jim Skaggs