Exalting Jesus in Daniel (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) by Dr. Daniel L. Akin

Author:Dr. Daniel L. Akin [Akin, Dr. Daniel L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Religion/Biblical Commentary/Old Testament
Publisher: Holman Reference
Published: 2017-07-11T04:00:00+00:00

Before this awesome and imposing King, court is called into session “and the books were opened.” The Ancient of Days does everything by the book. His judgment, as always, will be fair and equitable. There is no partiality, not a hint of unfairness. This is true for his judgment of everyone, beginning with the beast.

He Is Sovereign with His Sentence and Patience (7:11-12)

The little horn (v. 8) is still mouthing off as the vision reverts back to him. This arrogant braggart and his boasting are framed or sandwiched by two God-focused poems (vv. 9-10,13-14) (Pierce, Daniel, 125). In verse 11, suddenly and without elaboration, he is taken out: “The beast was killed and its body destroyed and given over to the burning fire” (cf. Rev 19:19-21; 20:10). Turn out the lights on the beast. Game over! It is that quick. It is that simple.

In contrast to the fourth beast, the others had “their dominion . . . removed, but an extension of life was granted to them for a certain period of time” (v. 12). Sidney Greidanus notes that Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece, even after losing their dominion, continued to exist and live as part of the kingdom that conquered them. They were shadows of themselves, but they were still there, albeit in a much diminished sense. God was more gracious and patient with them, as he has been with many other kingdoms throughout history. Not so for the Roman Empire, as it comes to its fullest and greatest expression in the little horn, the antichrist. “When God judges the little horn, the last remnant of the Roman Empire will be annihilated” (Greidanus, Preaching Christ from Daniel, 241).

He Is Sovereign in His Man and Plan (7:13-14)

Two persons take center stage in this night vision: “one like a son of man” and “the Ancient of Days.” These two verses were considered important by the authors of the New Testament, being referenced numerous times, and they are loaded with theological significance. Daniel sees someone “coming with the clouds of heaven,” a clear indication of divinity, and a Christophany as we will see (see also Exod 16:10; 19:9; 24:16; 34:5; Num 11:25; Pss 97:2; 104:3; Isa 19:1; Nah 1:3). “He approached the Ancient of Days [i.e., God the Father] and was escorted before him.” The one like a son of man is then given by the Ancient of Days a universal and eternal kingdom. Verse 14 should be read carefully and slowly so that its impact and weight is fully felt and taken in. The eternal and universal kingdom of God is given to “one like a son of man” who comes in divine manifestation “with the clouds of heaven.”

So the question begging to be asked and answered is, Who is this son of man? A nonexhaustive list of possible candidates includes Daniel, Israel, Michael, Gabriel, Judas Maccabee, faithful Israel, and glorified Israel. However, none of these is satisfactory. Furthermore, Jesus Christ himself tells us who the son of man is. It is

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