WHAT QUIETS THE ALARM

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"I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. "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. 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 7:11‭-‬14 ESV

"Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart."
Daniel 7:28 ESV

¶In the vision, beasts arise from the sea, which is a turbulent place stirred up by the "winds of heaven". There is no power in heaven or on earth that did not originate with God. These beasts are not generated "sui generis". Like everything on both land and sea, they are invoked, ordained, and sustained by "ruach", the winds of heaven, moving upon the deep, as "in the beginning". Their earthly power is prolonged for a season, but that will end, and their dominion taken away. By contrast, Daniel sees one who does not arise from the sea, but comes down from heaven in the clouds. From before time itself, the Ancient of Days bestows upon this son of man an everlasting kingdom, comprehensive in scope, spanning all peoples, places, and time. Daniel finds the beasts greatly alarming, but whatever dominions they represent, whatever the chaos out of which they arise, whatever the godly principle of dominion that is perverted to support their rule, the Ancient of Days controls their span. We live in an alarming world, frequently threatened by beastly powers beyond our control. Modern times have not insulated us from their threat. It is good to keep the alarm in our awareness, to be alert to the deceiver and the accuser who still roars about. It is even better to keep God's Word, and our place in the everlasting kingdom, in our hearts. The Son of Man, sent from God Himself, comes, gentle and lowly in heart, and bids us find rest for our souls.

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