July 25: SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH

“I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things.” Daniel 7:15-16

The magnitude of world history from the time of Daniel forward, overshadowed by a heavenly judgment scene, was more than enough to cause deep concern for Daniel. He was grieved in [his] spirit. And we should be no less concerned than Daniel to rightly gain understanding of the truth and significance of these things for ourselves. We will find that to inquire of the Lord with sincerity of heart brings a ready response from Him through the power and leading of His Holy Spirit. In the setting here, Daniel did what any man of God would do while having a vision: he stepped into the vision and asked a nearby angel! Without hesitation, the angel “made known to [Daniel] the interpretation of these things.”

‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth.’ (v.17) The four beasts spoken of here simply confirm the list of four consecutive kingdoms beginning in Daniel’s day that exercise(d) direct influence over God’s people: Babylon, represented by the head of gold (2:32,38) and the lion with eagle’s wings (7:4); Medo-Persia, represented by the chest and arms of silver (2:32,39a) and the bear, raised up on one side with three ribs in its mouth (7:5); Greece, represented by the belly and thighs of bronze (2:32,39b) and the leopard with four wings and four heads (7:6); and Rome, represented by legs of iron and feet, partly of iron and partly of clay (2:33) and a hard-to-describe creature, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong [with] huge iron teeth, and different from [the first three] with ten horns (7:7,40-43). Daniel well understood these particular details; but there was more understanding to be gained. In the moment, however, lest Daniel become even more troubled, the angel quickly adds: ‘But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’ (v.18)

Yes, Daniel’s heaviness of grief was very evident to the angel, so he leapt quickly to the happy ending of the entire story. This particular combination phrase, saints of the Most High, is probably not unique to the angel speaking here. It is a “double term” of deep affection held by the angels for God’s people, saints, and for God Himself, the Most High. There are countless angels who have been faithfully doing God’s bidding on our behalf for thousands of years (see Hebrews 1:14). Should we not pause to recognize that their love for Him is reflected in their regard for us?

There is plenty in this fallen world to trouble all of us. And as we speed toward its end, the distracting activity of our sworn archenemy becomes even more frenetic. But in the kingdom beyond all this, sin and its horrendous consequences will no longer linger or be perpetuated. Knowing that you are loved by the Lord and His angels, accept divine empowerment to live life now in accordance with His word.

…though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Hebrews 5:8-9