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How Tragic Injustice Freed the Human Race
Universal dominion is given to the Son of Man who ushers the saints of the Most High into an everlasting kingdom.
Scripture: Daniel 7:9-14; John 18:33-37
Sermon Notes:
- In Daniel’s vision, the Ancient of Days is sitting on a throne exercising universal Lordship (cf. Isa. 6:1).
- The books are opened demonstrating justice and accountability in His reign.
- By contrast to the Lord, the beast claims dominion and makes false claims of salvation (Dan. 7:11-12).
- In the Son of Man, the person of God is manifest in human form.
- The Son of Man comes into the world in the person of Christ and establishes a kingdom of universal dominion.
- The human race was unable to free itself from the power of sin and Satan, and thus Jesus had to become fully human to die a substitutionary death on the cross, and to undo the effects of the Fall.
- Jesus came to inaugurate a new humanity, redeemed by His blood and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do God’s will.
- Those joined to Christ receive a kingdom which is prepared for the saints of the Most High.
- The saints serve and obey the Lord; they share in the glory of the kingdom, but only the Lord receives worship.
- Pilate asks if Jesus is a petty earthly king; but Jesus refuses that kind of kingship which seeks social influence and power.
- There are three aspects of Christ’s kingdom:
- It is a moral kingdom which differentiates between justice and injustice, truth and falsehood.
- It is about the mind, calling us to a true view of the world, to know God’s purpose and what He calls us to. God has a purpose for the body, heart, mind, and conscience.
- It is a kingdom of invitation and response; all men are called to respond to this King and His claims upon all nations.
- Thus God’s kingdom contrasts sharply with the kingdoms of the world.
- The emphasis at Advent is upon the coming of Christ. It is a time of preparation for the coming of the heavenly Man in all His glory. So we cry Maranatha, “come Lord Jesus.”
Application Questions:
- Why did dominion Man have to experience terrible injustice at the hands of wicked petty rulers?
- What is the response of the nations to the reign of Messiah? (Dan. 7:14)
- What becomes of opposition to Messiah’s kingdom?
- Contrast God’s kingdom with the kingdoms of the world.
- What is our response to the coming King?