forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. Daniel 7:10
NOTE: In this judgement the books of record were opened and all was ready to begin. The thrones were in place, God the Father was seated, and around Him were thousands and ten thousands of angels. The Judge, the Son of man who is Jesus was brought into the scene by the angels. The judgement had begun. This is the judgement that looks at good and evil, to decide from the evidence which is true. It is a very wide-ranging judgement. Everyone of all ages is involved.
Adam and Eve had accused God, each other, the serpent; the serpent had brought a slur on the character and intentions of God. Satan had been an angel in heaven and he had deceived a third of the angels in his rebellion and opposition to God. The angels who had stayed on the side of God had been witness to the entire history of good and evil.
- The process of judgement has been initiated by God to clarify where the truth lies. This judgement looks at both the accused and the accusers. Evil will not go on for ever. A decision will be made, sentence pronounced and the clearing up process can begin.
Q11 After the activities of which beast, does this judgement take place?
The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon the earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms and shall devour the whole earth and shall tread it down and break it in pieces… and He shall speak great words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High...But the judgement shall sit and they shall take away His dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. Daniel 7:23-26
NOTE: Three times in Daniel 7, the same pattern is given. Here are this pattern.
- Daniel describes His dream. He sees four beasts, especially the 4th followed by a judgement. Daniel 7:1-10
- Further information is given concerning the four beasts and the judgement. Daniel 7:11-14
- Daniel was so affected by His vision, He then asks for an explanation but especially about the fourth beast. This time the heavenly being assisting in giving Daniel the understanding of what he had seen, gives much more identifying information about this beast, but also the clear significance of the judgement. God will have a kingdom. Daniel 7:15-28.
Rome is the last world empire and it is at the end of its time that the judgement will sit. God does not allow an earthly power to make a complete destruction of His creation. God intervenes, as was shown in Daniel 2 by the stone that was cut out without hands. (See Module 14.) In the initial vision the kingdom of God was set up, but this vision shows a judgement which will reveal the ones who will be the citizens of Gods kingdom. This takes place before the second coming of Jesus. Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me. Revelation 22:12. The sequence so far is Rome, Judgement, Second Coming.
God has allowed the rebellion of Satan and those he uses as agents to continue until it is clear to all, that the intention of the rebellion is to destroy the credibility of God, the world that God made, to destroy the people who follow God and bear His image, and to break up everything connected with God.
Q12 How did Satan express this wish at the beginning of his rebellion?
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.
Isaiah 14:13,14. |
