Daniel!

'Daniel 7:13-14

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 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 is one of those strange books where revelation slips into a bit more focus than before.  The "one like a son of man" is given, "dominion" but not just over a temporary kingdom like Solomon.  Rather, his dominion is "everlasting": a tough trick to pull off if you are an ordinary Son of Man.  Indeed, the only way it could "not be destroyed" is for the possessor of the Kingship to possess everlasting life.  Hmmmm… what figure in Scripture is both a Son of Man and yet possesses immortal divine life?  Curious how those prophets anticipated things.  It's like they were inspired or something.

Avatar photo

By

Mark P. Shea is a popular Catholic writer and speaker. The author of numerous books, his most recent work is The Work of Mercy (Servant) and The Heart of Catholic Prayer (Our Sunday Visitor). Mark contributes numerous articles to many magazines, including his popular column “Connecting the Dots” for the National Catholic Register. Mark is known nationally for his one minute “Words of Encouragement” on Catholic radio. He also maintains the Catholic and Enjoying It blog and regularly blogs for National Catholic Register. He lives in Washington state with his wife, Janet, and their four sons.

Subscribe to CE
(It's free)

Go to Catholic Exchange homepage

MENU