The Vision of the Returning King

“I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him.  And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.” – Daniel 7:13-14

What a vision.  This is the glorious return of the Lord Jesus that all the world will see after the tribulation period (Matthew 24:29-31).  This is the hope that Christians look to when our Savior finally returns to rule powerfully, visibly, and totally as King.  His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom filled with glorious riches where moth and rust do not destroy (Matthew 6).  But how do we enter into His service in the eternal heaven?  How do we become citizens of His kingdom?  We follow Jesus. 

We follow Him until the end of days with undivided devotion and we give our whole lives to serving Him.  “If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.” (John 12:26)  If we follow Jesus in this world that is to end, we will surely be with Him in that world that is to never end.  And though serving Jesus is a task that is too great for us to accomplish on our own, we who have faith will see it through till the end because the Lord keeps us.  We have been united with Jesus and His death to sin marks our death to sin, while His life to God marks our new life to God. (Romans 6:1-11)  Surely we will live because surely the Lord has conquered the grave. 

It will be an end to sin.  It will be an end to death.  It will be an end to pain as we know it.  It will be worth it all.  We will live forever in the presence of the One to whom we must give an account because the account we give is perfection.  Though our sins were as scarlet, Jesus’ righteousness has made us white as snow.  Brothers and sisters, this Christmas season, let’s rejoice because we have a place in the kingdom of heaven.  Let’s look forward to the coming of the King who is to judge and rule… because He is also the Savior who already came to save and forgive.  What a vision, what a day to look forward to.