Daniel Unlocked #42. Daniel’s Picture of the Judgment is Amazing! (Part A)
The heavenly court scene of Daniel 7:9–14 depicts the central event of the chapter. The books; the Ancient of Days on the throne; and the Son of man, surrounded by heavenly clouds (Dan. 7:13) as He comes into the presence of the Ancient of Days, portray a scene of judgment in heaven.
Judgment in the Scriptures conveys both condemnation and vindication. For the little horn, the judgment means condemnation and will lead to the horn’s eventual obliteration. But for the saints, who have been persecuted by the little horn, the judgment means vindication, salvation, and restoration. As their names are examined in the heavenly judgment, they are declared innocent. Not because they are without sin, but because Jesus has born their sin – and its penalty, and they are forgiven and therefore without condemnation.(Romans 8:1) They are vindicated and eventually receive the kingdom.
A few aspects of this judgment bear mentioning. First, we should note that this judgment begins after the little horn rises to power and concludes before the saints are rewarded, and the little horn is punished. So, this judgment has been properly designated as the investigative or pre-advent judgment. Logic would suggest that Jesus knows who is going to be saved when in 1Thess 4:15-17 He arrives in the “second coming” and resurrects those in Christ.
The chronology of Daniel 7 (and chapter 8 to follow) would indicate that we are now in the Judgment phase of this earth’s history!
Again, jumping into Revelation 15 and 16, we will learn that the judgment of the living will occur at “the close of probation.” This is a time when the gospel presentation is over, and the curtain has been drawn. This is analogous with the time when Noah was in the ark, the door had been shut, but the rain was still 7 days away. No one could swap sides at this point. Jesus makes this declaration just before He returns in Revelation 22:11 and 12 – everyone’s case has been sealed.
Most importantly, we must not fear the judgment because the “Son of Man” is our representative in the heavenly tribunal. If you have put your case in His hands then He is your lawyer in the Judgment and He has never lost a case! Rather than condemnation, the heavenly judgment for God’s people will bring vindication and deliverance. As Paul declares, “Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 NASB)
What better Lawyer and Judge could we have in Jesus God bless you 🙏