This morning I was reading in Daniel chapter 4 and a phrase struck me. in verse 3, King Nebuchadnezzar is speaking and he says this, "How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders! His kingdom is an eternal kingdom; His dominion endures from generation to generation." The phrase that struck me is "an eternal kingdom."
I have always been taught and do believe that God is in complete control. I have no problem with that. It's actually a very comforting statement to me. BUT an eternal kingdom? I have known He is King of kings and LORD of lords, but that His kingdom is eternal?
An eternal kingdom is one that has no end but one that has no beginning. I think of the Millennial Kingdom when Christ will reign on earth for a thousand years. That will begin after He has returned to earth. But I think I've been looking at it all wrong.
He is reigning and has been reigning and will continue to reign His kingdom for all of eternity. Looking at my King who is now allowing people (including me) to live their lives the way they want, even if it offends Him or hurts Him. Why? So that we might truly see the Great and Gracious God He is. So that we might know Him in a more intimate way. But do we want that?
People may ask, "Why does He allow people to die or get sick or hurt? Why doesn't He just show Himself for Who He is and then we'll believe. And then we wouldn't have all the suffering and pain." This God could do those very things, but then we could never know Him the way He really needs to be known. And even if He did take away those things and show Himself, people still wouldn't believe. Jesus Christ, being fully God, did that on this earth and they crucified Him.
I am greatly comforted this morning knowing that God's kingdom is eternal. I can rest in knowing that He has been and is and will continue to be in perfect control of His kingdom. And one day I'm going to see Him face to face and reign with Him. I can't wait for that day!!!
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