It is time to read the book of Daniel and understand how God works his will among the nations of the world. Daniel served at the King’s pleasure in the highest level within 4 of the world’s greatest empires (Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus) during his lifetime.
During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. Dan 2:19-22
Your Majesty, you are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; in your hands he has placed all mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds in the sky. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold. Dan 2:37-38
The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people. Dan 4:17
Jesus, as he stood before Pilate, confirmed that the power of national leaders belongs to the hand of God——and not the human hand: “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” (John 19:10-11)
Paul further elaborated on the role of nations in the world and God’s control of nations to affect His will: From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. (Acts 17:26) For Scripture says to Pharaoh: I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. (Romans 9:1) Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Romans 13:1)
We are charged in our nation to vote and elect. Our voting is an actual display of, not so much about who we choose, but about why we choose in light of our faith and trust in the ever-enduring Word of Truth. God controls nations and has since the days after the flood: These are the clans of Noah’s sons, according to their lines of descent, within their nations. From these the nations spread out over the earth after the flood. (Genesis 10:32) From Noah to “His Second Coming”, God controls nations so that the will of the Father is made complete for mankind. Our job, according to the Ancient Words, is to believe and have faith in God’s control and process….. Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:1-5)
Scott and Jane Johnson minister with East Faulkner Church of Christ and BRG Bible. Bible question can be sent to [email protected].