In the book of Daniel, there are three staggeringly accurate and amazing visions or dreams regarding the coming of the Son of Man and the establishing of his ever-growing and eternal Kingdom. He would bring all earthly kingdoms to an end without leaving a trace. Let's look at the last of these.

Daniel had a dream of four terrifying beasts representing the four consecutive great empires of Babylon, Persia, Macedonia and Rome. The latter is described as having large iron teeth to crush and devour without mercy anyone in its path. During the days of this empire the Son of Man would appear.

"I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold … round his waist. His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude" (Dan 10:5-6; compare Rev 1:12-18).

The persecuted early church had the promise of Daniel concerning this Son of Man, but they needed His reign to begin now – and John's vision in Revelation declared that it had. This was sedition of the highest order against Caesar who tolerated no rivals. What three things made this abundantly clear to John?

1. Jesus held the keys of death and Hades in his hand and had defeated Satan

2. The double-edged sword that would judge the nations would be His words and no one else's

3. Jesus had firmly established the church as the agent of his kingdom

Daniel had seen the picture of the coming King, but John's vision proclaimed the reality that the King had come! He fell on his face, but got up with a confidence that Jesus' Kingdom would overcome every set-back and all opposition. What amazing truths does his vision of Jesus make abundantly clear to us?

The robe reaching down to his feet speaks of ONE OF UTMOST DISTINCTION

The golden sash around his chest declares his ROYALTY

His head and hair (as white as snow) reveal him as THE ANCIENT OF DAYS

His eyes (penetrating to the heart of every issue) are A CONSUMING FIRE

His feet (like bronze glowing in a furnace) point to ONE WHO IS UNSHAKEABLE

His voice like CRASHING OCEAN WAVES will be heard across the globe (in life it had been lowly and only heard by those with ears to hear in one location)

His right hand HOLDING THE CHURCHES ("I will build my church and the gates of hell will not overcome it" (Mat 16:18).

Even then the church had many defects. Some had abandoned their first love for Him and for each other. Others were following false teachers and were held captive by sin. Some had a reputation for being alive but were as good as dead. Some had become lukewarm. They, like us, were works in progress.

His mouth will pronounce CERTAIN JUDGMENT ON HIS ENEMIES

His face like THE SUN SHINING IN FULL STRENGTH is impossible to look at