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How Tragic Injustice Freed the Human Race

By Michael Nazir-Ali/ November 29, 2015

Series  Advent 2015: Christmas Unwrapped

Context  Westminster Chapel Toronto

Topic  Mission Of God

Scripture  Daniel 7:9-14; John 18:33-37

Universal dominion is given to the Son of Man who ushers the saints of the Most High into an everlasting kingdom.

Scripture:  Daniel 7:9-14; John 18:33-37

Sermon Notes:

  1. In Daniel’s vision, the Ancient of Days is sitting on a throne exercising universal Lordship (cf. Isa. 6:1).
  2. The books are opened demonstrating justice and accountability in His reign.
  3. By contrast to the Lord, the beast claims dominion and makes false claims of salvation (Dan. 7:11-12).
  4. In the Son of Man, the person of God is manifest in human form.
  5. The Son of Man comes into the world in the person of Christ and establishes a kingdom of universal dominion.
  6. The human race was unable to free itself from the power of sin and Satan, and thus Jesus had to become fully human to die a substitutionary death on the cross, and to undo the effects of the Fall.
  7. Jesus came to inaugurate a new humanity, redeemed by His blood and empowered by the Holy Spirit to do God’s will.
  8. Those joined to Christ receive a kingdom which is prepared for the saints of the Most High.
  9. The saints serve and obey the Lord; they share in the glory of the kingdom, but only the Lord receives worship.
  10. Pilate asks if Jesus is a petty earthly king; but Jesus refuses that kind of kingship which seeks social influence and power.
  11. There are three aspects of Christ’s kingdom:
    1. It is a moral kingdom which differentiates between justice and injustice, truth and falsehood.
    2. It is about the mind, calling us to a true view of the world, to know God’s purpose and what He calls us to. God has a purpose for the body, heart, mind, and conscience.
    3. It is a kingdom of invitation and response; all men are called to respond to this King and His claims upon all nations.
  12. Thus God’s kingdom contrasts sharply with the kingdoms of the world.
  13. The emphasis at Advent is upon the coming of Christ. It is a time of preparation for the coming of the heavenly Man in all His glory.  So we cry Maranatha, “come Lord Jesus.”

Application Questions:

  1. Why did dominion Man have to experience terrible injustice at the hands of wicked petty rulers?
  2. What is the response of the nations to the reign of Messiah?  (Dan. 7:14)
  3. What becomes of opposition to Messiah’s kingdom?
  4. Contrast God’s kingdom with the kingdoms of the world.
  5. What is our response to the coming King?