1. Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. The message from God’s Word on this Christ the King Sunday, the Last Sunday of the Church Year, is taken from Daniel 7:9-14, it’s entitled, “The Kingdom of Christ,” dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
2. The late Queen of Canada, better known to much of the world as Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland—the Queen of England—Elizabeth II, was admired by almost everyone. After seventy years on the throne and a truly regal manner for all those years, she’d earned it. Now her son, Charles III, carries on, still king of fifteen countries of the Commonwealth of Nations.
3. Meanwhile, the United States hasn’t had royalty since throwing off King George III now almost 250 years ago. But a fascination for royalty surely persists in the United States. Witness the popularity of the Netflix streamed series The Crown. Part of current Americans’ fascination with royalty may have been the personal appeal of Princess Diana. But even decades after her tragic death, nearly twenty-three million watched the marriage of her son, Prince William, to Kate Middleton on US television. And even Charles’s coronation, despite his being far less photogenic than his first wife, was viewed by ten million Americans. In Canada, in England, even in the United States and in the world, the image of a king or a queen remains a powerful symbol. Today, this Last Sunday of the Church Year, we observe Christ the King Sunday, and this is where our attraction for all things royal and kingly should focus, for Christ’s kingdom surpasses all human kingdoms.
4. The kingdoms of the world certainly have their power. Daniel has envisioned four beasts representing four powerful earthly kingdoms to come in the days ahead. The dream is a direct revelation from God. “The sea is both dangerous and mysterious but able to be tamed by God’s power (Ps 107:23–29). The nations of the world were similar to the raging sea (Is 17:12, 13). The beast like a lion with eagle’s wings represents Babylon (Daniel 7:1–4). Babylon: This kingdom was known for its power and grandeur under rulers like Nebuchadnezzar. It was the dominant power in the ancient Near East until its fall in 539 BC.2. The beast like a bear represents Persia (Daniel 7:5). Depicted as a bear raised up on one side, symbolizing the dual kingdom of the Medes and Persians, with Persia eventually dominating. This empire, led by rulers such as Cyrus the Great, expanded significantly and defeated Babylon. Each successive kingdom is crueler than the previous one.
5. The beast like a four-headed leopard with wings represents Greece (Daniel 7:6). Represented by a leopard with four wings and four heads, symbolizing the swift conquests of Alexander the Great and the eventual division of his empire into four parts after his death. The four heads are looking in all directions for prey—hence an empire, the Greek Empire. Alexander conquered nations with great speed. Upon Alexander’s death in 323 BC, Alexander’s generals carved the kingdom into four parts.
6. The terrifying ten-horned beast represents Rome (Daniel 7:7–8). Described as a terrifying and powerful beast with iron teeth, this kingdom represents the Roman Empire, known for its military might and influence, which dominated the Mediterranean world and beyond for centuries. Rome, the last kingdom (Daniel 7:7–8) is the worst of the four beasts. The “ten horns” mean extraordinary power. The eyes suggest observation and intelligence. This is the Roman Empire, during whose dominance God’s kingdom arises with the message of repentance and forgiveness instead of worldly power.
7. The “kingdoms” of our world today aren’t all nations and armies, but they’re powerful in their own ways. Yes, there’s the former British Empire—now just a loose Commonwealth—and Russia and China. The United States isn’t a kingdom, but . . . The government controls so many aspects of our lives—restricting religion, spending our tax money for abortions, campaigning for anti-Christian values. Corporate America rules our thinking (what’s stylish and therefore desirable) and livelihoods (and therefore our time commitments). Hollywood and the media are kingdoms unto themselves—and powerful!
8. But Daniel sees a glorious kingdom coming from out of this world: the messianic kingdom. Daniel 7: 9–10, 13–14 says, “9 “As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. 10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. 13 “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14 And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.” This kingdom is ushered in by Jesus the King of kings. Clothing as white as snow stands for purity. Fire stands for judgment and the presence of God. There can be no doubt this “one like a son of man” is the Son of God (Daniel 7:13).
9. The “Ancient of Days,” God the Father, gives him the kingdom (Daniel 7:13). All nations worship him. Jesus himself would use the term “Son of Man” for himself far more than any other title—even during his trial. In Mk 14:61–62 it says, “61 But (Jesus) remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” All dominion has been given to Jesus the Son of Man. Both worldly kingdoms and the kingdom of God are derived from God’s authority. But there are huge differences between these kingdoms: Human authority covers some territory, but God’s authority is universal (Daniel 7:14a). Human authority is time limited, but God’s kingdom is eternal (Daniel 7:14b). Human authority will be taken away, but God’s authority will not (Daniel 7:14c).
10. The clash of these kingdoms—the worldly versus the messianic—will ultimately be no contest. The ultimate clash was decided on the cross. The prince of this world, Satan, brought his most powerful weapon to bear: death. But Jesus the messianic King triumphed over death. Satan was powerless to hold the “one like a son of man,” Jesus.
11. Now the reign of Christ the King will be evident to all at his second coming. “All peoples, nations, and languages” shall most certainly serve him (Daniel 7:13). That will include not only those who believed and will receive him with joy, but also those who denied or ignored or fought against him to the death and will then be forced to bow the knee before him. Rev 1:7 says, “7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail[a] on account of him. Even so. Amen. And, in Phil 2:10–11 it says, “10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Christ’s dominion “shall not pass away,” and his kingdom “shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:14).
12. The rule of Christ stands above all earthly kingdoms, including the Islamic Caliphates or any other political or religious powers. This understanding is rooted in biblical theology, where Christ’s kingdom is described as not of this world, unlike temporal human empires that rise and fall. Jesus declared to Pontius Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). His reign is eternal and spiritual, surpassing the temporal nature of human kingdoms, including the Muslim caliphates, which were established on earthly conquests. Christ's rule will never end, as prophesied in Daniel 7:14, “His dominion is an everlasting dominion.” While the Muslim kingdom expanded through territorial conquest, Christ’s kingdom is universal, encompassing all nations, tribes, and tongues. Matthew 28:18 emphasizes that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus, extending His rule beyond the confines of political boundaries. Christ rules through grace, truth, and love, bringing peace and reconciliation between humanity and God. In contrast, the spread of the Muslim kingdom historically involved military campaigns. Isaiah 9:6 proclaims Christ as the “Prince of Peace,” whose rule transforms hearts rather than territories. The rule of Christ fulfills Old Testament prophecies about a Messiah who would establish an unshakable kingdom (Isaiah 2:2-4, Daniel 2:44). The Muslim kingdom does not fulfill these messianic promises or offer the universal salvation found in Jesus. Christ’s reign offers redemption through His death and resurrection, which no earthly kingdom, including the Muslim Caliphate, can achieve. Acts 4:12 asserts, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
13. In summary, Christ’s kingdom supersedes all human institutions because it is eternal, universal, and redemptive, offering salvation to all who believe in Him. His rule transforms lives and extends into eternity, far surpassing any earthly power or empire. Society often rejects the transcendent values of the kingdom of God. But we remain committed to the principle that we must obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). We will struggle within each of our human kingdoms (Jn 16:33), but God assures us that he is with us (Mt 28:20) in the person of Jesus. Under whatever kingdoms we live, and whichever “kingdoms” influence us, this is always our assurance: the King of kings rules over all things, always for our good.
14. On this, even the liturgy at the coronation of Charles III got it right. Just before he placed the crown on Charles’s head, the archbishop prayed: “King of kings and Lord of lords, bless, we beseech thee, this Crown, and so sanctify thy servant Charles upon whose head this day thou dost place it for a sign of royal majesty, that he may be crowned with thy gracious favour and filled with abundant grace and all princely virtues; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, supreme over all things, one God, world without end” Amen. Now the peace of God, that passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, until life everlasting. Amen.
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