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Articles
The Blessing of Kingdom Citizenship
“But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for all ages to come.” Daniel 7:18
In light of our study of the book of Daniel, take a few moments to consider the blessings of being a citizen in God’s kingdom. In one sense, our experience resembles the experience of Daniel - we live as strangers in a foreign land, subject to the whims of godless rulers in places of authority. On the other hand, while the full benefits of our citizenship are yet to be revealed (I Corinthians 15:24), we are blessed to live after the establishment of the Lord’s kingdom! What was a far-off dream to Daniel and his Jewish brethren is a reality for us (Daniel 7:18)!
The geo-political turmoil in Daniel is all too common on the world stage. Just recall Daniel’s lived experiences - he witnessed the downfall of Judah, the rise and fall of the kings of Babylon, and the rise of the Medo-Persian Empire. Of course, Daniel’s visions exposed him to the future rise and fall of many more kings and kingdoms in the coming centuries. Secular history over the course of additional millennia shows us more of the same. One of the major lessons here, for both king and citizen alike, is to be cautious of the pride one finds in the favor and protection of their earthly citizenship and any power that accompanies such.
With the lessons of Daniel in mind, think about the way Jesus began His sermon on the mount in Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The poor in spirit are those who recognize their spiritual poverty. Such a heart of humility stands in direct contrast to the pride warned against in the book of Daniel. Those who have a place in the kingdom of heaven are those who want to have a place in the kingdom of heaven. Kingdom citizens understand their great need for kingdom citizenship. The only thing a citizen of God’s kingdom has to boast about is Jesus Christ (I Corinthians 1:31; II Corinthians 10:17-18).
The poor in spirit see their need for the kingdom of God because of what it provides. Perhaps the greatest priority of any kingdom is the protection of its people. This is why nations maintain standing armies, and (generally speaking) protect their borders. Such efforts are taken to protect the citizens of that nation from physical harm. That is good and important, however it is not the most important thing we need protection from. Jesus says, in Matthew 10:28, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Therein lies the difference in our dual citizenship.
While our ruling authorities are tasked with protecting us “against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” Jesus promises to protect us from “spiritual forces of wickedness” (Ephesians 6:12). Daniel shines a faint glimmer of light on this spiritual reality in Daniel 10:13 when the heavenly messenger of God speaks of being withstood for three weeks time by some other force. Compare that to the way Paul describes the blessing of Kingdom citizenship in Colossians 1:13-14, “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Believers are rescued from the grip of sin and darkness and brought into the protection of God’s kingdom!
Poor Daniel. Throughout the book, he is left both physically and emotionally distraught at the visions revealed to him. The truth is, Daniel is left with many questions where we now have answers. We live on the other side of the cross. The redemption story of Jesus was a “mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints.” We are witnesses to God’s proven track record of how He rules in the kingdoms of men. Let us gratefully praise God and rejoice in the blessing of Kingdom citizenship!
