Looking toward the Future

KEY VERSE: “The God of heaven [shall] set up a kingdom … which … shall stand forever.” —Daniel 2:44

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Daniel 2:31-36, 39-44

THIS unique prophecy describes in brief the several universal governments set up by man and permitted by God to attempt to rule the world, starting with the Babylonian-Chaldean Empire, and continuing successively through the world powers of Persia, Greece, and Rome. All have used the sword to gain power and to try to preserve their supremacy, but none have survived. Our key text refers, however, to another kingdom which will survive. It is set up by the God of heaven and the secret of its survival is mentioned in many other statements of the Bible.

Throughout all the ages of past governments upon the earth, man has striven commendably for certain worthy goals of life. These basic desires of humanity have been described in different terms, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Noble men of every period and in every walk of life have sought to elevate the position of the human race. Notwithstanding these lofty aspirations to improve the lot of humanity, what has actually been accomplished of any consequence?

Has anything constructive been achieved in attacking the basic cause of man’s problems? Has greed or hatred or selfishness or other sin lurking in the hearts of men been erased or even lessened? In these thousands of years of his history on earth, has man’s life been altered to remove the fears of sickness and pain, economic loss and war, or death?

None can deny that all these basic evils still plague the human race and will continue to do so unless superhuman power is employed to extricate man from his plight. And this is the very assurance that is found recorded in the Bible. God has not forgotten the needs of his earthly creation, and has designed a kingdom by which it might be restored to its original perfection.

The establishment of a divine government upon earth is intended to be a blessing, not only to those living at the time, but to all people, living or dead. “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.” (John 5:28,29) No other source but the Bible has produced such a wonderful message of comfort and hope.

The kingdom which the God of heaven will set up will include a Judgment Day. “God hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness … whereof he hath given assurance unto all men.” (Acts 17:30,31) There would be little point in giving all men assurance of a future judgment unless it were to be a favorable time for them.

The Apostle Peter links the Judgment Day with a thousand years in II Peter 3:7,8. God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” during this period.—vs. 9

A gradual process of enlightenment is shown by these words: “When thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isa. 26:9) The future Millennial Age of God’s kingdom under Christ will afford an opportunity for the world’s conversion. And in the grand finale of God’s plan, the great majority of all the vast multitude of humans brought into existence will have gained everlasting life.

Then the better things of life, which men of all ages have desired but which could not be gained through their own efforts in government, will be realized. And the desire of all nations will come. (Hag. 2:7) Who would ever want to overthrow a government like that? No one—and so “of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”—Isa. 9:7

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