Daniel, given great wisdom and insight so as to be able to interpret the dreams of kings and to read the divine handwriting on the wall, was also given visionary dreams of his own (Daniel 7:1-14, 8:1-14), and was unable to understand what they meant (7:15-22, 8:15-17). Even with a heavenly attendant, or indeed the angel Gabriel, explaining the meaning of these dreams, Daniel’s conclusion was still that he “was dismayed by the vision and did not understand it” (8:27).

Yet there are those who imagine that the clues here and elsewhere in scripture are sufficient that they have indeed understood the chronology of the events at the end of time, and know how all will be accomplished. To make such bold claims seems unwise: Daniel’s frank admission that he did not understand should at least prompt us toward humility, making us cautious to suppose that we have understood by selective reading what the prophet could not understand with the help of angelic interpreters.

Yet just ignoring or dismissing these texts will not do, either. We ought to allow our hearts to be moved by the description of the Ancient of Days, seated on a throne, ruling over a court established for judgment, with record books opened (7:9-10). And by the description of this Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven, “given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him” (7:13-14).

Much of this vision, in much the same wording, is taken up by John in the book of Revelation, where he describes in further detail the everlasting kingdom of the Son of Man, ransoming souls “from every tribe and language and people and nation,” and receiving “power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Revelation 5:9, 12). Perhaps, then, we can learn to be content to admit that we do not know all the details of what the future holds, and simply be glad that we can know and worship the one who holds the future.

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Ancient of Days, we trust in you, and in the Son of Man to whom you give dominion and glory and kingship. So much of this world passes away: but your dominion is everlasting, and your kingship shall never be destroyed. All our hope is set in you!

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