Daniel 7:9

Daniel 7:9 says, I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.  Here, Daniel speaks of the coming kingdom of God, which was ushered in by the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  God is referred to as the Ancient of days, sitting in white garment with a throne like flame.  All other thrones, or kingdoms are already defeated, since the coming of Christ, but when Christ returns all will bow down and worship Him.  For some, this will come too late and will result in the judgment of God without the mediation of Christ.  This is why we must be witnessing for Christ today with urgency. Verse ten adds, A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.  As the heavenly host ministers to God, the fiery stream awaits those who have not acknowledged Christ as their Savior and Lord.  Then, the books will be opened.  No one will be sent away unjustly by God, but they will be judged by their actions, if they have not accepted Christ.  Verse eleven continues, I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.  Matthew Henry sees this as an earthly ruler, but I believe that it refers to the defeat of Satan himself.  Satan is the great deceiver behind all those kingdoms that do not acknowledge or even defy God, but he will be sent away to eternal punishment at the second coming.  Verse twelve states, As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.  Matthew Henry sees these other kingdoms as any that came after the Roman or Syrian empires, but this would not be after the books were opened in judgment.  I believe that this means that they have lost all their claim to power and are sent away to everlasting punishment.  Though all that people claim in this life will be destroyed, the soul is eternal.  Verse thirteen adds, I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.  Daniel said he saw One like the Son of Man come in the clouds before the Ancient of Days.  As followers of Christ, He will come before God on our behalf.  Matthew Henry discussed this as referring to the birth or ascension of Christ, but I believe that it refers to the second coming.  Verse fourteen continues, And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.  When Christ came the first time, He came as a lowly carpenter's Son, but when He returns all dominion and glory will be given to Him forever.  Unlike all earthly kingdoms, no matter how powerful, the kingdom of Christ will never pass away.