The Life of Christ
The Night Before Christmas
by
Rev. Mark Perkins, Pastor
Denver Bible Church
326 E. Colorado Ave.
Denver, Colorado 80210
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On the night before Christmas, God gave Christ the authority
to establish His kingdom on earth.
Daniel 7:13-14, "I did behold in the night visions, and look! There came with the clouds of heaven one like the Son of Man; and he came to the Ancient of days, and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion and honor 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."
The setting of this verse is before the incarnation of Jesus
Christ. It cannot occur at any time during the incarnation, because
such would violate the tenet of kenosis as spelled out in Phil
2:5-8.
It could not have occurred during the three days before the resurrection,
because John 3:35 indicates that Christ had already received
the authority from God, and this was some three years before.
Daniel also gives the purpose of the kingdom as a universal service
of Christ. Therefore this giving must have taken place before
Christ even offered His kingdom to the Jews. With kenosis, that
leaves only a time before the incarnation.
Although the timing of the passage in the chapter seems to be
after the judgment of the Great White Throne, which Daniel's
vision reveals in verses ten and eleven, verse twelve is the
decisive verse.
Verses ten and eleven clearly stand at the Great White Throne
and beyond into the eternal state, as confirmed by Daniel 12:1
and Revelation 20:11-15. Verse twelve, however, jumps back to
the first three beasts of Daniel 7:4-6. There are four beasts
in the chapter. The fourth one is the beast of the tribulation,
destroyed by the return of Christ.
In each case the beasts are metaphors that illustrate nations
or groups of nations, Daniel 7:17, "These great beasts,
which are four in number, are four kings who will arise from
the earth."
The first three are nations after Daniel, yet before the incarnation.
They are somewhat parallel with the parts of the statue in chapter
two.
"The first was like a lion and had the wings of an eagle.
I kept looking until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted
up from the ground and made to stand on two feet like a man;
a human mind also was given to it." This is Persia.
"And behold, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear.
And it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its
mouth between its teeth; and thus they said to it, 'Arise, devour
much meat!'" This is Greece.
"After this I kept looking, and behold, another one, like
a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the beast
also had four heads, and dominion was given it." This is
Rome.
Since these are just before the incarnation, and the fourth beast
is tribulational, and since the giving of authority took place
before the incarnation, we can place the time of verse 13 and
14 at the night before Christmas with confidence.
Daniel's curiosity concentrates on the fourth beast, the one
of the tribulation, v.19. Also, notice that the passage skips
over the intercalation of the church age. The four beasts are
consecutive in the passage.
What happened on that night before Christmas?
1. Christ came with the clouds. These clouds are elect angels, attending Jesus Christ.
2. Christ came to heaven from earth, where He functioned as the angel of Yahweh.
3. He approached the throne of God, and was presented to Him. The presenting official or officials are not mentioned by name. For this occasion we can place Michael, the archangel here. Perhaps also Gabriel, the kings' herald is also involved.
4. God, the Ancient of days (a reference to His eternal nature), gives Christ dominion, honor, and a kingdom. Dominion is authority to rule. This is specific authority to rule over planet earth.o The first Adam surrendered that authority with his sin of abrogation of responsibility. He gave up the earth to be like the woman in sin.
o The last Adam, Jesus Christ, came to earth to retake that authority.
o However, in order to exert His authority, Christ must have the assent of the ruled. This He has yet to get.
o The dominion is everlasting - Christ will never relinquish it.
Honor is the respect that makes one fit to rule.
o Authority without respect is ineffective. Whereas authority is nominative, honor must be earned.
o There is a difference between authority and moral authority. Moral authority is the true right to rule. The Greek word exousia describes moral authority.
o This is given to Christ by God through the Word and the ministry of God the Holy Spirit. On two occasions, God would express His pleasure with the moral authority of Christ: at His baptism, and at the transfiguration.
Then there is the kingdom itself.
o The purpose of the kingdom is for the unification of all peoples of the earth in service to Him.
o This is the millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ. It was given at this moment, and stands waiting for His people.
o This kingdom is everlasting, and cannot be destroyed.
And in a moment's time, Christ left.
Philippians 2:5-8, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
The motive was love - God wanted the very best for sinful and
unattractive mankind.
John 3:16, "For God loved the world so much that He gave His uniquely born Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish, but have eternal life."
At the next moment, Christ was born, the perfect God-man.
Luke 2:8-14, "And some shepherds in the same region there were bivouacking and diligently keeping guard over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were afraid with great fear. And the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I am announcing to you good news of a great joy which will be for all the people; because there was born for you today in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' And all of a sudden there was together with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among respectable men.' And it came about after the angels had gone from them into heaven, that the shepherds were saying to one another, 'Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and let us see this event that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.' And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph and the baby laying in the manger. Now seeing this, they made known the statement which had been spoken them concerning this Child. And all who heard wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. And Mary treasured all these matters, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God over all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them."
At Christ's baptism, God expressed His pleasure in Christ and
told all those present of Christ's moral authority.
Luke 3:22, "And the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, 'Thou art My beloved Son, in Thee I am well-pleased.'"
A few weeks later, John the Baptist reflected on the great presentation
on the night before Christmas.
John 3:35, "The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand."
Another stamp of approval came before the inner circle of the
disciples.
Matthew 17:1-5, "And six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and john his brother, and brought them up to a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them; and his face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tabernacles here, on for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' While he was still speaking behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and behold, a voice out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!'"
No matter the response of Israel, Christ had to die for sin,
and He knew it.
Luke 22:41-42, "And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, 'Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but thine be done.'"
The climax of the Divine sacrifice came at the end of the ordeal
on the cross.
Matthew 27:46,49, "And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?' that is, 'My God, My God, why did you forsake me?' And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit."
Paul introduced his epistle to the Romans in this way:
Romans 1:1-3, "Paul, a bondservant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord."
After the resurrection Christ reminded His disciples of His authority.
Matthew 28:18-20, "And Jesus arrived and spoke to them, saying, "All authority was given to me in heaven and on earth. Therefore, as you go, disciple [teach with authority] all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep everything I have commanded you. And behold, I myself am with you all days until the conclusion of the age."
But He also reminded them that the time for His kingdom had not
yet arrived.
Acts 1:6-7, "And so when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, 'Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.'"
But that time is set in the decree, and will surely occur.
Revelation 1:7, "Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen."
The beginning of Christ's kingdom will be dramatic, and we will
be there to see it all.
Revelation 19:11-16, "And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and he has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself. And he is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called the Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, 'KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
The Real 'Night before Christmas'. Daniel 7:13-14; Luke 2.
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the realm,
every creature was stirring, with God at the helm.
The messengers sent to the shepherds with care,
near Bethlehem Judea, town chosen most fair.
At the stable there gathered just a few who'd see,
the birth of Lord Jesus, the King of the free.
The centuries of prophets came down to a day,
the Day of the ages, of God's Holy say.
But the night before Christmas was a solemn affair,
'round the throne of the Father, who was sending Him there.
For long in the past before the dawn of mankind,
the Son was the sacrifice of God's own design.
Sacrifice most terrible but lovely indeed,
sacrifice most precious, destined to bleed.
And there at throne of the Ancient of Days,
was presented the Son, with the angels' hoorays!
The Son of Man then before union was made,
received power and glory, for a kingdom yet laid.
Its purpose was mighty - to rule all the earth,
in peace and justice and Almighty mirth.
But one thing was needed 'fore kingdom could be,
a people who'd worship on free-bended knee.
On the night before Christmas there waited a crown,
for the one who was going to that little town.
But thorns were its make-up, and sin was its cost,
and before kingdom there waited the Cross.MRP, Christmas 1994.
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