Daniel 7 is a chapter that keeps unfolding to me every time I walk through it with any amount of attentiveness. It is significant to the time of Jesus because this is what the Jewish people are pondering and anticipating when Jesus arrives.

It is also helpful because it keeps me grounded. I get consumed… consumed… with the stuff going on around me. Daniel 7 reminds me that was Daniel’s temptation as well. He sees four beasts that he can hardly describe coming one right after the other and he wants to know what all of this means.

And the word back to Daniel is this: quit focusing on the beasts… focus on the throne. Understand what the Ancient of Days is doing and what that means for the people of God. Keep the main thing the main thing.

The beasts are horrific and they demand the attention. The ugliness of our politics these days is horrific because horrifying things hold our attention. We let the beasts of the world, the loud mouths of the world, rule our attention. Our political campaigns are nastier and louder because that’s what gets the votes and the money. If we quit paying attention and quit giving the money… those beasts would go away.

We let the oppressors roar and we rage (with little effect, but thinking we’re important because we posted something on social media)… and we lose focus.

Daniel 5:18 — “But the holy people of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever — yes, forever and ever!”

This is what we are to see!

But… we can’t help but focus on the loudmouths. Daniel couldn’t help it. He is told to focus on the people of God and the Ancient of Days and he still asks about the fourth beast.

The Lord can tell me, “Focus on the Church. Pray for the Church. Look to me. Worship me on the throne. What I am doing is going to rebuild the Kingdom and you get to be a part.” And I’m standing there and asking, “Yeah, but when will Trump shut up?” or “When will Netanyahu be done?”

I’m so focused on the loudmouths. What I need is perspective.

“But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.” (Dan. 7: 26-27, NIV)

God calls me to intercede for the American Church. That is the focus. We are not ready to receive what God has for us as the people of God! How can I complain about the loudmouths when the bigger matter is the people of God not being ready to receive all that the Kingdom of God will be?

The loudmouths will be done with soon enough. The Ancient of Days will deal with all of them. He hears the cries of the refugees in Gaza. He hears the cries of the oppressed in the Sudan. He hears.

He won’t bow to our timetables and he won’t answer every question we have about “the loudmouths.” He will just build his Kingdom and his people need to be ready.