The Total Dominion of Jesus Christ {DWITW 365}
In the book of Daniel, the prophet acknowledges time and time again the dominion of the one true God -through his actions, words, and visions. Daniel proclaimed the Lord’s dominion when he refused to eat the Babylonian King’s pagan-sacrificed food (Daniel 1), he declared God’s dominion when he interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams (Daniel 2&4), and he made God’s dominion known when he didn’t stop praying to the one true God even though there was a decree to pray only to King Darius (Daniel 6). And by consequence, Daniel entered the lion’s den and the Lord then showed His own dominion by sparing His faithful servant from the lion’s menacing jowls.
Daniel is the only book in the Bible we find this specific Aramaic word for “dominion,” and it is repeated 9 times throughout the book. It is the word “sholtan,” and it means sovereignty or realm. In English, it translates as “the power or right of governing and controlling; sovereign authority, rule; control; domination; a territory, usually of considerable size, in which a single rulership holds sway.”
Keeping these definitions in mind, two verses in Daniel particularly caught my eye which used the term dominion. Daniel 7:13-14 says, “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory 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.”
Although Daniel did not know it at the time, he was speaking of Jesus, our one true King. Jesus identifies himself as the Son of Man in Matt 8:20, 24:30, and 26:64. This identification absolutely scandalized the Pharisees, the religious rulers of his day. To them, it was complete and utter blasphemy. Jesus was claiming His dominion, and they did not want Him to have it.
Sister, Jesus has dominion, whether or not you give it to Him. He is Lord and King over all peoples, nations, and languages. Foremost, He should be Lord and King over the complete territory of your heart. The question really is, do you give Him power, rule, and authority, like Daniel did? Does He have true reign over your every decision, thought, and passion? Does He rule over your relationships, possessions, money, jobs, and family? Do you submit to Him in everything as your king?
What are you still trying to hold your own dominion over? Jesus wants it all, and it is all rightfully His.
And, further, what are you still trying to hold your own dominion over? Jesus wants it all, and it is all rightfully His. His dominion is a great mercy because in reality we are poor rulers over ourselves anyhow. We have proven that endlessly since we, along with Adam and Eve, have tried continually to rule over our own gardens.
Jesus is our King and should be our only King. This is a scandalous notion, indeed. It will absolutely set you apart in every way from this world, whose citizens claim that it is every person’s right to have dominion over themselves. It will be offensive and will get you thrown into the lion’s den. We must trust the everlasting dominion of our God will be more powerful than any den we may face. Look at Jesus! This claim got Him crucified! They labeled His cross correctly: “King of the Jews.”
And yet, Jesus has dominion even over death - the tomb couldn’t keep Him down! His dominion is our greatest hope, even beyond death and the grave. As Paul proclaims in 1 Corinthians 15:55, so we can also proclaim: “O death where is your sting? O death, where is your victory?”
So, when we keep dominion for ourselves or try give it to other false rulers, we forfeit our only hope and victory that is ours in our true King. Let us give complete homage today to the only One who deserves full dominion, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Jillian Vincent loves Jesus. She's a wife, mother of two boys and a Dayton enthusiast. Jillian currently is a stay at home mama and spends nap times writing and discipling other women. She would (almost) die for an avocado, a cup of coffee made by her husband, a novel that makes her cry, and a bouquet of sunflowers.