“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel 2:44).

In these days (and in earlier times, for that matter) there has been much idealistic talk about a coming “new world order,” in which all nations will become as one, and there will be no more war or poverty. Many people thought (some still do) that world communism would bring this about. Others believe that a worldwide Islamic government can accomplish this. Various would-be world emperors (e.g., Hitler, Napoleon) have come and gone. Many pin their hopes on the United Nations. All the various New Age cults and organizations are working toward such an end. And, strangely enough, many Bible-believing Christians still think that the Christian church can bring about such revival and reconstruction of the coming chaos that we can Christianize and then rule the world.

They are all wrong. There is a kingdom coming which will bring perfect peace and righteousness, and it will last forever, but men will not accomplish it. “Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with justice even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts [not that of men!] will perform this” (Isaiah 9:7).

In the climactic end of Nebuchadnezzar’s prophetic dream image (most of which has already been fulfilled), Daniel has assured all succeeding generations that “the God of heaven” [not the United Nations—not even the church!] shall “set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed.” “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth” (Psalm 72:8). HMM