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Jeremiah's prophecy concludes with the transference of sovereignty from Israel to
Nebuchadnezzar. As to this transference and its outcome, Daniel is one of the chief
spokesmen:--
"In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim King of Judah, came Nebuchadnezzar
King of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it; and the Lord gave Jehoiakim King of
Judah into his hand" (Dan. 1: 1, 2).
Nebuchadnezzar was the divinely-appointed head of gold. What Israel's sovereignty
covered and what the restoration of that sovereignty will involve is shown by the words
of Daniel in describing the extent of the authority which had been transferred to
Nebuchadnezzar:--
"Thou, O king, art a king of kings" (Dan. 2: 37).
When Israel's kingdom is restored, and great David's greater Son is King, His title
will be:--
"King of kings, and Lord of lords, Prince of the kings of the earth" (Rev. 19: 16; 1: 5).
That such vast sway and majesty was included in the covenant with David.
Psa. 89: 27 testifies:--
"Also I will make Him My Firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth."
Daniel continued:--
"For the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory"
(Dan. 2: 37).
The God of heaven gives this kingdom, and it can as well be called the kingdom of
heaven as the kingdom of God. When the Lord taught the disciples to pray, it was for the
restoration of the kingdom and its ultimate blessing:--
"Thy kingdom come . . . . . in earth . . . . . for Thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory" (Matt. 6: 10-13).
Compare these words with Daniel's to Nebuchadnezzar when he said "a kingdom,
power, and strength, and glory". The words are echoed in the ascription of praise
recorded in Rev. 4: 11, 5: 12, 13. Nebuchadnezzar's dominion extended beyond mere
territory or human subjects.
Before we proceed with our examination of this opening section, it will be well to
discover its structure. This is simple, and focuses our attention upon what the Lord did
until "He was taken up", at which point both the Gospel according to Luke and the
opening section of the Acts terminates. Let us see this:--