“…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.” | Daniel 7:13-14

Lord Jesus, You are the One whose glory is envisioned and pictured for us in this passage of Daniel and fulfilled in Revelation, whose rule is an everlasting rule with an iron scepter over an everlasting Kingdom; whose power and might and being is displayed as One whose eyes are like blazing fire, whose hair is white as wool, whose feet are like burnished bronze, on whose head are many crowns. You are pictured as riding out on a war horse as our conquering warrior King at Your second coming, not to deal with sin as with the intention of your first Advent, but to bring judgment, to save those who are eagerly waiting for You, and to bring Your creation to its ultimate intended glory. You are the King at the center of all creation, who reigns on high with the title “King of heaven” written across Your robe. Lord, we eagerly await your return as those who belong to Your bride, the Church. We long for Your return to bring this world to rights, and most of all, to live in the light of Your presence and the eternal sunshine of Your face forever. Kindle in our hearts the flame of joy and love with this present and future hope.

(Collect from the BCP): Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.