Son of Man

Daniel 7:13-14 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
 
THIS scripture is a glimpse of the Father’s and the Son’s glory. “Son of man” was a phrase in the Hebrew language to define a representative of people before an authority. The term is often used to name Ezekiel, a prophet who represented the Jews before God. In Daniel’s vision, “son of man” transforms from a common reference to “Son of Man”, an exalted, eternal name. The Ancient of Days, who is the eternal God, bestows on the one who comes into his presence all authority, glory, and sovereign power to forever rule all kingdoms. All will worship him. Son of Man can only be the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
    Why is the Son of God also called Son of Man? In fact, Jesus most often identified himself as the Son of Man, even to the point this title condemned him: Matthew 26:63 The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.”
    To the Jewish rulers, it was blasphemy for Jesus of Nazareth to align himself with the image of Daniel’s dream. The Jews condemned Jesus under God’s law that instructed the guilty party to be stoned. Apparently the Jews desired a more horrible death than even stoning for the Christ.
    Jesus is the Son of Man, mankind’s representative before he Father, because he first fulfilled the Father’s will on earth. Second, he now sits on the Father’s right hand to intercede for us in prayer before he Father. Third, Jesus is the Son of Man because we worship him. Fourth, Jesus will come in glory: Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.” “Son of Man” is Jesus’ affirmation of Daniel’s visions fulfilled.
    Knowing these visions builds our faith. God’s visions to Daniel reveal real world nations rising and falling. They explain the spiritual warfare of Satan’s rule opposing God’s church. And the visions proclaim the majesty of the Christ, who has come and the Christ, who will come.
 
Please Note: Next lesson on Monday October 14.