GOD’S WORD FOR YOU
DANIEL 7:13-14
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13 “As I kept watching my visions that night, there before me was one like a son of man coming in the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was brought before him. 14 He was given authority, honor, and a kingdom; all peoples, nations and languages will worship him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
This is the climax of the vision. Now that the kingdoms are accounted for and put down, some with patience but the Antichrist with severe justice, it is time of the final goal of the world– all of history– to be revealed. It is Christ our Lord. Rather than wonder for a while and then come to this conclusion, let’s begin with the correct answer and notice why it is the correct answer.
We can’t help but notice that similar but opposite words and expressions are used to describe Christ the Son of God. Let’s look at a few of them compared with the being we just heard about, who is Antichrist:
Ia, Antichrist was a little horn forcing his way up out of the head of a terrible beast, and pushing others out of the way.
Ib, Christ comes like a son of man, a human being, descending from the clouds.
IIa, Antichrist is boastful and blasphemous.
IIb, Christ is able to approach the Father, the Ancient of Days, and is brought before him.
IIIa, Antichrist is killed, destroyed, and thrown into the blazing fire.
IIIb, Christ is given authority, honor, and a kingdom that is everlasting.
Already here in the Old Testament, the title “son of man” is given to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit foresaw that the chief priests of the Jews and the scribes who copied out the Scriptures letter by letter would not want anyone to call themselves “the son of God.” Therefore Jesus used Daniel’s term, “son of man.” But they still knew what he meant, since they read and understood Daniel. Why is he called “the Son of Man?”
1, Because it one of his prophetic titles; this verse in Daniel points directly ahead to Jesus Christ the Savior. Another title for Jesus, “Messiah” (Anointed One) was also given to him by Daniel (Daniel 9:25-26).
2, To prove his true humanity. He is called “Son of God” because he is true God, and he is called “Son of Man” because he is true man. We confess this in the Second Article of the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds when we say “Born of the Virgin Mary” and “of the substance (nature) of his mother” in the Athanasian Creed §29. “He took on man’s nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary, so there are two natures, divine and human, inseparably united in one person, one Christ, true God and true man.”
3, To prove his kinship with us. He wanted to be born as a man, a human being, to become the Son of Man as a bright testimony of his true humanity and of our kinship him. “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared their humanity” (Hebrews 2:14).
4, Because of his state of humiliation (that is, that he emptied himself of his divine power). “What does ‘he ascended’ mean except tht he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?” (Hebrews 4:9). He does not want us to miss the fact the he became our human brother to rescue us from sin.
5, Because of the administration of his office. Ezekiel was also called “son of man” many times (Ezekiel 2:1, and 93 times in all in Ezekiel) but he was abused and despised by the people. Still, on account of his divine call and his prophetic office, the Lord called him “son of man.” In a similar way, Jesus was abused and despised by the people, but called himself “Son of Man” because he preached the Gospel and was sent by God for the sake of mankind, to redeem the human race.
6, To demonstrate his love. “He delights in mankind” (Proverbs 8:31). With this title he invites us to remember and ponder his supreme love for mankind. For our sakes, he wanted to become the Son of Man.
The kingdom of Christ will never end. The reason we are told this is to encourage us, especially when we grieve for the dead or dread the approach of our own death. Also, Jesus Christ tells us that while we are “in the world,” we are not to be “of the world,” that is, worldly and openly sinful. We are to set our affection on godly things (Romans 12:2). And still more, the expectation of heaven and eternal life should incite every Christian to greater efforts in holiness (2 Peter 3:13-14) as we “lay up treasure” for ourselves in heaven (Matthew 6:20).
This doctrine also helps us to endure the hatred of the world and the persecution we may receive from the devil. And even though the work of those who labor in the Word of God is not always appreciated in this lifetime, and some may be driven away from the ministry on account of the jealousy of others or on account of a minor or momentary error, the Christian can take courage, because we are gathering fruit “so that the sower and reaper may be glad together’ (John 4:36). The prospect of eternal life fills our hearts with courage and joy. We look forward to the day when the Judge, Jesus Christ, will give us a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8). This gives meaning and direction for our lives, as we live here as if in a tent, and only for a short while, before we will at long last be brought home “eternal in our triumph” to the places prepared for us by Jesus Christ himself.
In Christ,
Pastor Timothy Smith
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Archives at St Paul’s Lutheran Church https://splnewulm.org/daily-devotions/ and Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel: www.wlchapel.org/connect-grow/ministries/adults/daily-devotions/gwfy-archive/2025
Pastor Smith serves St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Ulm, Minnesota
God’s Word for You – Daniel 7:13-14 The Son of Man