One like a Son of Man

Throughout Christian history, prophetic literature has been taken in a variety of directions, including sometimes exact predictions of the Second Coming of Christ (don’t worry….it hasn’t happened yet).

So the Book of Daniel, with its incredible visions and dreams, is often used to bolster a wide range of beliefs about the end times. The passage we read today is coming at the end of one of the most popular passages as Daniel sees a vision of four great beasts, which we are told in the passage represent kingdoms and kings that were to come.

Before stepping into eschatological matters (i.e., end-times stuff), I want us to step back and imagine Daniel’s emotional state as he experienced this vision. There he is, in his first year with a new king in Babylon, lying in bed, and a vision began to appear to him, so vivid that he was able to write it all down.

Before he has a chance to catch his breath, he sees the beasts coming out of the sea, each more unbelievable than the other. They had horns, were tearing flesh, crushing their victims, and boastfully proclaiming their superiority. Can you imagine the adrenaline that must have come up within Daniel? The potential fear and probable confusion. “What am I looking at?” he must have thought, and “Am I even safe?”

Against the beasts sat the Ancient of Days, whose power and might easily vanquish the beasts. At this sight, Daniel must have had relief and perhaps even more confusion, especially as a new character came on the scene. But this new figure was dramatically different than the beasts.

Instead of some monstrosity, “one like a son of man” arrived. Instead of rising up from the sea, the newcomer came from the clouds. And unlike the way the beasts approached the Ancient of Days, the Son of Man calmly walked to the throne and was invited into His presence. Even more, He was lauded with praise from all people and all nations, and He was given dominion over all the world to last forever and ever. (cf. Philippians 2:10-11)

Think back to Daniel and his mindset. Fear came first, then confusion. I imagine that upon seeing the Son of Man coming from the clouds, Daniel must have sensed some level of peace.

As Daniel came out of the dream, he states that he remained “deeply troubled,” and his “face turned pale,” but I wonder why that is the case. Perhaps because he still didn’t understand the dream. Maybe he worried about the turmoil to come. Or it was so much to take in at one sitting.

But I don’t imagine that he was troubled at the prospect of the coming Son of Man. Why? Because from that stage forward, the people of Israel anticipated with great excitement the Messiah that was to come. For Jews living as refugees around the known world, they latched onto the idea of One who could arrive and lay hold of a throne for them that would never go away.

They looked to the clouds for the arrival of the Son of Man. And in Mark 14:62, Jesus identified Himself as that figure. Against the Sanhedrin and all their accusations about whether he claimed to be the Christ, Jesus told them, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

The Sanhedrin believed His words to be blasphemy. But for those who believe, they know His words to be true. The Son of Man, whose Kingdom would reign forever and ever, had arrived.

Isn’t it wonderful to think about how the whole of the Old Testament continually points to Christ? Isn’t it amazing how God wove that history into the plan of salvation?

But none of that should be surprising. God is a God of plans. He knows what He is doing, and at no time does He have to abandon a vision because circumstances have “changed.” He is in charge, and He is in control.

The Ancient of Days remains seated on His throne, and He has established Jesus as the ruler of all. This Christmas season, as we approach the celebration of the birth of Jesus, let’s celebrate not only the arrival of the baby but also the arrival of the Son of Man. Let’s celebrate both the fulfillment of the prophecy of His first arrival as well as the fulfillment of the prophecy that He will one day return as the kingdoms of the world will bow at His feet.

Behold the Son of Man, full of all power and authority, lying in a manger!