CHRIST'S INCREASING KINGDOM The phrase "the Son of man" refers to "the Word" after He became flesh, and dwelt among us. As it is written, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. (John 1:1,14). Daniel was given a vision of glorified Word "made flesh" – "the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim 2:5). -- Tomorrow:
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. OF THE INCREASE OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND PEACE THERE SHALL BE NO END, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this!" (Isaiah 9:6-7)
Devotion 10 of 36
The following are some of the involvements of "the Word becoming flesh" and dwelling among us. The HUMANITY of Christ is the emphasis of the appellation "Son of man." God the Father is never referred to in this sense, nor is any angel. As I have shown, the Savior's personal identity with the humanity was prophesied from the very beginning. It is expounded extensively in Apostolic doctrine. Some of the things accomplished by His humanity include the following. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but will provide a fair representation of the required experiences and essential benefits resulting from the Savior's humanity. All of these required the humanity of Christ. The Savior had to become a man.
1. He took the form of a servant (Phil 2:7a).
2. He was made in the likeness of men (Phil 2:7b).
3. He humbled Himself (Phil 2:8).
4. He was obedient to His parents (Luke 2:51).
5. He increased in stature and stature (Luke 2:52a).
6. He increased in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52b).
7. He learned obedience by the things He suffered (Heb 5:8).
8. He suffered being tempted (Heb 2:8).
9. He was tempted in all points as we are (Heb 4:15).
10. He feared (Heb 5:7)
11. He was led by the Spirit (Luke 4:1).
12. He trusted in God (Heb 2:13).
13. He spoke only what His Father taught Him (John 8:28).
14. He did only what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19).
15. He has been given all judgment because He is the Son of man (John 5:22).
16. He subjected Himself to the will of God (Matt 26:39).
17. Be became obedient unto death (Phil 2:8).
18. He suffered death (Heb 2:9a).
19. He tasted death for every man (Heb 2:9b).
20. He laid down His life that He might take it up again (John 10:17-18).
21. He is able to succor those who are tempted (Heb 2:18).
22. He is an effective Intercessor (Heb 7:25).
23. He is the one Mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5).
24. He is able to be touched with the feeling of human weakness (Heb 4:15).
25. All power in heaven and earth given to Him (Matt 28:18).
26. Angels, authorities, and powers are made subject to Him (1 Pet 3:22).
It is particularly in this last capacity that Daniel was given to see Him – as One who has received "all power" and the authority to judge humanity. As Jesus Himself affirmed, "For as the Father hath life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have life in Himself; and hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation" (John 5:26-29).
The emphasis of the vision given to Daniel is NOT the final judgment, but the sagacity associated with the government that has now been placed upon His shoulder. This is the exaltation required to bring many sons to glory. This will be made more clear in the verses that follow. What marvelous things were revealed to Daniel!
WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN
" . . . came with the clouds of heaven . . . " Other versions read, "coming with the clouds of heaven" (NKJV), and "with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of man was coming" (NASB).
Those who are familiar with Scripture will recall the Lord's use of these very words when referring to His return to earth: "they shall see the Son of man COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN with power and great glory" (Mat 24:30; Mk 13:26). "Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and COMING IN THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN" (Mat 26:64; Mk 14:62). In these texts, Jesus is referring to His second coming, when He returns to be seen by "every eye" (Rev 1:7).
HOWEVER, the text in Daniel refers to Him coming to "the Ancient of days," or "God the Father," as Jesus called Him (John 6:27). This has reference to His ascension into heaven when "a cloud received Him out of THEIR (the disciples) sight" – BUT into the presence of the Father (Acts 1:9). It speaks of Jesus returning victorious to heaven, coming before the Father, NOT before men!
Luke reminds us He will also return "in a cloud" (Lk 21:27). However, Daniel is being shown the return of the Messiah into heaven where He is presently enthroned in glory. That enthronement is the result of His triumphant death. This too will be made more clear in the verses that follow, which speak of the very time in which we presently are living. Suffice it to say, the level of revelation on this matter that was given to Daniel is most remarkable.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for being pleased with Your Son, and for being satisfied with His sacrifice. I too am pleased with Him, and satisfied with His atonement.