Jesus: The Son of Man

[!NOTE] Primary Scripture Reading: Daniel 7:1-14

I. Facts about the title The Son of Man

A. Jesus applied this name to Himself

B. Used over 80 times in the gospels Not used by others with the exception of one time when the Pharisees were quoting Jesus, John 12:34.

C. It is not used in the rest of the New Testament except for three instances

D. Acts 7:56 – When Stephen is stoned: “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

E. Revelation

F. Revelation 1:13 - as Jesus moves among the candlesticks, representing the churches, judging their faithfulness Revelation 14:14 – Jesus coming in judgment (read later)

G. Jesus ceases to use the name after His resurrection except in Luke 24:7 when He quotes what He said before His resurrection.

II. Significance of the title “ Son of Man

A. Messiah

B. Daniel 7:1-14 - The vision of the four beasts

C. Fearsome beasts arose from the Mediterranean Sea

D. One like a lion One like a bear One like a leopard with four heads One identified as a dreadful beast After the last beast, the Almighty sat on a throne among other thrones, judged the beasts, and conquered them.

E. Then one like the Son of Man appeared

F. He came on the clouds He came to the Ancient of Days He received an everlasting kingdom

G. Daniel 7:15-28 – The interpretation of the dream

H. The four beasts are four kingdoms that would arise from the earth, corresponding to the kingdoms of Daniel 2

I. Head of gold/lion = Babylonian Empire Chest of silver/bear = Persian Empire Belly and thighs of bronze/leopard = Grecian Empire Feet of iron and clay/terrible beast = Roman Empire

J. The last kingdom, the Roman Empire, would conquer the earth and wage war against God’s people

K. God would allow the beast to persecute the saints for a while.

L. This is not cruelty or weakness on God’s part.1 Peter 1:6-7: “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,”

M. God would eventually destroy the fourth kingdom and establish His everlasting kingdom under His Son and saints.

N. All kingdoms of the world would be subject to the kingdom of God. The saints would rule in this kingdom (see also Revelation 20:4) Daniel 7:14 – Jesus has the highest dominion

O. It seems obvious that Jesus took the name “Son of Man” to show that He would be the king that would rule the everlasting kingdom and judge humanity.

P. He clearly links His coming in the clouds to Daniel’s Son of Man who comes on the clouds in judgment

Q. Matthew 26:62-66 – He will come on the clouds in judgment Matthew 24:30 – Regarding the destruction of Jerusalem Revelation 14:9-20 – Jesus destroys His enemies and saves His people; similar to Daniel’s prophecy

R. Humanity

S. In the rest of the Old Testament, son of man usually refers to humanity, particularly its insignificance when compared to God.

T. Psalm 8:4: “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” Jeremiah 50:40: (Of Babylon) “As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbors,” says the LORD, so no one shall reside there, nor son of man dwell in it.”

U. Jesus is truly the representative of all man in His life and death

V. In life

W. Hebrews 5:7-9 – He learned obedience as a son Hebrews 6:19-20 – He lead the way to salvation Hebrews 4:14-16 – He can sympathize with us as the Son of Man

X. In death

Y. Hebrews 5:5-6 – Jesus was appointed a priest among men Hebrews 7:23-28 – Jesus is a priest forever because He offered Himself as a sacrifice and was resurrected to minister on our behalf John 3:13-16 – Jesus came down to earth for this reason John 8:25-29 – His death would prove His divinity Colossians 1:13-18 – Firstborn of all creation

Z. The Son of Man designation signifies His humility of becoming “God in the flesh” and His preeminence as the Messiah who rules over all dominion.

A. We must appreciate His humility as a man by approaching the Father through the Son.

B. He invites us to come to the Father through Him, John 14:6 He can sympathize with us (Hebrews 4) and lead us to salvation.

C. We must submit to His rule as Messiah.

D. We must acknowledge His rule, Romans 10:9-10 We must call on Him through baptism, Acts 22:16.

E. The Son of Man died for you, will you live for Him?