Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Tuesday, November 25, Daniel 7: 13-14

"I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed."

Jesus' favorite title for Himself was "the Son of Man" when He "who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men". (Philippians 2:6-7)

This is one of those things where people like to bottle up a phrase into one thing, even though they can referred to many things. Some like to say that He was referring to Ezekiel, who was called "son of man". From what I read, the reason Ezekiel was called "son of man" was because he was just a mere man, yet called to prophesy the great things of God.

The "Son of man" in Daniel is very different. It is the One present in the fiery furnace of chapter 3, and the Son of Man here. He was God the Son inserting Himself into the world for our sake. We see Him presented as the God-man before the Father and presented the Kingdom upon which He will reign for the Millennium, and then present it back to the Father that "God may be all in all" (1 Corinthians 15:28), as the Trinity, in Perfect Unity, transforms the heavens and the earth into "a New Heaven and a New Earth". (Revelation 21)

For: "being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:8-11)

And we get to reign with him! "But the court shall sit in judgment, and his dominion shall be taken away, to be consumed and destroyed to the end. And the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him." (Daniel 7:26-27)

Revelation declares that when this timetable commences, it will be quick and sure. We see Christ say in Revelation, "behold I come quickly". That magnificent book gives a vivid description of that "tribulation" peak, as well as the "millennium" peak and the "forever" peak. We're going to find in Daniel 9 a little more of what this is all about.

And it would be good to keep in mind this prophecy of Jesus, when He was officially rejected by Jerusalem. The warning turned into a declaration:

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" (Matthew 23:37-39)

That is much different than the beginning, when He and John the Baptist preached this warning: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17) Well, Israel did not repent, and the judgment where again they were scattered occurred: "They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." (Luke 21:24)

They preferred the Mosaic Covenant, and they got it. Justice instead of mercy. If they obeyed God, all the blessings would have been given. If they cursed God, all the curses would be upon them.

Jesus offered mercy, and the promise would have been fulfilled if they had repented. But He knew they would reject Him, and in doing so, the door for the salvation and calling of the Gentiles in this Age of Grace was opened. Kind of reminds me of Joseph being rejected by his very own, and the result was the saving of the Gentile world from massive starvation. What they meant for evil, God meant for good. Read Peter's first sermon:

"This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men…" "… Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." (Acts 2:23, 36)

Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is the Living Water that will save your starving, sinful soul and save you from yourself and the idols you have made. And, deep in your heart, you know this. Repent, and call upon Him today.

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

*ESV used unless noted*

Memory Helps:

Again, here is chapter 7:

Chapter 7: "First HEAVEN-LY Vision:

The Four Beasts,
The Ancient of Days: King of HEAVEN, and
The Son of Man comes from HEAVEN"