Daniel Unlocked #42. Your Lawyer in the Judgment. (Part B)
In Daniel 7:13 we have “the coming of the Son of Man.” Very significantly, Jesus lifts this title from Daniel and applies it to Himself. Over 80 times He is referred to by this title in the Gospels. In Mark 14:62ff when Jesus was before the Sanhedrin at his illegal night trial, He was asked by the High priest if He was the Messiah. Jesus quoted Daniel 7:13 and said “I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” The High priest tore his clothes and cried blasphemy (because he knew what He was claiming,) they then spat on Him beat Him and slapped Him in the face. (vs 62- 65) Such condescension, the creator of life is abused by His creation.
The designation “Son of Man” links this heavenly being with some important theological and historical realities.
First, the Son of Man points back to Adam, the father of humanity. Adam was put in charge of the creation and was commanded to exert dominion. So, in contrast to Adam, who exerted temporary dominion—and the kings of the world, who ruled for a time—the Son of Man receives an everlasting kingdom. Thus, the Son of Man regains what Adam lost!
Secondly, the designation Son of Man suggests that He shares common ground with humanity. This expression can be used to designate a human being (Ezek.2:1). Because in Daniel 7 this figure is clearly a heavenly being, the title Son of Man points to His bond with humankind. (Jesus is also referred to 85 times in the New Testament as “The Son of God.” – He was the God-Man and never did hyphen mean so much!)
From the broad context of the Scriptures, we can infer that the Son of Man not only represents His people in the heavenly tribunal, but He also can identify with them because He partakes of their human nature (Heb.2:14, Heb. 4:15). We also should note that the Son of man of Daniel 7 must be identified with the Prince of the Host (Dan. 8:11), the “man clothed in linen” (Dan. 10:5), and Michael (Dan. 10:13, Dan. 12:1).
To conclude, the Son of Man of Daniel 7 is clearly the Messiah Jesus Christ, who comes to the presence of God the Father as a representative of God’s people (1 John 2:1) on the anti-typical day of atonement. If your case is in His hands, then He is your lawyer in the judgment.
If this is so then your case is assured of a positive outcome. This connection will become clearer in the study of Daniel 8.
What better Lawyer could we ask for God bless you