Week 27: one like a son of man
WEEK 27 | Daniel 7:13-14, 27
Days 1-2 Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
Please read Daniel 7:1–12 before continuing here.
“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.
14 And to him was given dominion
and glory and a kingdom,
that all peoples, 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. Daniel 7:13-14 ESV
OBSERVE DICTION
Ask: Which words/phrases might provide clues to the author’s message? What do they literally mean?
Ex. behold > see, “lo” (cf. Daniel 7:2, 5, 6, 7, 13)
Ex. presented > literally “before”; in Daniel this word is often used as in coming before or coming from the king
Ex. dominion > sovereignty (cf. Daniel 4:3, 19, 31; 6:27; 7:6, 12, 26, 27)
Ex. glory > honor, esteem (cf. Daniel 2:6, 37; 4:36; 5:18, 20)
Ex. kingdom > royalty, reign (used 37 times so far in Daniel)
Ex. serve > worship a deity (cf. Daniel 3:12, 14, 17, 28; 6:17, 21; 7:27)
OBSERVE DETAILS
Ask and answer simple w-questions v when? where? who? what? how?
1. *Order the events of Daniel’s dream and visions:
son of man is presented first three beasts emerge from the sea Ancient of Days sits little horn is destroyed
*Note how “I saw in the night visions” echoes Daniel 7:2 and shifts us to the climax of this dream vision.
2. One Like a Son of Man (v13)
Þ Is there any evidence that the Son of Man was summoned to the courtroom?
Þ What does the Son of Man come “with”?
Þ To whom does He go?
3. The Father’s Authority to Give (v14)
Þ What three things does the Ancient of Days give Him? ______________, _____________, ______________
Þ Why are these given?
Þ List the three “sets”of words used to emphasize that one like a son of man shall now rule forever.
__________________________ __________________________ __________________________
Clouds and the Glory of God –– The clouds that escort one like a son of man into the courts of God are not literal clouds as in meteorological clouds. When clouds are used symbolically in the Bible, the author is describing the Shechinah glory, the visible presence of God, often referred to as a Theophany. This cloud first appeared to the Israelites in Exodus as a pillar of cloud by day to lead them through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21, 22) to protect them from Pharaoh’s armies (Ex 14:19, 20, 24), to show His glory while addressing Israel’s complaint (16:10) to reveal Himself while speaking His law to Moses and the people at the foot of Mount Sinai (Ex 19:9, 16), and to occupy the tabernacle upon its completion in order to make His presence known (Ex 40:34–38). During King Solomon’s reign, when the temple that replaced the tabernacle was complete, and all gathered to celebrate, the Levitical singers raised their voice to sing this praise to the LORD: “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.” The temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with the glory of the LORD with such a filling the priests “could not stand to minister” (2 Chronicles 5:13–14).
Clouds and Chariots –– In Near Eastern literature, only gods are described as riding on the clouds as if riding chariots of war, and the poets and prophets imaginatively described God in this way as well; for example, Isaiah writes: “Behold the LORD is riding on a swift cloud and comes to Egypt; and the idols of Egypt will tremble at his presence, and the heart of the Egyptians will melt within them” (19:1; cf. Psalms 18:9; 68:4; 104:4; Daniel 7:13; Nahuh 1:3).
Clouds and the Son of Man –– At His trial, Jesus does not reply to the charges against Him. He remains silent before His accusers. Finally, the high priest says, “I adjure by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God,” so Jesus replied, “You have said so” using a Jewish idiom that means, “What you said is true.” Then Jesus promised the high priest, “...you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power [God] and coming on the clouds of heaven.” When the high priest hears Jesus describing Himself as the Son of Man arriving on the clouds of heaven, he tears his own robe in outrage, accuses Jesus of blasphemy, and calls for the court to condemns to death (Matthew 26:62–66).
INTERPRET
Ask: Why did the author choose to include these details, use these words, & make any figurative comparisons?
The gist of the order of events from Daniel 7:1–14 is that the three beasts (the empires of Babylon, Medes–Persia, and Greece) each rise and fall one after another before the fourth (the Roman empire) emerges. Then at some point the little horn (the Antichrist) arises and both blasphemes God and persecutes His peoples, but he is completely destroyed. Following that, the Ancient of Days (God the Father) takes His seat in the courtroom and one like a son of man is presented before Him.
1. How does the figure described as “like a son of man” compare and contrast to the beasts? Remember in Daniel 7:17 we read these beasts were actually men who were kings.
2. What do you think the original audience of Daniel 7, consisting of Jewish and Aramaic readers, could possibly determine about the nature of this one like a son of man? Consider your Observe the Details and Diction boxes and the Clouds Background above
3. What do you think the original audience of Daniel 7, consisting of Jewish and Aramaic readers, could determine about the relationship between the Ancient of Days and one like a son of man?
Days 3-4 Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
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 7:27 ESV
OBSERVE DICTION
Ask: Which words/phrases might provide clues to the author’s message? What do they literally mean?
Ex. everlasting > perpetuity, antiquity, forever (cf. Daniel 2:20, 44; 3:9; 4:3, 34; 5:10; 6:6, 21, 26; 7:18, 27)
Ex. greatness > magnitude (cf. Daniel 4:22, 33; 5:18, 19)
Ex. saints > holy, separate people.
In the New Testament, all “in Christ” become a saint positionally the moment they believe. In the Old Testament context of Daniel 7, it is more likely the “saints” refer to the Jewish remnant. Regardless, all dwelling with God in the eternal kingdom, the family of God, are saints.
Ex. obey > hear (cf. Matthew 7:24–27)
1. What do you think the original audience of Daniel 7, consisting of Jewish and Aramaic readers, could determine about the relationship between one like a son of man and all people of every nation and tongue? (See Daniel 7:14, 27.)
2. What do you think the original audience of Daniel 7, consisting of Jewish and Aramaic readers, could determine about the relationship between one like a son of man and the saints of the Most High?
3. You likely noted that this figure who is “like a son of man” is human in appearance and yet possesses divine prerogatives, rights and privileges not granted to humans. This figure is connected to each person in Daniel 7: all four beasts and the Antichrist (who arises during the fourth beast/Roman empire), the Ancient of Days, all people of every nation and tongue, and the saints. Ready for your brain to hurt?
Why must this one like a son of man be both fully human and fully divine because He is connected to each person? Consider the end that is in God’s mind in verse 27b.
Why do you think God reveals to the original audience of Daniel 7, consisting of Jewish and Aramaic readers, that at the end of time this pivotal Person, whose glory is cloaked in clouds, will receive His eternal kingdom?
Day 5 Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
CHRISTOLOGICAL & APPLICATION
After Jesus affirms the message of John through His baptism, after the Father and Holy Spirit affirm the beloved Son, Jesus “full of the Spirit” and “led by the Spirit” enters into the wilderness for forty days to prove He is indeed the beloved Son. Adam failed his test in the garden. Israel failed their test in the wilderness. Now the representative of all humanity and Israel,
the Messiah sent to die for the sins of all humanity, must prove He is sinless. Here Satan tempts Jesus to yield to the lust of His flesh, the lust of His eyes, and to the pride of life (Luke 4:1–13; 1 John 2:16).
1. What would your life be like today if Jesus sinned against the Father as Adam, as Israel, as you (and all) have done? Consider your relationship with God and with all people.
Let’s look at one way Jesus was tempted more closely:
And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written,
“You shall worship the Lord your God,
and him only shall you serve.” Luke 4:1–8 ESV
2. The devil promised Jesus rule over all the kingdoms of the world and all the authority and glory of this position. By worshiping the devil, Jesus could forego the suffering and humiliation of the cross. By worshiping the devil, He would have “the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven” immediately.
Had Jesus worshiped the devil, He would rule you and all His subjects.
But how would He be forced to rule you now?
How would you respond to this ruler who did not die on the cross for your sins?
What type of kingdom, then, would that be for you, for all of us?
3. Jesus had you in mind, He had us with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit in mind when He quoted the Word “You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.” Fully God the Messiah wrote that Word. Fully God and fully man Jesus obeyed that Word.
Because Jesus died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again, what type of relationship can you enjoy with Him minute by minute in the daily real time of your life?
Brothers and sisters, enjoy Him in worship minute by minute! In the days leading to your time with group, strive for that enjoyment, both humbly and confidently approaching His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:14–16) so that you can do so.
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV
PRAYING TOGETHER
Foundation: Community prayer is more than individual prayers spoken in the presence of others; it is the Body of Christ seeking God together.
When we pray together, we are doing more than taking turns praying our individual prayers. Community prayer means listening to and agreeing with the prayers of others and contributing to the conversation as you seek God together.
Prayer: Conversation with God
Community Prayer: God’s people intentionally seeking God together, with participation and agreement (see week 2 vocabulary)
Humility: Coming before God without trying to impress others; Recognizing your dependence on Him
Simplicity: Praying sincerely and plainly to God without unnecessary words or spiritual performance
Orderliness: Praying in a way that allows others to understand, participate, and contribute
Minute by minute in the daily real time of our lives we can love and worship our King. When we yield to the lust of our flesh and eyes or give in to the pride of life, we can approach His throne of grace to confess our sin to King Jesus. Enjoy a time of worshiping Christ as you adore Him, confess to Him, and seek His mercy and grace.
See Hebrews 4:14–16 above. Pray through this together for yourselves and for our church. See September’s Church requests.
September Prayer Requests for the Church
Our Spiritual Growth – Pray that God would grow our trust in His sovereign rule, asking for strength to stand firm in our faith so that we can live faithfully as we look forward to Christ’s everlasting kingdom.
Women’s Retreat Preparation & Sign-Ups – Pray that God would use this retreat to refresh women in their relationship with Him and with one another, renew their love and devotion to Christ, and awaken in them a deeper desire to serve in the church and city as an act of enduring worship.
The Persecuted Church – Pray that God would intervene for those imprisoned for their faith; ask for their release, and ask for comfort for their families who face emotional and economic hardship.’
God’s joy and strength to you,