The Ancient One and The Son of Man

Daniel chapter 7 reveals a dream, a dream that prophesies wonderful and horrifying events of the future. 

Daniel 7:2-3 (NLT) 

In my vision that night, I, Daniel, saw a great storm churning the surface of a great sea, with strong winds blowing from every direction. 3 Then four huge beasts came up out of the water, each different from the others. 

Four beasts that represent four earthly kingdoms of men on the earth. I want to focus on the fourth beast because he was more dreadful and horrifying than the others. 

Daniel 7:7-8 (NLT) 

Then in my vision that night, I saw a fourth beast—terrifying, dreadful, and very strong. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet. It was different from any of the other beasts, and it had ten horns. 

8 As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly. 

These beasts represent kingdoms on the earth. There is a battle for control of the earthly kingdoms, and the little horn rises up to defeat the other kings and kingdoms. The little horn represents the coming of the Antichrist kingdom to the earth. He is boasting arrogantly when Daniel sees the Ancient One in his vision. The Ancient One in Daniel’s dream is God the Father. 

Daniel 7:9-10 (NLT) 

I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, 10 and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened. 

Some translations call him the Ancient of Days. Thrones and kingdoms have been put in place, and the Ancient One sits down to judge. The Ancient One called this divine courtroom into session, and the books were opened. 

Daniels’s vision continues as the Antichrist (little horn) destroys the fourth beast and takes control of the earthly kingdoms of men. It’s at this point in Daniel’s vision that the Son of Man is introduced. The Son of Man is Jesus, the Son of the Ancient One. 

Daniel 7:13-14 (NLT) 

As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. 

14 He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed. 

Daniel's vision occurred some 500 years before the birth of Christ. But the future was already determined by the Ancient One. The Son of Man would come, Jesus would come, conquer the antichrist, and the Ancient One would give Jesus all authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations…the kingdom authority of the Son of Man-Jesus would be eternal. 

Let’s fast forward some 500 years from the time of Daniel. Do you know the title that Jesus uses to refer to himself more than any other title? The Son of Man, the same title that Daniel gave to the One who would receive all kingdom authority from the Ancient One. 

Matthew 13:40-43 (NLT) 

“Just as the weeds are sorted out and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the world. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! 

Did the people of Jesus’ day have ears to hear? Some did and some did not. The religious leaders were definitely having trouble believing that Jesus was the Son of Man who was prophesied in the Book of Daniel some 500 years earlier. 

Jesus stood in the courtroom of the Sanhedrin Council the night before his crucifixion. I want you to notice the phrase that came from Jesus’ mouth that led the Jewish High Priest to tear his robe in grief and unbelief. 

Matthew 26:62-66 (NLT) 

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?” 63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God—tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!” 

Compare Jesus’ statement to the one from Daniel 500 years earlier. 

Daniel 7:13-14 (NLT) 

As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. 

Matthew 26:64 (NLT) 

Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 

As in Daniel's prophecy…The boastful speech and power grab of the little horn antichrist will precede the coming of the Son of Man. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly. 

Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! 

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen, 

Terry Cooper 

Lead Minister