(27) The Ancient of Days - Conclusion

(Note: This post is part of a series on Jesus as The Ancient of Days)


What does the title “Son of Man” really mean then? Well, it is a title that points back to Daniel’s prophecy of the Son of Man who receives absolute sovereign authority over all the kingdoms of the world. The Son of Man who is also the Ancient of Days will come and defeat the Antichrist and set up His kingdom on earth. So, the title Son of Man is a Messianic title. It is a title signifying deity. It is a title of sovereignty, power, authority, victory, and glory!

So, what does all this mean for me tomorrow when I’m doing the dishes or interacting with a friend or neighbor? To answer that question, we need to summarize again and get a good handle on what we have seen here.

1.  Daniel is wondering and concerned about the future of God’s people. They had been defeated, exiled, and all seemed hopeless.

2.  God shows him that He has everything under control and that He actually has a well defined plan for the future.

3.  God shows Daniel that the triune God sits as sovereign over the affairs of man, the kingdoms of the earth, His people, and the future.

4.  God shows Daniel that the Son of Man, whom we have discovered is in fact Jesus, is also the Ancient of Days who sits on an eternal throne and will exercise His authority on earth.

5.  Jesus will come in power and great glory, defeat all evil and establish His kingdom.

6.  Jesus’ favorite title for Himself was “Son of Man.” In using this title, He is claiming all these truths for Himself.

So, again the question, “What difference does it make?” Do you ever wonder about the future of God’s people? Your future? Maybe worry once in a while? I’m sure you do. All of us do, some more than others, but we all have our doubts, worries, and questions at times. We all feel defeated and helpless at times, just like Daniel. But what can we take away from this study?

When we know Jesus up close and personal, we will know Him as the Ancient of Days. He was around before all of this and He’ll be here when it is all gone. It’s nothing new to Him! Whatever you’re dealing with, it’s nothing new to Jesus!

Think back over your life for a minute. Can you remember a time when you had anxiety and worry over a situation that ended up working out just fine? If we really give it some thought, most of us can remember something like this. Sometimes it is something big like a potential disease or surgery. We get all full of fear and anxiety and years later, we see how God took care of us. And of course there’s a dozen smaller matters we face each week. Will I be ready on time? Will they do what I hope they don’t do? How will this situation ever work out? How many minutes (hours?) are spent (wasted) on worrying over things that never happen? The more we really get to know Jesus, the Son or Man, the Ancient of Days, up close and personal, the less our lives will be filled with anxiety and worry!

Who is Jesus? Jesus is the Ancient of Days, the Son of Man. To know Jesus up close and personal is to know that He is the one who sits as sovereign over all. That means all nations, all times, all circumstances, all problems, all illness, all. And, to know Jesus up close and personal is to know Him as the one who has a great plan for all these things. To know Jesus up close and personal is to know Him as the one who has my life in His capable hands. Perhaps this is why Jesus liked to use the title “Son of Man” the most.

But, we don’t always see things work out the way we would like. We may continue to face unkindness, persecution, evil around us, pain and sorrow. We can still feel defeated. We can still feel helpless. Until we look at Jesus, the Son of Man, the Ancient of Days. Maybe that’s why Jesus kept reminding those around Him that He is the Son of Man!

Knowing Jesus up close and personal is knowing Him as the one who will return and make all things new. Like Daniel, who was faithful even under the tyranny of Babylon, we will faithfully honor our God even under the thumbs of the ungodly because we know the end of the story. Yes, Jesus wants us to know Him as the Son of Man!

Jesus is not some weak, passive, meek and mild man who just does kind things like heal people and feed them. He is so much more. He is the Ancient of Days, the Son of Man, the sovereign God. He is the one who is coming on the clouds in power and great glory! Do you know Jesus this way? Do you really know Him in all His glory? Do you know Jesus up close and personal?

Next:  (28) The Perfect Man - Introduction