(33) Jesus: Perfectly Sinless Pt. 1

Jesus set the example of perfect humanity in facing temptation. I heard Charles Stanley once say that the most intense temptation comes at the moment just before you give in. What he was saying is that the more you resist, the more intense the temptation until you give in. He didn’t take into account God providing victory or the temptation being removed but he makes a valid point. When temptation is right in your face, it just get’s harder and harder to resist.

Satan got right up in the face of Jesus! This would be an intense attack, a fierce battle. From Jesus’ temptation, we can learn a lot about what it looks like to be perfectly human. We start with the critical step to victory that Jesus took before the battle even got started.

Luke tells us that “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness. (4:1 NAU)” This is important. First, Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit.” This means that Jesus was under the control of the Holy Spirit. Jesus did whatever the Holy Spirit directed Him to do. Second, note that Jesus was continually “led around by the Spirit.” This is the literal Greek here. Step by step, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit.

We must not miss the significance of this. When Luke tells us about Jesus victoriously facing temptation, he begins by making a big deal about the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life. How did Jesus, the perfect human walk in victory over temptation? By living under the control of the Holy Spirit. By being led by the Holy Spirit in everything He did, step by step. That is where we will find victory too. The more we are controlled by and led by the Holy Spirit in every decision no matter how insignificant it may seem, the more we will have victory over sin. Whenever we are walking in step with the Spirit, we will not sin.

Next:  (34) Jesus: Perfectly Sinless Pt. 2

(32) Jesus: Perfectly Holy

Jesus set the example of perfect humanity in obedience to the Law of God without legalism. The Pharisees pursued perfection and missed it completely. Jesus pursued perfection and hit the mark perfectly. But as far as the Pharisees were concerned, Jesus did not keep the law perfectly. Why? Because they had established a very strict and narrow interpretation of the Law. And then, in addition to the Law God had given, they had their laws on how to keep God’s Law. That’s right, they had laws for the Law! Jesus rejected all this. Especially their proud, self-righteous attitude.

Take for example the Sabbath. Jesus blew the Pharisee’s interpretation of the Law and their application of the Law right out of the water. He did things they thought were sinful to do on the Sabbath. And how did He explain this outrageous behavior? He told the Pharisees, "The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath (Mark 2:27 NET). The New Living Translation really captures what Jesus was saying. "The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.”

But by means of ever so many minute and often absurd requirements, vexing and burdensome restrictions – including the one that forbade men to still their hunger by picking heads of grain on that day – the rabbis were changing the sabbath into a cruel tyrant, and man into that tyrant’s slave . . . as if God’s intention had indeed been to make “man for the sabbath,” instead of “the sabbath for man.” – William Hendriksen

So, what was the difference between Jesus’ view of the Law and the view of the Pharisee’s? The answer to that question is really quite simple. It is a matter of focus on the heart and being led by the Holy Spirit in applying the laws of God to life. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for focusing on stringent, external conformity to a list of rules and missing the matters of the heart. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for dictating to others how they should live out the Law rather than allowing God to show them.

God’s design for man is not just being unfeeling robots who just do the right thing. God’s design for man is for man to enjoy relationship with Him. This is a matter of affections, values, and desires. It is a matter of the heart. You don’t become a perfect human by trying to do everything perfect, you do it by knowing, loving and pursuing the delighting in the one who is perfect.

And isn’t that exactly what Jesus said His life was all about? “I am doing just what the Father commanded me so that the world may know that I love the Father.( John 14:31 NET)” Jesus didn’t live His life focused on a list of rules. He lived His life focused on a relationship. He didn’t spend His life looking over His shoulder to make sure He hadn’t broken any laws. He spent His life looking up to His Father and living in intimate fellowship with Him.

So how do we live to be the humans God created us to be? We don’t do it by trying to do all the right things and not do the wrong things. We don’t do it by focusing on all the rules man makes to tell us if we measure up. We grow to be all God created us to be by pursuing Him. Hearing His Word. Knowing Him. Loving Him. Living in fellowship with Him. If this is what is in our hearts, all the rest will fall into place. Do you want to be perfectly human? Then pour your life into pursuing Him! Pour your passion into relationship with Him.

Next:  (33) Jesus: Perfectly Sinless

(31) Jesus the Perfect Child

Jesus set the example of perfect humanity in childhood. Perhaps one of the most amazing aspects of Jesus, the eternal God stepping down into humanity is that He came as a baby. At Christmas time, we may refer to the miraculous birth of Jesus. But there is nothing in scripture to indicate that the actual birth of Jesus itself was miraculous in any way. The conception was an incredible miracle, but not the birth itself. Jesus was born to an ordinary woman through an ordinary birth. Pain, blood, and all that goes with a natural birth. He was completely helpless. He could not feed himself or take care of himself. He could not change his own diaper. He was just like every other baby. We don’t know a lot about Jesus’ childhood. But what we do know is pretty amazing.

The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. (41)Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. (42)And when He became twelve, they went up there according to the custom of the Feast; (43)and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it, (44)but supposed Him to be in the caravan, and went a day's journey; and they began looking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances. (45)When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for Him. (46)Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. (47)And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. (48)When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You." (49)And He said to them, "Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father's house?" (50)But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. (51)And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. (52)And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2:40-52 NAU)

Now that might not seem all that incredible to you, but look at it closer. First of all, notice that Jesus grew, became strong, and increased in wisdom. This is essentially repeated in verse fifty-two. I know I said we would focus on the humanity of Jesus, but I can’t help but pause in wonder over this reality. The eternal Son of God in humanity, growing, learning, getting stronger, gaining wisdom! I can’t get my mind around that one very well.

Look again at verses forty-six and forty-seven. Jesus was sitting with the teachers. Listening intently, learning, asking questions . . . and teaching! So great was His understanding and His answers that they were amazed! What an incredible mind.

But now, for the real bombshell. Verse fifty-one says that Jesus, the eternal Son of God “continued in subjection” to His parents! This word “subjection” literally means to “put in rank under.” He was the most unique, miraculous person to ever live. He was a miracle child. He knew better than them – He was teaching the teachers! Yet He put Himself in rank under His common, ordinary, don’t-have-it-all-together parents. He submitted to them. He obeyed them. That’s what it looks like to be truly human.

Wow! Pretty amazing stuff, isn’t it? But let’s not just be amazed, let’s see if we can be changed by what we see in Jesus, the perfect human. My first observation is that perfect humanity includes weakness, dependance, growth, learning. Hey, perfect humanity even includes dirty diapers, and spit-ups.

Now why did I have to make that last statement? Because I believe we can over glamorize Jesus and perfect humanity. If we don’t recognize the real Jesus, we will miss the glory of the incarnation – the extent to which He stepped down when He became human. Also, this helps us realize that perfect humanity is not some utopian, sit under a tree eating grapes life. Let me take it a step further and remind you that the perfect man worked as a carpenter before He started His ministry. Adam and Eve worked before the fall.

We should also observe the brilliance of perfect humanity in contrast with fallen humanity. I may be wrong, but I doubt that Jesus was given a brain that was far beyond the brains of ordinary humans in ability. Based on the ordinary nature of the rest of His humanity, I suspect Jesus had fairly average mental ability at birth. But, His mind was totally pure and unpolluted by sin. I believe He was able to think more clearly and more accurately than anyone else because of the absence of sin, not because of a miraculous brain capacity. That’s why he could teach the great teachers at the age of twelve.

All our thinking is polluted by sin. Sin makes it so we can’t think strait. We have all kinds of sinful thoughts and attitudes that effect how we hear things and interpret them. Even when it comes to truth. Unless we are thinking God’s thoughts after Him. Unless God, by His Spirit is guiding, even dictating our thoughts, they are polluted. The more we can bring every thought captive in obedience to Christ (1 Cor. 10:5) , and the more we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2), the more we will be able to think, learn, and understand truth and reality. The more truly human we become.

Next:  (32) Jesus: Perfectly Holy

(30) Jesus & The Limits of Humanity

Like Adam and Eve, scripture tells us that Jesus lived under human limitations. We’ll look at a few of these more closely, but for now let’s just list them.

Jesus was born and grew, “And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7 NET) “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and with people.” (Luke 2:52 NLT)

Jesus got hungry and thirsty. “And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry (Matthew 4:2 NAU)” “Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty."(John 19:28 NIV)

Jesus got tired and had to sleep, “Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. (John 4:6 NLT) “But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" (Mark 4:38)

Jesus could not be in more than one place at a time. He traveled and moved about just like every other human being. And, Jesus lived within time and was constrained by time. “So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. . . . Martha then said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. (John 11:17,21 NAU)

Jesus felt pain. Jesus died.

Next: (31) Jesus the Perfect Child

(29) Created in the Image of God

To understand what true humanity looks like, we need to think about what Adam and Eve were like when God created them, before the fall. For that, we turn to Genesis.

Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 8 God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (Genesis 1:26-28)

When God created man, He created him in His own image. Scripture does not say, “This is what it means to be created in the image of God . . .” But, based on the creation account, and some other scriptures, we can get a good idea. We can see that God created man to be able to understand Him and the rest of creation. God created man to relate to Him and each other. God created man to make decisions and choose Him over other things. So, the image of God would at least include the ability to think and understand. It would include emotion or feeling, and will or choice.

Adam and Eve were unique in every way compared to us, but still human. Their thinking was pure but incomplete. They still had to learn and discover new things. They did not have unlimited knowledge. Their emotions were not polluted by selfishness and self protection. Remember, Genesis tells us they were naked and unashamed?

Certainly a major aspect of the image of God in Adam and Eve was absolute moral purity. They had the ability to choose God and they did. They lived in perfect fellowship with God and in perfect obedience Before the fall, Adam and Eve had what we call unconfirmed or untested, positive holiness. They enjoyed intimate fellowship with God in this pre-fall state. It is hard to understand perfect humanity because all we know is fallen, sinful humanity.

We need to try to appreciate humanity in the absence of sin and then we can begin to understand the nature of Jesus’ humanity. His humanity would be totally untainted and unaffected by the effects of the fall. In His humanity, He would have possessed thinking that was pure but incomplete. He still had to learn and discover new things (Luke 2:52). Jesus clearly had emotions, but those emotions were not polluted by selfishness and self protection. He would have possessed absolute moral purity; unconfirmed or untested, positive holiness.

Next:   (30)  Jesus & The Limits of Humanity

(28) Jesus: The Perfect Man - Introduction

(NOTE:  This post is the first in a series on Jesus: The Perfect Man)

In 1976, at the Montreal Olympic Games, Nadia Comaneci received seven perfect tens. But was she perfect? Some would likely argue that no gymnast could ever perform perfectly. There had to be some minor error. But in this case, the judges didn’t see any errors. Of course, even perfection in most of the events would not make her a perfect gymnast in every respect. And of course even perfection in gymnastics does not come close to making her a perfect woman. We say it all the time, “No one’s perfect.” Ah, but we’re wrong.

We recognize Jesus as being perfect. Probably much of the time we are thinking of the truth that Jesus was sinless. This is true, and it certainly is a very important aspect of His perfection. But, there is so much more to Jesus, the perfect man that we will discover in this study.

In the last three studies, we have been focusing primarily on the deity of Jesus. In some ways, the title “Son of Man” forms a link between the deity of Jesus and the humanity of Jesus. As the Son of Man, Jesus is God who comes from Heaven, but He comes to earth to defeat evil and set up His kingdom. We will think more about the unique combination of deity and humanity in our next study, but in this study, we will focus exclusively on the nature of Jesus’ humanity and how He lived as a human. In order to fully appreciate Jesus’ humanity, when we focus on Jesus humanity, for a moment, for the most part, we lay aside the reality of His deity.

If we are going to talk about the humanity of Jesus, we need to talk about what it means to be human. Now that might seem like a really strange statement. After all, we all know what it means to be human; we are human for goodness sake! Well we may be human, but we are not human as God created us to be. We are fallen humans. So, the real question is, “What does it mean to be human as God created us to be?” What were humans like before sin.


Next (29) Created in the Image of God

(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

(26) The Glory of the Triune God

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


The Ancient of Days is the Father in verse thirteen and the Son in verse twenty-two. This is a portrait of the glory of the uniqueness and mystery of the trinity.
 
But maybe we still struggle with this. And maybe it is because we are finite beings trying to understand the infinite, triune God. We say we believe in the trinity but at times when we come across manifestations of the triune nature of God we get all twisted up. We struggle with saying “Yahweh is Jesus and Jesus is Yahweh.” We associate the name Yahweh with the Father. We make clear distinctions between God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And certainly, they are distinct persons of the triune God-head. But the connection between the three persons of the triune God-head are often seen so close they can almost seem indistinguishable. This is not unusual in scripture. Remember what Jesus said,

"If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father." (John 10:37-38 NAU)

“Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you, I do not speak on my own initiative, but the Father residing in me performs his miraculous deeds.  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me, but if you do not believe me, believe because of the miraculous deeds themselves.” (John 14:10-11 NET)

The connection between the three persons of the triune God are so close that Jesus states that He and the Father are in each other. “If you’ve seen me, you have seen the Father.” Jesus said to His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Name is singular speaking of the three persons of our triune God. Three persons, one name!

Scripture can use the same words to describe each of the three persons of the God-head because each is God. So, the Ancient of Days is God the Father and the Ancient of Days is God the Son. Or, we could also say God the Father is the Ancient of Days and God the Son is also the Ancient of Days.

Next: (27) Conclusion

(25) Who is the Ancient of Days?

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

But wait, we haven’t seen it all yet. Remember our observations before and the question, “Could the Ancient of Days be Jesus?” It might seem we have answered that question and the answer would be, “No.” The Ancient of Days looks like Jesus when we consider other descriptions of Jesus that are identical to the description of the Ancient of Days. But, it must not be Jesus if the Son of Man is Jesus and He approaches the Ancient of Days. They can’t both be Jesus can they?

The matter seems settled until we read on in Daniel’s vision. Let’s go back and look at the next time we see the Ancient of Days in Daniel’s prophecy.

As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom. (Daniel 7:21-22 NIV)

Stay with me, we’ve almost got this whole puzzle unraveled. Let’s take this part of the prophecy one step at a time. First, we need to identify the “horn” that is fighting against God’s people. This is the antichrist. The antichrist will wage war against God’s people during the second half of the “Tribulation,” “until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.”

Who is it that defeats the antichrist? Based on our pretribulational-millennial understanding of prophecy, we quickly answer, “Jesus does at His second coming.” He will defeat the antichrist and set up His kingdom. But wait a minute, what does Daniel say? Daniel says the Ancient of Days “comes” and pronounces judgment and sets up the kingdom. So is it Jesus as the Son of Man, or is it the Ancient of Days? Who defeats the Antichrist and sets up His kingdom?

Confused? Hang in there! We’re about to clear this up.

Perhaps our problem lies in an either/or mentality. We think it must be one or the other. It must be The Son of Man/Jesus, or God the Father/the Ancient of Days. When we seek to discern the identity of the Ancient of Days, we think the Ancient of Days has to be either the Father or the Son. Not both. And this is why we cannot understand this passage.

A. R. Faussett explains, “The title applied to the Father in verse thirteen is here applied to the Son; who is called “the everlasting Father” (Is 9:6). The Father is never said to “come”; it is the Son who comes.” Faussett doesn’t look at it as an either/or issue. It is both. The Ancient of Days is the Father in verse thirteen and the Son in verse twenty-two. This is a portrait of the glory of the uniqueness and mystery of the trinity.


Next:  (26 )The Glory of the Triune God

(24) Coming With Power & Great Glory

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

Remember what we saw before when Jesus stood before the Sanhedrin? Jesus made this same declaration about coming on the clouds. “But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven. (Matthew 26:64 NET)”

Daniel says the Son of Man will come with the clouds. Jesus, speaking about Himself says “you will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds.”

Jesus made this statement another time in the middle of the Olivet Discourse when He was explaining to His disciples what would happen before His second coming and what would happen when He returned.

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30 ESV)

I like the way John MacArthur deals with this “sign” and Jesus coming “on the clouds of Heaven” in his message "The Signs of Christ's Coming--Part 6".

The sign then is going to be the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ coming in majesty. He will be distinguishable. He will be recognizable. And yet He will be in full glory. It also says, notice it, at the end of verse 30 that He will come on (“on” is the right word) the clouds of heaven...on the clouds of heaven. In the same manner as you have seen Him go, Acts 1:9-11 says, He'll come. He went in the clouds, He'll come in the clouds. Daniel says He will come with the clouds of heaven, (Daniel 7:13). John says He'll come with the clouds, (Revelation 1:7). Mark says He'll come in clouds, (Mark 13:26). Luke says in 21:27 He'll come in a cloud and Matthew says He comes on the clouds of heaven here and later on in chapter 26 verse 64. So, all the writers agree that He is coming surrounded with clouds.

Daniel sees the Son of Man not just coming on the clouds; he adds that they are the clouds “of Heaven.” He is saying that the Son of Man comes from Heaven. Expositor’s Bible Commentary states:

The personage who now appears before God in the form of a human being is of heavenly origin. He has come to this place of coronation accompanied by the clouds of heaven and is clearly no mere human being in essence. The expression "like a son of man" identifies the appearance of this final Ruler of the world not only as a man, but also as the heavenly Sovereign incarnate.

So, we have pretty well established from scripture that Jesus is the Son of Man spoken about in Daniel. He is from Heaven, affirming His deity. He is going to return to earth on the clouds at His second coming (not the rapture). He is also going to return “in power and great glory.”

MacArthur continues commenting on Jesus returning on the clouds:

You say, "What's that point?" I don't know. Maybe that's their way in the vision of seeing this glorious Shekinah. But there's some kind of a cloud, a cloud of light, a cloud of glory. And I think it's kind of special clouds. You know, the Old Testament tells us that clouds are the chariot of God. It's a very vivid thing. Psalm 104, do you remember what it says? "Bless the Lord, O my soul, O Lord, my God, Thou art very great, Thou art clothed with honor and majesty who layeth the beams of His chamber in the waters, who maketh the clouds His chariot, who walketh on the wings of the wind." Very vivid beautiful language. And Isaiah 19:1 says, "The Lord rides on the a swift cloud." And so, the scene is indescribable. The world is in panic. People everywhere are dying of sheer terror. They're in total blackness and only the Lord holds them together enough so that they can see the rest of these events. And in the midst of that black chaos appears the glory of the Son of God in heaven, in utter majesty, an unveiled holy Shekinah presence and riding on the chariot of God, the clouds, appears in the sky.

Jesus says He will come on the clouds with “great glory”, and He will also come “with power”. Daniel says, “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.” Paul describes this in his second letter to the church in Thessalonica.

For it is right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to you who are being afflicted to give rest together with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. With flaming fire he will mete out punishment on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 (NET)

The Son of Man will return in an awesome display of power and glory to exercise His authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the peoples and nations of the earth. He will do this by bringing “affliction” and “punishment” on those who have not obeyed the gospel. This is the glorious, powerful, conquering, sovereign Son of Man. This is our Jesus! Hallelujah!!!

Perhaps it would be beneficial at this point to summarize what we have seen from all these texts.

1. The Son of Man is a heavenly person, he is divine, God.

2. The Son of Man possesses great honor, power, and glory.

3.The Son of Man is given authority and sovereignty over the entire world.

4. The Son of Man will return to earth “on the clouds” to exercise his rule.

5. The Son of Man will exercise judgement over the earth.

6. Jesus is the Son of Man.

Never again think of this title “Son of Man” as a mere reference to the humanity of Jesus. It is far more. “Son of Man” is a title of authority, power, sovereignty, glory, and deity. This is our Jesus, up close and personal.

Next: (25) Who is the Ancient of Days?

(23) Jesus: The Son of Man

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

Perhaps it would be good to make sure who we’re talking about here. Let’s look a little closer at the rest of Daniel’s description of the Son of Man. Notice Daniel has said that the Son of Man is “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.” This is a very important statement for determining who this is. Is this “Son of Man” Jesus? Can we just assume this “Son of Man” here is the same as the “Son of Man” in Revelation? Jesus answers that question for us.

"For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. (John 5:26-27 NAU)

In Daniel, the Son of Man is given authority and sovereignty to rule the nations. Jesus says that He has been given authority to execute judgment “because He is the Son of Man.” Jesus is the “Son” and He is in the position of the “Son of Man.” In other words, it is His status and position as the Son of Man that grants Him the authority He has, just like Daniel predicted. The authority comes with the position.

Of course this is not the only reason we can conclude that the Son of Man in Daniel is Jesus. Daniel sees the Son of Man “coming with the clouds.” This ought to sound familiar to most of us. Jesus said he would return this way.

Next:  (24) Coming With Power & Great Glory

(22) The Ancient of Days

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

Each of the visions Daniel received is amazing in its display of God’s sovereign control and plan for the kingdoms of the earth. Looking back on much of it now, it is stunning to see the detail in which God told Daniel what He would do in the future. But in chapter seven, in the midst of God showing Daniel details of what would happen in the future, there is an even more glorious vision, the vision of the Son of Man.

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, 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. (Daniel 7:9-10 NLT)

Again, we see one of God’s prophets getting a glimpse of the glory of God. Try to imagine what Daniel saw. It is awesome, glorious, breath-taking in magnificence and splendor. Here, Daniel sees the “Ancient One” or more literally, the “Ancient of Days” sitting down on His throne to judge. It’s time for the verdict and the judgement to be passed down.

This title, “Ancient of Days,” describes God as the one whose days go back farther than any man can know. It is actually a way of describing God as eternal. But, it also carries the ideas of wisdom, authority, and honor. Our first reaction to this vision is likely to conclude that this is a vision of God the Father.

Now, before we move forward in this vision of Daniel’s, look again at the description of the Ancient of Days. Clothing white as snow, hair like purest wool. Ring a bell? Doesn’t this sound like a description of Jesus? Consider the description John gives when he had the privilege of seeing Jesus exalted in heaven.

It was the Lord's Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. It said, "Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea." When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. (Revelation 1:10-15 NLT)

John describes the Son of Man with hair white like wool, like snow – just like Daniel describes the “Ancient of Days.” He is dressed in a robe. John does not tell us the color here, but the Gospels depict Jesus in his transfiguration as wearing bright white. So, given these descriptions of Jesus, we must ask, “Is the Ancient of Days actually Jesus?” It would seem so. Let’s go back to Daniel.

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. 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 7:13-14 NLT)

Hey, wait a minute! What’s going on here? In verse nine, it sure looked like the Ancient of Days was Jesus. Now, in verse 13, the Son of man is seen “coming with the clouds of heaven.” And he approaches the Ancient of Days. How can He approach the Ancient of Days if He is the Ancient of Days? Were we wrong about the Ancient of Days being Jesus in verse nine? What gives?


Next:  (23) Jesus: The Son of Man

(21) Jesus: The Son of Man

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

So, what is the most used title for Jesus? Which one did He use the most? The most used title for Jesus in the New Testament is “Lord.” The second most used is the title “Christ” which is the Greek equivalent to the Hebrew, “Messiah.” We will look at these in later studies. The third most used title and the one most used by Jesus to identify Himself is “Son of Man.”

It is rather common for people to think that the title “Son of God” is a title that emphasizes Jesus’ deity and “Son of Man” emphasizes Jesus’ humanity. This is not totally incorrect. Jesus does have the unfallen nature and characteristics of perfect humanity. But here again, this is not how scripture uses the title. It really misses the great significance of the title “Son of Man.” To understand the rich meaning behind this title and why Jesus preferred it so much, we must take a journey back in history in the Old Testament book of Daniel.

Defeat & Helplessness

It was 605 B.C., Nebuchadnezzar has just led the mighty armies of Babylon in victory against Egypt in the epic battle of Carchemish. His father dies and he rushes back to Babylon to be crowned king only to rush back to take control of Palestine and Jerusalem. He is now the most powerful man alive and he takes some captives from the noble families of Judah to prove it.

Can you imagine being a member of nobility one day, then seeing your nation defeated and being drug off as a prisoner to a foreign land the next – as a teenager? That is the story of the prophet Daniel. What an incredible young man he was.

Daniel was a distinguished man in many ways. He was “strong, healthy, and good-looking, well versed in every branch of learning, and gifted with knowledge and good judgment (Daniel 1:4).” But what really set Daniel apart was his integrity, faithfulness and personal relationship with God. Daniel loved his God. He loved his people. He loved his precious home-land. It seems Daniel was always wondering, always dreaming about the restoration of his people and their return back to Judah. It all seemed so helpless. So, while he faithfully honored God by serving the kings over him in exile, in his heart, he deeply longed for his home. Wouldn’t you?

Two years after Daniel arrived in Babylon, God gave him the first of five incredible visions he would receive spread out over 64 years. In these visions, God revealed to Daniel incredible detail of what would come in the future for Judah and the Jewish people as well as six kingdoms that would arise after Babylon. The Medo-Persian empire would arise and conquer the Babylonians followed by the Greeks and the Romans.  Further into the future, there would be the kingdom headed up by the great Antichrist along with a revived form of the ancient Roman empire.  The final great kingdom will be the glorious kingdom of Christ. There is hope!

We are going to look more closely at one of these visions that is particularly relevant to our study of Jesus in a moment. But first, let me encourage you to stay with me through study that is going to be a bit challenging. You are going to need to concentrate, read slowly, and think. This will take some effort, but the rewards of what we will discover are well worth it. We are about to look at another incredible passage that attempts to help us finite beings understand the infinite. We will not fully grasp all the amazing glory that will be described to us but what we do understand will be incredible. If we get it even in our limited understanding, we will be blown away, left speechless for all but worship of our glorious God and savior, Jesus. So, please, put forth the effort to know Jesus, up close and personal.
 
Next: (22) The Ancient of Days

(20) What's In A Title?

(Note: this post is the first in a series on Jesus as The Ancient of Days)

We often take it for granted, but a person’s title can tell us a lot about them. In fact, in some circumstances, it can be very important. For example, if you have a tooth that is bothering you, you don’t go to someone with the title of Podiatrist, you go to someone with the title of Dentist. I don’t think you want a Podiatrist messing with your teeth!

I remember when Allan Lee first asked me to help him establish Teleios Theological Training Institute as a fully developed Bible Institute. We did a lot of work to lay out four academic tracks consisting of twenty-seven different courses we would offer. We met with the leaders from a number of churches to share the ministry. We chose curriculum. We found and renovated facilities.

I remember that one of the decisions that stumped us a bit was my title. Allan Lee had founded Teleios Ministries many years before this and had done conferences, retreats, and individual courses under this umbrella. He was President of Teleios Ministries. Now, what would my title be? It wasn’t too hard to come to the conclusion that I would be Vice-President on the board of Teleios Ministries. But what would be my title at Teleios Theological Training Institute? I would have a variety of roles and responsibilities related to administration, finances, academics, student life, counseling, and public relations. Oh, and let’s not forget janitor and maintenance man.

“President” was discarded quickly as being too stuffy and stand-offish. (And presidents don’t clean toilets do they?) “Instructor” and “Professor” did not capture all of my responsibilities. Finally, we settled on the title “Dean.” We felt it was a good academic title, broad enough to capture all my administrative, teaching and student-life responsibilities, and not as intimidating and impersonal as “President.”

So, I became “Dean.” It went on my business cards. It went on official documents. It was the title that defined and communicated who I was and what I was there to do.

Now, when it came to establishing titles for Jesus, I don’t think there was any contemplating and debating that went into it. God knew exactly what He wanted to communicate. He knew exactly how He wanted to describe and define His various roles. Jesus actually had several titles. “Son of God,” “Son of Man,” “Messiah” or “Christ,” “Lord,” and “Teacher” We will study a few of them as we continue.

Do you know which title is used the most? Do you know which title Jesus preferred to use the most? Certainly, one of the best known titles for Jesus is “Son of God.” But, it’s not even in the top three in usage. We’ll get to that list in a moment, but first, even though it is not in the top three, “Son of God” is a very important title for Jesus. So let’s look at it briefly.

Next:  (21) Jesus: The Son of God