SON OF GOD – SON OF MAN: Although the Son of God, Jesus, often referred to himself as the “Son of Man.” If the Son of God, then why the Son of Man?
In this video, we look at the significance of Jesus as the Son of Man. As you look at it. It is important to note that our orders for the present day are found in the three angels’ messages of Revelation chapter 14.
These messages make up the core of the gospel of Jesus Christ and are the present truth for our time. Therefore, in this series, we are studying the messages surrounding the three angels in Revelations 14 and their relevance to the gospel and the times in which we are living.
If you want to review any of our previous videos, you can find them at SabbathSchoolDaily.com. Additionally, you can obtain the study guide for these lessons at Sabbath.School or ssnet.org.
Requesting God’s Help
Father in heaven, give us a clear understanding of your word. Help us to be aware of the times in which we are living and prepare us to meet you when you come. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Revelation 14 contains some key Bible text about God’s message relevant to His people and the world in the last days of Earth’s history. At the center of this message is the promise Jesus made found in Mark 14:62 in which:
62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:62)
You see, Revelations 14 depicts the fulfillment of this promise that we will see Jesus, the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven and sitting at the right hand of God.
For instance, in Revelations 14:14, John uses the same title for Jesus that Jesus used in Mark 14:62.
14 Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. (Revelation 14:14)
From this text regarding Jesus’ return, it is apparent that the name Son of Man is key in God’s message to us.
So, Let’s take a closer look at the significance of Jesus as the Son of Man and what this means for us in our present day.
As it turns out, Jesus often referred to himself as the “Son of Man.”
In fact, Jesus used this name for himself 82 times in the book of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
So why did Jesus call himself the Son of Man?
It is because it was His expression of endearment to humanity. He uses it to show his relationship with humanity. It is an indication that he understands our struggles, our trials, our temptations, and our hearts. He understands because, as the Son of Man, He lived among us. He experienced the same things we have experienced, even to a greater degree. He was tempted just as we are. Yet, He overcame. He never gave in to any temptation, and He never sinned.
It is important to know that this same Jesus who lived among us is the “Son of Man” who is coming back to take us home to live eternally with him.
But this promise of eternal life does not apply to all. It only applies to those who love him and have a relationship with him.
We find the assurance that He has the authority and power to redeem us, not only because He is our creator but also because He stooped down and became one of us, faced Satan’s temptations head-on, and came out victorious.
The following verses offer more details about Jesus, the Son of Man, coming in the Clouds of Glory.
- He is coming in the glory of His Father with His angels. Matthew 16:27
27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. (Matthew 16:27)
- His appearance will be seen by everyone around the world, Matthew 24:27
27 For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Matthew 24:30
30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, 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) (Split)
- He is coming as the King of all Nations, and it is a time when the destiny of the nations and all humanity will be decided for eternity.
Matthew 25:31-32
31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. (Matthew 25:31-32 )
The point is that although Jesus is God, in his love for us humans, He became one of us. He is just like us, but unlike us, He never sinned.
This amazing fact offers hope for every sinner who accepts Jesus as their savior. Knowing that the Son of Man loves us, knowing that He can relate to our struggles, and knowing that through Him, we have the power to be victorious is hope for everyone who has accepted Him.
It says that when the Son of Man comes, he will separate the sheep from the goats. In other words, He will separate those who are bad from those who are good.
Jesus will thus officiate as Judge. Why is His position as Judge significant to us? Watch the second part of this video: THE HEAVENLY JUDGEMENT
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GOD’S WORK AS JUDGE IN HEAVEN
John in Revelation 14:14 says: “I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man.”
After Jesus rose from the dead, He met with His disciples, His followers. He gives them instructions, offers them hope, and promises them power. Then He ascended to heaven.
In other words, Jesus was lifted off this earth and taken into the sky. Luke, in Acts 1:9, describes this event saying:
9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (Acts 1:9).
While His disciples stood gazing, Jesus ascended to heaven in a cloud of angels. Just as he ascended, he would return. He will come back with a cloud of angels.
Luke in Acts 1:11 tells us that As He ascended, The angels made the following promise saying: Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11).
Notice the words: “this same Jesus”? Embedded in this passage is a divine truth that could be missed. “This same Jesus,” the Son of Man who walked the dirty streets in Nazareth. This same Jesus, the one who healed the sick in the crowded streets in Jerusalem and in the villages in Israel. This same Jesus, the one who preached to the people on the grassy hillsides of Galilee. This same Jesus is coming back again.
It says in the book Acts of Apostles: The promise of Christ’s second coming was ever to be kept fresh in the minds of His disciples. The same Jesus whom they had seen ascending into heaven, would come again, to take to Himself those who here below give themselves to His service.—The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 32, 33.
What is interesting is that in the book of Daniel, this same Jesus, the one who called himself the Son of Man, the one who ascended into the clouds, is also the one whom Daniel in Daniel 7 depicts as Judge.
Daniel in Daniel 7:9, 10, 13, 14 refers to Jesus as the “Son of Man”
In Daniel 7:9-10
Daniel sees the court in heaven. In this heavenly court, there are many angels, ten thousand times ten thousand angelic, heavenly beings gathered around the throne of God.
What is happening here? God is preparing to judge His people. So, He opens the books. These books are the records of our lives; they are open before the entire universe. Daniel says in Daniel 7:9 and 10
9 “I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire;
10 A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened. (Daniel 7:9 and 10)
Then in Daniel 7:13, 14, Jesus, the Son of Man, comes to God the Father, the Ancients of Days. God gives Jesus His eternal kingdom.
13 “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.
14 Then 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 the one Which shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14)
…Christ has been made our Judge. The Father is not the Judge. The angels are not. He who took humanity upon Himself and in this world lived a perfect life is to judge us. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, pp. 185, 186) (Split)
Christ’s work as Judge reveals to everyone in the entire universe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have done everything possible to save humanity. The work of Judgement shows that He and His people are innocent. It vindicates not only His people but also the false charges Satan has laid against His character are dropped. Then Satan is viewed as the liar and deceiver that he really is.
Although our entire lives will be examined by God, our hope is in Jesus Christ. Our assurance is in what Paul declares in Romans 8:1
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)
He, Jesus, is the Son of Man. We have the one who identifies with us humans residing as our Judge. What more could we ask for?
In Revelation 14:14, John describes Jesus as the “Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle” (Rev. 14:14, NKJV). What do a golden crown and a sharp sickle have to do with one another?
View the next Video in this series: The Victors Crown,
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