"And in the midst of the seven candlesticks, one like unto the Son of man.........." Revelation 1v13.
John now focuses on the One in the midst of the golden lampstands; He is said to be " One like unto the Son of Man." This title occurs over eighty times in the four gospels and only four times outside of the four gospels. This title refers to Jesus humanity, as opposed to His Deity. He identifies Himself as "the Son of Man " in Matthew 16v13; "Whom do men say that I am the Son of Man am?" In Acts 7 v 55-56 the martyr Stephen proclaimed just at the point of his death "I saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said behold I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God." So the same Son of Man who was on earth is now in heaven. The meaning of this title, however, has greater implications. A study of the occurrences of this title, particularly the first mention in Daniel 7v13 - 14 reveals the meaning to be not just humanity, but humanity in dominion on the earth! Way back in Genesis 1v26, God gave dominion of the earth to the first man. This status is confirmed in Psalm 8 and also in Psalm 115; verse 16 of the last mentioned says this "The heaven, even the heavens are the Lord's; but the earth hath He given to the children of men." Despite the entrance of sin and the curse upon the earth, this offer of dominion stands, since God never changes his promises. In Hebrews 2 v 5 - 9 the writer tells us how this will happen. Not to angels, but to man is dominion on the earth. How will this happen? Jesus, the Son of Man will reign supreme on the earth with all in subjection to Him. Now in Revelation chapter 1, John sees the One he had known on earth, not only as Man, but Man destined for world dominion.
So we must understand that this One whom John saw in the vision, who was " like unto the Son of Man " is the Jesus he knew on earth as the future ruler of all things. Many scriptures convey this and a few are tabulated below to give us a taste of what is to come. The whole thing would be summed up in the words of Hebrews chapter 2 v8-9 " For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under Him. But now we see not yet all things put under Him, but we see Jesus ....... crowned with glory and honour. "
- Daniel 7 v 13- 14 - "I saw in the night visions and, behold, One like unto the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven and came to the Ancient of days and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people , nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. "
- Matthew 24 v 30 - "Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."
- Matthew 26 v 64 - "Hereafter shall you see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven."
There are many more references, but the above will suffice to illustrate the truth. The Son of Man refers to a Perfect Man, Jesus, who will rule unchallenged over all the earth. It is important we understand the full meaning of this title.
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