Daniel 7 is something out of nightmares.
Daniel sees a vision of four great beasts, terrible and destructive. One of the beasts was like a lion with eagle’s wings. The second is a bear with three ribs in its mouth. The third was like a leopard with four wings and four heads. Then, there’s a fourth beast, so gnarly and terrible that Daniel has a hard time describing it.
These beasts represent the wicked empires of mankind and the violent rule of evil.
But then… Amidst the destruction and chaos… Daniel sees Him. The One who would make all things right. The hero of heaven and earth.
The Son of Man.
Daniel 7 and 10 describe the Son of Man as clothed in linen with a belt of gold around his waist. His body was like beryl, which is an emerald-like crystal. His face was like lightning, and his eyes like flaming torches. Daniel said that his legs were gleaming like burnished bronze.
When The Son of Man speaks to Daniel, he calls him, “greatly loved” and urges him to have courage.
In the context of Daniel's vision, the "Son of Man" is the one destined to rule in partnership with God, a human who would reign in contrast to the brutal and destructive kingdoms represented by the beasts.
The Son of Man is portrayed as a figure of unparalleled authority, one who will defeat these earthly empires and establish a rule marked by justice and peace.
This destined ruler is none other than Jesus himself.
Most people referred to Jesus as the Messiah… But did you know that Jesus rarely referred to himself that way?
The term Jesus used most for himself was— you guessed it— “The Son of Man”!
By using this title, He was directly identifying with the vision Daniel saw, claiming His role as the fulfillment of that prophecy. Jesus is the one who has come to restore what was lost in Eden, to conquer the “beast” of sin and death, and to reign in a way that no earthly ruler ever could.
In Jesus's life and ministry, the Son of Man does not seize power like the beastly earthly kings. Instead, He conquers by humility and sacrifice, showing us that true authority comes through service.
He overcame the powers of darkness not by violent force but by surrendering His life on the cross—a moment in which, paradoxically, His ultimate exaltation as the Son of Man was made clear.
CONSIDER THIS:
How does Jesus’ kingdom differ from the kingdoms of this world? What would our culture look like if we lived more like citizens of heaven than citizens of a country?
What does this mean for us today? It reminds us that Jesus is not a distant figure, but the true representative of humanity, the one who has shown us how to live in perfect partnership with God.
In Him, the possibility of overcoming the "beasts" of pride, sin, and self-interest is realized.
Through His life, death, and resurrection, we are invited into a new humanity—a humanity that rules not by domination, but by self-giving love.
As we reflect on Daniel’s vision, we are called to recognize Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, the Son of Man who will one day return to establish His eternal kingdom.
Until then, we are empowered by His Spirit to live as citizens of that kingdom, overcoming the forces of darkness by the strength and grace He provides.
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