A Vision of the Son of Man

There was a significant vision seen by the prophet Daniel that to a great degree determined the nature of the kingdom of God which Jesus preached. In Daniel's vision in chapter 7 of the book of Daniel he saw "one like a Son of Man" who approached the Ancient of Days. The Ancient of Days then gave to the Son of Man "dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him." As we look at Jesus' message in the New Testament it is not difficult to see how the expressions the "Kingdom of God" and the "Son of Man" are related.

The "Son of Man" held a special place in the preaching of Jesus. Much of Jesus' preaching was oriented to Daniel's prophecy of the Son of Man. According to Daniel, the Son of Man had been invested with authority. It was with this authority that Jesus stood before his listeners and the religious rulers of his day, boldly and unashamedly, declaring that he was the Son of Man. Any Jew in Jesus' day would understand that when Jesus referred to himself as the Son of Man, he was in essence asserting his messiahship. Though Jesus does not solely base his message of the kingdom of God on Daniel's vision, nevertheless, this vision provides a foundation that to a great extent determines the nature of the good news of the kingdom of God which he preached.

So, what does Daniel's vision and Jesus' message of the Son of Man have to do with you and me today? It is interesting to note that in Daniel's vision someone (perhaps an angel) interpreted this vision for Daniel (v18). This person said, "the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom, for all ages to come." In the book of Luke chapter 12 Jesus picks up on this thought and says to his followers, "Do not be afraid little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom." It seems very clear from Daniel's vision and Jesus' teaching that our God and Father desires that we receive and possess the kingdom of God.

This is what this blog is all about: revealing the message of the Son of Man and the Kingdom of God which is the foundation for us as believers to receive and possess God's kingdom. We will endeavor to instruct about the nature of God's kingdom with a practical application how you and I may receive and possess the kingdom of God as promised to us by the Father.

Spiritual Heritage

While my son, Edon, was in his mother’s womb I felt that God used him to speak to us one day. From the first days of knowing my wife was pregnant I prayed for my son that he would be sensitive to and hear God’s voice. During a general check up the doctor gave my wife a sonogram and showed her the baby. The doctor thought it was interesting how our little boy had placed his hand over his forehead. She made comment how he looked like a soldier soluting. However, as my wife told me what she and the doctor saw, I sensed something different. As my wife told me what the doctor saw she was actually making the gesture for a fainting person. Yet, I just pondered the image created in my mind. Later that day my wife fainted because of the heat and being exhausted from walking a good distance. After my wife came around and grew stronger I began to think about the gesture my son made that day still in his mother's womb. Was he trying to warn us about my wife’s frail condition that day, by placing his hand on his head like a fainting woman would do, rather than a saluting soldier? Since that day I have often felt that our son has heard God's voice and communicated to us in some manner what he heard.

Clothed With Compassion

I recently had a dream where I was among some of my close friends who live in Kosovo. In the dream I remember them putting a long-sleeved, winter sweater on me. Just before I awoke from the dream I knew that God had clothed me with something special for my ministry though the meaning was not yet clear.

At the time of the dream I had been feeling a little discouraged and inadequate for the work God had called me to do. When I think about building the church among a foreign people and ministering in a strange language the task often seems impossible. So in my prayers I expressed my inadequacy to the Lord,  requesting that he equip me and make me adequate for my work.

It happened to be on Sunday morning when I had this particular dream. As I pondered the dream and prayed to the Lord for understanding I feel like I received my answer.

This particular Sunday morning a visiting minister had been preaching on the theme of compassion. When the minister came to the end of his message and read from Colossians 3 ‘clothe yourselves with compassion’ I said to myself, “that’s it.” The winter sweater in the dream represents compassion.”

You may be a little skeptical of my interpretation and feel I’m grasping for understanding of something that can’t be substantiated, but I know the profound impact it made on my spirit in the midst of a time of weakness. Through a dream and the help of a visiting minister the Lord strengthened my resolve, reminding me that he made me adequate by investing a measure his compassion within in my character, which became a motivating force for my ministry among the Albanian and Gypsy people in Kosovo.