Revelation -- Son of Man

Many people find the book of Revelation confusing. I’ve personally been helped a lot by the teaching of men from Ozark Christian College on this topic, such as Shane Wood, Matt Proctor, and Mark Moore. Mark Moore now is with Christ Church of the Valley in Arizona, and has written a book entitled: Quest 52, with weekly devotions about the life of Jesus that cover a year. Toward the end he covers a summary of Revelation, and I will glean from his writings as I develop this three-part series. Why is Revelation confusing? Moore says it’s because we ask the wrong question. We open its pages asking, “When is Jesus returning and what are the signs?” The book was written to suffering Christians under persecution in the first century, to provide hope through their faith in Jesus. The better question to ask is this: “Who is Jesus, and how does this book help us see the hope he provides more clearly?” If we, in this modern day when Christians are starting to be persecuted in our culture, can fix our eyes on Jesus, how will this book help us do that, surviving a season of potential suffering? The first phrase to help us decipher Revelation is: Son of Man. “In the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars; from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead” (Rev. 1). Jesus’ favorite term for himself was “son of man.” Why is that? Why not Son of God? Well, he’s that too, but there’s a reason he uses son of man. The phrase comes from the Old Testament, as a reminder that as humans, in our failed state of sin, we have a God who can relate to us, having come and lived as a man. Ezekiel has this term used for him repeatedly, emphasizing his humanness compared to God’s divine nature. In the book of Daniel (7:13-14) we find the phrase used for someone different, “behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 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 one that shall not be destroyed.” Daniel wonders: how can a human figure share the glory of God? In Daniel we may wonder how a son of man can be in heaven? In Revelation we may wonder how God ever came to earth from heaven as a son of man? Jesus provides the answer to both. He is this unique “son of man” who conquers sin. In Chapter 1 where this term appears, Jesus is preparing to address concerns to the seven churches. That’s Part I of this book. He encourages them for the good they’ve done, he rebukes them as needed, their issues just like those we face today. Part I – chapters 1-4, things are tough, but remember your first love, Jesus, and keep honoring him in faith. How do we persevere with all our struggles? We need a clear view of who Jesus is. We can only follow our leader if we keep him in sight. We may not figure out when Jesus is returning, but we can be clear about our need to pursue holiness as we prepare for his return. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the holy one, the son of man.

Cross Point: Let us run with endurance the race before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…and is seated at the right hand of God” (Heb. 12:1, 2).