Son of Man Part 2
© 06.24.25 By David Eric Williams
To better understand the "Son of Man" we will detour into the topic of dominion. After all, dominion is given to the Son of Man – "dominion and glory and a kingdom" to be exact. Moreover, dominion is something promised each successive "Adam."
The original Adam (and Eve) had dominion over fish, birds, livestock - over all the earth (Genesis 1:26b). They were told to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it (Genesis 1:28b). Interestingly, this command to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth appears again and again in the dominion mandate. It was the first thing God told Noah upon leaving the ark; be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth (Genesis 9:1, 7). The aspect of subduing the earth is referenced in verse Genesis 9:2.
When God called Abram he said, Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you (Genesis12:1-3). Fruitful multiplication is not explicitly stated here; later God promised Abram his offspring would be as numerous as the stars of the sky (Genesis 15:5). Still later, when Abram was 99, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty. Walk before me, and be blameless. I will make my covenant between me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly “(Genesis 17:1-2). The promise of innumerable descendants became a reoccurring theme. It was the basis for Abram's name change to Abraham. For, he would be a father of a multitude of nations, and Kings would be part of his line as well.
Dominion for Israel as Adam is described in the blessings for covenant faithfulness found in Deuteronomy chapter 28. Yahweh said he would set Israel high above all nations of the earth. This is a repeat of the Abrahamic covenant recorded in Genesis 12:1-3. The nation of Israel was further promised fruitfulness in all aspects of life; crops, livestock, international relationships, finance - and of course familial – all that you put your hand to; and he will bless you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you (Deuteronomy 28:8).
Then, in Romans 4:13 the idea of dominion is simplified; For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith (Romans 4:13). Paul is summing up all facets of dominion. Inheriting the world bundles together fruitful multiplication, filling the earth and subduing it (Genesis 1:28). It embraces becoming a great nation, and a great blessing through whom all the families of the earth would be blessed. To inherit the world means Yahweh has set Abraham's seed on high above all the nations of the earth and poured out a multitude of blessings on that seed as well (Deuteronomy 28:1-ff). Now, here is where it gets interesting.
In Galatians Paul says, therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham (Galatians 3:7-9). The clarifying statement from Paul is found a few verses later when he says, Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "AND TO YOUR SEED," who is Christ (Galatians 3:16).
So, the dominion mandate and blessings were actually given to Jesus. Yes, a series of "Adams" were told to take dominion but their failure highlighted the fact that only the Eternal Son Incarnate would be able to carry out dominion. Thus, 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. 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 7:13b-14).
There is more. Paul elaborates, If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29). This confirms Daniel's claim the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever (Daniel 7:18).
We will return to this topic in a couple weeks.
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