Son of Man Part 3
© 07.07.25 By David Eric Williams
So far in our examination of the topic “Son of Man” we have seen the Son of Man is one to whom dominion was given. We have found that Jesus claimed to be the very “Son of Man” who would ascend with the clouds to the Ancient of Days to receive a kingdom and dominion. We have noted a chief characteristic of biblically defined dominion is many descendants. The promise of many descendants is directly tied to the promise of world wide influence.
This reveals a problem with the identification of Jesus as the Son of Man in Daniel's vision. Indeed, it may cause us to think the dominion promised the Son of Man is something other than the dominion given to the various Adams. The first Adam was told be fruitful and multiply. Noah was enjoined to be fruitful and multiply. Abraham was told his descendants would be innumerable and would be a blessing to the whole earth. Paul reaffirms Abraham's worldwide influence by stating Abraham was promised the entire world as an inheritance. The problem is, Jesus fathered no children. How can he be the one who receives a kingdom and dominion?
The prophet Isaiah speaks of this circumstance as well. Referring to the Suffering Servant (understood to be Jesus) the prophet says, unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people (Isaiah 53:8). The Hebrew here is a bit tricky but most commentators agree Isaiah is lamenting the lack of progeny given to the Servant. That isn't the only curse laid upon The Servant. He was not spoken highly of (blessed) but was unjustly condemned. Rather then the blessing of a long life his life was cut short. This doesn’t sound like someone taking dominion. Or does it?
Hard on the heels of this sad refrain, Isaiah says, but it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands (Isaiah 53:10). So, the Servant has many descendants and enjoyed a long life. How can that be? What is the prophet referring to? Well, he is fortifying the view we have been discussing in these articles; Jesus is the eschaton Adam and is the one through whom dominion is accomplished. The command/promise of many descendants is the realization of worldwide dominion; Jesus brings this to fruition. Yet, how is it Jesus has many descendants? Is this simply poetic or prophetic language to describe a blessed life? Or, does the Suffering Servant, Jesus the Christ, actually have many descendants who go forth and bring blessing to the entire world? As you are probably aware, he does.
One of things Paul says in his letter to the church in Rome is that when we are born again and receive the Spirit of God we are counted as children of God (Romans 8:14). And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering (Romans 8:17). We receive the Spirit of God when we place faith in Jesus for salvation. As a new creation we belong to Jesus Christ. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you (Galatians 3:29). In Christ we are children of God but are counted as Jesus' descendants by virtue of his blood. We are his blood relatives. He has given birth to us in his suffering and death. Everyone in Jesus has experienced a bloody new birth and as a result we participate in the dominion given to Adam, Noah, Abraham - brought to fullness in Jesus the Christ.
We will continue our examination of this topic next week.
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