End Time Insights

The figure of the Son of Man in the Book of Daniel is the source of Christ’s self-designation - The Son of Man . The term “ Son of Man ” is the self-designation heard most often on the lips of Jesus in the gospel accounts. It is from the vision of Daniel of the “ one like a Son of Man ” who received “ the dominion and kingdom .”   All the tribes of the Earth will mourn when “ they see the Son of man coming on the clouds of Heaven .”

The conspiracy by the Earth’s kings to unseat the Messiah is applied in the New Testament to the plot to destroy Jesus – Psalm 2:1-6. The Second Psalm is a key passage applied to Jesus by the New Testament. When were its predictions fulfilled, and is the Messiah reigning now on David’s Throne? Is the world still waiting for his enthronement at a future date? What about the “ revolt ” of nations and kings against the Son of God? Is it a prediction of a coming war between Jesus and earthly governments - (Psalm 2:1-6)?

The reign of Jesus Christ from the Messianic Throne began following his Death, Resurrection, and Exaltation  – Psalm 110:1. The New Testament is explicit. God made Jesus of Nazareth Lord and Messiah, and there is no other. His reign began when God exalted Christ following his resurrection. “ God has made this same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah! ” – (Acts 2:36).

Did Jesus triumph through his Death and Resurrection, or is he still waiting for some future event for his reign to begin? Was Jesus victorious over God’s enemies on the Cross, and did he begin to rule as the Davidic King following his Death and Resurrection? Most Christians would answer, “Well, yes! Of course!” Nevertheless, many popular interpretations effectively if not openly deny this present reality when they claim his reign over the Earth will not commence until his return in glory or some other future date or event.

Jesus is the anointed Son of God whose life and ministry were characterized by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit . The activity of the Spirit dominated the life, words, and deeds of Jesus of Nazareth. He was “ Jesus, the one called Christ ,” the Anointed One, the long-awaited Messiah of Israel.  When  an angel  informed  Joseph that   Mary carried a child  “ conceived   of the Holy Spirit ,” his declaration indicated that something more than a miraculous birth was about to unfold.

'Jesus’ means “Yahweh saves.” In the man of Nazareth, the salvation promised by the God of Abraham has arrived . The child carried by Mary was “ begotten of the Holy Spirit ,” and Joseph was instructed to name this child ‘Jesus’: “ Call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins .” The name announced by the angel pointed to the saving act of God that was about to unfold in history – (Matthew 1:20-23).

Messianic promises from the Psalms are applied to the present reign of Jesus, and he now possesses all authority in Heaven and on Earth . Jesus has reigned as Sovereign over the Cosmos since his death and resurrection. He is seated on the messianic throne, and because of Christ's obedience even unto death, he has become the Sovereign of the kings of the Earth. God has bestowed on him  all authority in Heaven and on Earth. His sovereignty is  without limits . It is a  present reality .

Paul summoned believers to adopt the same mind that Jesus had when he poured out his life “unto death” for others  – Philippians 2:5-11. Jesus fulfilled the role of the ‘ Suffering Servant ’ described in the  Book of Isaiah . Unlike Adam, he did not attempt to grasp the “ likeness of God ,” but he humbled himself and submitted to a shameful death on the Roman cross. Therefore, God exalted him and made him “ Lord ” over all things. His exaltation did not precede his death; his enthronement followed it, and he died utterly alone.

The saints overcome the Dragon through the death of the Lamb and their faithful witness even unto death  – Revelation 12:11.  In Chapter 12 of the book of  Revelation , the “ sign of the Great Red Dragon ” appears in the heavens, signifying that the “ war ” has commenced between his forces and those of the “ son ” who is destined to “ shepherd the nations .” But the result of Satan’s attempt to destroy the “ son ” is his expulsion from “ heaven ,” and the proclamation of the victory of the “ brethren. ”