In John’s Gospel on Sundays, we’ve been reminded that our Lord Jesus is God and is eternal. His was present in the Old Testament. John 1:18 teaches that “no one has ever seen God (the Father)” but that it is God the Son who “makes Him known.” Whenever God appears in visible form, it must be God the Son.
I’m looking forward to teaching on “The Prophetic Visions of Daniel” at Fellowship Bible Church in Shenandoah Junction, this Saturday, February 20, 9:00-2:30. You’re invited. For more information or to register, visit www.fellowshipwv.org/bls
But, does Jesus appear in the wonderful Book of Daniel? As I meditated on that question, the “Son of Man” in Daniel 7 immediately came to mind. In that great vision, one like a Son of Man came right up the throne of Almighty God, the “Ancient of Days,” and received the Kingdom. The Hebrew term “son of man” meant “a human,” even though this was shocking to the Old Testament reader. And, when God the Son did become a man, His favorite term for Himself was “Son of Man.” Jesus referred to Himself by that title 78 times. He was not only expressing His humanity, but knew full well that this was Daniel’s term for the VICTORIOUS KING.
Was God’s Son anywhere else in Daniel? In chapter 3, as King Nebuchadnezzar peered into the fiery furnace where he had sent Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, he cried out, “I see four men, unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods” (3:25). The pagan king called the fourth person a “son of the gods;” but we know Him to be the actual Son of the living God, personal, present, and protecting His obedient servants. These three Hebrews had taken a bold stand for the true God and Jesus came to be with them as their ALMIGHTY COMPANION delivering them from the flames.
One more text about God’s Son in Daniel came to mind. In the “Seventy Sevens” prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27, God gave the complete outline of Jewish history, past, present, and future. In the middle of that fascinating chronology, we read, “After the (7+) 62 weeks, Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself” (9:26a, NKJV). This is a prediction of the death of the coming Messiah. “Not for Himself” implies that He as the sinless one would die in the place of others. Here is an encapsulated summary of Isaiah 53: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace and with his wounds we are healed (53:5).” Jesus the Messiah is our SUBSITUTIONARY SAVIOR.
These three glimpses of Jesus in the Book of Daniel are relevant to our harried lives. When we feel overwhelmed with problems, remember that we follow the Victorious King who will see us through all the way to His kingdom.
When we go through the fires of suffering, remember His words, “I am with you always.” He is our Almighty Companion.
When we feel the guilt of our brokenness and sin, remember that He took our punishment on the cross as our Substitutionary Savior; and so “there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Jesus was there in the Book of Daniel and He wants to walk with us every day until we see Him face to face in His glory.