The Son of Man
A kingdom that will never be destroyed
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What does it say?
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The whole message, in shortThe main points of the whole message, in a few sentences.
In a vision, Daniel saw the Ancient of Days take his seat on a throne of fire, and the beasts that stood for cruel empires lose their power. Then he saw one like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven, who was given an everlasting kingdom that will never be destroyed. Later, an angel told Daniel that God's people would be delivered and that many who sleep in the dust would awake to everlasting life.
Where it is in the Bible: Daniel 7:9-14 and 12:1-3
All the sections at a glanceA map of the message, with the verses for each section.
Map of the Message
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Ancient of Days | 7:9-10 | God sits on his throne as judge |
| 2. The Beast Is Destroyed | 7:11-12 | The cruel empires lose their power |
| 3. One Like a Son of Man | 7:13-14 | Someone receives an everlasting kingdom |
| 4. Those Who Sleep Will Awake | 12:1-3 | God's people will be delivered and raised |
Before You Read
Who wrote it. Daniel was a young man from Jerusalem, taken to Babylon in exile. He served kings there and stayed faithful to God (Daniel 1:1-6).
What kind of writing this is. The second half of Daniel is full of visions, dreams with symbols: beasts, horns, and thrones. This kind of writing is called apocalyptic. The word means "unveiling." It pulls back the curtain to show what God is doing behind history.
What comes before. In chapter 7, Daniel sees four terrifying beasts come out of the sea. They stand for cruel empires that crush God's people (7:17).
How to read it. Don't get lost in every symbol. Watch who is on the throne, and who receives the kingdom.
Section by Section
Section 1 of 4The Ancient of Days
"As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat" (7:9).
The Ancient of Days is God, who has always existed.
His clothes were white as snow. His hair was like pure wool. His throne blazed with fire.
Thousands upon thousands stood before him. "The court was convened, and the books were opened" (7:10).
God sits as judge over all the earth.
Section 2 of 4The Beast Is Destroyed
One of the beasts had been boasting with arrogant words.
Now it was destroyed. The other beasts lost their power.
The empires that seemed so strong could not stand before God.
Section 3 of 4One Like a Son of Man
Then Daniel saw something else.
"I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence" (7:13).
"Son of Man" means someone who looks like a human being. But he comes with the clouds, like God.
"And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him" (7:14). Dominion means the right to rule.
"His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed" (7:14).
Section 4 of 4Those Who Sleep Will Awake
Near the end of the book, an angel tells Daniel about the last days.
There will be great trouble. "But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered" (12:1).
"And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life" (12:2).
This is one of the clearest promises of the resurrection in the Old Testament.
"Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever" (12:3).
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "The Ancient of Days took His seat" (7:9) | God is on his throne, no matter what empires do. |
| "The books were opened" (7:10) | God sees everything and will judge justly. |
| "One like the Son of Man" (7:13) | A human-like figure who comes with God's glory. |
| "His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed" (7:14) | His rule lasts forever. |
| "Everyone whose name is found written in the book" (12:1) | God knows his people by name. |
| "Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake" (12:2) | God will raise the dead. |
Back Then
Daniel lived under Babylon and then Persia. He saw empires rise and fall.
The four beasts are usually understood as four empires, possibly Babylon, Media, Persia, and Greece.
Michael is named as an archangel who protects God's people (Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:7).
Literal Reader Alert
Does God have white hair? This is a vision with symbols. White hair shows God is ancient and wise. White clothes show he is pure.
Who is the Son of Man? Daniel doesn't name him. Jesus called himself the Son of Man and said he would come with the clouds (Mark 14:62).
Is this scary? The beasts are scary. But the vision is good news: God is on the throne, and his King's kingdom will never end.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel | Troubled | The beasts were terrifying (7:15) |
| God's people | Afraid | Empires were crushing them (7:17) |
| God's people | Hopeful | They will be delivered and raised (12:1-2) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What does this vision say to you? Tap one.
The world is scary
God is still on his throne.
Who's in charge?
The Son of Man's kingdom will never be destroyed.
My name
God knows the names written in his book.
Death
Those who sleep in the dust will wake up.
You Might Have Heard
"The most powerful nations decide what happens in the world."
What's true: Nations and leaders have real power, and their choices matter.
What the passage is mainly about: Empires rise and fall like beasts. But the Ancient of Days is on the throne, and he gives an everlasting kingdom to the Son of Man.
Where Jesus is: Jesus is the Son of Man. He rose from the dead and ascended with the clouds. He will come again, and his kingdom has no end.
Good News
The beasts looked powerful. They didn't last.
"His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed" (7:14).
Jesus, the Son of Man, rules forever. His people's names are written in his book, and he will wake them from the dust.
God is on the throne. He gives an everlasting kingdom to one like a Son of Man, and he will raise his people to everlasting life.
Big Idea
The Ancient of Days is on his throne. He gives one like a Son of Man a kingdom that will never be destroyed, and those who sleep in the dust will awake.
If this message brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther spent much time on Daniel's visions. He said they comfort Christians: however powerful the world's empires seem, Christ's kingdom will outlast them all.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year B, it reads Daniel 7:9-10 and 13-14 on Christ the King Sunday, and Daniel 12:1-3 the week before (Lectionary 33).
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away
How did that feel?
You finished The Son of Man.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Lectionary 33 Year BFirst reading, Daniel 12:1–3
- Christ the King Year BFirst reading, Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14
For a newsletter or sermon notes
The Son of Man, explained in plain words. Daniel sees God on his throne and someone like a son of man coming with the clouds. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/the-son-of-man-vision/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church