Formerly there were powerful and great kingdoms, which no longer exist today. King Saul's reign has ended, David, Solomon. The kingdom of Babylon has fallen, Roman Empire, Pharaohs have passed away, etc.. Is there a kingdom, which will last forever ?
Daniel's Prophecy About "The Son of Man"
On the feast of Christ the King (year B) in the church you will hear a reading from the book of the prophecy of Daniel, in which there is a mention of a mysterious figure called "the Son of man" :
“I was looking in the night visions, and behold, in the clouds of heaven comes as the Son of Man comes, walks up to the Ancient of Days and bring Him before Him.
He was entrusted with rule, glory and royal power, and all nations served him, peoples and languages. His reign is eternal reign, which will not pass away, and his kingdom will not be destroyed…
His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom ; all strength will be at his service
and they will be submissive to him " (Dn 7, 13-14 and 27b).
As God's promise, the chosen people constantly waited for the coming of David's new kingdom. He tied his hopes with help, which he expected from the great powers of the earth. Still, he was disappointed. Gradually he became convinced, that the promised kingdom will not be earthly and political, but spiritual : religious and moral. This kingdom will be established by God Himself.
The vision described by the prophet Daniel is what reminds the chosen people. The Prophet writes, that God communicates eternal power and a kingdom that covers all nations to a mysterious figure, similar to the "Son of Man". In the language of Scripture. "Son of man" simply means man. However, a mysterious figure similar to a man in prophecy appears in the clouds of heaven, that point to it, that this figure is heavenly and closely related to God. This character receives from God the Kingdom of David promised to the chosen people.
Daniel's prophecy about the "Son of Man" is fulfilled in Jesus Christ
When you read the Gospel carefully, you will notice, that Jesus Christ most often calls himself "the Son of Man" (by. Mt 8,20 ; 11,9 ; 23,30 ; Mk 8,31 ; 8,29 ; J 5,26-29 ; 9, 35 ; 12 34 ; 13, e.t.c). In this description we can find the most characteristic features of the promised Messiah. Jesus Christ is very closely related to God, like the "Son of Man" in the book of Daniel, because he is the true Son of God. Jesus Christ is also a real man. He took a mortal body and came into the world, he suffered and finally died like any mortal man. He also received from his Father - God - the everlasting Kingdom and glory. There, who believed him, they form God's holy people and belong to His Eternal and Glorious Kingdom.
How will I answer God ?
In messianic prophecy, God prepares the full salvation of man. From the prophecy of the "Son of Man" you learn, that He has thought of all people for centuries. He wants to make them his holy people and his eternal kingdom. How do you value belonging to the People of God ? Do you thank God for this, that it cares about your belonging to God's Kingdom ?
■ Think:
1. Whom is meant by the mysterious figure of the "Son of Man" in the Book of Daniel ?
2. Who Shares in the Kingdom, which the "Son of Man" receives from God ?
3. Why Jesus Christ most willingly calls himself "the Son of man" ?
■ Remember:
73. What does the phrase "Son of Man" mean in the book of Daniel ?
The expression "Son of man" in the book of Daniel means man, who is closely related to God and receives from Him the eternal kingdom.
74. In whom was the prophecy of the "Son of Man" fulfilled ?
The prophecy of the "Son of Man" was fulfilled in Jesus Christ, Incarnate Son of God.
■ Task:
1. Look in the Gospel (one) and write down the sentences, in which the "Son of Man" is mentioned. On one side, write down the sentences, in which it speaks of the Son of man humiliated and suffering, on the other side, there are sentences about the Son of man lifted up in glory.
2. Search for acclamations from the liturgy of the Holy Mass, which speaks of the eternal Kingdom of Christ.