Divine Titles And Their Significance / Part Nine

Series – July/August 2015 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Divine Titles
AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE / Part Nine

The Son Of Man
This title was often used by the Lord Jesus when here on earth. It occurs as His title about 80 times, mostly in the Gospels, once in Hebrews and three times in Revelation. The only other person frequently described as the son of man is the prophet Ezekiel, occurring over 80 times and designating his earthly origin. Referring to Ezekiel, no definite article [“the”] is used. By contrast, In the case of our Lord it is a title, speaking of Him as Man, being the Head of the creation of God and always carrying with it the definite article in the Greek.

As His title, it is mentioned three times in the Old Testament, throwing great light on its meaning.

Psalm 8 refers prophetically to our Lord as the Son of Man, made a little lower than the angels when He stooped to man’s estate for God’s glory and our blessing. Yet the angels were ordered to worship Him (Heb. 1:6). The psalm tells us that dominion over the vast creation, over all the works of God’s hand, are His heritage. Psalm 80:17 refers to the Son of Man whom God made strong for Himself. Daniel 7:13-14 speaks of the “One like the Son of Man,” to whom was given dominion over all peoples, nations and languages – an everlasting kingdom which will never pass away. This was prophetic and is still waiting fulfillment – seeing the exalted place reserved for Him who came into this world to bless men.

Is it not touching then that such an One should repeatedly speak of Himself as about to be crucified by wicked men and put to death, yet prophesying His ultimate victory in that He would rise the third day? Our Lord perfectly knew that first must come the sufferings and then would come the glory. How many true subjects would be in the Lord’s kingdom were it not for His atoning work on the cross? Not one!

Thank God, our Lord will yet reign as the Son of Man over the whole earth. It is only as mercy is despised and ignored that He will execute judgment. The Father has given the Son authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of Man (Jn. 5:27).

In contrast to judgment, how touching are the words of the Lord Himself: “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk. 19:10).

By A. J. Pollack

Related thoughts shared by Walter Scott
(adapted from The Bible Handbook)Son Of Man
The title “Son of Man” occurs in the Gospels upwards of 80 times and is only directly applied by the Lord to Himself. Later we read that Stephen saw Jesus glorified in the heavens and addressed Him as “the Son of Man” saying, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:56). John in the Revelation twice uses the title, applying it to the Lord in both instances (1:13, 14:14). Stephen and John are the only persons in the New Testament who apply the title “Son of Man” to Jesus. There is one occurrence of this title in the Epistles, which is a quotation from the eighth Psalm (Heb. 2:6). Jesus ever applied this title to Himself in view of His rejection as “the Christ” by Israel. It was a title He particularly delighted in and which tells of His deep and abiding interest in man. Thus He steps over the narrow and marked limits of Judaism and, instead of a glory filling Immanuel’s land merely, the scene widens, for the dominion of the “Son of Man” embraces the heavens and the earth. Instead of a glory skirting only the coasts of Judea, the whole earth becomes lightened with His glory under this name and character. The glory of Messiah – King of Israel is the subject of Psalm 2, but a scene more universal in extent and even more grand in character is opened to view in Psalm 8 – a glory which He takes as “Son of Man” and one in which we share (Eph. 1:11). Universal dominion and absolute sovereignty are glories resting upon this exceedingly interesting title – one, moreover, in which every human being is concerned for universal judgment and authority to execute it are referred to the “Son of Man” (Jn. 5, Acts 17:31). On the other hand, life and power to communicate that life are referred to His divine title “Son of God” (Jn. 5, 17:1-2). As “Son of Man” He comes in glory to Israel (Mt. 24:30) and to the Gentiles or living nations on the earth, whom He gathers before His throne of glory (Mt. 25:31). Then He will bring in universal blessing and righteous rule (Mt. 13:41-43). Blessed Lord, bring in those happy days in Thine own time and in Thine own way! Son Of David
This title is found 14 times in the Gospels – in Matthew eight times, in Mark three times and in Luke three times; but is not found even once in John. This title is more confined in its application than the broader and more comprehensive one “Son of Man.” The “Son of David” has Judea as its range and the Jews as its subjects of blessing, while the “Son of Man” has earth as its sphere and mankind as the subjects of its exercise. God has been pleased to reveal Himself in four great relationships: to creation as God, to Israel as Jehovah, to the Patriarchs as God Almightly, and to Christians as Father.There is also a four-fold revelation of the Sonship of our blessed Lord:as the “Son of God,” title of personal and divine glory, as the “Son of the Father,” expressing the ever-abiding relationship of the Son to the Father,as the “Son of Man,” the righteous and gracious ruler over the millennial earth, andas the “Son of David,” the fulfiller of every glorious promise and prediction to the ancient people.

Look for the continuation of this Series next month.