Context – Daniel was an exile in Babylon during the 6th century BC. He rose to power by trusting God, interpreting dreams, and displaying wisdom. Some time after surviving the lions’ den, he was given a vision into the future. In it, he saw 4 beasts and God seated on His throne surrounded by worship. God strips the first 3 beasts of their power, and He slays them with fiery judgment. Then, Daniel sees the Son of Man approach:

Daniel 7:13-14 – In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Context – Jesus has been betrayed by Judas, arrested, and put on trial before the religious leaders in Jerusalem. Though many false witnesses had come forward, the council could not find evidence to convict Him, and kept pushing for answers:

Mark 14:60-64 – Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as worthy of death.

Context – At the end of the age, two camps have emerged. One remains faithful to God while the others have chosen to serve the deceptive beast. After angels pronounce the destruction of Babylon and judgment on those who have rejected God, John sees the awaited Son of Man appear on the clouds:

Revelation 14:14-16 – I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one like a son of man with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. 15 Then another angel came out of the temple and called in a loud voice to him who was sitting on the cloud, “Take your sickle and reap, because the time to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” 16 So he who was seated on the cloud swung his sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.

• What is given to the Son of Man by God?
• Why were the religious leaders enraged by Jesus’ answer to who He was?
• What is Jesus coming back to do?