I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13–14)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. As he lay in his bed in Babylon, Daniel received from the LORD an incredible vision of the Last Day. It included four strange and fearsome beasts, the fiery throne of the Ancient of Days (God the Father) and "one like a son of man" (God the Son) receiving dominion and glory over all the world. 

That name, "son of man" reminds us that Jesus shares our humanity. He's a descendant of Adam, the first man, by His incarnation in the womb of Mary. He is our Brother. He bore the sins of His brothers and sisters to the Cross and freed all the world from its sins by His death. 

But Daniel didn't see Jesus in His humility that night, but in His glory, coming on the clouds, standing before the Ancient of Days, and being given authority, glory, and power. The Son of Man reigns in victory. 

And this is what we are given to see of Jesus in these Last Days. This is our encouragement in these gray and latter days. Jesus has defeated sin, death, and the devil by His dying and rising. He will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. 

When the books are opened on the day of His return, we will be judged as holy and righteous in Jesus. We have been joined to Jesus in our Baptism and "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). On that great and glorious day, we will join with the thousands and ten thousand times ten thousands in praise of the Son of Man whose kingdom shall not pass away. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

O God of God, O Light of Light, O Prince of Peace and King of Kings: To you in heaven's glory bright The song of praise forever rings. To Him who sits upon the throne,
The Lamb one slain but raised again, Be all the glory He has won, All thanks and praise! Amen, amen. ("O God of God, O Light of Light" LSB 810, st.1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch