“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 ESV

The phrase “son of man” is used throughout the Old Testament to refer to human kind. When Daniel has this vision, he sees Christ in human form yet with the power and authority of God the Father. In the New Testament, “Son of Man” is used as a name for Jesus. Christ refers to himself in this way when He spoke of His death and resurrection:

“For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:40 ESV). 

Listen: “Born That We May Have Life”

“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples – of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.” Isaiah 11:6-10 ESV

If a wolf and a lamb are together, I’m pretty sure they aren’t simply dwelling together. And I’m really sure a child shouldn’t put his hand inside a snake’s home. Neither of these circumstances would result in peaceful relationships and cohabitation. . . and yet this kind of peace is prophesied is Isaiah. This is the kind of peace that surpasses our understanding (Philippians 4:7). This is the kind of peace that isn’t attainable in our own power, but only in the saving power of Jesus.

Read the full prophesy in Isaiah 11

Listen: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”

Read the story behind the lyrics

In what ways do you see Jesus as Son of Man and Prince of Peace?