Through The Bible in a Year - May 1, 2026

“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.” – Daniel 7:13

After seeing all the beasts representing the successive kingdoms of ancient humanity, Daniel sees something different.

“There came one like a son of man.” In Hebrew, “man” is just “Adam.” There came one like a son of Adam. Like us. But not quite the same.

How is he different? He comes on the clouds of heaven. He’s like us but also bearing unmistakable signs of divine origin. He shows himself to Daniel in clouds of power and glory as he appeared at Sinai, at the Resurrection, and at the Ascension after his Resurrection form the dead.

These marks of divine origin are not entirely past. Jesus, before His crucifixion, told His disciples: “The Son of Man shall come again in clouds, in power and great glory.” Jesus told us what will happen in the future, but he is not the first to tell us.

Centuries before Christ’s birth, Daniel would say to God’s people: “This is what’s going to happen. You’re in captivity now. You’re in this jail of Babylon. But that’s not the end of the story. Your God, who is so great, is going to come after all the kings and kingdoms of humanity and, though, he will appear to be like you in many ways, he will overcome all the evil powers of the earth, because he is of divine origin.

Daniel foresaw that the future of this One who is like us but divine: “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.”

The kingdom of the one who is like us, but divine, will be universal (for all peoples, not just Abraham’s descendants) and eternal (never destroyed, never put aside).

By showing these truths of the coming Messiah, God is saying through Daniel: “I will provide through My Son—this one who’s like you but of heavenly origin—a universal and eternal kingdom. As I promised David, as I promised Moses, as I promised Noah, as I promised Adam and Eve. I will be faithful to rescue my people from the evil of this world.”

Respond: We are meant to see Jesus in this prophecy. One like us—fully human—but of divine origin—fully God. We are meant to find hope and courage in God’s promise of ultimately overcoming the evil of our world with the triumph of Christ’s kingdom. His rule will be universal—not limited by ethnicity or nationality. His kingdom will be unending—never destroyed, never passing away. So, how does knowing Jesus is this Son of Man, who is like us and who is also the divine and coming King, change how you face today? It should make you able to pray to your Heavenly Father, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,” with confidence that no danger, disappointment, or evil will undo God’s eternal plan for you. The One who came to this earth like you in order to save you is divine. He has the power to save you eternally from all evil—and he will.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Son of Man. Like us—fully human, You entered and understand our struggles. But you are also of divine origin—fully God. You have all power and authority. Your kingdom is universal and eternal. You reign over all peoples, nations, languages. Your dominion will never pass away and no evil will thwart your purposes. I trust You because You are My Savior and my eternal King. Thank you for helping me and holding me by the eternal power of your Kingdom. Amen.