Son of Man, The

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The Lord constantly spoke of Himself as “the Son of Man,” a title that connected Him with universal headship, and not merely with Israel, especially in view of His sufferings and resurrection and kingdom. Though walking about this earth He could say, “The Son of Man which is in heaven” (John 3:1313And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. (John 3:13)). He, though God, became truly man: could be weary and hungry, and sleep. He prayed as one in dependence on God; was forsaken of God, and died. Yet He was the righteous One—of another order morally from all other men: the Second man—out of heaven (1 Cor. 15:4747The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:47)).
According to Hebrews 2 Christ became Son of Man in order to—
1. “taste death for everything;”
2. to annul “him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”
3. “to make propitiation for the sins of the people;” and
4. to be “able to succor them that are tempted.”
He is set as Son of Man over all the works of God’s hands, heir of all things, according to the counsels of God; He will reign until all enemies are under His feet, and be hailed as “King of kings and Lord of lords.” The Lord said, “The Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father, with His angels” (Matt. 16:2727For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. (Matthew 16:27)). In the meantime we do not find the title used in the Epistles and the Revelation except in Hebrews 2:66But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? (Hebrews 2:6), a quotation from Psalm 8, which speaks of His universal dominion; and in Revelation 1:1313And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (Revelation 1:13) and Revelation 14:1414And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. (Revelation 14:14), where He is ready for judgment. See JESUS CHRIST.