14 December 2025 - Peter van Breda - Jesus Son of Man -

I walked us through the biblical weight of Jesus’ favorite self-designation: the Son of Man. Rooted in Daniel 7, the title carries more than a reminder that Jesus is truly human; it signals the One who receives dominion from the Ancient of Days, the true image-bearer who fulfills Adam’s vocation and reigns with unending authority. Daniel’s vision shows three intertwined promises: the coming reign of God, the coming judgment of evil, and the coming of the Son of Man. We live in the “between”—the kingdom truly inaugurated in Jesus’ death and resurrection, yet not fully consummated. Darkness still rages, but it is decisively judged; the prince of this world is cast out, though not yet finally destroyed.

From there, I traced how Jesus, as the Son of Man, establishes, purchases, and consummates the kingdom. In His temptation, He does what Adam failed to do—He refuses the shortcut to kingship and breaks open the stronghold of Satan. He proclaims, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” and then demonstrates that kingdom with authority over demons, disease, creation, and human hearts. He calls people out of the dominion of darkness into His marvelous light. Innocent by every earthly court, He bears the charges that rightly belong to us—our blasphemy and treason against God—and by His cross He buys the kingdom with His own blood.

Risen and ascended, He announces, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me,” and then hands that authority to His people. Not to dominate, but to serve; not to withdraw, but to go—making disciples of all nations. By the Holy Spirit, we are authorized to enforce the victory of Calvary in our actual lives: praying over storms in our homes, speaking life into broken relationships, binding what destroys and loosing what heals, bearing witness where He has placed us. We are Adam renewed in Christ, image-bearers restored for God’s purposes in a very real world.

So don’t lose heart at the swirl of the nations. Kingdoms rise and fall; His kingdom stands forever. Lift your eyes to the Son of Man—crucified, risen, reigning—and step into the authority He gladly shares. The same Spirit who empowered Jesus now empowers you to love, to heal, to speak truth, and to invite the lost home.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Son of Man: Adam’s vocation restored This title reaches beyond Jesus’ humanity to His role as the truly human King who receives dominion from the Ancient of Days and fulfills the destiny Adam forfeited. It reframes human purpose: image-bearing is not self-exaltation but God-governed stewardship under His rule. In Christ, our humanity is repaired and re-sent into the world. We are restored not just to belong, but to bear responsibility. [41:20]
• 2. Judgment already, annihilation not yet Evil’s power is decisively broken in Jesus’ cross and resurrection, yet final eradication awaits His return. Living in this tension trains us for perseverance: we resist despair without pretending pain isn’t real. Faithfulness means standing firm as those who know the verdict has been rendered, even while the sentence is being carried out in time. [37:52]
• 3. Christ’s authority entrusted to the church “All authority” was not an abstract claim; it became our commission. By the Spirit, we enforce Christ’s victory in ordinary places—homes, workplaces, neighborhoods—through prayer, presence, and proclamation. Authority in Jesus’ name looks like cruciform courage: serving others while defying the darkness that binds them. [64:26]
• 4. Kingdom power heals what sin ruins Jesus’ works—deliverance, healing, stilling storms—signpost the future restoration and make it present now. These are not spectacles; they are acts of compassion that unmask the false inevitability of decay. In Christ, mercy disrupts what feels permanent, and hope gets practical: we ask, we act, we lay hands, we expect renewal. [55:47]
• 5. Innocent King bears our treason Pilate, Herod, a thief, even a centurion declared Jesus innocent, yet He hung where traitors die. The charges were ours—blasphemy and treason—our insistence on self-rule against God. His innocence became our covering so that our rebellion could become repentance and our shame, sonship. [61:47]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [31:16] - Daniel 7 and the Son of Man
• [34:33] - Reign of God Amidst Dark Powers
• [37:52] - Judgment Begins, Darkness Not Final
• [41:20] - What “Son of Man” Really Means
• [44:57] - From Ministry to Commission
• [48:14] - Nations Given; All Authority Declared
• [50:25] - Temptation, Second Adam’s Victory
• [53:02] - Calling Disciples Out of Darkness
• [55:47] - Kingdom Power: Healings and Authority
• [61:47] - Innocent Yet Crucified: Our Charges
• [64:26] - Spirit-Empowered Authority for Today
• [68:36] - Q&A and Call to Worship
• [75:06] - Praying with Kingdom Authority
• [77:56] - Sent into the World in Power

1. In Daniel’s vision, when the thrones are set and the Ancient of Days appears, who comes before Him “with the clouds,” and what is given to that figure?
2. According to Daniel 7:27, who finally receives the kingdom, the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under heaven?
3. Name two specific ways Jesus displayed kingdom authority that were mentioned: over what, and how was it shown? (healing diseases, casting out demons, calming the storm) [55:47]
4. What timing language is used about evil’s defeat: “now is the judgment of this world… now the ruler of this world will be cast out,” and what is “not yet” according to the message? [37:52]

1. The title “Son of Man” is more than a way to say “human.” How does this title point to the One who receives dominion from the Ancient of Days and fulfills Adam’s vocation? [41:20]
2. If judgment has already begun in Jesus’ cross and resurrection, but final annihilation of evil is still future, how should believers live in this “between” with both realism and hope? [37:52]
3. “All authority in heaven and on earth” was given to Jesus—and then He commissions His people. In practical terms, what should authority look like in daily life—service, not domination; going, not withdrawing? [48:14]
4. Jesus refused Satan’s shortcut to gain the kingdoms of the world. What does that reveal about how God’s kingdom advances, and how should that shape choices when shortcuts look attractive? [50:25]

1. Where is there a “storm” in your home, family, or heart right now? What is one way you will enforce Jesus’ victory there this week—speaking peace, binding what destroys, loosing what heals, or inviting help from trusted believers? Be specific. [01:15:06]
2. Where are you tempted to grab a shortcut to influence, comfort, or control rather than obeying the Father’s way? What Scripture will you speak, as Jesus did, the next time that offer comes? [50:25]
3. Who in your world feels stuck in darkness? What first step will you take this week—an invite, a meal, a call, an offer to pray—to call them into Jesus’ marvelous light? Name the person and the plan. [53:02]
4. What sign of the kingdom’s compassion will you ask God to make present this week—healing, deliverance, restored peace? Who will you pray with, lay hands on (appropriately), or serve, and when? [55:47]
5. Where do you carry shame or a habit of self-rule? How does Jesus’ innocence covering our blasphemy and treason free you to live as a son or daughter? Name one concrete act of repentance or reconciliation you will take. [01:01:47]
6. When the nations rage and headlines swirl, what practice will help you not lose heart and keep your eyes on the Son of Man—limiting news intake, praying Daniel 7 daily, fasting one meal to pray for God’s reign? Choose one and set a time. [34:33]
7. This week, how will you exercise Jesus’ delegated authority humbly—at home, work, or in your neighborhood? Name one situation where you will serve, speak life, or take a quiet stand against darkness in Jesus’ name. [01:04:26]