How does Daniel 7:14 support the belief in Jesus' divine authority? Text “And to Him was given dominion, glory, and a kingdom, that those of every people, nation, and language should serve Him; His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” — Daniel 7:14 Literary Setting Daniel’s vision (7:1-28) moves from four beast-kingdoms to a heavenly court where “the Ancient of Days” judges and then confers authority on “one like a Son of Man.” Daniel 7:14 climaxes the scene, establishing an enduring, universal reign that replaces every human empire. Key Words And Phrases • “Dominion” (Aram. sholtân) — absolute sovereignty; elsewhere used of God alone (Daniel 4:34). • “Glory” (yqar) — honor reserved for deity in OT usage (Psalm 24:7-10). • “Serve” (pelach) — Aramaic cognate of Hebrew ʿābad, meaning cultic worship (cf. Daniel 3:12, 17-18 where refusal to “serve” an idol is refusal to worship). • “Everlasting” and “never destroyed” — divine prerogatives (Psalm 145:13; Isaiah 9:7). Divine Attributes Assigned To The Son Of Man 1. Universal worship: only Yahweh rightly receives it (Exodus 20:3-5; Isaiah 42:8). 2. Timeless reign: no merely human king holds an unending kingdom. 3. Conferred authority from the heavenly court: a co-regency with the Ancient of Days. Old Testament INTERTEXTS • Psalm 2:7-12 — the anointed Son receives the nations. • Psalm 110:1-3 — the enthroned Lord shares Yahweh’s rule. • Isaiah 9:6-7 — the child-king governs forever. Daniel 7:14 gathers these strands, forecasting one divine-human ruler. Second-Temple Jewish Expectation 1 Enoch 62-69 and 4 Ezra 13 echo Daniel’s “Son of Man” as a pre-existent, heavenly deliverer, confirming that first-century Jews read Daniel 7 messianically and supernaturally—setting the stage for Jesus’ claims. Jesus’ Self-Identification • Gospels: “Son of Man” appears 81 times as Jesus’ favorite self-title. • Trial scene (Mark 14:61-64 // Matthew 26:63-66 // Luke 22:69): Jesus quotes Daniel 7:13-14 and Psalm 110:1, prompting the high priest’s charge of blasphemy—because He was claiming the divine throne. • Great Commission (Matthew 28:18): “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me,” an unmistakable echo of Daniel 7:14. • Ascension (Acts 1:9-11) and Stephen’s vision (Acts 7:56) depict the Son of Man at God’s right hand, fulfilling Daniel’s courtroom coronation. • Revelation 1:13; 5:13; 11:15; 14:14 present the risen Christ exercising Danielic dominion over all nations. Worship In The New Testament Post-resurrection believers worship Jesus (Matthew 14:33; John 20:28; Revelation 5:12-14). Because the OT forbids worship of any but God, the NT church saw Daniel 7:14 realized in the divine Messiah. Archaeological Corroboration Of Daniel’S Historicity • Nabonidus Cylinder (discovered 1854) and the Verse Account confirm Belshazzar as Nabonidus’ coregent, aligning with Daniel 5—once contested but now verified. Credibility in historical details strengthens confidence in Daniel’s prophetic portions, including 7:14. • The Persepolis Treasury & Fortification tablets affirm Achaemenid administrative structures reflected accurately in Daniel 6. Prophecy As Evidence Of Divine Authority Dating Daniel to the 6th century BC (supported by early-Aramaic grammar and Qumran manuscripts) means the sweeping four-empire schema (Babylon-Medo-Persia-Greece-Rome) predicted centuries of world history and the rise of a final universal kingdom. Fulfillment in Jesus validates Scripture’s inspiration and Christ’s divinity. Philosophical Considerations If (1) only God can possess eternal, universal sovereignty, and (2) Daniel 7:14 attributes such sovereignty to the Son of Man, then (3) the Son of Man shares God’s nature. Jesus of Nazareth uniquely claimed and substantiated this role by His sinless life, atoning death, and historically attested resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Therefore He must be acknowledged as divine. Summary Daniel 7:14 presents a figure who receives worship, holds eternal dominion, and rules every nation—functions reserved for Yahweh. Jesus explicitly claimed and demonstrated this role through fulfillment of prophecy, authoritative teaching, miracles, and bodily resurrection. Consequently, Daniel 7:14 is a cornerstone text supporting the belief that Jesus possesses, by nature and right, divine authority. |
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