神按自己的形像创造了人类，让他们管理受造之物，可是，我们所经历到的却往往是挫败和徒劳无功，多过像君王那样当权；在运用地土和它的资源时，我们造成的伤害往往大过益处。我们渴望能够按照神的原意称职地安排、引导、和塑造这个世界。然而，身为活在堕落的世界中的一个堕落的人，我们应该怎样去施行统治权呢？甚至是自己的衣橱，我们也未能收拾妥当！
尽管如此，神早已经创造了一个本来由人类去管理和统治的世界。在但以理书7章的异象中，我们看到一个人，衪就是人子，衪从亘古常在的神那里得到权柄、荣耀、和至高无上的能力，衪的国度是跨越国界、不能废去、和永不败坏的。
在新约圣经中，耶稣时常自称为人子，这个称号或许会被人误解为谦卑的宣称，它意味着“人子”只是一个普通人。然而，看过但以理书7章提供的背景后，我们便知道这是一个何等有胆色的称号。耶稣用这称号来指出衪的权柄：赦罪、安息日之主、和有一天会在荣耀里再来（马可福音 2:10, 28; 14:62）。
在耶稣里，神已经恢复人类有统治权的计划，衪准备与我们分享这个国度。
人子主耶稣，求祢赐我们信心，好叫我们能理解祢的荣耀和至高无上的能力，又让我们在祢降临的国度中有份。阿们。
但以理书 7:9-14
9我观看，见有宝座设立，上头坐着亘古常在者。他的衣服洁白如雪，头发如纯净的羊毛。宝座乃火焰，其轮乃烈火。
10从他面前有火像河发出，侍奉他的有千千，在他面前侍立的有万万。他坐着要行审判，案卷都展开了。
11那时我观看，见那兽因小角说夸大话的声音被杀，身体损坏，扔在火中焚烧。
12其余的兽，权柄都被夺去，生命却仍存留，直到所定的时候和日期。
13我在夜间的异象中观看，见有一位像人子的，驾着天云而来，被领到亘古常在者面前，
14得了权柄、荣耀、国度，使各方、各国、各族的人都侍奉他。他的权柄是永远的，不能废去，他的国必不败坏。
"He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him." - Daniel 7:14
God created human beings in his image to rule over creation, but our experience is often more of frustration and futility than ruling like royalty. And we often do more damage than good in our use of the earth and its resources. We long to be capable of competently ordering, guiding, and shaping the world as God intended. But, as fallen creatures in a fallen world, how can we exercise dominion? We can barely keep our own closets organized.
Still, God has created a world where human beings are intended to rule and have dominion. In the vision of Daniel 7, we are introduced to a human being, a son of man, who is given authority, glory, and sovereign power from God, the Ancient of Days. His kingdom is international, everlasting, and indestructible.
In the New Testament, Jesus often calls himself the Son of Man. And this title could be mistaken for a humble claim, implying that a "son of man" is just a regular human being. But with the backdrop of Daniel 7, we see how audacious this title is. Often Jesus uses it in reference to his authority: to forgive sins, as Lord of the Sabbath, and to return one day in glory (Mark 2:10; 2:28; 14:62).
In Jesus, God's plan for human dominion is restored. He intends to share this kingdom with us.
Lord Jesus, Son of Man, give us faith to grasp your glory and sovereign power, and grant that we might share in your kingdom's coming. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
