(Part Two of The Advent of Us)
Our reading this week references apocalyptic imagery that would have been familiar to Luke’s gospel’s Jewish community. It states that even in the wake of disappointment and devastation, when their world had been turned upside down, the community could still look forward to a time of liberation: “At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
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(Read this series from its beginning here.)
This language from the book of Daniel was written to inspire the Jewish people suffering under the Seleucid empire. The gospels use this imagery to inspire their own people to hold on to hope despite suffering under the Roman Empire. This works because Daniel 7’s themes are of liberation from imperial oppression by foreign empires. Daniel refers to the one who will bring an end to imperial reign, violence, and injustice as the “Son of man.”
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14)
The son of man coming on the clouds to the Ancient of Days was given an everlasting kingdom where in the favor of the people suffering under oppression the power and dominance of the oppressors would be taken away:
The Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the holy people of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom. (Daniel 7:22)
The court will sit, and [their] power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’ (Daniel 7:26-27)
In our reading, Luke takes this image and looks forward to future liberation and restoration for a people who had also experienced suffering at the hands of unjust, imperial oppressors.
But what does all of this mean for us today who need, not a future liberation, but present one? What Advent hope is there for us? We’ll consider some of our options, next.
(Read Part 3)
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