Monday, December 6, 2021

John Bellamy (Hebraist) in 1792: Jesus is both the "Son of Man" and the "Ancient of Days" in Daniel 7

  

This Son of Man is Jesus Christ, whom John describes as the Ancient of Days is described in Dan. vii. 9, "Clothed with a garment down to his feet; the hairs of his head were white like wool; his eyes were as a flame of fire; his voice as the sound of many waters; and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength." That this is Christ, who here says "I am Alpha and Omega," you allow; and that this Jesus Alpha and Omega, is the same Alpha and Omega, God Almighty, in ver. 8, is also undeniable; for the connection is the same, nor is there the least distinction of persons between the Alpha and Omega, God Almighty, ver 8, and the Alpha and Omega, Jesus Christ, ver. 11; from which no other fair conclusion can be drawn, than that as the Son of Man is Jesus Christ, who is Alpha and Omega, the first and the last; and that as he who sitteth on the throne says, "I am Alpha and Omega, God Almighty," the sense of these different Scriptures will be this, the Son of Man is Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ is Alpha and Omega; Alpha and Omega is God Almighty, who sitteth on the throne; therefore Jesus Christ is "the Almighty God, that sitteth on the throne; to him be glory both now and for ever, Amen." 2 Peter iii. 18. (John Bellamy, first letter to Joseph Priestly, in John Bellamy, Jesus Christ the only God. Being a defence of that fundamental doctrine of the Christian religion, against Arianism and Socinianism [London: W. Otridge, 1792], 49)