In Genesis 28, Jacob has a dream where "there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it!" (v. 12). Jacob realized that the ladder symbolized the meeting place between heaven and earth - a reunion between God and man. But it was only a dream, meant to emphasize the promissory oath God gave to Jacob. It looked forward to a day when a mediator would bring about this reality.
Jesus revealed the mystery of Jacob's ladder while speaking to Nathanael in John 1, when he told him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man" (v. 51). The ladder Jacob envisioned - Jesus identifies as himself (i.e. "the Son of Man"). He is the greater way of access between heaven and earth - the true mediator between God and man. And what better title to give himself, than "the Son of Man" - that title given to the God-man prophesied of in Daniel 7:13-14? The ancient mysteries the prophets of old gazed upon were now being unfolded and revealed to all in Christ. All without distinction are being blessed "with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:3).
SDG
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