Coming with heaven’s clouds
God’s title Ancient of Days is used only three times in the Bible, each of them being connected to the night visions of Daniel 7 (vv. 9, 13, 22). This special title is composed of two time-related words: the first suggests eons of duration, while the second speaks of smaller, individual intervals. Combined, the eternal nature of a personal God is well-expressed: One who exists from everlasting to everlasting yet who still numbers every day that passes; from an infinite time period beyond human comprehension to the twenty-four hour cycles we are all familiar with.
Daniel 2:4b to 7:28 was originally written in Aramaic, the lingua franca of the 6th Century BC. Appropriately, this section is thus seen to be of particular relevance to all nations (not just Israel); and, in it, we see patterns that speak of God’s view of the world. Daniel 2 and 7 include prophecies of four world empires; chapters 3 and 6 show God’s ability to deliver His servants from ungodly rulers; and chapters 4 and 5 describe the judgment of God upon the proud. It all culminates at the end of chapter 7 with the vision of the Ancient of Days.
As the Aramaic section of Daniel concludes, chapter 7’s vision of four successive beasts pictures four earthly kingdoms to come (v. 17). The dreadful fourth beast is singled out and described as a ruthless kingdom devouring all others (vv. 23-25). From this kingdom an individual will emerge: the little horn uttering great boasts (v. 8) who wages war against the saints (v. 21). Based on parallels with Revelation 13 and 17, we would understand this to be the Antichrist of the end times period—a proud, ungodly ruler who will oppress God’s servants. Yet, as is the pattern throughout the Aramaic portion, he does not stand a chance; and God’s people are delivered. Daniel 7:9-11 and 7:26 describe how the Ancient of Days takes His seat upon a throne in a heavenly court, overseeing the boastful horn’s judgment in burning fire. Afterward, the saints obtain their heavenly inheritance (v. 27). In the Ancient of Days we see Jehovah, reigning supreme.
The Revelation
How significant, then, is the fact that the description given of the Ancient of Days (vv.?9-10) has clear similarities to John’s vision of the Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 1:14 and 5:15? Those passages describe One with hair like pure wool, who is characterized by fire and attended by an innumerable host.
Yet in Daniel’s vision we see a second figure, one like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven, who is presented before the Ancient of Days, and to whom is given everlasting dominion, glory, and a kingdom so that all nations might serve Him (vv.?13-14). This also appears to describe Christ. This is because the Son of Man is no less than Jehovah! Christ affirms this in John 14:7-10. Jehovah God demonstrated to Daniel that the fullness of His glory and power would also be found in the Son of Man, who would later be revealed as the Lord Jesus Christ, Israel’s Messiah. As the Ancient of Days, the One whose “goings forth are…from everlasting” (Mic. 5:2), Christ is the sovereign, eternal Judge. He is the exact representation of God’s nature (Heb 1:1-3). Amazingly, He stepped out of eternity, leaving the glories of heaven, to take on a mortal body and experience a brutal death for our sakes.
Overall, the title Ancient of Days is particularly suited to the book of Daniel. Some prophecies were fulfilled with amazing accuracy within Daniel’s lifetime; others were historically fulfilled centuries afterward; others have yet to be fulfilled. We are presented with a Lord who stands outside of linear time and sees every moment of time, even our own lifetimes, in one gaze, from the beginning to the end. Let us be thankful for Christ, the all-powerful Ancient of Days, our hope for eternity, and the One who is with us at every moment.