Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Tonight’s Study, Session 16: Ancient of Days – The Timeless and Eternal God
Introduction: The phrase “Ancient of Days” is a title for God. It emphasizes His eternal nature and His position as the ultimate ruler and judge. God has the ultimate authority over time and history since He has always been, even before time began. He is the firsthand spectator to the past, present, and future. “Ancient of Days” is also a reference to the preincarnate Jesus Christ.
The title “Ancient of Days” first appears in Daniel 7 : 9.
Scriptural Context Where The Ancient of Days is Found
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts. Daniel spoke, saying, “I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea. And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man’s heart was given to it. “And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’ “After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. “After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.
I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words. “I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire; A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened. “I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame. As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed. “I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit within my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things: ‘Those great beasts, which are four, are four kings which arise out of the earth. But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’ “Then I wished to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its nails of bronze, which devoured, broke in pieces, and trampled the residue with its feet; and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows. “I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.
(Daniel 7:1-22)
Daniel’s Vision of Heaven –
In Daniels’ vision of heaven, he sees an ancient, or venerable, Person sitting on a flaming throne with wheels of fire, His hair and clothing white as snow. The flaming throne is symbolic of judgment, while the white hair and title “Ancient” indicates that God existed before time began. In Isaiah 43:13a*, we find that God refers to Himself existing from ancient of days (literally, “before days were”). That means God existed before days were even created.
*Isaiah 43:13a – Indeed before the day was, I am He;
We read in Genesis 1 that God created time, days and nights, so God existed from before the beginning of time. God is often represented as ancient, as He that is “from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 90:2*) and as “the first and the last” in Isaiah 44:6. *
*Psalm 90:2 – Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
*Isaiah 44:6 – “Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, And his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: ‘I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God.
The Daniel and Revelation Connection
There can be no doubt that the reference in Daniel 7 is to God as judge. A similar description occurs in Revelation 1:14-15,* wherein Christ is described as having snow-white hair and blazing eyes. In Revelation, God the Son is depicted with the same power of judgment over His church as the Ancient of Days is described as having in judging Israel. In fact, His sharp gaze judges all seven of the churches in Revelation 1-3 with complete clarity of the reality of all there is to know.
*Revelation 1:14-15 – His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;
The title “Ancient of Days” is found only three times in Scripture, all three in prophetic passages in Daniel 7:9, 13, and 22. Verse 22 refers specifically to Jesus, whose judgment will be part of the end-times events. In Daniel 7:13, the term “Ancient of Days” refers to God the Father, and we see Him on His throne as Jesus, the “Son of Man” approaches the throne on the clouds.
God is a triune God, meaning three Persons in One, and at different times “Ancient of Days” refers to Jesus Christ and at other times, to God the Father. But in the prophetic sense, it clearly refers to Jesus, the Ancient of Days returning to pronounce judgment on the world (Daniel 7:22).
Practical Application of God being The Ancient of Days
1.Cultivate trust in His eternal Presence and Sovereignty:
Understanding His Timelessness:
The Ancient of Days reminds Christians that God exists outside of time, He has always been, and always will be. This helps us to trust in His unwavering presence and control.
Facing Life’s Challenges with Perspective:
Knowing that God is eternal provides a broader perspective on life’s challenges, helping Christians to see them as temporary and not the final word.
Rejecting fear of the Unknown:
The Ancient of Days is not afraid of the future; neither should His children be. Christians can trust that God’s wisdom will lead them through any situation, no matter how challenging.
2.Embrace His Divine Wisdom:
Seeking God’s guidance:
The Ancient of Days is the embodiment of wisdom. Christians can actively seek His guidance in decisions, pursuing His will over their own.
Learning from History:
By understanding that God is the Ancient of Days, Christians are assured that He has seen it all before. They can learn from past events and apply Biblical principles to contemporary situations.
Developing a Wise Mindset:
The title Ancient of Days inspires Christians to develop a thoughtful and discerning approach to life, valuing truth, righteousness, and God’s perspective.
3.Recognize that God is the Ultimate Authority and Supreme Judge:
Submission to His Sovereignty:
The Ancient of Days is the ultimate authority. Christians acknowledge this and submit their lives and wills to His rule, trusting His judgment, even when it’s difficult to understand.
Living Righteous Lives:
Knowing that God is the judge of all, Christians are motivated to live righteous lives, striving for holiness and aligning their actions with His principles found in Scripture.
Reverence for His Glory:
The Ancient of Days is worthy of worship and reverence. This understanding inspires Christians to live lives that reflect His glory, honoring Him in all they do.
4.Applying Scripture to Daily Life:
Verse by Verse:
Take a verse or passage, restate the truth, assess your need, set an intent, and check your progress.
Seek Answers in the Bible:
As we face challenges, we look to the Bible for guidance, especially in passages that speak of God’s timeless wisdom and sovereignty.
Conclusion: As believers, knowing God as the Ancient of days gives us great comfort and assurance that allows us to build a strong foundation of trust and faith in His eternal presence. He is ready to help us in our time of need and is able to do whatever to accomplish His perfect will in our lives. God, the Ancient of Days has always existed before time began, He is in total control, doing everything for our greater good and His glory and honor.
Next Week, Session 17: Melek – God is King