Ancient of Days

KEN BROOKS

Scripture Readings: 

Daniel 7:9-10

As I kept watching, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was white like snow, and the hair of his head like whitest wool. His throne was flaming fire; its wheels were blazing fire. 10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from his presence. Thousands upon thousands served him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was convened, and the books were opened.

Daniel 7:13

“I continued watching in the night visions, and suddenly one like a son of man was coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was escorted before him.

Daniel 7:22

“until the Ancient of Days arrived and a judgment was given in favor of the holy ones of the Most High, for the time had come, and the holy ones took possession of the kingdom.

Commentary: 

Fire And White

We only see the term Ancient of Days three times in scripture. This term is used in Daniel’s prophetic vision of heaven. Notice two descriptions that are given about the Ancient of Days: fire and white. These two symbolic words might not have significant meaning to you in today’s vocabulary, but we can glean a lot from these words in these passages. 

The fire in the description of the throne represents judgment. This picture of the coming judgment was meant to encourage the people of God. This prophetic vision was meant to proclaim God’s wise and righteous government of the world. The vision given points to the Last Judgment. The fire was meant to be fearful for the evildoers. 

The white garment that the Ancient of Days is wearing represents the glory and purity of the Judge. The hair on His head is white as the whitest wool. When we think of white hair we think of our elders, or people who have been around for a while. This description of white hair and the title Ancient of Days shows that God is from everlasting to everlasting. He is the everlasting (Psalm 90:2), the first and the last (Isaiah 44:6), and the Alpha and the Omega.

We also see this same description in Revelation 1:14-20 where John describes the Judge as being dressed in white and has eyes that are compared to a blazing furnace. In this revelation, we see that Jesus is described as having the same power as the Ancient of Days. One day, Jesus will come back and will sit on the judgment seat and we will have to give an account for our actions. Will you be afraid because of your evil? Or, will you stand in awe because you have been redeemed?

Prayer & Reflection: 

Lord, I recognize that you are the righteous Judge. Prepare my heart for that day of judgment. Search me and know me; reveal any wrong doing. Show me how I can be more transformed into the image of Christ.