Ancient of Days and the final kingdom

Daniel 7 is filled with one of the greatest representations of God the Father and Christ Jesus coming into his kingdom. Daniel sees in a vision the gentile kingdoms, but more importantly the “son of man” coming into the presence of the Father for his exaltation. There are some details about this chapter that may puzzle us, but do not let that deter you from seeing the main theme of the chapter found in verse 9-14, which is the scene in Heaven with the Ancient of Days, the heavenly court, and Christ ascending the throne to received glory, power and the kingdom.

In the beginning of the chapter Daniel sees four beasts coming up out of the sea (vs. 3). It may become obvious that the four kingdoms are the same as Daniel chapter 2. They are the same. I will not spend a great deal of time on the details of each kingdom because that is not what the text does, it focuses some on the fourth kingdom, the “little horn” and then on the scene in heaven which is the main point. The kingdoms of chapter 2 and 7 are:

1) Babylon – the lion with eagles wings. The text tells us that the wings were torn off and then the beast stood like a man and was given the heart of man. This likely refers to Nebuchadnezzar when in Daniel 4 he was driven away from people and became like a beast. This abasement and and the restoration of Nebuchadnezzar is likely what is meant.

2) Medo-Persia – the bear raised up one side with three ribs in its mouth. The bear refers to the bigness and heaviness of the Medes and Persians. The bear being raised up on one side suggests the one-sided nature of the empire. The Persians became more powerful than the Medes and rapidly absorbed them. According to Daniel 6, both Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian were both rulers in the same kingdom. Edward J. Young suggest that the three ribs in the bear’s mouth represent Babylon, Lydia, and Egypt. The command to “eat your fill of flesh!” is interesting because it is a divine command to extend the boundaries of the kingdom by “eating up” many other nations.

3) Greece – leopard with four wings and four heads. The leopard, known for its speed and agility, symbolizes the swiftness of Alexander the Great’s conquests. The four wings and heads allude to the fact that after Alexander died, the kingdom was divided into four distinct governmental parts.

4) Rome – the terrifying and frightening beast that has large iron teeth. The beast crushes its victims and tramples underfoot whatever is left. You notice this beast is different and not identified with a “natural” animal like the other kingdoms. It was very different and could not be compared to anything due to its unusual cruel nature. The kingdom is also different because it has 10 horns. And just as chapter 2 tells us, this is a divided kingdom. Later in chapter 7 when the dream is interpreted, the text tells us that the 10 horns are 10 kings or kingdoms. This is a reference to Rome’s 10 senatorial provinces established by Augustus Caesar. The division of the kingdom into senatorial provinces became an identifying feature from and after Augustus.

Ancient of Days

We have been talking about the 4 beasts or kingdoms of the gentiles, but the reality is that is not the point of chapter 7. The fact is verse 9 is so striking in contrast in the text, we must wonder why Daniel wrote the chapter this way. It is as if we are seeing a visual story and “seeing” the little horn, and then quite shockingly we are propelled into the throne room of heaven instantly. I believe this is purposefully so we realize just how little that “horn” is and how great and powerful the Ancient of Days. We are at once thrown into a heavenly courtroom. Thrones are put in place, the Ancient of Days takes his seat. Notice he is not worried about the little horn, he takes his seat as King and Judge. The Ancient is describe as white (like snow and pure wool) and the throne as a burning fire. Flames go forth as a stream of fire before the Ancient and thousands serve him and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before him (that is 100,000,000!). So what is all this about, what is happening? Verse 10 tells us, “the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened.” This is a court scene and judgment is about to be given. The little horn has been allowed to persecute the saints for a season of time, but now the Ancient will render judgment. In case there is any doubt about what we are seeing, later in the chapter the dream is explained, and in verse 22 it explicitly states the Ancient of Days is passing judgment on the little horn and the kingdom is given to the saints, and in verse 26 is says the court sat in judgment and his (little horn) dominion was taken away and destroyed. My point is that the text does not leave any doubt about what is happening!

“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.” (vs. 11) What this says is that because of the little horn’s action, his pompous word against God, the beast is slain. This was God’s judgment against the Beast and the Roman Caesars who represent the beast. Now, there are many commentators who do not believe this refers to the Caesars, but to some future Antichrist or system because Rome did not “fall” in 68 A.D. However, many times kingdoms are represented by their kings. So in literature one might say "he or she" when referring to an individual or an entire system. The Bible actually puts them together so the beast is a system, but is also a man or individual. But it is specific individuals that represent the kingdom, like the Roman Caesars. This means the text sometimes is referring to the entire system and sometimes referring to an individual, and really it means both because in ancient texts they are the same. For instance, in Daniel 7, verse 17, it clearly states that the four beasts are four kings. But all commentators (that I have read) interpret this to mean four kingdoms. In reality it is both the kingdom and the “head” of the kingdom. In this case, it would like refer to Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon), Cyrus (Medo-Persia), Alexander the Great (Greece), and Augustus Caesar (Rome).

But what is the point of all this you ask? Just go back to verse 9-10. Gentile kings and kingdoms come, but there is an everlasting kingdom that God has established. In the middle of all the beasts, horns and even little horns, we have the Ancient of Days and the final kingdom. In other words, in the midst of the chaos, beasts and little horns of our world, the King sits in judgment, the court of heaven rules and the kingdom belongs to his people.