Topical Bible: Vision of Daniel of the Ancient of Days

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The Vision of Daniel of the Ancient of Days is a profound and significant revelation found in the Book of Daniel, specifically in Daniel 7:9-14. This vision is one of the key apocalyptic passages in the Old Testament, offering a glimpse into the divine realm and the ultimate sovereignty of God over the kingdoms of the earth.

Context and Background

The Book of Daniel is set during the Babylonian exile, a period when the Jewish people were living under foreign rule. Daniel, a young Jewish noble, was taken into the Babylonian court and rose to prominence due to his wisdom and ability to interpret dreams. The vision of the Ancient of Days occurs in the first year of Belshazzar, king of Babylon, as part of a series of visions that Daniel receives concerning the future of world empires and God's eternal kingdom.

The Vision Described

In Daniel 7:9-10, Daniel describes the vision of the Ancient of Days:

"As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened."

The Ancient of Days is depicted as a majestic and eternal figure, symbolizing God's timeless authority and purity. The imagery of fire and the multitude of attendants emphasize His holiness and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence. The convening of the court and the opening of the books suggest a scene of divine judgment.

The Son of Man

Following the description of the Ancient of Days, Daniel's vision continues with the appearance of "one like a son of man" in Daniel 7:13-14:

"In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

The "Son of Man" is a messianic figure who is granted authority and an eternal kingdom by the Ancient of Days. This passage is pivotal in Christian theology, as it is often interpreted as a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ, who frequently referred to Himself as the "Son of Man" in the New Testament.

Theological Significance

The vision of the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man holds deep theological significance. It underscores the sovereignty of God over all earthly powers and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom. The imagery of the Ancient of Days conveys God's eternal nature, wisdom, and justice, while the Son of Man represents the hope of redemption and the establishment of God's everlasting reign.

This vision also serves as a source of comfort and encouragement for believers, affirming that despite the rise and fall of earthly empires, God's kingdom will endure forever. It highlights the divine plan for history and the assurance that God's purposes will be fulfilled through His chosen Messiah.

Interpretation and Influence

Throughout history, the vision of the Ancient of Days has been a subject of extensive interpretation and reflection within Christian thought. It has influenced Christian eschatology, Christology, and the understanding of God's nature and His relationship with humanity. The imagery of the Ancient of Days and the Son of Man continues to inspire art, literature, and theological discourse, reflecting its enduring impact on the Christian faith.

Nave's Topical Index

Daniel 7:9-27
I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The vision of Daniel.
... Chapter 18."The Vision of Daniel. 33. [343] I do not know in what manner these men
understand that the Ancient of Days appeared to Daniel, from whom the Son ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 18 the vision of daniel.htm

On Daniel. Iii. Scholia on Daniel.
... as the blessed Daniel, in interpreting the vision, had answered ... Philip;" and all
these assumed crowns, as Daniel prophesies, and ... And came to the Ancient of days ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on daniel iii scholia on.htm

Whether Christ Will Judge under the Form of his Humanity?
... Reply to Objection 4: In that vision of Daniel the whole ... fount of the entire Godhead;
wherefore it is stated in the first place that the "Ancient of days sat ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ will judge under.htm

The First vision "In Heaven": Chapters 4-5
... Book; the Lion and the Lamb." It corresponds with Daniel 7:9 ... the Son of Man is seen
coming to the Ancient of Days ... v.8-14, concluding this first Vision "In Heaven ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision in heaven .htm

Of the Prophecy of Daniel and Ezekiel, Other Two of the Greater ...
... Daniel even defined the time when Christ was to come and ... has thus spoken: "I saw
in a night vision, and, behold ... heaven, and He came even to the Ancient of days ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 34 of the prophecy of.htm

If Christ's Power be Now So Great, How Much Greater at the Second ...
... on the clouds as the Son of man, so Daniel foretold, and ... beheld till the thrones
were set; and the Ancient of days ... I saw in the vision of the night, and, behold ...
/.../chapter xxxi if christs power be.htm

Now Let us Shew Briefly, if You Will, that These Things were ...
... things are said, hear what the Prophet Daniel also foretells: "I saw," saith he,
"in the vision of the ... heaven, and He came nigh to the Ancient of days ...
/.../34 now let us shew.htm

The Fraud, Pride, and Tyrannical Kingdom of Antichrist, as ...
... 3. Daniel too, looking forward to the end of the last ... and prevailed against them,
until the Ancient of days ... on, in the interpretation of the vision, there was ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxv the fraud pride and.htm

Of the Times of Christ's Birth and Passion, and of Jerusalem's ...
... ceased in Christ, sealing as He did all vision and prophecies ... 1226] See Daniel
9:26 ... For this rendering, and the interpretations which in ancient and modern days ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter viii of the times of.htm

Babylon.
... then came Belshazzar, in the first year of whose reign Daniel had a vision, where
the ... till all was lost in an awful manifestation of the Ancient of Days ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xi babylon.htm