Each of the visions Daniel received is amazing in its display of God’s sovereign control and plan for the kingdoms of the earth. Looking back on much of it now, it is stunning to see the detail in which God told Daniel what He would do in the future. But in chapter seven, in the midst of God showing Daniel details of what would happen in the future, there is an even more glorious vision, the vision of the Son of Man.
I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, his hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:9-10 NLT)Again, we see one of God’s prophets getting a glimpse of the glory of God. Try to imagine what Daniel saw. It is awesome, glorious, breath-taking in magnificence and splendor. Here, Daniel sees the “Ancient One” or more literally, the “Ancient of Days” sitting down on His throne to judge. It’s time for the verdict and the judgement to be passed down.
This title, “Ancient of Days,” describes God as the one whose days go back farther than any man can know. It is actually a way of describing God as eternal. But, it also carries the ideas of wisdom, authority, and honor. Our first reaction to this vision is likely to conclude that this is a vision of God the Father.
Now, before we move forward in this vision of Daniel’s, look again at the description of the Ancient of Days. Clothing white as snow, hair like purest wool. Ring a bell? Doesn’t this sound like a description of Jesus? Consider the description John gives when he had the privilege of seeing Jesus exalted in heaven.
It was the Lord's Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Suddenly, I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet blast. It said, "Write in a book everything you see, and send it to the seven churches in the cities of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea." When I turned to see who was speaking to me, I saw seven gold lampstands. And standing in the middle of the lampstands was someone like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe with a gold sash across his chest. His head and his hair were white like wool, as white as snow. And his eyes were like flames of fire. His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and his voice thundered like mighty ocean waves. (Revelation 1:10-15 NLT)John describes the Son of Man with hair white like wool, like snow – just like Daniel describes the “Ancient of Days.” He is dressed in a robe. John does not tell us the color here, but the Gospels depict Jesus in his transfiguration as wearing bright white. So, given these descriptions of Jesus, we must ask, “Is the Ancient of Days actually Jesus?” It would seem so. Let’s go back to Daniel.
As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal-- it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14 NLT)Hey, wait a minute! What’s going on here? In verse nine, it sure looked like the Ancient of Days was Jesus. Now, in verse 13, the Son of man is seen “coming with the clouds of heaven.” And he approaches the Ancient of Days. How can He approach the Ancient of Days if He is the Ancient of Days? Were we wrong about the Ancient of Days being Jesus in verse nine? What gives?
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