The Ancient of Days

March 3, 2013

Lesson: Daniel 7:9–14; 26–28

Key Verse: Daniel 7:9

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Introduction

It is recorded in Psalm 2 that the kings of the earth have set themselves against the true and anointed King, the Son of God. Such rulers, even today, desire to break any relationship with their creator. However, the Lord “that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” The Son has been anointed the prince of the kings of this earth. Therefore the heavenly voice will be heard in every generation: “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are they that put their trust in him.”

Daniel is shown the Ancient of Days sitting upon a throne, in the midst of other thrones. God, along with his blessed angels as witnesses, rules! When we see the nations warring against the King and his Church (for all of their ranting and raving, all of their wars and unrighteous laws, are but rebellion against the King of kings, the Lord God Almighty), when we see the kingdoms of this world in such state of woe, then look to the Kingdom of God and his righteous judgment! Look and see the majestic beauty of the King, and of his court. The prophet Isaiah was given this vision, seeing “the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim,” and each cried to the other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole world is full of his glory” (Isa, 6:1–3). Christ the King and Head of the Church spoke to his people, saying, “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Rev. 3:21).

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The Lord God Almighty—Daniel 7:9–14

The Ancient of Days is the Lord, the Almighty Sovereign Triune Creator! His garment was seen as white as snow, the hair of his head as pure wool: which tells us of his majestic purity as the righteous Judge. His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire: “A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him.” It is the Lord God who reveals the power of his judgment, which brings fear to those who rebel. The revelation of God’s judgment proceeds from God himself, which should bring fear to those who rebel against him: an awesome fear as his people humbly bow down before him. “A thousand thousands ministered to him; Ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.” The judgment is fixed. In the midst of God’s judgment, wicked men, in all their pomposity, will be “destroyed and given to the burning flame.”

Note the progression of Daniel’s vision. Christ, the Son of God, comes upon the scene. He who sits at the right hand of God the Father, rules with the Father. “And behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days …to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.” We move to the reign of the saints with the King of kings. His people will be victorious!

Discussion: Why must the message of Christ the King be preached today?

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The Dominion of Christ—Daniel 7:26–28

Speaking of the presence of Christ the King, we read in verse 22: “Until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.” Matthew Henry wrote that “God shall judge the world by his Son, to whom he has committed all judgment, and, as an earnest of that, he comes for the deliverance of his oppressed people, comes for the setting up of his kingdom in the world. The judgment shall sit, (Dan. 7:26). God will make it appear that he judges in the earth, and will, both in wisdom and in equity, plead his people’s righteous cause. At the great day he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he has ordained. The dominion of the enemy shall be taken away.” Truly, “Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.”

This promise of eternal victory is partially fulfilled in the Gospel, as men and women are drawn into the Kingdom of God on earth. Persecution is still a part of the witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The war of the wicked against the Son of Righteousness still rages on. “We see, then how Christ was raised to his own empire to govern his Church in the name and with the power of his father, while at the same time many enemies rise up against him. Still the obstinacy of the devil and of all impious men continues, although Christ, governs heaven and earth, and is the supreme king before whom every knee is bent” (J. Calvin). The Gospel is preached, and out of every nation, tribe, and people, God in Christ Jesus, is drawing men to himself. Christ rules his Kingdom, and the kingdoms of this world. No movement of the wicked is ever outside his plan of redemption and judgment. In this victory, we look toward Christ, and toward the day when we will be eternally with him. Until then, we pray that the rule of Christ will be manifested in the kingdoms of this world, and in his servants who faithfully serve him in these kingdoms.

Discussion: How is God’s judgment carried out in the world today?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2013 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.