I saw
until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat: his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire.
Daniel 7:9
Daniel 7 [5.] Behold, another animal, a second, like a bear; and it was raised up on one side, and three ribs were in its mouth between its teeth: and they said thus to it, Arise, devour much flesh. After this I saw, and behold, another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird; the animal had also four heads; and dominion was given to it. After this I saw in the night visions, and, behold, a fourth animal, awesome and powerful, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it was diverse from all the animals that were before it; and it had ten horns. I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots: and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things. I saw until thrones were placed, and one who was ancient of days sat: his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels burning fire.
Daniel 7 [10.] A fiery stream issued and came out from before him: thousands of thousands ministered to him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened. I saw at that time because of the voice of the great words which the horn spoke; I saw even until the animal was slain, and its body destroyed, and it was given to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the animals, their dominion was taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. There was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Meaning:
- The Ancient of Days:
The vision begins with Daniel observing thrones being set in place, and then he sees the Ancient of Days seated on His throne. This title, "the Ancient of Days," conveys the eternal nature and timeless sovereignty of God. It emphasizes His preeminence over all creation and His authority as the divine ruler of the universe (Psalm 90:2; Revelation 1:8).
- His Clothing and Hair:
The description of the Ancient of Days' clothing as "white as snow" symbolizes purity, righteousness, and holiness. It signifies the absolute moral perfection and spotless character of God. Likewise, the depiction of His hair as "like pure wool" emphasizes His wisdom, agelessness, and dignity (Revelation 1:14).
- His Throne:
The throne of the Ancient of Days is described as having fiery flames, with burning fire emanating from its wheels. This imagery conveys the awesome and awe-inspiring nature of God's divine presence and judgment. The fiery flames symbolize His holiness, purity, and consuming power, while the burning fire represents His divine judgment and justice (Hebrews 12:29).
- Theophany and Divine Judgment:
The vision of the Ancient of Days seated on His throne is a theophany—a visible manifestation of God's presence and glory. It serves as a powerful portrayal of divine judgment, as the following verses in Daniel 7 describe the judgment scene and the defeat of the oppressive earthly powers by the sovereign rule of God (Daniel 7:10-14).
Cross References:
Psalm 90:2: "Before the mountains were brought forth, before you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God." This verse underscores the eternal nature of God, emphasizing His existence from eternity past to eternity future.
Revelation 1:8: "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." In this verse, God declares His eternal existence and omnipotence, affirming His sovereign rule over all creation.
Revelation 1:14: "His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire." This description of the glorified Christ in John's vision echoes the imagery of the Ancient of Days in Daniel's vision, emphasizing His purity, wisdom, and divine judgment.
In summary, Daniel 7:9 presents a profound vision of the Ancient of Days seated on His throne, radiating with divine majesty and glory. The imagery of His clothing, hair, and throne symbolizes His purity, wisdom, sovereignty, and judgment. As we contemplate this vision, may we be awestruck by the holiness and power of our God, who reigns supreme over all creation and whose justice will ultimately prevail.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible