Week 26: The Ancient of Days
Week 26 | Daniel 7:9-12, 26-27
Day 1 Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
“As I looked,
thrones were placed,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat;
his clothing was white as snow,
and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames;
its wheels were burning fire.
10 A stream of fire issued
and came out from before him;
a thousand thousands served him,
and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him;
the court sat in judgment,
and the books were opened.
11 “I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body destroyed and given over to be burned with fire. 12 As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. Daniel 7:9-12
OBSERVE DETAILS
Ask and answer simple w-questions: when? where? who? what? how?
1. The Judge (vv9-10a)
Who takes his seat?
How is his clothing described?
How is his hair described?
How is his throne described?
What came out from before him?
. The Courtroom (vv9-10)
How many thrones were placed? (9a)
How many served the Ancient of Days? (cf. Rev 5:11)
How many stood before him? (cf. Rev 5:11)
What did the court do?
What was opened?
The Horn - last of the Fourth Beast (v11))
What type of words is the horn speaking in the courtroom? (cf. Rev 13:5)
Daniel looks because the beast (little horn) was speaking and then what next does Daniel see?
What happens to the body of the little horn (Antichrist)?
Misc
o Read Daniel 1-8; then read 9-10 again. What do you notice about the shift between these two sections?
o How many times is fire referenced in verses 9-11?
But the court shall sit in judgment,
and his dominion shall be taken away,
to be consumed and destroyed to the end.
27 And the kingdom and the dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;
his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey him. Daniel 7:26-27
OBSERVE DETAILS
Ask and answer simple w-questions: when? where? who? what? how?
Notice that verses 26-27 are written in the future tense and the angel is giving the interpretation of the vision of verses 9-12 in a summative fashion, so let’s sum up as well.
Judgment (v26)
What is the decision of the court regarding the kingdom of the little horn?
Will this kingdom, will any kingdom that opposes God, ever rule again? How do you know?
The Last Kingdom (v27)
To whom shall the kingdom be given?
Who is its King?
How long shall it last?
Which dominions shall serve and obey the Most High?
Days 2-3 Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
Optional RESEARCH
Ask: Where else in the Bible does it talk about ________ that will help me understand ________ in this text?
Directions – Before we answer interpretation questions in Day 4, let’s do a little extra research on some details and images in Daniel 7 that are referenced in other places in Scripture. Doing this will aid in your understanding of this text. Read the references and note how this text gives you additional insights.
If you do not have the time to find all these verses in your Bible, ask your leader to forward a document created for you that has all these texts in one place.
1. The Shechinah Glory as Fire
o God appears to Abraham – Genesis 15:5-18
o God appears to Moses – Exodus 3:2
o God appears to Israel – Exodus 19:16, 18; Deuteronomy 33:2
2. The Fire of the Lord as Judgment
o Deuteronomy 4:24
o Psalms 97:1-5
3. The Lord on His Throne
o Cherubim Throne Bearers – Ezekiel 1:13-21
o Psalm 55:19 (For context, you could read all of Psalm 55.)
o 1 Kings 22:19 (This verse appears in a peculiar story recorded in 1 Kings 22.)
4. Thrones of Those Who Judge with God
o Matthew 19:28
o Luke 22:30
o 1 Corinthians 6:2
o Revelation 3:21
5. Books Recording Names of Believers
In Daniel 7:10, the books mentioned record the names of unbelievers. Below are references to books recording names of believers.
o Daniel 12:1
o Malachi 3:16
o Revelation 20:12
6. Lake of Fire
In Daniel 7:10 it mentions the “stream of fire proceeding from the throne.
o Revelation 19:17-21
o Revelation 20:10
Day 4 Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
INTERPRET
Ask: Why did the author choose to include these details and use these words?
1. One strategy we have used for analyzing a character in Scripture is we review what the text says about what the character Says. Thinks. Effect on others. Actions. Looks. (S.T.E.A.L.). Let’s apply that strategy to the Ancient of Days.
Says – God does not say anything in this text. Why might that be?
Thinks – What can you infer about what God thinks about the little horn even though He says nothing?
Effect on others –
What does it say about God that the holy angels and the saints play a role in this court?
What is God’s effect on the little horn?
Actions – What does God do or command to have done that reveals who He is?
Looks – It’s a rare text that describes God’s appearance. What do you think God’s hair and dress symbolize about His character?
2. God reveals His glory and judgment through the image of fire.
Why is fire a fitting image for both of these?
Is there a connection between the glory of God and His judgment? Explain.
3. This is the only place in the Bible where God the Father is referred to as the Ancient of Days. Why is this such a fitting name for Him in this text in particular?
Day 5 Father, open my eyes to see the truth in Your Word that I may know and love you more deeply.
Daniel has received his dream and visions in parts and so far we have read these: the three beasts, the fourth beast that was “terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong,” and whose body he later sees is given over to be burned by fire, and now the Ancient of Days. Next week we will read the last part about “one like a son of man.” After his dream and visions, Daniel writes, “As for me, Daniel, my spirit within me was anxious, and the visions of my head alarmed me. I approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of the things” (7:15–16). Once Daniel heard the interpretation, he writes, “Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.” (7:28).
We are in a different dispensation in God’s working to redeem His people. While Jesus lived on earth, He revealed more about the tribulation and His second coming. After He ascended into heaven, God revealed more to us in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Revelation. Apocalyptic writings are alarming to read because we know that Jewish believers and Gentile believers will be persecuted during the tribulation. But in the opening chapter of Revelation, John writes, “Blessed is the one who read aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near” (1:3).
In Day 4, Question #3, you reflected on the character of the Ancient of Days. When we read apocalyptic literature, we know God more deeply, for by revealing His plan to judge His enemies and ours, we see His mind and heart for our redemption and His glory, and this should change us.
1. Write a prayer to the Ancient of Days using the prompts. You can pray here or in your prayer journal.
How does knowing that I –– the Ancient of Days –– sit on my eternal throne
calm your fears as you consider the future?
Father,
bring you comfort in your trials right now?
Father,
increase your desire to live a holy life for Me?
Father,
compel you to stand firm on my Word?
Father,
2. Prepare to share with your group one way knowing the Ancient of Days sits on His eternal throne impacts you. See the #1 arrows above to make your choice or share a different way.
Praying Together –– The early church gathered in prayer because they knew their wisdom, strength, and resources were not enough. Community prayer turns your attention from what you can accomplish to what God can do and reminds you that your help comes from Him (cf. Acts 4:23-31; Acts 12:5).
3. Prayer teaches us to depend on God together. Let’s do that now in light of what we learned today. Please also see the September Prayer Requests for the Church.
September Prayer Requests for the Church
Our Spiritual Growth – Pray that God would grow our trust in His sovereign rule, asking for strength to stand firm in our faith so that we can live faithfully as we look forward to Christ’s everlasting kingdom.
Women’s Retreat Preparation & Sign-Ups – Pray that God would use this retreat to refresh women in their relationship with Him and with one another, renew their love and devotion to Christ, and awaken in them a deeper desire to serve in the church and city as an act of enduring worship.
The Persecuted Church – Pray that God would intervene for those imprisoned for their faith; ask for their release, and ask for comfort for their families who face emotional and economic hardship.’
God’s joy and strength to you,