What Does it Mean that God is the Ancient of Days?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT GOD IS THE ANCIENT OF DAYS?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

The reference to God as the ancient of days is exclusive to the Book of Daniel. 

Daniel 7:9-10 says: 

“I watched till thrones were put in place,

And the Ancient of Days was seated;

His garment was white as snow,

And the hair of His head was like pure wool.

His throne was a fiery flame,

Its wheels a burning fire;

10 A fiery stream issued

And came forth from before Him.

A thousand thousands ministered to Him;

Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him.

The court was seated,

And the books were opened." (NKJV). 

God is again referred to as the Ancient of Days in vv. 13, 22. In vv. 21-22, the writer of Daniel says:

“I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them, 22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom." (NKJV). 

Three times in the Book of Daniel, the writer of Scripture describes God as the Ancient of Days. What does this mean? 

In the three instances where this reference is used, God is portrayed in His awesome divine majesty. In vv. 9-10 Daniel receives a vision of God in heaven. He reigns from His throne of glory where thousands attended to Him and a countless number here described as "ten thousand times ten thousand" stood before Him as He held court before His throne. 

In vv. 13-14, the writer receives another vision where one "like the Son Man" came to to Ancient of Days in a cloud. God gave Him everlasting dominion over the nations and languages. Bible scholars believe this vision affirms the messianic authority and futuristic millennium reign of Christ on earth as flowing from God's divine power and authority. Christ's messianic reign is back by God's signet. His authority flows from the throne of God in heaven.

In vv. 21-22, the vision of God's judgment is conveyed to the writer. This is perhaps a symbolic reference to the final judgment recorded in Revelation 20:11-15. Notice the implication of the mention to the saints of God taking the kingdom hereafter. This could perhaps be a symbolic reference to the scene described in Revelation 21-22 which reveals the eternal state of the triumphant saints of God in heaven. 

The phrase "Ancient of Days" is therefore an allegorical reference to God the Father. It portrays His eternity, divinity, majesty, and glory. Men are subject to Him. Angels and heavenly hosts serve and submit to Him. His power is unfettered and His judgments are final and without appeal. He is the final authority over all nations and peoples on earth. 

We also learn that God appointed Christ as the ruler of this world and that the world should submit to His messianic reign which is eternal. This affirms that Christ's reign over the nations and kingdoms of the world is eternal. It also points to Christ's divinity and eternity as God the Son. 

In Revelation 1:8 Jesus describes Himself thus: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (NKJV). Only God could make this statement. This text affirms Christ's divinity and eternity. He shares full and equal divinity with God the Father, the Ancient of Days. It also affirms in part the unity in the triune God of Scripture who has revealed Himself in three divine persons - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Mark 12:29; Acts 5:3-4).

Jesus Christ therefore shares full and equal divinity with the Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9, 12, 22). He is full of all divine essence is God the Son. Jesus is elsewhere described in Scripture in ways that affirm that He is co-equal with God the Father. A number of divine titles and imageries are assigned to Him by several writers of Scripture. He is the King of kings and the LORD of lords (Rev. 19:16); He is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David (Rev. 5:5); He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8); He is the Bright Morning Star (Rev. 22:16). He is the Great I AM (Exodus 3:14, John 8:58). He is our Kinsman Redeemer (Ruth 2:20); the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He is our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13). He is our Final Prophet and High Priest (Hebrews 1:1-2, 5:5-10).

Shalom

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026