Daniel 7.22-The Ancient of Days Judges in Favor of the Saints of the Most High Who Take Possession of the Kingdom
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Tuesday June 11, 2013
Daniel: Daniel 7:22-The Ancient of Days Passes Judgment in Favor of the Saints of the Most High Who Take Possession of the Kingdom
Lesson # 221
Please turn in your Bibles to Daniel 7:1.
Daniel 7:1 During Belshazzar’s, Babylon’s king, first year, Daniel saw a dream specifically visions in his mind on his bed. Then, he wrote down the dream. He declares the beginning of the account. 2 Daniel began to speak and said, “I was in a trance like state, staring because of my vision during the night as behold the heaven’s four winds were blowing violently against the great sea. 3 Then, four great beasts, one different from the other, came up out from the sea. 4 The first beast was like a lion with eagle’s wings attached to it. I was in a trance like state staring when its wings were torn off. Then it was lifted up from the ground for the purpose of it standing on two feet like a human being. A human mind was also given to it. 5 Next, another beast, a second one, resembling a bear with it raised up to one side with three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. Then, they issued orders to it, ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’ 6 After this, I was staring in a trance like state as behold, another one, was like a leopard with it having four bird’s wings on its back. Also, the beast had four heads. Indeed, governmental dominion was given to it. 7 After this, I was continuing to stare in a trance like state because of these night visions as behold, a fourth beast, intimidating, yes even terrifying as well as extremely powerful, possessing two large rows of iron teeth. It devoured as well as crushed. Specifically, it violently crushed the rest with its feet. Indeed, it was characterized as different from all the beasts which were before it in the sense of possessing ten horns. 8 I was contemplating in a trance like state because of these horns as behold, another little horn emerged out from among them. Then, the first three originating from the horns was torn out by being in the presence of it. In fact, behold, on this horn, were eyes like a human being’s eyes as well as a mouth speaking boastfully. 9 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state when thrones were set up. Then, the One Ancient in Days sat. His clothing was white like snow. Also, the hair of His head was like lamb’s wool. His throne was fiery flames. Its wheels were a blazing fire. 10 A river composed of fire was flowing, yes issuing forth from His presence. A thousand times a thousand were continually rendering worshipful service to Him. In fact, ten thousand times ten thousand were continually standing in His presence. The court convened resulting in scrolls being opened. 11 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state at that time because of the sound coming from the boastful words which the horn was making a habit of speaking. I was continuing to stare in a trance like state when the beast was killed. In fact, its body was destroyed. Specifically, it was given over to the consuming fire. 12 On the other hand, the rest of the beasts, their governmental dominion was taken away, though for their benefit an extension of life was granted for a period of time, yes an appointed period of time. 13 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state because of these visions as behold One like a Son of Man was coming upon the clouds of heaven. Specifically, He went up to the One Ancient in Days in the sense that He approached His presence. 14 Then, governmental dominion was given to Him as well as honor and in addition sovereignty in order that each and every person belonging to the nations, ethnicities as well as language groups would serve Him. His governmental dominion is an eternal governmental dominion which can never be taken away so that His kingdom is one which can never be destroyed. 15 As for me, Daniel, my soul was distressed in the midst of my body. Specifically, the visions in my mind caused me to be terrified. 16 I went up to one from those standing nearby in order to request from him the truth regarding all this. Consequently, he spoke to me in order to make known to me the interpretation of these events. 17 ‘These great beasts, which are four in number are four kings who will arise from the earth’s inhabitants. 18 However, the saints belonging to the Most High will receive the kingdom. Indeed, they will possess the kingdom throughout eternity, yes throughout eternity, the ages.’ 19 Then, I desired to know the meaning concerning the fourth beast which was different from all the others, extraordinarily intimidating, its two rows of teeth composed of iron as well as its claws composed of bronze. It devoured as well as crushed. Specifically, it violently crushed the rest with its feet. 20 Also, I desired to know the meaning concerning the ten horns which were on its head as well as the one which emerged and in addition three fell by being in the presence of it. Specifically, that horn possessing eyes as well as a mouth making it a habit of speaking boastfully. Indeed, its appearance was more distinguished than its contemporaries. 21 I was continuing to stare in a trance like state as that horn was continually waging war against the saints so as to overpower them.” (My translation)
Daniel 7:22 “until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom.” (NASB95)
“Until” is composed of the preposition ʿǎḏ (עַד) (ad) which is followed by the particle dî (דִּי) (dee), which function together as a marker of duration with reference to another point of time.
This indicates that the Antichrist will continually wage war against the Tribulation saints “until” the Father judges in their favor so that they take possession of Christ’s millennial kingdom.
“The Ancient of Days” is composed of the masculine singular construct form of the adjective ʿǎt·tîq (עַתִּיק) (at-teek´), “the Ancient of” which is modifying the masculine plural form of the noun yôm (יוֹם) (yome), “Days.”
The adjective ʿǎt·tîq means “ancient” in the sense of existing for many years describing someone who has the qualities of age or long existence.
The adjective ʿǎt·tîq functions as a substantive meaning “the ancient or advanced one” and is modifying the masculine plural form of the noun yôm, which means “days” referring to an indefinite period of days.
The construct state of the adjective ʿǎt·tîq means that it is governing the noun yôm expressing a genitive relation which is attributive.
Thus, this expression literally means “one ancient or advanced in days,” or we could render it simply “the one ancient or advanced in days” or “the Ancient of Days.”
This expression appears only in the book of Daniel (7:9, 12, 22) and is not intended to suggest that God ages.
Instead it expresses the qualities of wisdom and venerability which one who is advanced in days would possess.
It also speaks of the eternality of God the Father and His authority over every creature and all creation (cf. Job 36:26).
“Came” is third person masculine singular peʿal (Hebrew: qal) active perfect form of the verb ʾǎṯā(h) (אֲתָה) (aw-thaw´), which means “to intervene” in the sense of to come in or between by way of hindrance, to interfere with the outcome.
Here it refers to the Ancient of Days intervening on behalf of the saints in the sense that He hindered the efforts of the little horn who was continually waging war against the saints.
The Ancient of Days interfered with the outcome of this war in the sense that He prevented the little horn from destroying the saints altogether.
Therefore, with this word, Daniel is telling the reader that he saw the little horn was continually waging war against the saints so as to overpower them until the Ancient of Days intervened and then rendered judgment in favor of the saints.
“And judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One” specifies in detail the previous statement that the Ancient of Days intervened.
“In favor of the saints of the Highest One” is composed of the preposition lĕ (לְ) (leh) “to” and its object is the masculine plural construct form of the adjective qǎd∙dîš (קַדִּישׁ) (kad-deesh´), “the saints of” and then we have the masculine plural form of the adjective ʿěl·yôn (עֶלְיוֹן) (el-yone´), “the Highest One.”
The adjective qǎd∙dîš functions as a substantive and means “saints” describing those Jews and Gentiles who are regenerated through faith and as a result of have been set apart to serve the God of Israel exclusively.
This word refers to both regenerate Jews and Gentiles who will be living during Daniel’s Seventieth Week, and in particular the last three and a half years of this seven year period since the Antichrist will be a world-ruler at that time.
The word qǎd∙dîš is the object of the preposition lĕ, which is a marker of advantage indicating that the Ancient of Days rendered judgment “in favor of” the saints.
Daniel 7:21 “I was continuing to stare in a trance like state as that horn was continually waging war against the saints so as to overpower them 22 until the One Ancient in Days intervened. Specifically, He rendered judgment in favor of the saints. Then, the moment arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom.” (My translation)
Daniel describes in Daniel 7:21 the little horn continually waging war against the saints so as to overpower them.
This is a picture of Antichrist waging war against regenerate Jew and Gentiles during the Tribulation portion of Daniel’s Seventieth Week which occurs during the last three and a half years of this seven year period.
Now, in Daniel 7:22, Daniel says that the little horn will be waging war against the saints so as to overpower them until the Ancient of Days intervened.
He identifies specifically what he means by this divine intervention by telling the reader that the Ancient of Days rendered judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High.
Who is the Most High and who is the Ancient of Days here in Daniel 7:22?
There are several indications from the context that the Ancient of Days here in verse 22 is a reference to the Father and the Most High is a reference to the Son of Man who is God the Son according to the verses 13-14.
First of all, we know that the Ancient of Days is a reference to the Father throughout chapter seven since in verse 13, Daniel describes one like a Son of Man was coming upon the clouds of heaven.
Specifically, He went up to the Ancient of Days in the sense that He approached His presence.
Then, in verse 14, he tells the reader that the Ancient of Days gave governmental dominion to this Son of Man as well as honor and in addition sovereignty in order that each and every person belonging to the nations, ethnicities as well as language groups would serve Him.
The Son of Man’s governmental dominion is described as an eternal governmental dominion which can never be taken away so that His kingdom is one which can never be destroyed.
These verses make clear that the Son of Man possesses the prerogatives of God since He is described by Daniel as sovereign like God and He is eternal like God since His kingdom He received from the Ancient of Days is described as eternal and indestructible.
The New Testament identifies verse 13 as the ascension and session of Jesus Christ and verse 14 describes Jesus Christ’s millennial kingdom on planet earth.
Now, in verse 22, the saints are said to take possession of the kingdom, which is a reference to the kingdom given to the Son of Man by the Ancient of Days as made clear by verses 13-14.
Then, in verse 27, Daniel says that the sovereignty, dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Most High (“Highest One” NASB95).
Next, he says in the very next sentence that “His” kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.
“His” has to be the Son of Man since the Ancient of Days gave the Son of Man a kingdom and sovereign authority over the inhabitants of all the earth as we noted in verses 13-14.
Verse 27 describes the kingdom of the “Highest One” or “Most High” as everlasting which parallels the description in verse 14 that the Son of Man’s governmental dominion is eternal and also says that all the dominions will serve and obey the “Highest One” or “Most High.”
This parallels Daniel’s statement in verse 14 that the Ancient of Days gave governmental dominion to the Son of Man as well as honor and in addition sovereignty in order that each and every person belonging to the nations, ethnicities as well as language groups would serve Him.
Throughout chapter seven, the Ancient of Days is the sovereign judge over the nations of the earth including Antichrist and the final form of the Roman Empire.
The Most High is always associated closely with the kingdom received from the Ancient of Days as well as with the saints throughout chapter (verses 18, 22, 25, 27).
The reason why the saints are closely associated with the Most High is because they will reign with the Most High and if they will reign with the Most High, the Most High must be the Son of Man since the Ancient of Days conferred an eternal kingdom upon the Son of Man who we know is Jesus Christ.
Therefore, when Daniel says in verse 22 that the Ancient of Days rendered judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, the Most High must be a reference to the Son of Man since the Most High is associated with the kingdom and the Son of Man received the kingdom from the Ancient of Days.
Consequently, in verse 25, when Daniel says that the little horn spoke out against the Most High and wore down the saints of the Most High, the Most High would be the Son of Man.
The fact that the Son of Man is described as the Most High throughout the chapter indicates that He is deity and of course, Jesus Christ who calls Himself “the Son of Man” in the Gospels is also identified in the New Testament as the “Son of God.”
In Daniel 7:22 when Daniel tells the reader that the Ancient of Days rendered judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, he is referring to the Second Advent of Jesus Christ.
This event will not only bring about the end of Daniel’s Seventieth Week and the Times of the Gentiles but also result in the imprisonment of Satan for a thousand years and will also result in the Antichrist being thrown alive into the eternal lake of fire along with the false prophet.
This interpretation is indicated by Daniel’s statement in verse 26, which tells the reader that the little horn will have his dominion taken away, and will be annihilated and destroyed forever.
At His “Second Advent,” the Lord Jesus Christ will destroy the Tribulational armies, have Antichrist and the False Prophet thrown into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 19:11-19), will imprison Satan for a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-3) and will establish His millennial reign on planet earth (Rev. 20:4-6).
So Daniel 7:22 speaks of the destruction of Antichrist and the final revived form of the Roman Empire, and which empire he will be the head of during Daniel’s Seventieth Week.
Therefore, in Daniel 7:22 when Daniel says that the Ancient of Days will render judgment in favor of the saints, it will result in the Second Advent of Jesus Christ and after this the saints take possession of the kingdom, which is a reference to the millennial reign of Jesus Christ, thus, Daniel is a premillennialist.