Thus was presented to the prophet's
vision the opening of the investigative Judgment. The coming of Christ here
described is not His second coming to the earth. He comes to the Ancient of
days in Heaven to receive dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, which will be
given Him at the close of His mediatorial work. It is this coming, and not His
second advent to the earth, that was foretold in prophecy to take place at the
termination of the 2300 days, in 1844. Attended by a cloud of heavenly angels,
our Great High Priest enters the holy of holies, and there appears in the
presence of God to engage in the last acts of His ministration in behalf of
man,—to perform the work of investigative Judgment, and to make an atonement
for all who are shown to be entitled to its benefits. (Ellen G. White, The
Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan: The Lives and Struggles of
Christians through the Ages—And the Impending Christ [1884], 272-73)
"The Ancient of
Days." The title 'attiqyomin, "Ancient
of Days," is used indefinitely here, but it has the definite article in
verses 13 and 22 of this chapter. The title describes One who is eternal and
whose longevity and experience instill a trust that his decisions are wise and
just. In ancient Canaanite texts, the supreme god El is called "father of
years." . . . "Before him." The word q°damdhi
could also be translated "before it," meaning from before the
throne. If it is referring to God in a reverent; way, then the whole expression
could be rendered as "coming out from him" that is, from the Ancient
of Days (cf. Lev. 9:24). . . . The title the Ancient of Days points
to God's eternal nature as well as to his wisdom. No parallel expression is
found in the Bible; the most similar statement is Psalm 74:12, which calls God
the "king from of old." The white color of his hair and clothing
symbolizes purity and justice. David prayed to God, saying, "wash me, and
I will be whiter than snow" (Ps. 51:7b). Yet, in many places in the Bible,
God is described as a person filled with compassionate mercy. "A father to
the fatherless, a defender of widows, / is God in his holy dwelling" (Ps.
68:5). The oppressed saints are vindicated by a strong, just, and merciful God.
. . . 7:22 "The Ancient of Days." The two titles used
in this chapter, "the Ancient of Days" and "the Most High,"
refer to one and the same Person . . . The interpretation given in the chapter
does not even identify the Ancient of Days, although the text implies that he
is the eternal God. . . . 7:9-14 In agreement with a host of commentators,
the Ancient of Days is identified as God, while Jesus applied the title
"Son of Man" to himself. God is the Judge, but he has chosen to
delegate the judging to his Son. Thus, Jesus plays a dual role in judgment,
serving as both our Judge and our Advocate. The legal basis for this judgment
is God's moral law, given in the form of the Ten Commandments. The book of
Revelation describes God's faithful at the time of the end as those who keep
the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus (Rev. 14:12). . . . 7:9-14 The
Ancient of Days is clearly God the Father, and the thrones are placed for him
and the Son of Man. Verse 13 is the climax of the chapter, and it follows verse
10 chronologically. . . . Collins notes that the angel interpreter, most likely
Gabriel never identifies the Ancient of Days, but Porteous considers him to be
"a majestic and venerable King." The "one like human being"
is presented in contrast with the beasts that come up from the abyss. He is
associated with the saints of the Most High. The title "the Most High"
refers to God. (Zdravko Stefanovic, Daniel Wisdom to the Wise: Commentary on
the Book of Daniel [Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press Publishing Association,
2007], 262, 266, 272, 278-79, 281, 287, 290)
Describing the installment of that
judgment, Daniel 7 mentions that “thrones were put in place” (verse 9); the
movable throne of God had wheels like “burning fire” (verse 9); and the Son of
Man [Christ] went to the Ancient of Days [God the Father] (verse 13). White
describes that event as follows: “I saw the Father rise from the throne, and in
a flaming chariot go into the holy of holies within the veil, and sit down.
Then Jesus rose up from the throne, and the most of those who were bowed down
arose with Him. Then a cloudy chariot, with wheels like flaming fire,
surrounded by angels, came to where Jesus was. He stepped into the chariot and
was borne to the holiest, where the Father sat.” Daniel 7:21-27 explains that
the judgment is at the same time against the “horn” that persecuted the saints
and “in favor of the saints of the Most High.” (SDA Official Website, "Recognizing
Heavenly Realities: Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary," July
10, 2013)
