Saturday, January 15, 2022

Examples of the “Ancient of Days” being Equated with the Father in Seventh-day Adventist Literature

  

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)