Twice in this passage we read that Daniel was ‘troubled’. He felt ‘disturbed’ and his ‘face turned pale’! It’s a place we’ve all been at some point in our lives as stress and worries overtake us. Daniel had experienced turbulent times in his life. As an exile in a foreign land he’d had to cope with volatile rulers, spiteful servants, intimidation, persecution, idol worship, death threats and to top it all off strange, worrying visions and dreams.
Here Daniel experiences a particularly troubling dream. It starts with the sea. We might have nice thoughts of the seaside... sand castles and ice cream, but in ancient times the sea represented danger and the unknown and here it’s a violent, churning ocean. Out of these stormy waters came four ferocious beasts which scholars believe represented four ancient powerful civilisations. First there’s a lion with eagle’s wings (Babylonian Empire). Secondly there’s a bear (Persian Empire). Thirdly there’s a winged, four-headed leopard (Greek Empire). And finally there’s a strange, powerful beast with ten horns and iron teeth (Roman Empire). In the same chapter we also have descriptions of troubles to come much further in the future with descriptions of the antichrist and persecution of the saints. It’s all extremely worrying for poor Daniel.
But in the centre of this chapter is the one who is at the centre of everything. Verses 9-14 give a wonderfully descriptive picture of God on his throne. Above every ancient civilization and power, God is on His throne. Above every nation and ruler that there ever will be now or in the future, God is on His throne. And for us too, no matter what worries, strains and stresses we go through in life we can rest assured that God is on His throne.
On a side note, it’s interesting that out of the whole bible, only around one percent of it is written in Aramaic and this particular chapter in Daniel just happens to be written in Aramaic. Why is this important? Well, Aramaic was the universal language of the day, much like English is today. English is now spoken almost everywhere, whereas in contrast a language like Welsh is rarely heard outside Wales. Similarly, in Daniel’s time Aramaic was spoken in most known countries, whereas Hebrew was a language only used by the Jewish people. Therefore it seems as if God intended chapter 7 to be addressed towards the whole world, not just the Jews. This may be partly due to verse 10, a description of what has come to be known as ‘Judgment day’, an occasion affecting everyone who has ever lived. It’s the day when God is going to sit on his royal throne and judge each person and give the verdict, either innocent or guilty. He’ll give the sentence, either an eternity in heaven or an eternity separated from God.
Not only is this part of the Bible unique as to the language used, but God is given a name here that is not found anywhere else in the Bible, the ‘Ancient of Days’. God is ancient, but he isn’t ancient in the way that earthly things are. Worldly things that are ancient are often in ruins, outdated and dilapidated. However, the Ancient of Days is just as powerful and magnificent now as he was on the first day of creation. And on Judgment Day, this Ancient of Days is going to take his throne, his white clothes and hair representing purity and his throne with wheels of fire representing his Spirit, omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence.
Verse 10 then says, “The court was seated, and the books were opened.” Every courtroom needs evidence and the evidence that the Ancient of Days is going to use is recorded in a book detailing every second of each of our lives. Nothing will be kept secret; every part of our lives will be laid bare. That would be worrying if it wasn’t for another book, the Book of Life (Rev 20:12). In it are the names of those who have accepted Jesus as their Saviour and have had their sins washed away. That’s the key to being able to stand in the presence of the Ancient of Days on that awesome day, our relationship with the Son of Man (Jesus). Verse 14 then gives us complete assurance regarding the role of the Son of Man who has been given, “authority, glory and sovereign power. All peoples, nations and men of every language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away and his kingdom will never be destroyed.”
Put all of this together and it’s as if God is saying, “Child of God, why worry? Don’t be troubled about kings and kingdoms rising and falling. Don’t fret about the chaotic, unloving, violent, unjust world you are in now. The victory is already won. Justice will prevail. One day soon I’m going to show the world who I really am, that I’m completely in charge, that I’m on my throne.”
Other Scriptures:
Daniel 2: 29-45
Psalm 47
Psalm 99
Rev 19-22
Questions to reflect on:
1) Compare Daniel’s vision in chapter 7 with his interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter 2: 29-45. Assuming the four kingdoms to be the same in each, what is there in the new vision to cause Daniel such worry and distress?
2) What is the final goal of history to which this vision looks forward? Who are ‘the saints of the most high’ (v18)? What privilege will they have in days to come?
