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Outline 092 of 100 · Daniel

The Ancient of Days and the Judgment

Daniel 7:9-14, 26-27 — The heavenly judgment that vindicates the saints and establishes Christ's kingdom

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

Daniel 7 parallels and expands Daniel 2, showing four beasts rising from the sea representing the same sequence of world empires, culminating in a little horn that speaks great words against the Most High and wears out the saints. But the chapter's climax is not the beast's arrogance but a courtroom scene in heaven: 'The Ancient of Days did sit... thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.' One like the Son of Man comes to the Ancient of Days and receives an everlasting dominion, glory, and a kingdom that shall not pass away. The judgment results in the saints of the Most High receiving the kingdom, and the dominion of the arrogant power being taken away. This scene establishes the reality and purpose of a pre-advent judgment in heaven — not to inform God, but to vindicate His people and settle the great controversy publicly before the kingdom is finally given to the saints.

  1. I. The four beasts

    • Lion, bear, leopard, and a dreadful beast
    • Paralleling the four kingdoms of Daniel 2
    • The little horn's arrogant words

  2. II. The courtroom of heaven

    • The Ancient of Days takes His seat
    • Thousands upon thousands minister before Him
    • The judgment is set, and the books opened

  3. III. The Son of Man's kingdom

    • One like the Son of Man comes before the Ancient of Days
    • Given dominion, glory, and a kingdom
    • A kingdom that shall not be destroyed

  4. IV. The saints vindicated

    • Judgment given in favor of the saints
    • The little horn's dominion taken away
    • The kingdom given to the people of the saints
The appeal

The judgment now proceeding in heaven is not meant to terrify God's people but to vindicate them, just as it vindicates Christ's claim to His eternal kingdom. Will you live today as one whose record is covered by Christ's righteousness, ready for that court?

Key points

  • Daniel 7 reveals a heavenly judgment scene that precedes the establishment of God's kingdom.
  • The judgment vindicates the saints and settles the controversy against arrogant powers.
  • Christ, the Son of Man, receives an everlasting kingdom from the Ancient of Days.

Key passages

  • Daniel 7:9-10
  • Daniel 7:13-14
  • Daniel 7:22
  • Daniel 7:26-27