What does God's title Ancient of Days mean?

TL;DR:

Ancient of Days refers to deity, emphasizing that God is eternal. The Ancient of Days knows the end from the beginning and invites us to experience the assurance and grace found in trusting Him.

The title "Ancient of Days" emphasizes God's eternal nature, highlighting His existence before time and as the Supreme Being. Found in Daniel 7:9, this title presents God as the sovereign ruler seated on His fiery throne and reveals His divine authority in the universe. The Old and New Testament affirm that God is both timeless and unchanging, deserving of our honor and glory. Recognizing that the Ancient of Days is involved in and sovereign over our lives encourages us to trust in His unfailing character, especially amid uncertainties. Ultimately, recognizing and trusting in the Ancient of Days provides us with peace and assurance, knowing that we follow a God who knows the end from the beginning and provides grace in our time of need.

from the old testament

Genesis 1:1 tells us that "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." The Ancient of Days existed before anything else did.
Daniel 7:9 refers to this Ancient of Days, stating, "As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire."
In Daniel 7:13 we read, "I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him."
In Daniel 7:21–22 we also find, "As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom."
Psalm 90:2 says something similar when it proclaims that God is "from everlasting to everlasting."
The psalmist also says, "‘O my God,’ I say, ‘take me not away in the midst of my days—you whose years endure throughout all generations!’ Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands" (Psalm 102:24–25).
Isaiah 44:6 refers to God as "the first and … the last."

from the new testament

First Timothy 1:17 says, “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” God is the eternal, invisible King whose immortality and divinity deserve unending honor and glory.
Revelation 1:8 says, "‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty’” (Revelation 1:8). God as "Alpha and Omega" affirms His presence across all time and His sovereign power over all existence.

implications for today

God being referred to as the "Ancient of Days" serves as a powerful reminder of His eternal nature and sovereignty over time and creation. Recognizing that God existed before and is outside of time helps us recognize that He sees the whole picture of our lives and of all the universe. He alone is all-knowing and unchanging amidst our ever-shifting world. Because of this, we can trust in His unfailing character, especially when we don’t understand our circumstances or those around us. We often grapple with uncertainties and anxieties about the future, but understanding that the Ancient of Days is not only timeless but also deeply loves us and is involved in our lives reassures us of His control, guidance, and goodness. We can boldly approach Him with our concerns, knowing He sees the bigger picture and will give us grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Embracing this provides us with the anchor we need to sustain our faith in the midst of a changing world. It also gives us peace, knowing we can follow the One who knows the end from the beginning.

understand

The title "Ancient of Days" signifies God's eternal nature and supreme authority over creation.
Recognizing God as the Ancient of Days allows us to trust in His unchanging character amidst life's uncertainties.
Understanding the title of Ancient of Days provides assurance, knowing that God is both sovereign and good.

reflect

How does understanding God as the Ancient of Days influence your perspective on your life's uncertainties and challenges?
How can you actively trust in God's timelessness and unchanging nature amid your daily struggles?
How does God’s sovereignty and goodness impact the way you understand Him and yourself in light of who He is?

engage

There is some debate among scholars regarding whether the title Ancient of Days refers to God the Father or God the Son in the Daniel passages. Daniel 7:13 is clearly referring to God the Father since "one like a son of man" comes before Him. Because some see Daniel 7:22 as referring to Jesus returning in judgment, the Ancient of Days is here often viewed as a reference to Jesus. In either case, Ancient of Days refers to deity, emphasizing that the Lord is eternal. Further, Daniel's prophecies predict a future day when the Lord will return to provide a perfect final judgment. This understanding that the Lord God of all creation existed before time itself should bring each of us to a sense of awe and wonder at His glory!
What implications does God’s eternal nature have on our relationships and how we view time in our lives?
How does the title "Ancient of Days" challenge or encourage us in our understanding of God’s authority and role in our lives and the universe?