'Attiq Yomin - The Ancient One

As I watched, this horn (the antichrist) was waging war against the holy people and was defeating them, until the Ancient One (‘Attiq Yomin) came and judged in favor of the holy people of the Most High. Then the time arrived for the holy people to take over the kingdom. - Daniel 7:21-22

The funeral of King Louis XIV was held in a great cathedral that was dark except for one candle placed on top of the golden casket containing Louis’ remains. At the appointed time, Massillon, the court preacher addressed the assembly. He arose, walked to the candle and snuffed it out. Then in the darkness he declared, “ONLY God IS GREAT!”

When we consider the fact that God has always existed, for all time and eternity past, the title “Ancient One” or “Ancient of Days” becomes almost humorous. He watches the sands of time accumulate over the works of man. He witnesses civilizations rise and fall. He listens to the grinding of continental plates as they form mountains. He keeps track as stars are created, burn through their fuel and die. The universe is a grain of sand to Him. The Bible puts it this way: For you, a thousand years are as yesterday! They are like a few hours! You sweep people away like dreams that disappear or like grass that springs up in the morning. In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered. (Psalm 90:4-6).

And yet with His vast view and ancient perspective, ‘Attiq Yomin, The Ancient One still cares for us! He watches as tragedies occur, He keeps note of man’s inhumanity to man and makes sure that in the end a reckoning is rendered, and justice comes due. He answers our prayers and guides the course of history. We have a God who is intimately involved in our world, in our history. He cares about what happens to us.

The Bible tells us that God is too great and too vast to be contained by the universe itself. “But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you” (1 Kings 8:27). Yet He has chosen to live within the hearts of men. Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)

In a large city in Sri Lanka, there is a huge statue of Buddah in a reclining position. The chiseled face is calm, the eyes are closed and the head rests upon one hand. A full 50 feet long, the image is impressive except for one thing: Buddah is sleeping while the world goes by. He is paying no attention to his worshippers. How could he? The “he” is an “it.” It is a thing - not a person. How unlike our God. ‘Attiq Yomin carefully watches over us. He protects and blesses us.