Daniel Study Notes - Lesson 36

1.  The setting 10:1

2.  His preparation for the message, the revelation 10:2-3.

 

 

 

 

3.  Begin a vision  of a Heavenly Being vs:4-9

What did he see?

 

 

 

- This is a vision of God, a Theophany;  an appearance of the   pre-incarnate Christ.

      - Reason: Rev 1:13-17; 2:18; notice also the similarity of response.

 

[Rabbit trail]

Angels:  Some Basic Considerations

1.  The existence of angels, spirit beings, is easily documented from Scripture:

a.  Activity is recorded from Genesis to Revelation; throughout the whole of the Scripture:

- are mentioned in 34 books including the first and the last

b.  108 times in O.T;   165 times in the N.T.

- always spoken of as real, existing creatures;  never as illusions, or figments of one’s imagination.

c.   aggeloj, 165 x’s, basically means messenger.

d.   $lm  mal’ak, also means messenger;   (not an insignificant reference in Scripture)

responsibility is  3-fold;  to carry a msg; to perform a specific mission/task; to represent the one sending him.

 

2.  Jesus Christ recognized and taught their existence.

Doesn’t argue for their existence; presents them as fact;  Mt 18:10; 26:53

a. - ministered to Him after the temptation by Satan in the wilderness. Mt 4:11

b. - taught that the eternal state in resurrection would be like angels - no marriage; no propagation. Mt 22:30

c. - angels would be used in the separating the righteous from the unrighteous at the end of the tribulation.  Mt 13:39 “reapers” [preparation for the Millennial reign]

d. - they will accompany Him at His second advent.  Mt 25:31; 2 Ths 1:7

e. - Not only did Jesus Christ teach that angels are real and exist but there is also a clear pattern of angelic ministry to Him through out His life and ministry: Announced his birth; ministered to Him after the temptation;

Were there at the grave to announce His resurrection; at His ascension to announce to them don’t be discouraged, He will return just as He left. [Acts 1:11]

3.  Angels as to their nature.

- always presented as magnificent but they are created beings.   Psalm 148:2-5

- as created beings therefore they are subordinate to their Creator.

 

4. Their designation as angels points out what they do!

-  word angel, is non-translated Greek word, angelos,  aggeloj, which means  messenger; as does the heb term malak;  $lm 

- What is the principle here that underlies the designation as messenger??  God blesses mediately; that is through agents. 

 

5. Angels as to their ability!

   a. They are very intelligent but not omniscient.

- 2 Sam. 14:20 great human wisdom is compared to angelic wisdom.      (simile)

- Mt 24:35-36 implication is that angels have a high degree of  intelligence.

   b. They are presented as very powerful, but are not omnipotent.

- Mt 28:2  stone moved out from the entrance of the grave; ek,   est. 4 tons 

- Eph 6: Paul says that we are opposed by angelic forces and the only way we are able to resist them is to put on the armor of God.

- Implication then is that only the power of God is adequate to effectively deal with angelic forces, evil ones, fallen angels.

 

6. Angels as to organization.  (highly organized)

a. Scripture presents them as having rank, being real, having rule.  Col. 1:16;  also Eph 1:21; 3:10; 6:12

 

7. Angels as to purpose.

   a. Presented as those who seek to influence for good or for evil;  

-  difference being who are the angels related to, God or Satan.

   b. In our context we have both;

- note; the prince of Persia/Greece are fallen angels, demons who are seeking to influence the course of nations through the decisions of the civil leaders

- the angel in view who is aiding Daniel is related to God therefore good;

   c.  Purpose:

- Sustaining physically;  several

- Explaining the vision here;

- Instruction and teaching was one of their main purposes/functions prior to the completion of the cannon of scripture.

Dan 7:16; 8:15-22; 10:10-15;    Job 33:23;   Zech 1:9-19; 4:1-5;  5:5-10; 6:4-5.  Dan. 11:2 "tell you the truth"

 

Back to Daniel chapter 10

 4. Strengthening of Daniel;  Statement of purpose  10:10-17

a. 10:12-14  Purpose of the Angel's visit.