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;
[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
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
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
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.
- 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;
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.