Further Thought: “For three weeks Gabriel wrestled with the powers of darkness, seeking to counteract the influences at work on the mind of Cyrus. … All that heaven could do in behalf of the people of God was done. The victory was finally gained; the forces of the enemy were held in check all the … Continue reading –>
The most prominent character in the book of Daniel is the figure initially called “Son of Man” (Dan. 7:13, NKJV) or “Prince of the host” (Dan. 8:11, NKJV). Eventually we learn that his name is Michael (Dan. 10:12), which means “Who is like God?” He comes to help Gabriel in the conflict with the king of Persia (Dan. 10:13). The … Continue reading –>
Read Daniel 10:20-21. What is revealed to Daniel here? The heavenly messenger pulls the curtain aside and reveals to Daniel the cosmic war that transpires behind the scenes of human history. As soon as Daniel begins to pray, a spiritual battle starts between heaven and earth. Heavenly beings began a struggle with the king of Persia … Continue reading –>
Read Daniel 10:10-19. What happens each time an angel touches Daniel? Overwhelmed with the radiance of divine light, the prophet falls. Then an angel appears to touch him and comfort him. As we read the narrative, notice that the angel touches Daniel three times. The first touch enables the prophet to stand and hear the words … Continue reading –>
Read Daniel 10:4-9. What happens to Daniel here? As Daniel describes his experience, we can hardly imagine the overwhelming splendor of what he sees. That human appearance (Dan. 10:5-6) harks back to the “Son of man” depicted in the vision of the heavenly judgment (Dan. 7:13). His linen clothing is reminiscent of priestly garments (Lev. 16:4), an aspect that likens … Continue reading –>
Read Daniel 10:1-3. What do we again find Daniel doing? Daniel does not spell out the reasons for his extended mourning period. But such a fervent intercession is most likely motivated by the situation of the Jews, who have just returned from Babylon to Palestine. Read Ezra 4:1-5. What challenges are the Jews facing upon their return? … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Eph. 6:12, Dan. 10:1-21, Ezra 4:1-5, Josh. 5:13-15, Rev. 1:12-18, Col. 2:15, Rom 8:37-39. Memory Text: “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” (Daniel 10:19, NKJV). Daniel chapter 10 introduces the concluding vision of Daniel, which continues in chapters 11 and 12. We are informed at the outset that this … Continue reading –>
Angel in Angola’s Airport By Andrew McChesney, Adventist Mission Do angels live in airports? A TAAG Angolan Airlines airplane deposited me late one evening in Angola’s capital, Luanda. I had a two-hour layover before catching the next flight to the island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe to collect mission stories. At the designated time … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: Below is the chart explaining how the 70-week prophecy of Daniel 9:24-27 ties in with and forms the starting point of the 2,300-year prophecy of Daniel 8:14. If you count 2,300 years from 457 B.C. (remembering to delete the nonexistent zero year), you get 1844; or, if you count the remaining 1,810 years from A.D. 34 … Continue reading –>
At the end of the vision of the 2,300 evenings and mornings, the prophet is astonished because he cannot understand it (Dan. 8:27, NKJV). Ten years later, Gabriel comes to help Daniel “understand” the vision (Dan. 9:23). This latter revelation supplies the missing information and reveals that the work of the Messiah is to be accomplished toward … Continue reading –>
