Daniel 8.15-16-A Voice Commands Gabriel to Give Daniel the Interpretation of the Vision
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Thursday August 15, 2013
Daniel: Daniel 8:15-16-A Voice Commands Gabriel to Give Daniel the Interpretation of the Vision
Lesson # 243
Please turn in your Bibles to Daniel 8:1.
Daniel 8:1 During the third year of Belshazzar’s reign, the king, a vision appeared to me, I, Daniel after the one appearing to me previously. 2 Indeed, I was staring because of this vision. Specifically, I myself was in a trance like state staring as I myself was in Susa, the citadel, which was in the province of Elam. Furthermore, I was staring because of this vision as I myself was beside the Ulai Canal. 3 Then, I lifted up my eyes and then I was staring as behold a ram was standing in front of the canal with it possessing two horns. Furthermore, the two horns were long. However, one was longer than the other with the longer one growing up last. 4 I saw this ram continually butting westward as well as northward and in addition southward as all the beasts could by no means stand in front of it. Furthermore, none could deliver out from its power so that it acted according to its desire. Indeed, it became great. 5 Then, I myself was in a trance like state as behold a male-goat who is ruler over the goats, was traveling from the west over the earth’s surface. In fact, it was not touching the earth’s surface. Also, this male-goat had a conspicuous horn between its eyes. 6 Next, it traveled up to the ram possessing two horns which I saw standing in front of the canal. In fact, it charged against it in a powerful rage. 7 Consequently, I saw it wage an attack opposing this ram while causing itself to become enraged against it. Indeed, it repeatedly struck this ram so as to shatter its two horns. Also, there was no ability in the ram to stand in front of it. Then, it drove it to the ground as well as trampled on it repeatedly. Indeed, to the detriment of the ram, there was none who could deliver from its power. 8 So the male-goat who is the ruler over the goats was very great. However, as soon as it became powerful, the unusual horn was broken. Then, in its place, four conspicuous ones arose towards the heaven’s four winds. 9 Next, from one of them, a small horn in comparison emerged which grew excessively large toward the south as well as the east and in addition the beautiful land. 10 Specifically, it grew larger than the heaven’s host. Indeed, it caused some of this host, yes some of these stars to fall to the earth. Also, it trampled on them. 11 It even presented itself as great as the host’s Commander while taking away the daily sacrifice from Him so that His holy place was abandoned. 12 Consequently the host along with the daily sacrifice were delivered over to it through transgression. Also, it caused the truth to be thrown to the ground. Indeed, it executed, yes it succeeded. 13 Then I heard a holy one speaking and a holy one said to this particular one who was speaking, “How long is the vision, the daily sacrifice, specifically the transgression making desolate resulting in delivering over both the sanctuary as well as the host to be trampled?” 14 Consequently he said to me, “For 2,300 evenings, and mornings. Then, the sanctuary will be reconsecrated.” (My translation)
Daniel 8:15 When I, Daniel, had seen the vision, I sought to understand it; and behold, standing before me was one who looked like a man. (NASB95)
This verse serves as a transition from Daniel’s account of the vision in Daniel 8:2-14 to his account of the interpretation of the vision by the elect archangel Gabriel.
“And behold, standing before me was one who looked like a man” is a temporal clause indicating that “as” Daniel was in a trance like state staring at the vision, behold standing before him was one who looked like a man.
It draws the attention of the reader to this individual marking him out as impressive and astounding to Daniel.
Daniel 8:15 Now, I was in a trance like state staring at this vision, which I, Daniel desired to understand as behold one like a man in appearance was standing directly in front of me. (My translation)
The fact that he describes this person in front of him as having the appearance of a man indicates that he was in fact not a human being but rather either an angel or a preincarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Daniel 8:16 And I heard the voice of a man between the banks of Ulai, and he called out and said, “Gabriel, give this man an understanding of the vision.” (NASB95)
This verse presents the next event that took place immediately after he saw a person who looked like a man standing directly in front of him as he was in a trance like state staring at the vision, which he desired to understand.
“Gabriel” is the proper name gǎḇ·rî·ʾēl (גַּבְרִיאֵל) (gab-ree-ale´), which means “man of God” or “God is powerful.”
Daniel 8:16 Then, I heard a human being’s voice between the banks of the Ulai. Indeed, it ordered and said “Gabriel, enable this one to understand the vision.” (My translation)
At this point in the narrative, Daniel has told the reader that he was in a trance like state staring at the vision, which he desired to understand as behold one like a man in appearance stood directly in front of him.
That this person looked like a man indicates that this person was not a human being.
Immediately after this, a human being’s voice coming from the middle of the Ulai Canal issued an order to the person standing directly in front of Daniel.
This voice identifies the individual standing in front of Daniel as Gabriel, who is an elect angel of God.
The voice orders Gabriel to enable Daniel to understand the vision.
The fact that the voice orders Gabriel to give Daniel understanding indicates that the voice has a higher rank than Gabriel, and therefore, must be God and not a human being since human beings have a lower rank than angels and God of course created the angels.
Gabriel and Michael are the only two angels mentioned by name in the Bible.
Gabriel appears again in Daniel 9:21 where he gives Daniel the prophecy, which is today called “the Seventy Weeks of Daniel.”
He appears again in Luke 1:19 where announces the birth of John the Baptist to his father.
He is found again in Luke 1:26 where he approaches Mary with an offer from God to be the mother of the Messiah.
By helping Daniel, Gabriel is fulfilling the role God designed for elect angels with regards to regenerate human beings.
Hebrews 1:14 teaches that angels are ministering spirits dispatched by God to render service to believers.
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? (NASB95)
Angels are created spirit beings (Ps. 148:2, 5) and were created in eternity past, before the creation of the cosmos (Job 38:4, 7).
The Lord Jesus Christ created the angels in eternity past (Col. 1:16).
They are innumerable (He. 12:22).
They are in eternity (present) a higher category of beings than humans are (Heb. 2:6-7).
In eternity (future), redeemed humans will be a higher category of beings than the angels (Ps. 8:4-5).
The doctrine of positional sanctification states that the church age believer is positionally higher than the angels by virtue of their union with Christ through the Baptism of the Spirit, which takes place at the moment of salvation.
Man cannot see angels for they are invisible but can be seen by man when God does one of two things: (1) He lifts the veil of the spiritual dimension (2 Kings 6:17). (2) He allows them to change their form to human (Hebrews 13:2).
Jesus Christ as the Lord of the armies is the commander of the angels.
The archangels are commanders of angelic armies.
Michael is the prince of Israel according to Daniel 10:21, 12:1.
He defends the Jews in the tribulation from the wrath of Satan (Revelation 12:7).
He fought with Satan over the body of Moses (Jude 9; 2 Peter 2:11).
Angels do not die and their number does not increase or decrease (Luke 20:36).
There are different ranks of angels (Ephesians 6:12; Colossians 1:16).
Angels: (1) Protect (2) Provide (3) Proclaim the Word of God (4) Execute God’s Judgments.
As God’s servants who are dispatched from the throne room of heaven to execute God’s purposes, we may observe that the ministry of the elect-angels falls into several categories.
In Relation to God the elect-angels perform the following services: (1) Attendants around the throne of God, and are waiting to serve Him and do His bidding (Ps. 103:20; Isa. 6:1f; Job 1:6; 2:1; Rev. 5:11; 8:1f). (2) Worshippers in praise of Him (Isa. 6:3; Ps. 148:1-2; Heb. 1:6; Rev. 5:12). (3) Observers who rejoice over what the Lord does (Job 38:6-7; Luke 2:12-13; 15:10), Soldiers in battle with Satan (Rev. 12:7). (4) Instruments used by God to execute judgments (Rev. 7:1; 8:2).
In Relation to the Nations, the elect-angels and non-elect angels perform the following services: (1) Michael, the archangel, is the guardian of the nation of Israel (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9). (2) The non-elect angels rule over the Gentile nations (Dan. 4:17; Eph. 6:11-16) and seek to influence their human leaders (Dan. 10:21; 11:1). (3) In the Tribulation the elect-angels will be the agents God uses to pour out His judgments (see Rev. 8-9 and 16).
In Relation to Christ, the elect-angels perform the following services: (1) They prophesied of the birth of Christ (Matt. 1:20; Luke 1:26-28). (2) They announced his birth (Luke 2:8-15). (3) An angel warned Joseph to take Mary and the baby Jesus and flee into Egypt (Matt. 2:13-15), and an angel directed the family to return to Israel after Herod died (vv. 19-21).
In relation to His suffering, the elect-angels performed the following services: (1) They ministered to the Lord after His temptation (4:11). (2) They administered to the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43), and Jesus said He could have called a legion of angels who stood ready to come to His defense if He so desired (Matt. 26:53).
In relation to His resurrection, the elect-angels performed the following services: (1) An angel rolled away the stone from the tomb (28:1-2). (2) Angels announced His resurrection to the women on Easter morning (vv. 5-6; Luke 24:5-7). (3) Angels were present at His ascension and gave instruction to the disciples (Acts 1:10-11).
In relation to His coming again, the elect-angels perform the following services: (1) The voice of the archangel will be heard at the translation of the church (1 Thess. 4:16). (2) They will accompany Him in His glorious return to earth (Matt. 25:31; 2 Thess. 1:7). (3) They will separate the wheat from the tares at Christ’s second coming (Matt. 13:39-40).
In Relation to the unbeliever, the elect-angels will perform the following: (1) Angels not only announce and inflict judgment (Gen. 19:13; Rev. 14:6-7; Acts 12:23; Rev. 16:1). (2) They will separate the righteous from the unrighteous at the 2nd Advent (Matt. 13:39-40).
In Relation to the Church: Hebrews 1:14 describes ministry of the elect-angels “servant-spirits who are divinely commissioned and repeatedly dispatched for service on behalf of those who are destined to inherit salvation.”
In this, however, Scripture points to a number of specific ministries: (1) The elect-angels bring answers to prayer (Acts 12:5-10). (2) They help in bringing people to the Savior (Acts 8:26; 10:3). (3) They may encourage in times of danger (Acts 27:23-24). (4) They care for God’s people at the time of death (Luke 16:22).
In Relation to the introduction of a new dispensation, angels are actively involved when God institutes a new epoch in history: (1) They joined in praise when the earth was created (Job 38:6-7) (2) They were involved in the giving of the Mosaic Law (Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2) (3) They were active at the first advent of Christ (matt. 1:20; 4:11) (4) They were active during the early years of the church (Acts 8:26; 10:3, 7; 12:11) (5) They will be involved in events surrounding the second advent of Christ (Matt. 25:311 Thes. 4:1).