TUESDAY, MAY 29
Daniel 8:13-19
Luke 1:19-20, 26-28

“O that my ways were directed
to keep thy statutes!”

GABRIEL: MESSENGER FROM GOD

For a pleasant change from the abominable account of Antiochus Epiphanes, let us focus our attention on God’s other creations of the spirit world. Angels are His messengers, made a little higher than man (Ps 8:5; Heb 2:7) whose office is to do Him service in heaven, and by His appointment to succour and defend men on earth. There are many references to the work of angels in the Old Testament. In some passages the Angel of God speaks as the voice of God Himself (Gen 22:11-12; Exod 3:2, 6, 14).

Only two angels are mentioned by name in Scripture: Gabriel and Michael. Interestingly, their names both first appear in the Book of Daniel (Dan 8:l6; 9:21; 10:13, 21; 12:1). To Daniel in exile God gave the unique honour of acquaintance with these two chief of angels.

None of us has had an encounter with any angel, so we can never know what it is like (until we arrive in heaven). However, we shall try and get a sense of it by reading Daniel’s account. From between the banks of the river Ulai, Daniel heard a voice (from heaven) calling: “… Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision” (Dan 8:16). That must have been the voice of God, for who else could have given a command to the mighty angel.

Gabriel then drew near to Daniel, his mere presence was awe-inspiring. While we do not understand angels’ language, angels certainly understand ours. Gabriel was able to converse freely with Daniel. Gabriel explained in no uncertain terms the prophetic nature of Daniel’s vision. Over and over, he emphasized to Daniel the eschatological focus of this part of the vision (Dan 8:17, 19, 23). At the conclusion of their encounter, Gabriel commanded Daniel: “… shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days” (Dan 8:26).

By Gabriel’s mouth and Daniel’s pen comes God’s infallible and inerrant Word to us, enlightening us to things to come at the end time.

THOUGHT: What was Gabriel’s role when he appeared on earth?
PRAYER: May Thy Word help me to view earthly things wisely.