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Strengthened by a Messenger From GodPay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy!
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9, 10. (a) Where was Daniel when a vision came to him? (b) Describe what Daniel saw in the vision.
9 Daniel is not disappointed. He goes on to tell us what happens next, saying: “While I myself happened to be on the bank of the great river, that is, Hiddekel, I also proceeded to raise my eyes and see, and here was a certain man clothed in linen, with his hips girded with gold of Uphaz.” (Daniel 10:4, 5) Hiddekel was one of the four rivers that had their source in the garden of Eden. (Genesis 2:10-14) In Old Persian, Hiddekel was known as the Tigra, from which came the Greek name Tigris. The region between it and the Euphrates came to be called Mesopotamia, meaning “Land Between Rivers.” This confirms that when Daniel received this vision, he was still in the land of Babylonia, though perhaps not in the city of Babylon.
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Strengthened by a Messenger From GodPay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy!
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12, 13. What is indicated about the messenger by (a) his clothing? (b) his appearance?
12 Let us take a closer look at this striking messenger who so frightened Daniel. He was “clothed in linen, with his hips girded with gold of Uphaz.” In ancient Israel, the high priest’s girdle, ephod, and breastpiece, as well as the robes of the other priests, were made with fine twisted linen and were decorated with gold. (Exodus 28:4-8; 39:27-29) Thus, the messenger’s clothing indicates holiness and dignity of office.
13 Daniel was also awed by the appearance of the messenger—the luminous glow of his gemlike body, the blinding radiance of his shining face, the penetrating power of his fiery eyes, and the glitter of his powerful arms and feet. Even his commanding voice was fear-inspiring. All of this clearly indicates that he was superhuman. This “man clothed in linen” was none other than an angel of high rank, one who served in the holy presence of Jehovah, from which he came forth with a message.a
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Strengthened by a Messenger From GodPay Attention to Daniel’s Prophecy!
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a Though this angel is unnamed, it appears that he is the same one whose voice was heard directing Gabriel to help Daniel with a vision that he had just seen. (Compare Daniel 8:2, 15, 16 with Da 12:7, 8.) Further, Daniel 10:13 shows that Michael, “one of the foremost princes,” came to assist this angel. Thus, this unnamed angel must enjoy the privilege of working closely with Gabriel and Michael.
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