AN EXPLANATION COMMANDED

“And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. So he came near where I stood; and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face; but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man; for at the time of the end shall be the vision. Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground; but he touched me, and set me upright. And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation; for at the time appointed the end shall be.” Verses 15-19.STTHD 28.2

It is impossible to read this language without perceiving the interest which angels take in the purposes of God concerning the human family. They are all ministering spirits, says Paul, ministering to those who shall be heirs of salvation; and Peter testifies that they desire to look into the things which God has before revealed by his prophets concerning the glory that should accrue to Christ in his future eternal kingdom on account of his intervention in behalf of the human family. So when John, in his vision of the opening of the seven seals, began to weep much through fear that no one would be found in Heaven or earth to open the seals, and that the important truths would forever remain hidden, one of the elders came to him and told him to weep not, for the Lion of the tribe of Judah would open the book. To return to Daniel, Gabriel, true to the commission here laid upon him, proceeded at once to enter upon his duty and to give the explanation he was enjoined to make.STTHD 29.1

PICTURE AND TEXT