Daniel 10:10-14, 12:1-3; St. Michael and All Angels C, Sept.
29, 2013
Grace and
peace be unto you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ, Amen.
Daniel is a
beloved prophet from the Old Testament. We fondly remember when he watched his
friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survive the fiery furnace. He
interpreted visions and survived being thrown into the lion’s den. We have
heard the stories from the beginning of the book of Daniel, but we rarely hear
of the intense visions and prophesies that Daniel received later in life.
These are
harder to hear because they are not light, comical stories with obvious
messages. Instead, these visions of Daniel are deeply complicated, describing
the intense political atmosphere in which the Israelites lived. Ever since
Israel fell from power in the fifth century BCE, they had been handed between
the Babylonians, the Assyrians, the Persians, and the Greeks.
The first
two empires took the Israelites from their land and made them practice new
customs. Then, under Persian rule, the Israelites were able to return. They
were able to rebuild their country and their religious customs. Then, when the
Greeks took over, the Israelites were punished again. It is in this context
that Daniel prophesies to the people of Israel.
This is
Daniel’s story: In the ninth chapter of the book of Daniel, the archangel
Gabriel appears to Daniel and gives him a grim prophecy, describing the future
desolation of the Israelites. In despair, Daniel goes into mourning. For three
weeks, he does not eat any rich food prepared for him. He does not eat meat or
drink any wine. He only eats the simple fare of peasants. Daniel also covers
himself in sackcloth and ashes. As he grieves for what might become the
Israelites, he wanders around. When he comes to the Tigris River, he sees a
vision. (Daniel 9:20-10:4)
Daniel
could see a man wearing a linen tunic and a gold belt. This man, although human
in appearance, is clearly not human. This man’s skin is like a precious stone,
his face brighter than lightning, and fire shines in his eyes. His arms and
legs gleam like polished bronze. When he speaks, this man’s voice sounds like a
multitude speaking at once. Clearly, this man is a messenger from God, an angel
from the Lord’s host. This is not the archangel Michael but one sent to tell
Daniel about Michael. (Daniel 10:5-7)
The people
near this angel cannot see him, yet they can sense an ominous presence. They
leave in fear even though they know not what they flee from. Only Daniel can
see God’s messenger. Weakened by seeing this creature of God, Daniel’s legs
buckle and he falls to the ground. When this angel begins to speak, Daniel
falls into a trance, his face toward the ground. (Daniel 10:8-9)
Here is
where our lesson starts. This angel touches Daniel on his shoulder and helps
him get onto his hands and knees. Then the angel tells Daniel to pay attention
because he has something really important to say. Then he tells Daniel to rise
to his feet. Although still shaky and scared, Daniel does get up and stand
before this messenger of God. (Daniel 10:10-11)
Then the
angel says, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. The Lord has heard your many prayers and
watched you humble yourself. Because of your diligence, the Lord has sent me to
you. My journey was delayed because of a heavenly battle, yet I put Michael the
angelic prince of Israel in charge for me. I am here now to tell you what is to
come.” (Daniel 10:12-14)
Daniel is
speechless after hearing these words. He bows his head, unable to respond. Then
the angel touches Daniel’s lips, giving him the strength that he needed to talk
to this angel. Daniel says, “Sir, I am weak from the stress of my visions. How
can I talk to you? I cannot control my shaking. My body is so weak I can barely
stand. I am worn out emotionally from the intensity of my visions.” (Daniel
10:15-17)
Then the
angel touches Daniel again and gives him the physical and emotional strength
that he so desperately needs. The angel says, “Do not fear, beloved, for you
are safe. Be strong and courageous! I must now return to the battle above, but
you must know what is inscribed in the book of truth.” Then this messenger of
God continues his prophecy, describing how the nations on this earth will rise
and fall, triumphing over one just to be conquered by another. (Daniel
10:18-11:45)
Nearing the end of these
ages of conquest, Michael, the great prince and protector of Israel, will
arise. The peoples of the world will suffer bitterly unlike anything they have
experienced before. Yet, Israel will be delivered from this mess of life, indeed
all of Israel including those who are already dead. The Lord will raise
everyone for a time of judgment, some to everlasting life and others to
everlasting disgrace. “But the wise will shine like the brightness of the
heavenly expanse. And those bringing many to righteousness will be like the
stars forever and ever. [Dan. 12:3, NET]” (Daniel 12:1-3)
Daniel
then looks away from this angel to see two other angels, one on each side of the
Tigris River. One angel asks another, “How long until this entire prophecy is
completed?” The first angel replies with a few different predictions. Speaking
to Daniel one last time, God’s messenger tells him, “But you, go on to the end;
you shall rest, and arise to your destiny at the end of the days. [Dan. 12:13,
TNK]" (Daniel 12:4-13)
This is
Daniel’s story. This is how he heard about the end of the world and how the
archangel Michael will play a part in it. In these prophesies, we hear the
deepest words of hope. Here, we listen to a messenger of God talk of the
resurrection of the dead for the first time in the Hebrew Scriptures. This
angel tells us that those who fall asleep and die will awake at the time of judgment.
At that time, the people of Israel will be granted salvation. Then, we will
finally fully enjoy the presence of God. The people of Israel will be restored
to their glory found in God, and we will join them.
The angel
tells us that at the time of judgment, all will be well. We will be restored to
life with God. That is not the only reason why this passage gives us hope. Yes,
someday we will be reunited with all who have died, and we will live eternally
with God. But the greatest hope that we hear in Daniel is that no matter which
country is ruling over us, God’s reign is eternal. No matter who is our ruler
on earth, God is our king in heaven.
We are not
alone in our fight against evil because the battle against Satan rages on in
heaven. Michael is the prince of Israel and the leader of the war. No matter
how helpless we might feel against systems of oppression, God is at work
fighting alongside us and for us.
So, what
can we do in the face of cosmic battles over which we have no control? We can
trust God. We trust that God is doing the work necessary to bring us to
everlasting life. We trust that when we are at our weakest, God will give us
the courage to keep on the path of faith. Someday, we will hear God say to us, “But
you, go on to the end; you shall rest, and arise to your destiny at the end of
the days. [Dan. 12:13, TNK]" May it indeed be so. Amen.
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