Its Angelic Connections by J. O. Corliss

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 6, 1911

Its Angelic Connections

By J. O. Corliss

Tracings of the Prophetic Gift—No. 9

Its Angelic Connections

J. O. CORLISS

While it is true that the utterances of prophets are said to have been inspired by the “Spirit of the Lord” (2 Sam. 23:2), and that the “Spirit of Christ” was in their heaven-sent messages (I Peter 1:11), there seems to have been an acknowledgment by some of the prophets that their communications were from angels, who were delegated by heaven to bring them to the world through the prophets as intermediaries.

This was especially the case with the Old Testament prophet Daniel. While in the second chapter of his book the prophet says that Nebuchadnezzar’s secret was revealed to him in “a night vision” (verse 19), he is more specific in the seventh chapter, saying that his view of the four beasts was through “a dream and visions of his head.” It seems, however, that the interpretation of this vision was made known to him in plain words by one that “stood by,” to whom the prophet appealed for the understanding of it. Verse 16.

In the vision relating to the sanctuary cleansing in chapter eight, it will be noticed that the prophet simply listened to what purports to be the conversation of two “saints.” Verses 13, 14. All that he heard from them seemed shrouded in the deepest mystery. But as the prophet entered upon an anxious search for the meaning of the words uttered, at once there appeared before him the figure of a man. Then a voice was heard from above the river Ulai, calling to this distinguished personage, saying: “Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.”

This new companion of the prophet was thus identified as a prominent heavenly being, who was to make Daniel and succeeding generations understand what was meant by the mysterious conversation carried on by the two “saints” on the banks of the river of Elam. Gabriel began the fulfilment of his mission; but on account of Daniel’s consternation at meeting so exalted a being, and his consequent illness, the angel desisted until such time as the prophet might calmly consider the matter. So in answer to earnest prayer, Gabriel appeared once more to reveal to the prophet the interpretation of the vision before given. Dan. 9:21-23.

The revelation which followed gave the date of the Messiah’s appearance, and the limit of Jewish ascendancy, with relative intervening incidents. Later, at another riverside (Dan. 10:4, 5), apparently the same heavenly visitant came to talk with the prophet, and explained that he had been sent to reveal what was to befall Daniel’s people in the “latter days.” Verse 14. Then before leaving the prophet to fulfil another part of his mission, the secret was confided to Daniel that no other being held these things in common with him but Michael, the heavenly Prince. Verse 21.

The word “Michael” means “who is like God.” It is he who stands, or pleads, for the children of God, and who will stand up to deliver his people in the last great conflict the world is to witness between the forces of good and evil. Dan. 12:1. He is the mighty Archangel (Jude 9), whose voice is to call forth to life the sleeping dead at the second coming of the Lord Jesus. 1 Thess. 4:16. That voice is none other than the voice of the blessed Master himself, as we learn from his own statement in John 5:25-29. Then returning to the thought that only Michael and the angel Gabriel held in common a knowledge of future events, it seems clear that Gabriel holds the exalted position of being the Lord’s special message-bearer between heaven and earth.

Following on to the days when Messiah was about to appear, we find Gabriel once more commissioned to make known events of the immediate future. This time he appeared to a childless old man who, with his wife, was “well stricken in years.” The occasion was when the man Zacharias, as priest, was serving his course in the temple. Luke 1:5-11. Like Daniel of centuries before, the aged priest was stricken with fear upon perceiving a shining angel stand by the side of the altar of incense. After reassuring Zacharias, the angel was not long in delivering his message. Stated in a sentence, it was that Elizabeth, the elderly wife of the priest, was to bring into the world the forerunner of the Messiah.

This was too much for the priest to receive without question. In answer to the query as to how such a thing could be possible, the announcement was made that the visitor was none other than Gabriel, the exalted one, who had been sent from God to make known a predetermined event. Sentence was then pronounced upon the priest, for his unbelief, that he must be dumb until the fulfilment of the prediction. Should every present-day doubter of God’s prophetic promises be stricken dumb, as was Zacharias, like him also they would not transfer doubt from their lips to the hearts of others, and the world would consequently be far better off spiritually.

But the appearance of Gabriel to the Judean priest Zacharias was not his last recorded visit to earth. Banished to the wild, rocky island of Patmos for his loyalty to truth, was the lonely but beloved disciple John. To this cheerless prison the angel of God came on a certain Sabbath day to bring a message from the Lord Jesus to John, for the whole world. Rev. 1:1. That this messenger was indeed Gabriel, may be concluded from the statement of Christ in the opening and closing chapters of the revelation, delivered thus: “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which . . . he sent and signified by his angel unto his servant John” (Rev. 1:1); and again: “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you” (Rev. 22:16).

These expressions, compared with the statement of Gabriel himself to Zacharias that he was the angel who stands in the presence of God, as if waiting to receive a message and commission for its delivery, also his statement to Daniel that none but Michael stood with him in the knowledge of the things being revealed, would go to show that Gabriel is the angel who delivers to men, through the prophet, the testimony of Jesus. Rev. 1:2.

But the point under consideration relates itself more to the thought that an angel, some angel, has been conspicuous in bringing to the prophets the messages they have borne to the world. In the case of John on Patmos, he says that the voice of the one who spoke to him was like the sound of a great trumpet. During the interview recorded, the angel pointed out all the great earth movements which were to affect the interests of the church. Coming to the close of it all, he gave a most vivid description of the Lord’s descent to earth, together with the assembling of the white-robed saints to the marriage supper, at which point John fell down in worshipful attitude before the angel. Rev. 19:10.

The angel, seeing the prophet’s intention, forbade the act, declaring that he was not the one to claim worship, since he was but a fellow servant of John, and of his brethren in the same calling. This was virtually to say that he had done for all other prophets the same that he was then doing for the exile of Patmos.

This being true, the same arrangement must obtain to the latest message God desires to communicate to his people. God will still speak to them, in the time of trouble, probably through the same medium as ever before.

Mountain View, Cal.