Daniel 8:17

As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. "Son of man," he said to me, "understand that the vision concerns the time of the end."

Study Bible

As he came near to where I stood
This phrase describes the approach of the angel Gabriel to Daniel. Gabriel is one of the few angels named in the Bible, indicating his importance. His role as a messenger is consistent with other appearances, such as in Luke 1:19, where he announces the birth of John the Baptist. The approach signifies the importance of the message being delivered.

I was terrified and fell facedown
Daniel's reaction is typical of encounters with divine beings, reflecting the overwhelming holiness and power of such beings. Similar reactions are seen in Ezekiel 1:28 and Revelation 1:17, where individuals fall in awe and fear before divine manifestations. This response underscores the gravity of the vision and the message being conveyed.

“Son of man,” he said to me
The term "son of man" is used frequently in the book of Ezekiel and here in Daniel to emphasize the humanity of the prophet in contrast to the divine nature of the vision. It highlights Daniel's role as a representative of humanity receiving divine revelation. This term is also significant in the New Testament, where Jesus frequently uses it to refer to Himself, emphasizing His role as the representative and redeemer of humanity.

“understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.”
This phrase indicates that the vision has eschatological significance, pointing to events that will occur in the future. The "time of the end" is a recurring theme in apocalyptic literature, including Daniel 12:4 and Revelation 22:10, where it refers to the culmination of God's plan for history. This vision is not just for Daniel's time but has implications for the ultimate fulfillment of God's purposes.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Daniel
A prophet and a key figure in the Old Testament, known for his faithfulness to God and his ability to interpret dreams and visions.

2. Gabriel
An angel sent by God to deliver messages to His people. In this context, Gabriel is tasked with explaining the vision to Daniel.

3. Vision
The vision Daniel receives is a prophetic revelation concerning future events, specifically related to the "time of the end."

4. Time of the End
This phrase refers to a future period, often interpreted as the end times or the culmination of God's plan for history.

5. Babylon
The setting of Daniel's life and ministry, a place of exile for the Israelites, and a symbol of worldly power and opposition to God.

Teaching Points

Understanding Prophecy
Prophecy requires divine interpretation. Just as Daniel needed Gabriel's explanation, we need the Holy Spirit to understand God's Word.

Reverence for God
Daniel's reaction of fear and falling facedown highlights the appropriate response to God's holiness and the seriousness of His messages.

End Times Awareness
Believers should be aware of the signs of the times and live with an eternal perspective, preparing for Christ's return.

Role of Angels
Angels are messengers of God, playing a crucial role in delivering His messages and executing His plans.

Faithfulness in Exile
Like Daniel, we are called to remain faithful to God even when living in a world that opposes His values.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Daniel's reaction to Gabriel's presence inform our understanding of the appropriate response to divine encounters?

2. In what ways can we seek to understand the "time of the end" without becoming overly focused on predicting specific events?

3. How does the role of angels in delivering God's messages in the Bible encourage us in our daily walk with God?

4. What lessons can we learn from Daniel's faithfulness in exile that apply to living as Christians in a secular world today?

5. How do the visions in Daniel 8 and the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 24 complement each other in understanding God's plan for the end times?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Daniel 7
Provides context for the visions Daniel receives, including the four beasts and the Ancient of Days, which are related to the end times.

Revelation 12
Offers a New Testament perspective on end-time visions, with similar themes of angelic messengers and prophetic revelations.

Ezekiel 2
Another instance where a prophet is addressed as "son of man," emphasizing the human role in receiving divine messages.

Matthew 24
Jesus speaks about the end times, providing further insight into the events that Daniel's vision foreshadows.