Don't Be Afraid - It's Just an Angel

Our perceptions of angels are likely skewed by paintings we have seen.  While many of these paintings are great works of art, they cannot begin to capture just how breathtaking and astounding angels must be.

Consider Daniel’s angelic encounter: "His body was like [a precious gem], his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude."  I've never seen a picture like that!

Now consider Daniel’s reaction to his angelic encounter:
  • no strength, grew deathly pale, very weak (v8)
  • trembling (v10-11)
  • speechless (v15)
  • overcome with anguish; helpless (v16)
  • strength is gone; can hardly breathe (v17)
Plus, this was likely a "junior" angel, as he required help from a more powerful angel just to reach Daniel.  How much more intense would it have been if the "senior" angel showed himself.  It is no surprise then, that one of the first things angels say when they reveal themselves is "don't be afraid."

However, if an encounter with an angel produces this sort of intense, overwhelming, heart-stopping reaction, imagine what an encounter with the God who created them would be like.

[Daniel 10:4-17]

Posted by Peter DeHaan at 1/25/2011 6:36 AM
Categories: reflections
Tags: Daniel angel author Peter DeHaan the Bible blog Peter DeHaan Peter DeHaan blog postmodern biblical spirituality Bible meditations Bible information
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