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The Sanctified Life
“I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me
saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they
fled to hide themselves.... And there remained no strength in me:
for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained
no strength” (
verses 7, 8
). All who are truly sanctified will have a
similar experience. The clearer their views of the greatness, glory, and
perfection of Christ, the more vividly will they see their own weakness
and imperfection. They will have no disposition to claim a sinless
character; that which has appeared right and comely in themselves
will, in contrast with Christ’s purity and glory, appear only as unworthy
and corruptible. It is when men are separated from God, when they
have very indistinct views of Christ, that they say, “I am sinless; I am
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sanctified.”
Gabriel now appeared to the prophet, and thus addressed him: “Oh
Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto
thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had
spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me,
Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart
to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were
heard, and I am come for thy words” (
verses 11, 12
).
Royal Honor to Daniel
What great honor is shown to Daniel by the Majesty of heaven!
He comforts His trembling servant and assures him that his prayer
has been heard in heaven. In answer to that fervent petition the angel
Gabriel was sent to affect the heart of the Persian king. The monarch
had resisted the impressions of the Spirit of God during the three
weeks while Daniel was fasting and praying, but heaven’s Prince, the
Archangel, Michael, was sent to turn the heart of the stubborn king to
take some decided action to answer the prayer of Daniel.
“And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face
toward the ground, and I became dumb. And, behold, one like the
similitude of the sons of men touched my lips.... And said, O man
greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong.
And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let
my Lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me” (
verses 15-19
). So
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great was the divine glory revealed to Daniel that he could not endure