Twice in his book, Daniel is addressed with an appositive phrase. The first was when King Darius released him from the lion’s den. The second when Gabriel came to strengthen and comfort him after a vision, and a time of deep conflict and mourning.

I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. (Dan. 10:5, 6 ESV)

Imagine you are Daniel standing on the bank of the Tigris river in prayer. Suddenly a being who might look like Arnold Schwarzenegger right out of The Terminator appears and he blazes with light. He holds a sword in his hand. And you are paralyzed. As he approaches, you fear the worst. He bends over you until his face is inches from yours. His features are grim and frightening. His face is as bright as lightning, and his eyes flame like torches. Then he speaks, and his voice sounds like a multitude. You fall on your face unconscious. He touches you and sets you gently upright. And he says, “Daniel, I have fought for 21 days to bring you a message: You are greatly loved….”

And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” (Dan. 10:11 ESV)

There is no record of these words or any like them spoken to any other person in the Bible. But Daniel hears them three times from the mouth of a warrior angel.

But is Daniel alone? Have we not heard these same words from the mouth of Christ?

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (Jn. 15:13 ESV)

Christ as a warrior has fought for us, destroyed the works of the devil, and has stooped gently over us in our fear and dismay saying, “I have loved you” (Rev. 3:9).

You are greatly loved!