Bible Study: Daniel Chapter 9

Daniel implies that Israel is being punished for their sinful ways which is why the Babylonians conquered them. He now begs to have Jerusalem restored.

While praying, Gabriel comes to give him understanding. He provides a timetable outlining when Jerusalem will be restored and some machinations involving a Messiah.

Thoughts:
- apparently Gabriel is the first angel in the bible with a name. I wonder why it is assumed he is an angel? Why not just a person with magical powers? It even refers to him as a man.
- Now I'm beginning to see why Daniel is important to Christians. It's not just foretelling the future of the local region, it's also mentioning the messiah.
- I wonder how Jews read this prophecy, since they clearly don't believe it was fulfilled.

[atheism] [bible]