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Daniel Chapter 10

Daniel 10:1 "In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing [was] true, but the time appointed [was] long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision."

“Third year”:

536 B.C.

Two years had passed since the first decree to let Israel return.

Cyrus was the leader of the Persians which overthrew the Babylonian Empire. Belteshazzar was the name Daniel had been given, while he was captive in Babylon.

It is explained that by a vision God revealed to Daniel, things which would take place far in the future.

Daniel 10:2 "In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks."

Mourning was accompanied by wearing sackcloth and throwing ashes upon your head.

These weeks were not speaking of a long period of time, like the weeks in the previous chapter. These weeks were made up of seven, twenty-four-hour days.

Even at that, this is a long time to mourn.

The entirety (of chapter 10), is concerned with Daniel’s preparation to receive the vision.

The emphasis of the chapter is the strengthening of Daniel and the satanic opposition that he and God’s angels encountered.

Daniel 10:3 "I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled."

We see this mourning was accompanied by self-sacrifice upon Daniel's part. This was not a total fast, but was indeed a fast.

He was totally devoted to prayer at this time.

Daniel 10:4 "And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which [is] Hiddekel;"

The Hiddekel River is the same as the Tigris River.

Their first month is Nisan or Abib, which is about the same as our April.

So this is in early spring.

Daniel 10:5 "Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins [were] girded with fine gold of Uphaz:"

"Linen":

This speaks of righteousness.

"Gold":

Symbolizes the nearness of God.

The only thing known of this Uphaz is that it was a region of gold.

This appearance is as a man.

Daniel sees the figure of a “certain man.”

This is probably not the pre-incarnate Christ, because this angel was hindered by “the prince of Persia” (a demon), and because he needed the help of Michael the archangel (verse 13).

Neither of these statements could have been said of Christ.

This is probably the angel Gabriel.

Daniel 10:6 "His body also [was] like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude."

The messenger, whom Daniel sees in a vision (verses 1, and 7), was distinct from the angel Michael, from whom he needed assistance (verse 13).

The description of such glory has led some to see him as Christ in a pre-incarnate appearance (such as Joshua 5:13; 6:2 and Judges 6:11-23).

He is described almost identically to Christ (in Rev. 1:13-16).

Look with me at Revelation:

Revelation 1:13-16 "And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [one] like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle." "His head

and [his] hairs [were] white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes [were] as a flame of fire;" “And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.” “And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength.”

Daniel’s reaction is similar to John’s (in Revelation chapter 1).

Rev. 1:17 "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:"

Daniel 10:7 "And 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."

The vision was not for the other men with Daniel.

Even though they did not see the vision, the nearness of the heavenly being caused them to shake uncontrollably.

They fled.

This reminds me of those who heard God's voice from the mountain, and then were so afraid they asked Moses to represent them to God.

They could not stand the presence.

Possibly, the men with Daniel were not believers in God, but men who accompanied high officials wherever they went.

Visions are generally for just one person to see.

Daniel 10:8 "Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength."

We see that even though Daniel was a godly man, the contact with this heavenly being, representing God, was almost more than mortal man could endure.

All of his strength left him.

"Comeliness":

This means beauty.

I believe Daniel was so overwhelmed, that he became very pale.

Daniel 10:9 "Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground."

Daniel was lying prostrate before Him.

His face was toward the ground, so as not to see the face of the Lord.

He was not exactly asleep, because he heard the Words of God, through this heavenly being.

Daniel 10:10 "And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and [upon] the palms of my hands."

This would have put Daniel in a crawling position.

This does not mean that Daniel was to look up.

It means that God strengthened Daniel by touching Him, possibly, through this being.

Most likely this was Gabriel who touched him who had interpreted other revelations to Daniel (8:16), and spoke similarly of Daniel’s being beloved (in 9:20-23).

Gabriel is only mentioned by name 4 times in the entire bible, twice here in Daniel and twice in the book of Luke (verses 1:19 and 26).

Daniel 10:11 "And he said unto me, O 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."

The power of God flowing through Daniel gave him strength to stand.

He was trembling, but standing.

How beautiful to hear that he was greatly beloved of God.

We know, because this being was sent to Daniel, he is not God.

He is revealing Himself as God, because of the message he brings.

God can speak from a burning bush, or anything, or anyone else He desires to.

Daniel 10:12 "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."

This being, which looks like a man, was sent of God with a message to encourage Daniel.

His appearance reveals to Daniel that he is sent of God.

“Thy words were heard”:

This was a great encouragement from God who was attentive to prayer and acted to answer it.

Daniel 10:13 "But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia."

Whoever this is representing God to Daniel, was not powerful enough to break through the Satanic forces to Daniel.

There is a great spiritual warfare going on.

The forces of God are fighting against the forces of the devil constantly.

The 3 week delay was due to an evil angel opposing Gabriel in heavenly warfare.

This angel was specially anointed with Persian power in an effort to thwart the work of God.

This tells us that Satan engages in heavenly warfare to influence generations and nations against God and His people.

Angels are ministering spirits to help the saints.

Perhaps, Michael (an archangel), had more authority and broke through for him. Today the authority to fight these evil forces lies in the name of Jesus.

Michael is a chief angel of heaven (10:21; 12:1; Jude 9, Rev. 12:7).

Michael remained to assure that the Jews would be free to return to their land.

Daniel 10:14 "Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision [is] for [many] days."

Gabriel had brought a similar message earlier to Daniel.

“In the latter days” is referring to the future plan of God for His people, extending from Daniel’s time to that of the antichrist.

Daniel 10:15 "And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb."

"Dumb":

This means unable to speak.

Again, Daniel was humbled by this presence and the Words of God he brought.

Daniel 10:16 "And, behold, [one] like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength."

Angels are spirits, but can appear as men.

Hebrews 13:2 "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

This touch on the lips of Daniel came from God, but was through this being appearing as sons of men.

In other words, he looked like a man.

Daniel 10:17 "For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me."

Whoever this appearance is of, Daniel associates him with the Lord.

He truly is representing the Lord to Daniel.

Daniel's strength and breath have left him, because of the nearness of this presence.

Daniel 10:18 "Then there came again and touched me [one] like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,"

This again, is like a touch of the Lord.

It is the Lord's strength that comes into Daniel.

The being, appearing as the Lord, is the one bringing the strength.

Of course, the strength comes from the Lord.

Daniel 10:19 "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."

“I was strengthened”:

This is the third time showing the overwhelming trauma of divine presence and revelation.

This is telling Daniel to be strong mentally and physically to do the work of the Lord.

This is almost as if this being is saying, receive the strength the Lord has given you, and apply it to your actions.

In the beginning of this lesson, we knew that Daniel was fasting.

Fasting, in the natural, makes you very weak.

In the spirit, the Lord strengthens us when we fast.

He receives the strengthening, because he said I was strengthened.

Daniel 10:20 "Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come."

It is God who fights the battles for all of His children.

The Persians were in control, when Daniel had this vision.

“The prince of Persia”:

This is an evil angel contesting for the kingdom of Greece and soon after the Grecians had control.

God sets kingdoms up, and pulls them down.

Both the Persians and the Greeks will be fallen, when God gets ready for their fall.

There is a warfare in the Spirit world, as well.

Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]."

The prince of Persia and the prince of Grecia were speaking of warfare with Satan's army.

Daniel 10:21 "But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and [there is] none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince."

Michael is the Archangel associated with the one we call Jesus.

The one speaking here to Daniel is Gabriel.

The visions (of the 11th and 12th chapters), are revealed to the mind and spirit of Daniel.

“Scripture of truth”:

God’s plan of certain and true designs for men and nations, which He can reveal according to His discretion.

The angel with Michael intended to handle the demons of Persia and Greece.

This actually forms the heavenly basis for the earthly unfolding of history (in 11:2-35).

Daniel 10 Questions

1.What was Daniel's Babylonian name?

2.When did Daniel have this vision?

3.How long was Daniel mourning?

4.What type of food did Daniel give up in this fast?

5.What is another name for the Hiddekel River?

6.What is the Jewish first month?

7.Which of our months is it similar to?

8.Who did Daniel see?

9.What does "linen" speak of?

10.What does the "gold" symbolize?

11.Who does the author believe this to be?

12.Describe this being that looked like a man.

13.Where do we read a similar description?

14.Who are these both descriptions of?

15.Since the Lord Jesus does not need assistance from anyone, who is this figure?

16.Who besides Daniel, saw the vision?

17.What happened to the men with Daniel?

18.What happened to Daniel, when he had this vision?

19.What does "comeliness" mean?

20.What did Daniel hear?

21.A ______ touched Daniel, and brought him upon his knees.

22.What gave Daniel the power to stand?

23.When was help sent to Daniel?

24.Who withstood the help God sent?

25.Who came to help break through to Daniel?

26.How does a Christian fight these evil forces?

27.When is this vision for?

28.What does dumb mean?

29.Whose strength comes into Daniel?

30.What does he call Daniel in verse 19?

31.Who would he return to fight with?

32.The vision is revealed to the _______ and ______ of Daniel.

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