II. TO THE TEXT. DANIEL 10-12
A. The Preparation of the Man of God : 10:1-19
10:1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appo inted time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.
Daniel is about 91 years of age, not far from the supposed age of the apostle John while on the island of Patmos receiving the book of Revelation. Cyrus, the assistant of God in the re- establishing of Israel as a nation in their own land, rules the Empire. We will have more to say of him presently. Daniel is called “Belteshazzar” (“May Bel protect his life”) only by the Baby- lonians and is simply being re- identified here as the one favored by the sovereigns on earth through the Sovereignty of God in Heaven.
Notice that from the beginning, Daniel makes it clear that he is speaking of a time far from his, though the prophecy will actually begin in his own day.
Verse one seems to be a summary of all which we will now read. Eventually Daniel does indeed understand what he needs to understand, but the price of his understanding is mourning, fasting, and seeking the truth with all his heart. He thus becomes a model for those of us in this hour who would understand the revelation given the church of Jesus. Daniel is a joy to watch throughout the book in this regard. His determination to keep on praying regardless of the king’s edict, chapter 6; the changing of his countenance indicating a struggle within to know what God is saying, chapter 7; in a similar vein, sickness and fainting in chapter 8; his searching the Scripture and finding fulfilled prophecy in HIS day, chapter 9; his confession of his and Is- rael’s sins followed by God’s affirmation of His love for Daniel and a clear response to his searchings, also in chapter 9.
Now we shall see more agony, but more ecstasy too for the man of God.
10:2-3 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks, I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
Here begins the process of the unfolding of history. A man before his God, wanting to know the truth. 10:12 confirms that Daniel has this as his motivation as he humbles himself be- fore God.
As when he had lived on the basics as a young man in Babylon so many years ago, so now he puts away everything but the very necessities of life so that he can wait upon God with- out distraction.
10:4 Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris,
A very specific time and place, to let you know that what is about to happen was no dream, but the reality of Heaven touching earth.
10:5-6 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.
Ezekiel sees a man clothed in “linen”, Ezekiel 9:2. And John, before his revelations be- gin, likewise sees such a man, one “girded about the chest with a golden band….His eyes like a flame of fire ; His feet were like fine brass, and His voice as the sound of many waters .” Revelation 1: 13-15. The One in Revelation identifies Himself as “The First and the Last”, the one Who “lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore.” (Revelation 1:17-18) John saw Jesus, the eternal Word of God. The glorified Heaven-dwelling Son of the Living God . The One Who was in the beginning with God and is God. And Daniel saw him too!
Knowing that God Himself has introduced this message puts immeasurable weight on it and importance to it. Suddenly it is not a mere history lesson, but something vital that our Lord Jesus wants us to know and act upon. It is a message of equal importance to that given the great apostle, and we need to listen and understand.
As to the “gold of Uphaz”, the place named is unknown in history. Yet in the Garden of Eden, which encompassed the Tigris River valley, there was a land that specializd in quality gold, Genesis 2:12. Perhaps this heavenly Visitor has lately been to the Garden Himself.
10:7-8 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upo n them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength.
Incredible that that which blesses one curses anot her. The sun that melts also hardens. The visionary is alone in a crowd. He sees what they cannot see, and what they must brand as fanaticism. Messengers of God through all time must bear this loneliness, at least for awhile. Another cost for the Truth.
10:9-10 Yet I heard the sound of His words; and while I heard the sound of His words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. Then, suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
Now we must make a choice. Was it Jesus or Gabriel who spoke, and who speaks the rest of this prophecy? Or like in Revelation, is there a combination of Messengers? The word to John was the “revelation of Jesus Christ” but sent by “His angel.” Nevertheless, we see Jesus talking a lot in the Book, and especially so right after His appearing to John. Does that pattern hold true here? Is the hand that touches Daniel the very hand of God? We are told twice that Daniel hears the words of the first Messenger (if indeed there are two). Are those words simply not recorded? Or, are those words the rest of chapters 10 and 11 and part of 12?
On the other hand why might this be Gabriel? Well, Gabriel is mentioned as the mes- senger of the “70 weeks” prophecy in chapter 9. It is stated there that Daniel had seen this “man” earlier. And the context, especially of chapter 10, points to a sent being rather than the Sender.
Let verse 10, then, be the transition, and let’s follow the comments carefully:
10:11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
Yes, it is possible that “The Father” sent “the Son” here. But it seems more likely that the Son sent this angel. And the angel’s first task is to get Daniel to stand up. Daniel has just seen Jesus in all His glory! Having accomplished this,
10:12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your wo rds were heard; and I have come because of your words.
Notice here how the messenger shows that he is distinct from the Godhead. “your God”, “I have come.”
And how beautiful also to see that those who meekly approach the King of Kings will be accepted by Him and lifted up.
10:13 “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and be- hold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
Here is where we begin to turn away altogether from the idea that the God Almighty is the speaker. This rare insight into spiritual warfare described in detail by Paul later, also shows us how Christ has entrusted angels to the fight for now. We know that when He enters the fray, one little word will stop the plans of Satan forever.
We see here that Kingdoms and peoples are assigned a prince both by the Enemy and by the Lord. That angelic force assigned to Persia, and perhaps still in that part of the world to- day, is in conflict here with not only Gabriel, but the servant of the Jewish people, Michael.
It seems interesting to me also that the “Kings”, plural, of Persia are here mentioned. Is this a reference to the succession of Persian kings we will see dealt with in the next chapter, or is this the present set- up, with Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian in a co-regent situation, since both men are mentioned in these two chapters?
10:14 “Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
“Your people” is the Jews, but also included, as we shall see, is all the people of God. Daniel’s people would certainly not include apostate Jews, but would encircle those like us Gentiles who have been grafted into the nation of Israel.
Another specific is the “when” and once more we are told that the ultimate fulfillment is not for a long time, in the “latter” days. Chapter 12 makes it plain that this use of “latter” is not at all generic, but refers to the very end of all things. Only for this reason would the Son of God Himself appear to introduce the matter.
10:15 When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.
Note now that it is the content of the speech, and not the speaker so much, that has over- whelmed Daniel. Though he remains standing, now his head is turned to the ground, and he cannot think of any way to respond to the Heavenly Messenger.
10:16-17 And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me and I have retained no strength. For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me”
Three times this human- like person is addressed as “lord”. The trans lators use a lower case “l” and I will follow them. But the temptation is strong to think of this as the direct inter- cession of Christ Himself touching and strengthening His man. But His man is strengthened only to the point of being able to air his weakness. Before he could not even do that. Daniel, 91 years old, is totally drained of every human reserve, and thus in a perfect state of mind to re- ceive the pure Word of God. Let those who cheaply broadcast their “personal” messages understand the price of true revelation.
10:18-19 Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, “O Man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
Has the person changed again, or is all of this still Gabriel? Soon the text will point clearly to the angel, but during these changes in attitude and strength, we must wait for further understanding to know exactly Who it was that Daniel encountered.
Notice this additional affirmation of Daniel’s status in Heaven. He is loved. What higher ranking could anyone who is an earthling desire? What throne, what office, what title could more bless the man of God than this simple one, beloved.
Daniel is finally ready.
B. The Message : 10:20-12:4
1. Introduction 10:20-11:2
10:20a Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you?”
Daniel needs reminded of the thought begun in verses 11 and 12. A special angelic deputation has been sent to this man for a particular reason: The prophet’s prayers and yearn- ings for truth about his people Israel. This was a subject dear to the heart of God, and so God sent the Messenger to reveal to His man that which he desired. Knowing this would help Daniel endure the awful intensity of being in the light of Heaven in his body of clay.
10:20b “And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.”
Daniel, this that I am about to share with you is about living realities. I am in the midst of a vicious struggle as we speak. I must get back to the battlefield soon. Remember, Daniel , that all of this has to do with a struggle between Persia and Greece, and the unfolding events that will flow from that struggle. Keep your eyes on this fact, Daniel, as I share with you.
10:21a “But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth.”
That which I do and that which is written are all of one, Daniel. The “Scripture of Truth” could have to do with the present collection of scrolls called the Word of God in this era, or the invisible but real scrolls of life recorded in Heaven, visible to us through that other great Seer at the end of the Grand Book, John, a scroll that he himself wept over when it seemed at first no one could interpret it! (Revelation 5:1-4)
10:21b– 11:1 “ (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince. Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I , even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.)”
More looks behind the scenes are afforded us here. Michael is mentioned again as in
10:13. It is repeated that Michael is the only one allotted to the task with him against Satanic overlords governing Persia and Greece. He refers back to the time when the Persians first ove r- came the prince of Babylon, and how he, Gabriel –we assume—had been a blessing to Michael. Rare insights these into our warfare. Let us take note that there is nothing in our human strength that can overcome the determined work of the enemy, and that even angels must fight with all they have to get the job done. What battles have we lost already because we trusted the arm of flesh? Nevertheless the even greater determination of God shall one day override, and be estab- lished.
11:2a “And now I will tell you the truth:”
The formal introduction of one of the most fascinating of all the predictive words from God. Let it be forever settled, Lord, that you have revealed this to your people through Daniel. It is true. It is from God.
