Daniel 10:1 to 11:1 • Daniel's Mourning and Terrifying Vision
- Steve Schott
- 4 hours ago
- 7 min read
► Today we move into what I believe is a three-part mini-series.
► Daniel, near the of his recorded history, is going to receive some specific info related to the future of not only Israel, but of the world.
► He will be given, what from his perspective must have seemed like an overwhelming cataclysm of world forces, but will wrap up with God's final and ultimate victory over evil.
► In today's section, we see Daniel receiving a "visitor", who will begin to walk him through this dark future, with a brilliant light at the end of the tunnel.
Daniel is Terrified by a Vision
Chapter 10
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the message was true and one of great conflict, but he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision.
► When the text says "in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia" we can deduce that it is about 537BC.
→ We know historically that Cyrus, and the Medo-Persians conquered the Chaldeans of Babylon in 539BC.
► We also know from Ezra 1:1-4 (and 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, which is repeated in the Ezra passage), that "in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia", Cyrus not only released the Jewish people to return to Israel, but he also stated that God "has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem...".
→ Again, historically we know this event happened in 539BC.
► So even though the people of Israel have been given the freedom to return, we understand that Daniel is still in Babylon.
→ We also know that some Jews, for whatever reason, would stay in Medo-Persia proper, as events recorded in the Biblical book of Esther are dated about 483-473BC, meaning that 56 to 66 years AFTER the decree to repopulate and rebuild Jerusalem, there is still a large retinue of Jews living in Medo-Persia.
► During this time "a message was revealed to Daniel", one that is bringing him great distress, that has come to him in a "vision".
2 In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. 3 I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed.
► The general consensus amongst the commentators I've read is that Daniel is upset/concerned for the conditions of the Jews that have returned to Jerusalem, and the continual confrontations and/or obstructions being placed on them by either the local Samaritans, or perhaps by adversaries within the Persian court, or perhaps both.
► Daniel is fasting and praying during this time.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great river, that is, the Tigris, 5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz. 6 His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a tumult. 7 Now I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great dread fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision; yet no strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength. 9 But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
► This seems similar to Saul's Damascus road experience, where everyone with him could plainly see and hear that something was going on, something supernatural, but only Saul was spoken to directly.
► This description of Daniel's visitor is amazingly like the description of Christ in Revelation 1:12-16, but as we'll see in a moment, is probably not the pre-incarnate Jesus.
Daniel Comforted
10 Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, “O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future.”
► This angelic visitor, whom some commentators believe to be Gabriel, touches Daniel and encourages him to stand and listen and understand what he is about to say to him.
► When the visitor says to Daniel "the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days", and adds that "Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me", it suggests that this is not the pre-incarnate Christ, as He would not have needed the Archangel Michael's help to get out from under the restriction of this apparent fallen angel.
15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16 And behold, one who resembled a human being was touching my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, “O my lord, as a result of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For how can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? As for me, there remains just now no strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me.”
► Daniel, again overwhelmed by what, or who, he is seeing, looks away, as if he is unworthy to witness the glory of this visitor.
18 Then this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me. 19 He said, “O man of high esteem, do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!” Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, “May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
► Daniel is touched again by this angel, and is strengthened.
20 Then he said, “Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come. 21 However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince.
► The angel begins to tell Daniel that what he's about to tell him, in the short time he has before he returns to fight the "prince of Persia", and also before the time of "the prince of Greece" comes, is "inscribed in the writing of truth".
► This "writing of truth" (NASB), or "book of truth" (ESV, NIV, NLT), or "scripture of truth" (KJV, NKJV), as various translations have recorded it, is not a part of the bible perse, but is probably like God's roadmap that shows exactly how and/or when all of these historical, and future, events will play out.
Chapter 11
► The angel tells Daniel, that two years previous, he began to help "Darius the Mede... to be an encouragement and a protection for him".
► The rest of this story will unfold in the next post.
So What?
► While I've only ever met one person who believes they had an encounter with an angel, it's not common.
► There have been many times that I would have liked God to send me one of His sidekicks to clarify some things for me, but alas, up to this moment none have come.
► So I take comfort that while I haven't experienced any times like this, or have had my own "Damascus road" experience, I take comfort in knowing, that at least for now, everything God wants me to know is found in His Word.
► So I look, I study, I reason, I question, and ultimately I trust.
Posts in this series
► Daniel 10:1 to 11:1 • Daniel's Mourning and Terrifying Vision
► Daniel 11:2-35 • The Kings of the South and the North
► Daniel 11:36 to 12:13 • The King Who Exalts Himself and the End Times
Photo • 2022/06/27 - Sunrise near Claremore, OK
“Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995
by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org”
All linked verses are from the YouVersion at www.Bible.com
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