Lessons From Daniel # 10
Chapters 10-12 form one sole section giving the last Old Testament revelation concerning the final destiny of the Jewish nation.
Chap. 10, as an introduction, prepares the read-er for the vision that in chap. 11 is given in great detail.
Chap. 12 presents the conclusion of the matter.

10:1-9, v.1, The year is 536 BC. Daniel is about 90 years old.
The edict of Cyrus. Ezra 1:1-3, in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Per-sia, and he made a proclamation throughout his kingdom, and also in writing, saying, 2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth has Jehovah the God of the heavens given to me, and he has charged me to build him a …...
house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Whoso-ever there is among you of all his people, his God be with him and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of Jehovah the God of Israel --he is God-- which is at Jerusalem.
The word revealed is the vision of this chapter.
Belteshazzar, his Babylonian name (1:7).
Speaking in the 3rd person,he assures the vera-city of the message. (v.2, & onward, first person).
God’s message to man is true and understand-able (that man might obey).
v.2, 3 weeks (hébdomads) of physical and men-tal affliction because of the great national conflict ahead, as revealed in the vision.
v.3, Daniel denied himself normal, physical attentions for 3 weeks! Compare Amos 6:4,6,
“that lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch them-selves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock ... 6 that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments; but are not grieved for the breach of Joseph”.
(Do we grieve over lamentable situations, apos-tasies, today in “Israel”, the church?)
v.4, Exactness of date: (day 24; Passover, 14th-21st).
He is away from Babylon, by the Tigris (Heb., Hiddekel) River.
v.5, there appears an angel in the form of a man (in reality a sexless creature, Matt. 22:30).
clothed in linen = purity of character
girded with gold = of high range or position
v.6, body like the beryl = association w/ royalty
face as of lightning symbolizes the light of truth
eyes as of flaming torches = judgment
arms / feet as of burnished brass = power
voice as of a multitude = authority
A powerful, glorious, authoritarian angel with a message of battle and conflict for God’s people!
(This is not Jesus -- Rev.1:13-15; this person needs help--v.13!)
v.7, this message just for Daniel. Cp. Acts 9:7, hearing voice, seeing no man; 22:9, beheld the light, heard not the voice.
The others were cognizant of the heavenly visi-tor; they flee and hide! (Were they now safe?)
v.8, contact w/ the angel leaves Daniel weak, exhausted. Man is nothing in heaven’s presence!
v.9, When Daniel hears the angelic voice he falls face down in deep sleep. Cp. 8:18.
10:10-17, v.10, Alone Daniel cannot control his body. The angel’s touch enables him to begin to arise.
v.11, three times: “greatly beloved” (v.19; 9:23). God approves Daniel’s attitude. Cp. Job 1:8.
(Are you, am I, greatly beloved of God?
We determine the answer).
God speaks; man is commanded to understand! Eph. 5:17, be not foolish, but understanding what [is] the will of the Lord.
Daniel stands up to receive the message, but still trembles in the presence of the heavenly.
v.12, “Fear not” = consolation for Daniel.
God responds to active faith and humility.
He answers (in his way and time) the prayers of the humble, disposed to understand God’s will.
v.13, “prince of the kingdom of Persia” = not a man, but a wicked angel (no man can resist an angel! -- 2 Kgs. 18:35, one angel smote 185,000 Assyrians).
Angels participate in the rise and fall of nations.
Michael, v.21, “your prince”; “archangel”, Jude 9
The angel sent to Daniel was delayed 3 weeks by the opposition of an evil angel; then Michael came to help him = perfect cooperation between the good angels.
Before Michael’s arrival, Cyrus’ plan to return the Jews to Canaan was hampered by Persian leaders, inspired by the evil angel, the prince of the kingdom of Persia.
But, God is in control; his people need not fear!
v.14, the vision pertains to the final epoch of the Jewish economy, specially to the Greek period and the rule of Antíochus Epiphanes.
“the last days” = the period of the time of the Greeks, set forth in the vision of chapters 11,12.
v.15, Daniel, hearing the angel speak of the des-tiny of the Jews, remained mute and humbled.
(We in worship to God must display godly fear!)
v.16, the angel restores Daniel’s speech. The vision causes him mental trauma and agitation.
v.17, Daniel admits that he is totally unworthy to converse with one so holy and exalted. He is greatly moved, physically helpless.
(Praying to God through Jesus Christ should we show the same humility and unworthiness, or simply use cold, formal, mechanical phrases?)
10:18-21, v.18, the angel’s touch renews strength
For third time Daniel is eulogized (v.11; 9:23).
v.19, He is commanded not to fear (regardless of the news at hand), for God gives peace.
Be strong, be strong = this is man’s part, neces-sary and appropriate for the occasion.
1 Cor. 16:13, Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Daniel is now strengthened and prepared to hear and receive the sad news ahead.
v.20, the angel’s rhetorical question. He had come (v.14) to reveal in particular the time of the Grecian empire’s rule over the Jews restored in Canaan.
The battle against the prince of Persia continues while God’s plan for the coming of the Messiah develops.
Upon passing the Persian empire, trials for the Jews (provoked by the prince of Greece) will continue as time marches toward the coming of the Messiah.
Satan sends his evil angels to influence national leaders to frustrate God’s plans, but without suc-cess, for God is more powerful. God is in control!
This is what we call “the Providence of God”.
Satan has his allies, Eph. 6:12, For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].
God reveals the fact of the battle between spiri-tual forces, but the details are hid from man’s eyes.
(Cp. 2 Kgs. 6:14-20, Elisha sought by the Syrian host, his servant’s eyes opened to see the angel-ic host that blinded the eyes of the Syrians, and then Elisha led them to Samaria).
v.21, the writing of truth = God’s infallible know-ledge about the future and his immutable purpos-es for his people under the Persians and Greeks.
God knows the ideas of men even before they come into their minds.
Nothing surprises God! So, he can put in a “book” that which has not yet occurred.
Michael (“your prince”) seems to be assigned for the protection of God’s people.
The warring angel returns to continue, along with Michael, the battle against the demons be-hind the wickedness of Persia and Greece.
These two angels are sufficient for the task.

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