Daniel 10
-Chapter ten jumps in the time sequence to the period in
which Daniel was serving Cyrus, king of Persia, who was the last king that
Daniel served under. This indiscernible message to us (because in the text we
are not given it) but discernable to Daniel of the latter days for the Jewish
people had three specific characteristics: 1) It was true, 2) It was one of
great conflict, 3) It left Daniel in anguish with no strength (Daniel 10:1, 14,
16). The context of the vision from God’s angel came in a time of mourning for
Daniel. He had in fact mourned without tasty food, meat, wine, or ointment for
three entire weeks (Daniel 10:2-3). But, on the 24th day of the
first month (this would be the month of Nissan in the spring time), while
Daniel was on the bank of the great Tigris River, he lifted his eyes and looked
beholding a certain man described much like other visions of God in Scripture (Ezekiel
9:2, Daniel 10:4-6; 12:6, Revelation 1:13-14; 2:18; 19:12). The strength of
this man (angel or Son of God?) caused dread on all those around Daniel even
though they could not see him and they ran away to hide themselves (Daniel 10:7,
Acts 9:7). Daniel had no strength left in him when this appearance occurred.
When he heard the sound of tumult in the man’s words he fell into a deep sleep
on his face with his face to the ground (Daniel 10:8-9). Then, a hand touched
him and set him trembling on all fours (hands and knees). The voice told him
that he was a man of high esteem and to understand the words he was about to
receive. Daniel was then told to stand upright for this messenger had been sent
specifically to him (Daniel 10:10-11). The prophet was told not to be afraid “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 (Daniel 10:12).” However, this warrior had been detained
for 21 days by the prince of Persia (here we see the spiritual warfare with
demonic activity), but Michael, the archangel or chief of princes, had come to
help him since he had been left there with the kings of Persia (Daniel 10:12,
21; 12:1, Jude 1:9, Revelation 12:7). Now he was available to instruct the
prophet, Daniel, to give him “understanding of what will happen to your people
in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future (Daniel
10:14).” What Daniel saw, and we are left in the dark textually on this, left
him face down and speechless. Anguish consumed him, and he retained no strength
in his physical body (Daniel 10:15-16). But, “this one with human appearance”
touched him again and strengthened Daniel. He reiterated that Daniel was a man
of high esteem, to not be afraid, that peace was with him, and for him to take
courage and be courageous (Daniel 10:18-19). The one asked Daniel if he
completely understood why he had come to him. He then told the prophet that he
had to go and return in the spiritual fight against the prince of Persia, and
that the prince of Greece was about to come (Daniel 10:20). These forces were
so powerful that only Michael was able to stand firmly with him (Daniel 10:21).
-*Application* We can only imagine what left Daniel so
weakened and distraught from this harrowing vision. Maybe he was exposed to the
atrocities of the Nazi regime upon his Jewish people. Perhaps he saw even more
carnage of what is surely to come in these later days of demonic activity being
poured out upon the physical earth in abominable ways. The spirit of mourning
can bring on these disturbing thoughts and connections to the spiritual battle
that is prevalent in our confusion, chaos, and humble state. This is going deep
here, but anyone who has gone through traumatic grief can identify. The
spiritual realm is real, and God is supremely victorious even in this place. If
you are going through mourning, as Daniel certainly did as we see in the text
(Daniel 10:2), be strengthened by God and His angels in your hours of desperate
need. Even though there may be delays from things we know little about in the
spiritual realm, persist in prayer and beseech the LORD to come and raise you
up in confidence, courage, peace, and security knowing that God always hears us.
The same God that Daniel served, we can serve and get redeeming help and
understanding during our times of desperate need.
Verse to Memorize:
Daniel 10:14
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