Daniel: Chapter 10
Setting
This chapter is the end of the visions of Daniel, but it actually carries through to the end of the book to Daniel 12. This chapter lays the foundation and provides the setting for the remaining chapters. It gives an overview of events revealed in previous chapters, yet provides more detail than the previous visions. It is curious that Daniel maintained his Babylonian name Belteshazzar while under the rule of the Medes and Persians. No where in Daniel 6 was he referred to by this name, yet it is repeated here, possibly in fondness to the king who had given him that name, and who had turned to believe in the Lord through the faithfulness of Daniel. It may be inferred that by this time Daniel was in a state of retirement based on the last verse of the first chapter in Daniel, Daniel 1:20-21.
Looking back at the dreams Daniel had, their interpretation, and the toll they had on his person, it is understandable and to see why he was persistent in his prayer to God. He was still searching for answers to all that was revealed to him by God, where:
- God revealed the end of the times of the Gentiles, Daniel 7
- It was then revealed in the following centuries the transition of empires, from the Persians to the Greeks
- Near the end of the Grecian empire, a type of the Antichrist would appear, Daniel 8:23-26
- Daniel was sick from this vision, Daniel 8:27
- Then three segments in the 70 weeks-of-years was revealed, which the Israelites and Jerusalem are to go through, Daniel 9:24
Daniel was burdened for all Israel, Daniel 10:2, which was about the same as others had experienced, such as:
- Moses prayed for the people of Israel, Exodus 32:30-33
- Paul wished he could take the place of the lost in Israel, Rom 9:1-3
Daniel lived to:
- Witness the exile of the Jews and the destruction of Jerusalem
- See only a remnant return freely back to Judea to rebuild the temple
- Hear of the struggle of those who returned to their promised land
However, unlike the Israelites who all left Egypt with all their flocks and herds, to follow Moses and worship the Lord, but because of the prosperity of the Jews, few left Persia to fulfill the purposes of God
- The majority of Jews who remained in Babylon and other cities in the empire, enjoyed their prosperity and way of life under Gentile rule
- They were not living for God in a disciplined life as Daniel had
- It was easier to send support to those who left to live in the land of Israel. It was difficult for them to pack up, move, and reestablish themselves in their own land, to follow in God’s ways, both physically and spiritually
- Daniel was witness to Israel’s passive rebellion against God
| Verses | Topic |
|---|---|
| 1 | Official greeting |
| 2-3 | Daniel mourns for three weeks |
| 4-9 | Daniel sees the pre-incarnate Christ |
| 10-12 | Encouragement from the angel |
| 13-21 | The spiritual dimension |
In Daniel 10:1, Daniel begins this verse in the third person, as if he were sending an official document to others. He continued to use his official Babylonian name, though the Persians had been in power for three years. But he does establish the day of this revelation, during the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia. Similar to Daniel 2, where he emphasized the truth of what God had revealed to the king, and the interpretation through Daniel, so he again underscores the truth. The dream of King Nebuchadnezzar did not indicate that its fulfillment would occur over a prolonged period of time, but it is explicitly stated here. An important point to make is that Daniel 10 through Daniel 12 are actually all the same revelation. The chapter breaks were not part of the original text, but put in much later in time to enable people to better communicate the context of their discussion on scripture. Daniel confirms that the message is true, that its fulfillment will be in the far future, and it concerned a great war.
In Daniel 10:2-3, he describes how he was in mourning for three weeks. While in this state, he did not eat bread, meat, nor any wine. He did not bath himself. The mourning of Daniel took place in the 3rd year of Cyrus the king of Persia, which was after a “few” of the Jewish population in exile, returned to Jerusalem. It is also interesting to note that Daniel’s mourning extended through the entire Passover and Feast of Unleavened bread, the time of celebration and remembrance of Israel's exodus out of Egypt, Exodus 12. These feasts were perpetual events to be observed every year by Israel to instruct each new generation about the Lord's leading His people out of bondage into the land of promise.
There is a powerful comparison between these observances to what is prepared for Israel’s future. These celebrations remind the Jews of God’s great hand in redeeming His people, and drawing them out as a nation from the land of Egypt. Daniel's vision was one that covered both the near future of Israel (influenced by the little horn described in Daniel 8), and the far future (influenced by the little horn who is the Antichrist, described in Daniel 7). The time of this writing, the “few” Jews in exile who returned to Jerusalem, suffered from local people in the land who discouraged, troubled and frustrated their efforts in the rebuilding of the temple, and who complained to the king, Ezra 4:1-7. Similar to when Israel was delivered from Egypt, a great deliverance of Israel will occur again, but at that time it will be from all the nations of the world. This will occur with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ at the battle of Armageddon. It is then that He will establish His worldwide rule, and be seated on the throne of David.
In Daniel 10:4-7, Daniel reports that he was on the banks of the Tigris River on the 24th of that month. There, Daniel observes a phenomenal sight, a vision of a man greatly dressed. Centuries later, soon after the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul only saw a bright light while on the Damascus Road. He knew immediately that it was the risen Lord, as recorded by Luke, and later in his epistles, Acts 9:3-9, Galatians 1:11-23, In both instances of Daniel and Paul, not only was the experience unexpected, but none of those traveling with them could grasp the full nature of what was happening. They only knew that something quite powerful had happened.
Daniel saw in his vision a man brilliantly clothed, which is similar to whom the Apostle John described while on the Isle of Patmos, Revelation 1:1-20. That is when John looked upon the glorified Christ. What Daniel saw was the pre-incarnate Christ, since his vision occurred before the first advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only are physical descriptions of Christ strikingly similar, but so are the men's reaction to this sight. Daniel had companions with him, but they did not see the vision, but sensed something that caused great fear in them, so they fled. Daniel, Paul, and John fell prostrate at the presence of the glorified Christ. John was alone when his vision occurred and he recorded it, Revelation 1:10-17, 6:15-16.
| A Comparison of the Presence of the Glorified Christ | Part of His Person | Daniel's Record | John's Record |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | A man | Son of man, Revelation 1:13 |
| Outer garment | Linen | A garment down to his feet, Revelation 1:13 |
| Belt | Fine gold of Uphaz | Golden girdle, Revelation 1:13 |
| Color of His body | Beryl, a golden colored gem | A stone on the high priest’s breastplate, (Ex 28:20), one of the stones on new Jerusalem, (Rev 21:20) |
| Head and hair | Appearance of lightning | White like wool, as white as snow, Revelation 1:14 |
| Eyes | Lamps of fire | Flame of fire, Revelation 1:14 |
| Arms and Feet | Color of polished brass | Like fine brass, Revelation 1:15 |
| Voice | Of a multitude | Of many waters, Revelation 1:15 |
| Reaction at His Presence | Only Daniel saw the vision, but his escort felt Christ’s presence and fled to hide from Him | Fell as dead, Revelation 1:17 |
As a quick side note, Paul's experience on his way to Damascus to arrest and prosecute Christian Jewish believers, Acts 9:3-7, was similar to Daniel's experience, though the reason for their travel differed greatly. Nevertheless, they witnessed the presence of the Lord in at least three ways:
- A great light suddenly shown about Paul
- Paul fell to the earth trembling
- The men on the journey with Paul, were speechless, in that they heard a voice but saw no man
- Daniel's experience was likewise unexpected
- Travelers with Daniel sensed something, but could not see or understand, and they hid
- Daniel heard the Lord speak, and fell into a deep sleep on the earth (compare with John’s response, Revelation 1:17-18)
In Daniel 10:8-9, Daniel found himself alone on the river bank, as he continued to view the vision. He had no strength in him to do anything, and in the presence of the preincarnate Christ, (meaning, that Daniel saw the person of Christ before His virgin birth to Mary), and Daniel sensed that all his regal clothing were as filthy rags in His presence. This ties directly to another scene in scripture, where the high priest Joshua was standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan on the other side, Zechariah 3:1-5. The Lord had other angels change Joshua’s clothing. Daniel emphasizes his lack of physical strengh to do anything while before the Lord. When He heard the voice of the Lord, His physical state was with his face to the ground, and emotionally, he fell into a deep sleep.
In Daniel 10:10, there appears to be an angel who touches Daniel and helped to set him up upon his knees and hands. This angel is not named, so he may or may not be Gabriel. To keep from distracting from his message, the name of this angel is of no consequence. The main issue is what the angel reveals to Daniel.
In Daniel 10:11, the angel tells Daniel of the favored relationship that he has with the Lord, and then encouraged Daniel to stand up. Though Daniel heard and did as he was told, he was still shaken at the awesome sight that was developing before him.
This is one of the few times that we gain a glimpse on heavenly activities, and upon the role and influence of the spiritual domain on our physical world. After providing comfort to Daniel more than once, this angel reveals some startling facts. First, in Daniel 10:12, the angel indicates that from the first day when Daniel began praying and fasting concerning the vision and understanding he was given, that the angel was tasked to meet with him. What is interesting, is that the angel was delayed in his task and could not immediately complete his mission, as seen in the following verses.
In Daniel 10:13-14, the second fact is that God's angel was held up for three weeks by the Prince of Persia. This is a fallen angel who was captured by Satan's subtle lies, and removed from the Lord's heavenly presence, Isaiah 14:12-17, Ezekiel 28:11-19, Revelation 12:2-3. Michael, who is the chief princes of Israel, Daniel 12:1, was called to assist God's angel to complete his mission, to advise Daniel, and to make him understand what would befall his people (Israel) in the latter days. Notice that the angel said that the fulfillment of this vision would not occur for many days, implying that Daniel would not see these events.
In Daniel 10:15-19, Daniel responded again by setting his face to the ground and he was speechless. So the angel approached him, and touched his lips to open them. After that, Daniel began to speak many things, expressing his physical reaction to the visions that he had seen. He was terribly weak, and little breath was left in him. So once again the angel touched Daniel to strengthen him. The angel repeats that Daniel is greatly beloved, and encourages him to be strong and not fearful. At this word, Daniel finally strengthened himself, and asked the angel to continue to speak. This new information the angel will provide Daniel will be very detailed, and concern the people of Israel during the inter-testament times. The angel's news will further amplify what was already revealed to Daniel concerning the goat and its little horn in Daniel 8.
In Daniel 10:20-21, the angel asks rhetorically, if Daniel now understands why he was sent to him. The angelic being continued by saying that after he finishes with Daniel, he will return to fight against the Prince of Persia, so that the prince of Greece would come. Again, this is just a slight view of the spiritual realm where events precede those in the physical realm. This is only the 3rd year of Cyrus when this vision occurs, about 556 B.C. Centuries later, Alexander the Greek will fight against and destroy the Persian empire in about 356 B.C. As evidenced in these passages, there is an implied difference in time and space in the spiritual realm versus our physical world, which is not fully revealed. The angel also stated that the Archangel Michael was supporting him, so that he could continue to provide this revelation to Daniel. Again, this passage provides insight on the implied geographic limitation of demons. They cannot roam about on their own volition.
It is vital for the Christian believer today to understand that the prayers of the righteous are effectual, James 5:16. For through prayer and fasting some spirits can be expelled, Mark 9:25-29. The following list provides further reasons and outcomes from prayer as evidenced in scripture.
- We fight against powers and principalities, Ephesians 6:10-18
- There is order within both the physical and spiritual realms, Jude 1:8-10 (dispute between Satan and Michael)
- Satan is ruler of the kingdoms of this world which he used to tempt Christ, Matthew 4:8-11
- Satan is the prince of the air, Ephesians 2:1-3
- Pray for those in authority, 1Timothy 2:1-4
- Fight against every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God 2Corinthians 10:3-6