April 19, 2023
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Reading along with us in Daniel? Here’s today’s reading:
Daniel 10 (NIV)
Daniel’s Vision of a Man
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.
2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over........Continue Reading
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Daniel has been concerned and perplexed about previous visions and what is going to happen to his people in the future. After prayer and fasting another vision comes to him for the purpose of providing some understanding.
There is conjecture about just who the “man” is who appears to Daniel over the river. In any event, the man recognizes Daniel’s faithfulness and that he is held in high esteem. He reports that he was delayed 21 days while opposing evil angels for the King of Persia. He was freed up to explain events to Daniel when Michael came to his aid in Persia. He will return to Persia, then the prince of Greece will come. “..but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.”
Once again God sends a response to Daniel’s prayer through what appears to be an angel. This vision seems to overwhelm Daniel physically and emotionally. It seems that this angel was delayed in his response to Daniel and required the assistance of Michael, I assume another angel. It seems this was more a picture of the spiritual battles fought “behind the scenes” so to speak of the actual struggles and difficult situations we face based on the free will choices we make that lead us astray and open to attacks from Satan.
This vison comes to Daniel in the third of Cyrus king of Persia. He was mourning for three weeks. He was fasting and this is when God revealed things to him. The prayer of Daniel was heard but was delayed because the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me . [ The person that came to Daniel]. But he goes on and says that Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help him. This first person came to help Daniel understand what will happen in the latter days. We have a few beings mentioned in this chapter. The first one is described as a certain man clothed in linen whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz. His body like beryl, and his face as the appearance of lighting, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. [ Daniel 10; 5b–6 ]. This description sounds like this is [ Jesus]. Which would mean that Michael is the arch angel that we read about. Please correct me if I am wrong. Never to old to learn. God bless you all.
Daniel 10
Daniel 10
This chapter tells of the beings and circumstances that surround the vision that is coming in chapter 11. It is no wonder that Daniel is troubled and overwhelmed by all the he has seen and is seeing. There are several beings mentioned in the passage and yet it is difficult to tell which one is communicating with Daniel. The being at the beginning is most likely Jesus in all His glory and splendor, and then Gabriel appears to be the one in verse 10 who has been sent to tell Daniel the vision. It is tough to say whether Jesus is the one like a man who touches Daniel in verse 16, or whether that remains Gabriel…or whether it is even Jesus who is speaking right through. The issue for me, is I can see Gabriel needing Micheal’s support in a battle with a demon, but I can’t see Jesus having that need. But regardless, it is interesting to get a glimpse into the angelic world and see described the effects that spiritual battles have on the results that happen on the earth. And again how privileged and yet how daunting it is for Daniel to be exposed to it all.
Daniel prays for the whole nation of Israel, and he includes himself when he says, “we have rebelled against God”. Daniel states that it is not because of our righteousness that God answers us, it is because of his great mercy. And the Lord responds to his prayer by sending an angel to explain what is to happen to Jerusalem in the days to come.
Daniel 10
Daniel is in mourning for 3 weeks over his previous vision. It seems that “the one who looked like a man” come in response to his prayers and to show him yet more to come. I also read commentary that said that this must be Jesus and perhaps Gabriel or another angel because Jesus would not have needed any help from Michael, but I was thinking why wouldn’t Jesus enlist help, at least at this point in history (he has not become a man and gained victory over death)? Satan is resisting God the Father and certainly God can vanquish him to hell, but He hasn’t done so yet. Even in the end, at the battle of Armageddon, Jesus will bring his heavenly armies (us?) with him – Revelation 19. Does He need them? Maybe not, but perhaps humans and angels must participate in the battle to demonstrate what side they are on.
It is a good reminder to read this to get a picture of what occurred/occurs in the heavenly realm. I have an overwhelming sense that we are in a spiritual battle. Lawlessness is increasing.