CHAPTER 10

1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.

Please note first that Daniel was "mourning" and fasting (vss 2-3). Mourning indicates something lost. By the third year of Cyrus, work had begun on the temple in Jerusalem, and then it was stopped because of opposition.

Daniel was fasting and praying concerning the plight of his people.

Then God gave him a revelation. This revelation was "true" because it came from God. Every Word from God is TRUE!

The revelation concerned time in the future and Daniel understood that.

4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; 5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: 6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, 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. 7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.

The date is 536 B.C., and Daniel is perhaps in his mid-eighties. Daniel was meditating by the Tigris River and saw "a man."

This "man" is described somewhat the same as Jesus in Revelation 1:10-16. This is a theophany, an appearance of Christ in the Old Testament.

He was clothed in "linen," representing purity.
He wore a girdle (sash) about his waist that had the appearance of gold.
His body gave the appearance of "beryl," which is probably chrysolite. In other words he gave a "hue" that looked like the sun glinting off aluminum.
His face was very bright, and his eyes were as fire.
His arms and feet appeared like polished brass.
And, when he spoke, his words were very STRONG and POWERFUL.

Daniel alone saw "the man" (verse 7). A great fear fell on the others that were with him and they ran, not seeing "the man."

8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. 9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. 10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

In brevity, seeing "the man" made Daniel faint! It is significant that John records the same experience in Revelation 1:17.

Daniel's fainting caused him to be in a "deep sleep" (verse 9) with his face turned away from "the man."

Then a "hand" touched him and made him get into the crawling position as an infant does.

11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. 12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

Now the Lord speaks to Daniel and causes him to "stand upright." He says that Daniel is "a man greatly beloved." And that is very encouraging to Daniel. God loves ALL His people. And God seeks to be powerful in and through His people (2Chronicles 16:9).

When Daniel had BEGUN fasting and praying, the angel was SENT. God hears our prayers immediately and answers immediately!

However, the angel was detained by another angel of like power -- "the prince of the kingdom of Persia." It is said by some that the angel in Persia was giving advice to the leaders of that nation which caused opposition to the Jews.

But "Michael, one of the chief princes" came to help the angel that had been sent to Daniel. Michael is otherwise described as the archangel who is the guardian of Israel (Daniel 12:10, Jude 9).

What we learn here is tremendously significant! There are angels who influence governmental activities and choices!

Sometimes the way governments rise and fall, we don't understand. It's strange. But we do know that God is in control. He is providentially guiding the events of history for His glory.

14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. 15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. 16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. 18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, 19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me. 20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. 21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.

The vision Daniel is about to receive concerns the "latter days." It is for a time in the future, yet concerns Israel.

Again, when Daniel is faced with "the man," he becomes very weak and is stricken "dumb." But the Lord sent someone to enable him to speak (verse 16), and then to give him strength (verse 18).

Upon receiving salvation (the realization and joy of it), our first directive from God is to SPEAK! Then God gives us strength to share the gospel with others.

Then angel sent to Daniel will inform him; but then he must go back to his fighting with the "prince of Persia." And when he returns there, the "prince of Grecia" will come. Greece, under Alexander the Great, would become a great dominant world power.

Daniel is told that he would be shown from "the scripture of truth." What comes out of God's mouth is TRUTH, and become SCRIPTURE! We study to learn what God says and is saying. We study to learn what God would have us to say.

The next chapter holds revelation that comes from God's mouth - it is TRUTH!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.