Daniel 10:1-11:1

Daniel 10 begins the last vision Daniel had and extends through the end of the book.  These next three chapters consist of the most detailed and extensive prophecy in scripture. Daniel 10-12 can be divided into three sections.

1. The Vision of the Man, 10:1-11:1.
2. The Prophecy, 11:2-12:4.
3. The Conclusion, 12:5-13.

The Vision of the Man, 10:1-11:1

This first section is a prelude to the prophecy detailed in the second section and can be further divided into 6 parts,

1. Historical context, 10:1-3.
2. The Man, 10:4-6.
3. Daniels’s reaction, 10:7-10.
4. The Man’s first message, 10:11-14.
5. Daniel’s response, 10:15-19.
6. The Man’s second message, 10:20-11:1.

Historical Context, 10:1-3.

Vs 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.^[a] The understanding of the message came to him in a vision.

Daniel identifies the date this vision was given as the third year of Cyrus, king of Persia.  This would be 536 BC. Daniel is about 85 years old. It has been about 2 years since the events of chapter 9.  Daniel states a revelation was given to him.  Some translations have thing or message. The point is Daniel was given a special revelation.  Daniel notes it was true and concerned a great war. The word true has the idea it would be fulfilled though the events he was to speak of were still several years into the future. The word great war does not mean a singular event.  Rather, the Hebrew word conveys a prolonged period of strife and conflict. Daniel then notes the understanding of the message came to him in a vision. Some speculated that Daniel received the revelation which then triggered his mourning and fast. He then sought understanding which he received three weeks later (see 10:12-13). I think this makes the most sense when reading the verse as the Daniel was sick for the same amount of time the Angel mentioned in 10:12 was delayed.  Regardless, Daniel understood the nation would soon endure more conflict. He admits in chapter 12:8 that he did not understand all the details of what he heard.

Vs 2-3, 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.

The NLT translates this verse as “When this vision came to me, I Daniel, had been mourning, for three whole weeks.” This certainly gives the impression Daniel was in mourning at the time he received the revelation.  The truth here is we do not know, but as I mentioned, I believe he received the revelation yet had to wait on receiving its understanding.

The Man, vs 4-6.

Vs 4, On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris,

Daniel pinpoints the day he receives this vision as the 24^th day of the first month which is Nisan, 536 BC.  Daniel marks this date as a true, dependable, benchmark.  In a way he is saying this is the day I received this revelation and just as the day is fixed and true so will the events be that will soon be described. Daniel then locates his vision on the banks of the Tigress River.  In other words, he fixes the vision in time and space.

Vs 5-6, I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. ⁶ His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.

Daniel now describes a man who has come to him.  Note Daniel gives seven descriptors:

1. He is dressed in linen. Linen emphasizes purity (see Rev 19:8).
2. He has a gold belt. A gold belt was a mark of royalty (see Rev 1:13).
3. His body was like topaz. Some translations have beryl. Topaz is a mix of aluminum and fluorine and is colorless, but impurities can make it appear yellow, blue, pink, orange, brown, or red. It is a semi-precious stone that was used in the breastplate of the priest’s garments.
4. His face like lightening. This is a reference to the Shechinah glory (see Mt 17:2).
5. His eyes like flaming torches. This is a reference to having discernment and insight (see Rev 2:18).
6. His arms and legs were like the gleam of burnished bronze.  Bronze was where God’s judgement dealt with sin (see Ex 30:20, 29:1, 29:10-12) hence it is a symbol of judgement.
7. His voice was like the sound of a multitude. Voices like the sound of a multitude describe the voices of heaven (see Rev 19:6).

This is a description of an angelic being.  We are not told his name, but some have speculated it is Gabriel who spoke to Daniel before.

Daniel’s Reaction, vs 7-10.

Vs 7, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves.

Verse 7 details Daniel’s reaction to the vision. Note Daniel had some companions, but we are not told as to why they were with him or why they all were on the bank of the Tigress away from Babylon. Though they did not see  the vision, they knew something was going on as they became terrified and fled.

Vs 8, So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless.

Verse 8 describes Daniels reaction as he is left alone, gazing at this great vision.  He has no strength; he becomes pale and feels helpless.

Vs 9, Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.

Verse 9 continues to describe Daniel’s reaction. When he heard the angel speak, Daniel falls into a deep sleep. The better way to think about this is that the impact of what he experienced was so strong he faints and loses consciousness, falling face down. This is like Daniel’s experience in Chapter 8:17-18.

Vs 10, A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

Daniel is revived in verse 10.  The angel touches him and raises him to his hands and knees where he trembles and shakes.

The Message of the Man, vs 11-14.

Vs 11, He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

In 9:23 Daniel is first noted to be highly esteemed.  In 10:11 the same words are used.  The Hebrew word literally means to desire or take pleasure in. We are all loved by God, but some are esteemed. The desire of your heart, the choices you make, the actions you do all play a role in this. Daniel was available to God and had a heart for God, and God highly esteemed him. The angel admonishes Daniel to listen carefully and to stand up.  So, Daniel gets up but continues to shake!

Vs 12, Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

This verse would seem to indicate, as I mentioned earlier, that Daniel may have received the vision, which triggered his mourning and fast as he sought understanding of its meaning. The angel was sent in response to Daniel’s prayer.  This verse gives us an insight into the angelic realm.  Who knows how many times God has sent an angel to us to watch over us, guide us, or comfort us, in response to our prayers.

Vs 13, But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.

Verse 13 then gives us another insight into the unseen angelic conflict that rages about us. Just as God has a hierarchy of angels, Satan has a hierarchy of fallen angels. Satan has a particular hatred for Israel as it is the nation of God’s chosen people and the source of the Messianic line.  Satan did not want Daniel to get this message, so he has a high ranking fallen angel to thwart the delivery of this revelation, the prince of Persia.   This would indicate Satan has fallen angels throughout the world trying to influence the affairs of men. This is consistent with 1 Cor 15:24, where Paul states then comes the end when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power.  It takes three weeks of angelic conflict with this Persian prince, and finally the assistance of the archangel Michael to get the message through.  

Vs 14, Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.

In verse 14, the angel who was to deliver God’s message to Daniel finally makes contact and tells Daniel what the vision is about. It will concern his people in the future and a time yet to come.

Daniel’s Response, vs 15-19.

Vs 15, While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless.

Verse 15 notes that Daniel continued to lose strength during the Angel’s conversation. The phrase, I bowed my head to the ground, is like verse 9 where he faints face down. Here he again puts his face to the ground and notes he cannot speak.

Vs 16, Then one who looked like a man^[b] touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak.

In verse 16 the angel touches Daniel again, this time on the lips and revives him so that he can speak.  Daniel tells him he is overcome with anguish and weakness.  Daniel is completely washed out.

Vs 17, How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.

Daniel notes he is so weak, even to breathe is difficult.

Vs 18, Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength.

The angel again touches Daniel and imparts strength.

Vs 19, “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.

The angel now encourages Daniel and says, be strong.  Daniel feels Divine power imparted to him and is revived so that he can hear the rest of the vision. 

The Message of the Man, vs 20-11:1.

Vs 20a, So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you?

Now that Daniel is revived, the angel asks him a question. Do you know why I have come to you? In other words, are you alert enough now to understand why I have come and what I am going to tell you?

Vs 20b, Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, 

Verse 20b explains what the angel will do when he finishes his conversation with Daniel. He will go again to fight the prince of Persia. I mentioned before, Demonic powers are arranged in hierarchies. As the angel mentions the Prince of Persia, he also mentions the Prince of Greece.  We can extrapolate that there are probably demonic beings in charge of every nation on earth. Why will this angel go back and fight the prince of Persia? We must remember the future of the Jewish nation rests with Cyrus’s decree to allow the exiles to return and rebuild the city and the temple. Hence Satan will try to prevent this from happening .  The books of Ezra and Nehemiah describe the incredible opposition the exiles faced in accomplishing this task. So, this angel returns to fight on behalf of the nation in this regard.

Vs 20c, and when I go the prince of Greece will come. 

The verse then states the prince of Greece will come. What the angel is saying is that Persia will soon pass away, and the nation will then fall under the influence and dominion of Greece.  Hence the angelic fight will then center on the prince of Greece.

Vs 21, but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince).

The angel declares to Daniel that before he goes, he will declare to Daniel what is written in the book of truth.  This phrase, the book of truth, is interesting. Some argue that like the book of life mentioned in Rev 20:12, this book is a Heavenly recording of all history: what was, what is, and what is to be. More likely it is a revelation of God’s decrees for the nations.  However one views it, God is sovereign and what he says is truth. In chapter 11 this angel will reveal to Daniel in exquisite detail future events that history has vindicated.

Verse 21 is also an admission that it is this angel and Michael’s fight alone against this demonic being.  I do not know why God did not send more angels as reinforcements,  but we just must leave it as an interesting view into the angelic realm. Note the angel states Michael is your prince. The your is in the plural which means Michael is the guardian angel of the Jews.

11:1, And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I took my stand to support and protect him.

11:1 gives us another insight into the angelic realm. The angel talking to Daniel mentions that in the first year of Darius the Mede, he came to support and protect him.  Who is the him? It is a reference for Michael. In other words, this angel came to assist Michael in whatever Michael was doing during the first year of Cyrus’s reign.  In context, we can assume both this angel and Michael played a role in setting the stage for Cyrus’s decree to rebuild the city and the temple.

What is the takeaway?

1. We are amidst a great Angelic War and some of what hinders us in our walk is demonically orchestrated, Eph 6:12, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
2. Pray for open eyes to see the reality of God’s intervention on our behalf! (2 K 6:17).   
3. Remember Rm 8:37-38, No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[k] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.