Christian UniverseTM
Home | Christian Resources | Christian Links | Links | Site Map
A Bible Study:
The Revelation to John
May 30, 2006
Daniel's Prophecies
A Study of The Revelation to John
By Bernie Parsons - May 30, 2006
A Study of Daniel Chapter 10
In Daniel Chapter 10, Daniel is mourning as he meditates upon the vision of the destruction of the temple.
Daniel 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.”
Daniel acknowledged that the “time appointed was long”—the event was a long way off in time.
Daniel 10:2: “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.”
Verses 2 & 3 of chapter 10 explain that Daniel fasted, prayed, and grieved for three weeks. Why did he do this for three weeks? The answer comes later in the chapter.
Daniel 10: 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.”
In verses 4 through 7, Daniel sees something that he calls a vision. This is apparently not something taking place in his head. This is no dream. Had the others not become frightened and run away to hide, they, too, could have seen this vision.
Daniel 10:8: “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 verses 8-10, Daniel—because of the vision—becomes so weak that he falls prostrate to the ground. That is, he is stretched out face down on the ground. While in this weakened state, he could hear the speaker addressing him. The speaker lifted him to his hands and knees.
Daniel 10:11: “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.”
In verses 11 & 12, the speaker tells Daniel that his prayers were heard from the first day that he prayed. He tells Daniel to rise to his feet, and stand up. Daniel, still frightened by this experience, still weak and trembling, stands upright. He informs Daniel that he has come in answer to his prayers.
Daniel 10:13: “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.
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.”
In verse 13, the speaker tells Daniel that the prince of Persia had withstood him for twenty-one days, which happens to be the same three weeks that Daniel was fasting and praying, explaining the delay in answering the prayer! When things had been gotten under control, he then came to answer Daniel’s prayer. (Without dwelling on the topic here, it is interesting to me that an angel had heard the prayer, and had intentions of answering it just as soon as he got the time! Makes one think!)
Pay attention to verse 14, because it is loaded with important information. He is bringing Daniel an explanation of what will befall “your people” in the “latter days”, which are not to occur for a long while—“many days”. Three valuable bits of information, essential to understanding all this, are gleaned from those words. They help lay the foundation of where this study is headed.
First, these are things that shall befall “your people”. Who were Daniel’s people? They were the children of Israel, and the offspring of Abraham. Second, what is meant by the “latter days”, or “last days”? It is speaking of the end of Jerusalem, and with it, the end of the way that their religion had been practiced. Finally, we know that they were far removed from Daniel’s time, because they would not occur for “many days”. There is more on this in the twelfth chapter of Daniel. Something terrible was going to happen to the Jews that would bring their way of life to an end, and it would happen long after Daniel was gone.
Daniel 10:15: “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.”
Verses 15 through 19 deal with Daniel’s weakness, and the efforts of the angel to encourage and strengthen him. Daniel was already weakened through his grief for the calamity to befall his beloved city and people. He was further weakened by his fasting. Lastly, he was weakened even more by the startling appearance of this marvelous and awesome messenger from God.
Daniel 10:20: “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.”
In verse 20, the angel tells Daniel that he has to return to fight with the prince of Persia, and after that, the prince of Grecia shall come. This prince of Grecia was none other than Alexander the Great! We can see now which direction these scriptures are pointing! He said that no other supported him, except “Michael, your prince”. (More on Michael, which name means “like unto God”, in the next two chapters.)
Back To Top Back To The Index Back To Daniel Chapter 9 Go To Daniel Chapter 11
