Daniel 10
The final chapters of Daniel detail one vision. Chapter 10 holds the setup, and 11-12 describe the final vision in detail. This section explains why critics attack the book of Daniel as it contains such clear visions of future events (and since God doesn’t exist) it’s not possible for anyone to predict future events with such accuracy. Of course, the skeptic’s bias becomes known as their presupposition of the lack of God becomes an assumption they must make for their theory to be true.
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 10:1 KJV)
After being in captivity for most of his life, Daniel reaches the age of 85 — long after retirement, he’s not beyond the age God can use him. Don’t ever think you’re too old, too young, not smart enough or any other disqualifier. God desires a willing heart to serve Him — that’s all.
In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. (Daniel 10:2 KJV)
Three weeks? That’s dedication. He didn’t get an answer, yet continued (we’ll see why the answer was delayed soon). Yet another insight into the character of Daniel, and a lesson for us today. It’s a common question to ask, how long should I pray for something? The simple answer — until you receive a reply. Just remember, no is an answer as well (even if you don’t like it).
Daniel mourns for the city of Jerusalem and his people the Jews. The vision comes in the third year of Cyrus — in Ezra 1:1-4 Cyrus made a decree allowing the Jews to go back and build the temple, but not many took advantage of the offer. These events occur two years later, with few actually returning (42,360 according to Ezra 2:64) — they were more comfortable in captivity than engaging the Lord’s work.
If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen. — Samuel Adams
Samuel Adams speaks of the American Revolution, but the principle holds for the Christian just as well. You’re either engaged or not — it’s your choice. You definitely don’t have to be involved if you choose not to be, but isn’t it better to be active for the Lord’s work? It’s not a “got to” but a “get to” — God doesn’t need us, but gives us credit for things we couldn’t do without Him anyway.
But know this, if you choose to engage, it’s rough sometimes. Why are we surprised when we engage if the enemy fights back? That’s the reason many Christians don’t become involved; service for God is tough. It’s easy to be discouraged. Battles always are tough, and that’s when people want to quit. But be stubborn, and recall Paul’s words in Ephesians 6 to be strong — it’s a command to stand your ground.
Imagine this fictitious help-wanted sign:
Men and women wanted for difficult task of building Christ’s church. You will often be misunderstood, even by those working with you. You will face constant attack from an invisible enemy, and often from those whom you consider partners. You may not see the results of your labor, and your full reward will not come until after all your work is completed. It may cost you your home, your ambitions, even your life.
Doesn’t sound too fun, does it? But consider the rest.
You will possess a worldwide mandate, and enjoy compelling advantages over all competition. You will be able to tap into unlimited resources from your headquarters’ support, and the retirement package is out of this world! [1]
You can choose to be engaged or not, but don’t fall for the trap the world in which we live should be the priority — after all, it’s not the permanent world, as Paul said:
Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 KJV)
When tough times come know the certainty of the future and the good guys win. It may not seem like it right now, but the answers appearing in the back of the book (as any math student knows) show the correct answer. Go ahead and sneak a peak — the end events are certain. That’s called perspective, and when you have it, you get the following:
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV)
Sure, service is tough, but don’t forget who you’re working for. Your labor is not in vain, even though you may never see results. What Paul states at the end of 1 Corinthians (translated “labor”) isn’t the effort and work you put it, but rather the tribulations resulting from that work. Don’t quit.
Service for God is tough, but satan doesn’t attack non-threats. If you’re under attack, it could mean you’re on the right path — military non-threats are ignored, not attacked. If you want an easier life, just do nothing for the Lord, and satan and his cohorts will (to a certain extent) leave you alone.
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. (Daniel 10:3 KJV)
Different kinds of fasts exist — Daniel denies himself some of the finer foods and drink, but does not completely eliminate food as fasting should prioritize the spiritual over physical. It’s not about making yourself holy, or scoring points with God, fasting simply adjusts your priorities — instead of feeding the flesh, you devote that time to the Lord.
We take good care of our body — vitamins, organic food, avoiding preservatives and so on. Yet what about the spiritual side? It needs care as well. Is twice a week enough? What if you only fed your body twice a week? How long would your strength hold out? Your spiritual needs are no different and require feeding as well; fasting helps focus the priorities.
And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel; 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: (Daniel 10:4-5 KJV)
The twentieth day of the first month is Nisan 24, an exact date. The guy who claimed to write Daniel gives dates — if it was a late attempt at a forgery, why do this? Why open yourself up to scrutiny? As we’ve talked about earlier, the skeptics always attempt late-dating Daniel’s book, as they believe the only way it’s possible to be so accurate comes from writing after the events took place.
This description should sound familiar, but it’s not from the book of Revelation.
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 color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. 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. (Daniel 10:6-7 KJV)
Daniel has a similar experience to Paul on the Damascus road — those with him didn’t see anything as the vision was private for Daniel himself.
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. (Daniel 10:8 KJV)
A common response exists to seeing God or an angel as all your preconceived ideas melt and nothing remains but a feeling of inadequacy. Other examples in the Bible include:
- Luke 5:1-8 — Peter recognizes who Jesus is and says “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man”
- Revelation 1:9-18 — John the apostle.
- Isaiah 6:1-5 — After Isaiah sees the Lord, he proclaims “Woe is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips”.
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. And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. 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. (Daniel 10:9-11 KJV)
Who is this guy appearing to Daniel? Some commentators say Jesus, but he needs help as we’ll see shortly, so don’t confuse the previous guy with this angel.
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. (Daniel 10:12 KJV)
The first day of prayer causes the dispatching of the answer, yet it didn’t make it to Daniel for a while. Prayers are answered, but not always the way we want, and not always when we want. You don’t get three wishes from God as if He’s a genie; you need patience and sometimes just have to wait.
Answered prayer can be an enigma. Is the tumor malignant or benign? The prayers drift up to God, and we wait for the results. Heal now, Lord! Hear us! And the test comes back … benign! Praise the Lord! God is Good! And on and on it goes.
Yet what if the test comes back malignant? Does the result change the goodness of God? Or did it only change our perception?
Content. That’s the word. A state of heart in which you would be at peace if God gave you nothing more than he already has. Test yourself with this question: What if God’s only gift to you were his grace to save you. Would you be content? You beg him to save the life of your child. You plead with him to keep your business afloat. You implore him to remove the cancer from your body. What if his answer is, “My grace is enough” Would you be content?
You see, from heavens’ perspective, grace is enough. If God did nothing more than save us from hell, could anyone complain? If God saved our souls and then left us to spend our lives leprosy-struck on a deserted island, would he be unjust? Having been given eternal life, dare we grumble at an aching body? Having been given heavenly riches, dare we bemoan earthly poverty?
But there are those times when God, having given us his grace, hears our appeals and says, “My grace is sufficient for you”. Is he being unfair?[2]
Prayer isn’t our attempt to get God to do what we want, rather the soldier reports for duty via prayer and makes himself available. And like any military, many times the private has no concept of the larger strategy. Sometimes we have to live with the “no” answer, or a healing which never takes place, or other events we don’t understand. That’s when you have to lean on grace, and understand grace is enough.
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. (Daniel 10:13 KJV)
The spiritual realm affects the physical and causes the spiritual angel to be delayed physically. It’s an error to believe we live in the “real” world, and the spiritual world is “out there” somewhere. Not so. Physicists tell us we inhabit at least 10 dimensions, though we experience only four. What happens in those other six dimensions? Here in Daniel 10 we see a glimpse. It’s not “out there” somewhere, it’s all around us. If you desire a good glimpse, read “This Present Darkness”, by Frank Peretti and you’ll have an idea how it possibly works.
Still not convinced? Then read 2 Kings chapter six, as Elisha becomes surrounded by the Syrian army. As his servant wakes up seeing the Syrians he panics, but Elisha remains strangely calm. Why? He knows what really occurs in 10 dimensional space, while the servant does not. Elisha sees this guy in a panic, and thus he asks God to let the servant in on what Elisha already knows.
Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host; and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! How shall we do? And he answered, Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw; and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (2 Kings 6:14-17 KJV)
A window into multi-dimensional spaces opens up, and the servant sees reality for the first time.
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. (Daniel 10:14 KJV)
Amos 3:7 says “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets”. God wants you to know — the future is certain, as well as your future. You may be discouraged or in despair at current circumstances, but end events are not in doubt.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJV)
Why comfort? Because the end is sure. It doesn’t matter how tough it is now, the end is sure, and quite near.
And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth, and spoke, 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. 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. (Daniel 10:15-17 KJV)
Daniel’s in a tough spot and needs encouragement. Does that sound familiar? A pattern repeats itself through the Bible (and our lives as well). Sometimes circumstances seem overwhelming and hopeless, requiring God to intervene for encouragement.
Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, 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. (Daniel 10:18-19 KJV)
We need encouragement. It’s easy to be depressed when the battle rages, and you have no idea where events lead. But persevere. Think of Paul — boy did he have troubles! Beaten, stoned (with rocks), and you always had to ask your travel agent when booking a cruise to make sure Paul wasn’t on board — his ships always went down.
Through all this Paul wasn’t super-human. Sometimes he even despaired even of life (2 Corinthians 1). Yet Paul didn’t quit, and stayed the course. So much so that at the end of his life he could tell Timothy “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
But it’s still tough.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved; he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper; the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil; he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. (Psalm 121 KJV)
But he doesn’t promise long life, or an easy journey.
Then said he, Knowest thou why 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 Greece shall come. But I will show 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. (Daniel 10:20-21 KJV)
So what’s going on here? We have the bizarre idea this world we live in is “real”, but the real reality is quite different, recall Peter says all this is going away in one giant nuclear explosion.
According to this chapter, countries have spiritual leaders behind them. The battle is not “out there” it’s all around us — you’re either involved or a casualty because you’re already on battlefield behind enemy lines. If you haven’t studied the Armor of God[3] in Ephesians six, you’d better get started now.
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isaiah 43:1-2 KJV)
We need perspective to understand, and encouragement to stay the course.
[1]Personal Update (The news Journal of Koinonia House) October 1999, page 31
[2]Lucado, Max "In the Grip of Grace" page 131
[3] See our article on the Armor of God for more information.