As we enter into the study of the last few chapters of Daniel, we should keep in mind that together they form an extensive revelation, a prophetic future that sweeps across time to the very end of time as we know it. This is Daniel's fourth vision and it consists of many details behind the scenes of the kings and kingdoms of Daniel's previous visions. We can see 4 parts to the last three chapters:
- Chapter 10 thru 11:1: This chapter is introductory.
- Chapter 11:2 thru 11:35: This dealt with the immediate future from Darius to Antiochus.
- Chapter 11:36-12:4: This section speaks to the far future, the end just before the coming of Christ.
- Chapter 12:5 -13: The timing, sealing up and encouragement of Daniel.
Daniel 10:1
The date is 536B.C. and it's the third year of King Cyrus. Daniel saw the end of the Babylonian empire and the rise of Persia. He was around 85 years old when this revelation was given to him. Cyrus had given the decree to build the temple around two years prior. Zerubbabel had taken 50,000 Jews and returned to Jerusalem to begin construction on the temple, but things weren't going all that well. The altar was rebuilt but real construction had been interrupted by the Samaritans. The temple wouldn't be completed for 20 years. Daniel would not live to hear that news make it to Babylon.
This revelation is a message delivered to Daniel; most likely another vision. To Daniel's eyes, the prophecy appeared to be a great war; the word could also mean a conflict or great hardship. Daniel understood the message of this vision. He knew it spoke of the future.
Daniel 10:2-3
Daniel mourned, most likely for the state of affairs; only 50,000 Jews returned (he was not one of them), the temple construction was interrupted and he would not see the day of its completion. There may have been many more. We also know that the first of Nisan marked the New Year and would have been a feast day. The beginning of another year with most of God's people still in exile probably detracted from any New Year festival. It was discouragement and concern for the future of his nation; it may be fear was creeping in. Mourning, along with the fasting and prayer were preparation for a vision. Daniel ate none of the fine food, but only sustained his body during this period. The choice food was the 'bread of pleasure' as opposed to the bread of affliction, the unleavened bread of Passover. He ate no meat and drank no wine during this time. Also consistent with the time of mourning was that he used no lotions or fragrant oils for personal grooming. Daniel gave himself over to seeking the Lord and waiting on him for an answer.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
This mourning, fasting and prayer continued for three weeks. Most of us would have long given up. It was the 24th day of Nisan when things began to happen.
Daniel 10:4-11
Daniel's story begins to unfold as he was standing by the Tigris on the 24th of Nisan. Although it doesn't say, this is probably the end of the 21 day fast. If this is the case, then he may have feasted the new moon on the first couple days of Nisan and started his fast. This would have him fasting through Passover though.
Daniel saw this man dressed in linen, with a gold belt, a face like Topaz, eyes like flaming torches, arms and legs like bronze and a voice like the sound of the multitude. Consider Revelation 1:13-15 which speaks of Christ:
Among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, u dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters.
Daniel doesn't identify this man; there is much speculation on whether this is an angel or Christ. This vision happened very similar to Saul's vision on the road to Damascus. The others couldn't see but were overcome with fear. This seems to be a way of driving them off so Daniel would be left alone. This vision also has a physical affect on Daniel, making him fearful and without strength. Daniel ends up with his face to the ground.
Daniel was considered 'highly esteemed'; he was treasured or greatly beloved. This, along with the fact the others were driven off, leads you believe Daniel alone was spiritually qualified to receive the vision. Yet, even highly esteemed, Daniel was still a sinful man and driven to his face before this heavenly being. Daniel was to give careful consideration to the words he was about to hear. These would be the words of chapters 11 and 12.
Daniel 10:12-19
Anxiety and fear were to be set aside so as not to interfere with the message. It was apparently important for Daniel to know (and thereby us to know) that the answer to the prayer was coming from the first day that he humbled himself and endeavored to understand what would happen. The word translated 'set your mind' is actually the Hebrew word 'heart'. Daniel gave his heart to this.
Daniel was to know this message was coming to him in response to his words. What were Daniel's words that were heard? We don't know exactly, but we got a glimpse of Daniel's heart in chapter 9 when he prayed. This was a man that was broken hearted for his people. He longed for Jerusalem, not just the city, but because of what it represented. It was God's city, the place where he put His temple to interface with men. He longed for home, not just Judah, but the Promised Land, the place where God put them. He longed for their restoration and for the temple to be rebuilt. He wanted to see the worship of the Lord restored at the temple. He identified with the sins of the people, interceded on their behalf and poured out his heart to God. This is a man with a servant's heart, a prayer warrior, a man of great faith who loved the Lord. Even at 85, he was so esteemed he couldn't take on 21 days of fasting, prayer and mourning to seek God. It proves James' point.
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)
The words Daniel spoke made their way to God's ear and the Lord dispatched an answer. But the answer we held up. The 'prince' of Persia is a supernatural prince, a demon. In this period, it was widely understood that every nation had a custodial angel, a heavenly being that sat on the council of God. In Job 1:6 we can see the sons of God (bene' elohom) present themselves to God at this council. In 1 Kings 22:19-23 the prophet gives us a glimpse into a council meeting as a problem is discussed. Again, in Psalm 82 we get a glimpse into this council room.
Daniel had a sense of what was at stake for his people and he poured himself out in prayer. This became powerful to draw an answer. The answer was held up by Satan and his powers. It took the archangel Michael to push through this resistance. Where did this resistance come from? Is it not the evil forces that are allowed to inhabit the land? The false gods that are worshiped and demons that are allowed to thrive and run free? We are told we can resist the devil and he will flee. When a nation no longer resists the devil, he sets up camp. This generates so many thoughts and questions.
- The prayers of the righteous have power to dispatch angels. Is it not true that idolatry and sin and a heart far from God would dispatch demons? Is it one for one, equal powers warring in the heavens? Do we not have an advantage?
- For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Cor 10:3-5)
- It seems we have an advantage. We are not left to the mercy of a world around us.
- If our words draw answers from heaven, do the unbelieving words, doubt and fear not draw answers from hell?
- 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
- If Daniel had given up fasting and prayer in a week because it was taking too long, would the answer have made it to him? Did Jesus not say 'to pray and not give up' in Luke 18:1 for a reason?
- Why is the prince of Persia a demon? Is the heart of the nation revealed in the spiritual power that represents it? Has there been a change in our representation recently? As there is a custodian spirit for the nation, is there the same for the home? What would the spiritual representation of your home be like? Holy, godly, a loving servant, grace, truth?
- 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. y 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deut 6:4-9)
- We know from the words of Jesus that people are inhabited by spirits. A demon cast out would return if there wasn't another spirit to fill the void.
- 43 "When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation." Matthew 12:43-45
- Does the Spirit of the nation represent the spirit of the towns, of the homes, of the people? If we live ungodly lives and keep an ungodly home in an ungodly nation, what kind of representation might we have in heaven? How much resistance have we unleashed to resist the work of the Lord?
- 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
- As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph 4:1-6)
We once again find ourselves challenged with the thought we should "Dare to be a Daniel!"
Since this man that stood before Daniel needed assistance from Michael, then we can revisit the idea of his identity. While this heavenly being resembles the glorified Christ of Revelation 1, the Lord Jesus would not need Michael's assistance to put down this resistance.
All this action and adventure was a precursor to the message itself. The answer would be an explanation of the future of the Daniel's people.
Daniel was speechless. I can imagine him being humbled at all this going on simply because of his prayer, the prayer of an old man with old fashioned values and old-fashioned thoughts he refused to let go of. At the touch of his lips, he is cleansed, given his words and permission to speak them. Yet, Daniel is overwhelmed, weak, out of breathe and humbled, all at the same time.
The angel touches him again, this time giving him strength and speaking encouragement and strength to him, casting out all fear. Daniel was strengthened and encouraged him to continue with the words of future.
Daniel 10:20-11:1
Daniel is reminded that the angel came to reveal the future. The fight against the prince of Persia was an ongoing spiritual warfare, not a one-time battle. The battle rages daily, until the day when another comes, the prince of Greece. These are the 2nd and 3rd beasts, representing the great kingdoms of men. This was troubling news for Daniel and Israel. It meant the difficult and unsettling times for the nation would continue during the Persian rule and on into the rule of Greece. This is the basis for the information to come in chapters 11 and 12. Before he returned to the warfare, he would reveal to Daniel what was written in the Book of Truth. This is the sovereign and established plan of God. It is the written truth yet to come.
In the first year of Darius, right after the fall of the Babylonian empire, there were a group of Chaldeans who sought to bring harm to Daniel (Daniel 6). Remember, Daniel sat at the window and prayed when he heard the decree go out regarding worshiping anyone but the king. Even then, charges were made and he was thrown into the lion's den. While Daniel was going into the lion's den, this good angel had joined Michael to help him in the spiritual battle. When Daniel came out of the lion's den unharmed, he said;
My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. (Daniel 6:22)
The Spiritual warfare will continue in the heavens until the Lord's return; just ass man's attempt to rule himself will ultimately fail every time. As long as mankind finds place for sin in their lives, the fruit of sin will continue to war against the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians helps us see the contrast:
Acts of the flesh (fruit of a unholy spirit);
sexual immorality
impurity and debauchery
idolatry and witchcraft
hatred
discord
jealousy
fits of rage
selfish ambition
dissensions
factions
envy
drunkenness
orgies and the like
Fruit of the Spirit;
Love
Joy
Peace
Forbearance
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Gal 4:24-25)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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. (Eph 6:10-12)
© 2018 Doug Ford
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