We
have now come to the last section in the book of Daniel. The revelation given to Daniel in these
chapters takes us from the near future right up to the time of the great
tribulation.
Leupold says, “There is hardly anything in the Bible that
is just like these chapters especially chapter eleven. The word, the vision and
the minute predictions are combined in a manner that is found nowhere else in
scripture.”
We
begin looking at chapter ten, which is really the introduction. The fact that we have such an introduction
as we find in chapter ten would indicate that whatever revelation is to follow
is of great interest and importance.
The
late Pastor W Mullan described Daniel chapter ten as one of the greatest
chapters in the word of God. In this
chapter we get an insight into the unseen world of darkness.
Praying
with determination.
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.
Three
times in verse one we read about this “thing,” it should be translated word. It
speaks about a revelation from God. We will see later that this revelation is
applicable to Israel. This revelation
was true like all of God’s word and it also says, “the time appointed was
long.” That could be translated, “the time appointed was of great conflict, great
warfare, great task or even great suffering.
In other words the nation of Israel were in for some terrible days
ahead. A long and strenuous period involving great suffering conflicts and
troubles for Israel. Those of us that know anything of the history of the
Jewish nation would not agree with this statement? Let’s look at verses two and three.
Daniel 10:2-3 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.
“I
Daniel,” this is Daniel’s personal account. We find Daniel mourning for three
full weeks. He really means business
with God, this is praying with determination. From verse three we see that he
ate no pleasant bread or no food of delight, only the necessities. Daniel denied himself this world’s goods
just to concentrate in prayer in order to give himself wholly to prayer.
Someone
said to a famous preacher on one occasion, “I would give the world to be able
to preach like you.” “That’s good,” was
the reply, “For that’s what it will cost you.”
“Neither
did I anoint myself with oil,” Daniel didn’t use any oil for his body for
protection from the sun and to keep the skin soft. This was the action of one
who was mourning as we can see from second Samuel.
2
Samuel 14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoah,
and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself
to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with
oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:
Proverbs
27:9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the
heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
Daniel denied himself everything but the very basic necessities as he got down to pray. What are you prepared to forsake for prayer? Daniel wanted to pray this through and nothing would hold him back.
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;
Daniel
was sitting by the side of this great river praying for twenty-one days. What caused Daniel to pray with such
determination?
What
was burdening Daniel so much that it caused him to mourn for three full weeks?
We
could think of a few of God’s people who have mourned and perhaps this would
teach us what we should be burdened about.
The
Land:
When
Nehemiah was told of the condition of the country he mourned.
Neh.
1:4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept,
and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
As
we think about the state of our land should we not be burdened? Should we not
pray? Should we not mourn?
The
Lord:
We
should mourn when we see what so many think of the Lord.
Joel
1:9 The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the
Lord; the priests, the Lord's ministers, mourn.
“The meat offering,” speaks of Christ in his
humanity. “The drink offering,” speaks of
Christ in his death. Due to the sins of
Israel, in Joel they had stopped even the oblations and the sacrifices. The
priests were left to mourn.
The
Laxness:
God’s
people had lost their separation, they had mixed with the world and they were
lax in their standards. How did this
affect Ezra?
Ezra
9:5 And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent
my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto
the Lord my God.
Ezra
was in heaviness and he got to pray. We can complain about lax standards among
God’s people, but instead we need to get down and pray it through with real
determination.
Romans
9:1-3 I say the truth in Christ, I lie
not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, [2] That I have
great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. [3] For I could wish that
myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the
flesh:
Paul
would have gone to hell to keep his fellow countrymen out of it. He is using
hyperbole but have we not a reason to pray when we think about the lost?
Ezra
1:1-3 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord
by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of
Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom,
and put it also in writing, saying, [2] Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The
Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath
charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. [3] Who is
there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to
Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel,
(he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
Here is the
decree from Cyrus giving the Jews permission to go back to Jerusalem.
Notice
it was the first year of Cyrus. Look
again at verse one.
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.
This was now two years later. Daniel was taken captive as a young boy by
now he would have been about ninety years of age. He has a broken heart and he
is mourning why?
Ezra
2:64-65 The whole congregation together
was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, [65] Beside their servants
and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and
seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women.
Only
between forty-five and fifty thousand had any interest in going back to the
land.
The
rest loved Babylon. Daniel as an old
man couldn’t travel and how his heart was breaking as he too watched the
laxness in God’s people. I believe he prayed for those he loved who made the
journey because they were having difficult times.
Ezra
4:4-5 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah,
and troubled them in building, [5] And hired counsellors against them, to
frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the
reign of Darius king of Persia.
Such
was Daniel’s love for his people; he mourned over those who suffered in the
homeland and those who had settled in Babylon.
The
presence of Deity.
Daniel
10:5 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:
Daniel
must have been lying with his eyes closed in prayer as he lifts his eyes, he
sees a certain man clothed in linen. The linen teaches us that this was a Holy
being.
Leviticus
16:4 He shall put on the holy linen
coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded
with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are
holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.
We
can read about further details of this visitor. “Whose loins were girded with
fine gold.” Than let’s look at verse six.
Daniel 10:6 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.
Beryl
is a transparent jewel perhaps this would speak of his glory. “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.” This being is an all seeing, all
knowing and powerful being. “And the
voice of his words like the voice of a multitude,” there was something about
his words; one would listen when he speaks.
We
have a very similar vision in Revelation chapter one.
Rev.
1:12-15 And I turned to see the voice
that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; [13] And
in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed
with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
[14] His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his
eyes were as a flame of fire; [15] And his feet like unto fine brass, as if
they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
Many
great men of God disagree. Men like Ironside and Mullan. To emphasise the
difference of opinion, Lehman Strauss said in his commentary on Daniel the
following.
·
1948 he declared that this was definitely Christ.
·
1958 he changed his mind and though it was an angel.
·
1968 he wasn’t sure again.
I
feel this is definitely the Lord. When
we compare the vision with John’s and when we look at the reaction of
Daniel.
Daniel
10:7 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.
Those that were with Daniel didn’t see the vision but they felt the presence. Even the unsaved can sense the presence of the Lord. This would remind us of Paul’s encounter with the risen saviour.
Acts
9:7 And the men which journeyed with
him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
Acts
22:9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they
heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
God
had a message for Daniel not for anyone else.
Look at verse eight.
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.
Daniel
was now alone with this heavenly visitor.
How sweet to get alone with God.
Rev.
1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at his
feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I
am the first and the last:
Ezekiel
1:28 As the appearance of the bow that
is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness
round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord.
And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.
We
could mention Paul who fell to the ground. We could mention Isaiah who said,
“Woe is me,” or even Peter who said, “Depart from me for I am a sinful man.”
Daniel collapsed in the presence of this heavenly visitor. When a man or women of God gets down to really pray then they will know the presence of the Lord in a special way.
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.
In
order to get the sense of the awe and reverence that Daniel felt, it is
interesting to note that the word used for ‘corruption, is the same word used
of the Lord in Isaiah fifty two and translated ‘marred.’
Isaiah
52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any
man, and his form more than the sons of men:
Renald
Showers translates it, “A grotesque wrenching of facial features.” Look also at
verse nine.
Daniel
10:9 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.
Daniel
is knocked out by the sense of the presence of the Lord.
Daniel
10:10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the
palms of my hands.
I
believe that the hand that touched Daniel was an angel. This is where the
difficulty lies in identifying the visitor we mentioned earlier. This angel will explain how he was hindered
by a fallen angel and of course no one could hinder the Lord. An angel possibly
Gabriel puts his hand upon Daniel and helps him up and brings this message to him.
Look at verse eleven.
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.
See
the fear and reverence Daniel had. What
a privilege it was for him to be in the midst of the angels of heaven and with
the Lord. Daniel is referred to as a man greatly beloved. Look at verse twelve.
Daniel
10:12 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.
Here
is a man who had set his heart to pray.
When a man gets alone with God and sets his heart to pray and cuts
himself of from all distractions then from the very first day his prayer was
heard. Why no answer? Why for
twenty-one days did Daniel wrestle in prayer? We often ask that question and
there can be many reasons.
Psalm
66:18 If I regard iniquity in my
heart, the Lord will not hear me:
1
Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell
with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the
weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers
be not hindered.
James
4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because
ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Daniel
certainly had no folly in his heart and no friction in his home. He certainly
didn’t forget about him. But we read that against Daniel were the forces of
hell.
In these verses we
discover something amazing. Someone said on one occasion, “If this passage
wasn’t in the Bible I wouldn’t have believed it.” Look at verse thirteen.
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.
Who
is the prince of Persia? The king of
Persia was Cyrus as we have seen in verse one.
The Prince of Persia, however, was no man for what man could withstand
an angel?
2
Kings 19:35 And it came to pass that
night, that the angel of the Lord went out, and smote in the camp of the
Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in
the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
God
created angels.
Col.
1:16 For by him were all things
created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible,
whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things
were created by him, and for him:
The visible and the invisible. Notice the ranks here, thrones, dominions, principalities and powers. Now lets see what happens in Revelation chapter twelve.
Rev.
12:3-4 And there appeared another
wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten
horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. [4] And his tail drew the third part of
the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood
before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as
soon as it was born.
Ephes.
6:10-13 Finally, my brethren, be
strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. [11] Put on the whole armour
of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. [12] For
we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places. [13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of
God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand.
Satan has his dark
forces at work in this world. He had a
prince assigned to Persia. Satan is trying to thwart the purposes of God. This is what has been revealed to
Daniel. While this old saint of God
prayed, all hell moved in opposition to hinder the prayer.
The devil didn’t
want more light getting through. Satan
doesn’t want the world to know about God’s word. He doesn’t want the world to
know about the future.
Satan
is behind many of the world rulers. He is influencing them through his demonic
activity. This will culminate one day in that great battle of Armageddon.
Rev. 16:13-14 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. [14] For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Someone who read,
“Mine Kemp,” Hitler’s book said this, “One is certainly convinced that behind
Hitler were demons.”
Thank
God our Saviour dealt with these principalities.
Col.
2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them
openly, triumphing over them in it.
The
archangel Michael helped this angel get through with the answer to Daniel’s
prayer. We will meet Michael again in
chapt twelve.
Daniel
10:14 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.
Here
is the message or the vision and it is for many days, especially the latter
days. Look who it relates too,“thy people” obviously Israel.
I
take great encouragement from Daniel as he gets down to pray. Daniel prays it
through, he didn’t give up and the very forces of hell couldn’t keep back the
answer.
The
Protection for Daniel.
Let’s
look at how Daniel was touched of the Lord.
Daniel
10:10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the
palms of my hands.
Daniel
10:16 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.
Daniel
10:18 Then there came again and
touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
Daniel
experienced the touch just when he needed it.
Daniel
10:19 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.
Daniel
found the strength he needed from the Lord.
The Plan
Declared.
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.
Verse
twenty indicates that this battle in the heavenlies goes on. When the prince of
Persia is gone then the prince of Greece will come. Satan will try and thwart
the plans and purposes of God but lets see verse twenty-one.
Daniel
10:21 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.
We can be sure
that which is noted in the scripture of truth will come to pass. God’s plan will not be thwarted.
Romans
8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor
height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nothing
in this world or the unseen world shall ever separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus. Praise God
for the scripture of truth, Satan is defeated damned and doomed.