Bible Study: Daniel 10
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Good Morning
Let’s share any Prayer Requests and Praises Reports.
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Let’s pray
Text: Daniel 10:1-9
Text: Daniel 10:1-9
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks.
3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris)
5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist.
6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.
7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.
8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength.
9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
So, starting from Chapters 10 and going all the way through the rest of the book to Chapter 12 represents a single vision.
This vision as it says in verse 1 was received in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia.
So that would be 536 BC.
That is two years after the first decree to let the Jewish exiles return to Jerusalem in response to Cyrus’s decree.
The exiles returned to the land and desired to rebuild the temple...
However, they faced severe opposition and by this point had ceased their rebuilding work.
The Book of Ezra and Nehemiah cover this.
So, during this time of discouragement, Daniel received this vision of a great conflict, which exposed the ongoing spiritual warfare in the heavenly realm.
As we study this chapter we will see as Daniel encounters with an angelic figure.
Daniel describes this initial meeting with the angelic figure and his subsequent terror.
The angel will touch him and gives him strength before proceeding with the revelation, which will be recounted in chapters 11–12 which we will be covering in the upcoming weeks.
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In verse 1 the term “great conflict” or “great tribulation” is talking about the conflict which will be described in the following chapters.
Also in verse 1 were it says “he understood the word,” that because the visions he saw in chapters 7 through 9 had prepared Daniel to understand the details of this vision.
This is one of the reasons a deep study of Daniel can shed light on other prophetic books like Revelation as many time they use the same symbols and language.
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In verses 2 and 3 we see that Daniel was in mourning...
He was mourning because of the state of Jerusalem...
So he voluntarily abstains from choice foods such as meat and wine to identify with the trials of his brothers and sisters in Judah.
This is a common reaction throughout Scripture and something we can learn from.
For example in Nehemiah 1:4:
4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
Additionally, we see that he abstained from the use of lotions or ointment that made life more comfortable in a dry, desert climate.
This was a typical indication of mourning in that time.
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Verses 5 and 6 give a detailed description of an angel...
Some scholars believe this angel is the voice who spoke to Gabriel in Daniel 8:16:
16 And I heard a man’s voice between the banks of the Ulai, and it called, “Gabriel, make this man understand the vision.”
Or Gabriel himself as he appeared to Daniel in the previous visions we covers such as in Daniel 9:21:
21 while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.
His appearance is much like that of the glory of the Lord, which he reflects as one of the divine attendants as we see in Ezekiel 1:26–28:
26 And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance.
27 And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.
28 Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
And Revelation 1:12–16:
12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands,
13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest.
14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire,
15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters.
16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
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In verse 7 we see how Daniel alone saw the vision...
However, those who were with Daniel could not see what was taking place, but they fled out of terror.
This is very reminiscent of Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus as mentioned in Acts 9:3–7:
3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.
4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
Text: Daniel 10:10-14
Text: Daniel 10:10-14
10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.
11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.
12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.
13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,
14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”
In verse 11 “the words that I speak to you” refers to the content that we will go over in chapters 11 and 12.
In verse 12 the statement “your words were heard” is a great encouragement from God to Daniel...
This shows that God was attentive to Daniel’s prayer in chapter 9 and acted to answer it.
The angel even says “I have come because of your words” which shows that this vision and revelation that Daniel receives comes as a direct response to his prayers.
This is a testimony to the power of prayer.
This is a testimony to how we should be more faithful in our prayers.
Just because God it totally sovereign does not mean we don’t need to pray.
This verse is a perfect example of that.
Another point we can see from this verse is how Daniel’s intercession for Israel in a lot of ways...
Prefigures the intercession of Christ our great high priest...
I would like to bring Hebrews 7:25 to your attention:
25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Again this is a lesson for us...
As Daniel showed the power of praying for others...
And to a greater degree Christ models the power of intersession by how He prays for us...
We to must pray for others...
And pray for our country...
And our church...
And for the whole Body of Christ.
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In verse 13 we see how the angelic messenger was delayed on his journey twenty-one days by the prince of the kingdom of Persia.
So, an evil angel or fallen angel or demon was opposing the angelic messenger in heavenly warfare.
This tells us that Satan engages in heavenly warfare to influence generations and nations against God and His people.
However, Michael who is the chief angel of heaven came to help him, so the other angel was finally able to complete his journey and bring the message of encouragement to Daniel.
Michael has a special responsibility to care for the nation of Israel and this is further confirmed in Daniel 12:1:
1 “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.
This angelic war in a lot of ways prefigures the spiritual war we later see in Revelation 12:7–9:
7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back,
8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
This is a reminder of the warning found in Ephesians 6:12:
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
With that said, the power of fallen angels is limited by God, as is made clear here in passages like Job 1:12 and Job 2:6:
12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
6 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”
So, the “prince of the kingdom of Persia” could delay the angel who came to Daniel, but he could not prevent him from carrying out his mission.
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In verse 14 the “days yet to come” or “days yet future” refers to the future plan of God for His people, extending from Daniel’s time to that of the Antichrist.
Text: Daniel 10:15-17
Text: Daniel 10:15-17
15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute.
16 And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength.
17 How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”
In verses 15 and 16 upon hearing of the magnitude and power of the spiritual forces ranged against God’s people in Jerusalem, Daniel was overtaken again by such an overwhelming sense of weakness...
He was was bowed to the ground, unable even to speak until the angel touched him on the lips.
The term “one in the likeness of the children” was a common way to refer to angels in Daniel as they appear in human form.
When the angel touches his lips it is reminiscent of Isaiah 6:7 when a divine being touches his lips with a coal and declares that Isaiah’s guilt and sin have been removed:
7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”
When a prophet’s lips were touched by Yahweh, an angel, or another divine being, they were cleaned and commissioned.
In Isaiah, the prophet confesses that he is “a man of unclean lips,” denoting his sin.
We see this in Isaiah 6:5:
5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
And after Yahweh touched Jeremiah’s mouth, He tells the prophet He has put His own words in the prophet’s mouth as it says in Jeremiah 1:9:
9 Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
Text: Daniel 10:18-21
Text: Daniel 10:18-21
18 Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me.
19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come.
21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.
Please note that verse 19 for the third time talks about receiving strength.
This shows the overwhelming trauma of divine presence and revelation.
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Verse 20 mentions the “prince of Greece” who is another evil angel contesting for the kingdom of Greece.
This angel affects the affairs of the Greek kingdom.
So, although both Persia and Greece will rule over God’s people in the future...
We must understand that their power is limited by the power of God.
The angelic messenger then declares that he would have to return to the battle against the prince of Persia, and after that against the prince of Greece, as they will be the next world power to arise.
However, before this angel leaves he reveals to Daniel what will happen to his people at the end of days.
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In verse 21 the “book of truth” represents God’s knowledge and complete control of all history.
So, this includes the plan that God has for Israel and the world.
The conflict against satanic forces continues to this day, though the human adversary constantly changes.
Time and again the people of God are bowed to the ground, yet they are not destroyed because God continues to support and sustain them through the strengthening ministry of his own angels.
Closing Prayer
Closing Prayer
Please join me one more time in prayer.
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