Daniel 10:1-11:1
The Book of Daniel • Sermon • Submitted
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Daniel chapter 10 contains some interesting details about the spiritual realm. It speaks about the ongoing conflict which goes largely unseen. Chapter 10 is really the beginning of a vision which stretches to chapter 12. We will look at the first part this week and the second and third parts next week. This vision supplements the visions of Daniel chapter 7-9.
God wanted Daniel, as by extension us, to know that salvation, although delayed, is coming. This is to be encouraging to the faithful. It is not about predicting certain dates or events, but it is to serve as encouragement and comfort when the faithful are hurting and suffering. The theme of Daniel continues, God is in control in spite of present circumstances and appearances. God will win the victory.
is the introduction to the vision. We will see that Daniel is distressed, which leads him to intense prayer.
1. Vision of a supernatural figure ()
1. Vision of a supernatural figure ()
1 In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. The message was true and was about a great conflict. He understood the message and had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks.
3 I didn’t eat any rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I didn’t put any oil on my body until the three weeks were over.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris,
5 I looked up, and there was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of gold from Uphaz around his waist.
6 His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.
7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision. The men who were with me did not see it, but a great terror fell on them, and they ran and hid.
8 I was left alone, looking at this great vision. No strength was left in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless.
9 I heard the words he said, and when I heard them I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.
A. The Date: the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, 536-535 B.C. ()
A. The Date: the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, 536-535 B.C. ()
Some of the Jewish people have already returned home, but Daniel remained. We don’t know why Daniel stayed behind, perhaps it was due to his advanced age and his inability to make the journey.
B. Daniel is cited by his Babylonian name. ()
B. Daniel is cited by his Babylonian name. ()
This is interesting because the name Belteshazzar was given under the Babylonians. Their kingdom is over and this name has not been referenced since chapter 5. This is the only occurence of the name in the second half of the book of Daniel. Maybe it is a reminder that Daniel is still under foreign rule.
C. The vision is about a coming great conflict. ()
C. The vision is about a coming great conflict. ()
The vision is labeled as true. Also, it is noted that Daniel understood the message. It is not mysterious, but is understandable.
D. Daniel had been in mourning for three weeks. ()
D. Daniel had been in mourning for three weeks. ()
The text is not clear on why Daniel was in mourning, but perhaps his mourning is in connection with the state of the land of Israel. Some of the exiles had returned to the land, but what they found was hard to see. The land of Israel laid in ruin and desolation. The reports had made there way back to Babylon.
1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, when I was in the fortress city of Susa,
2 Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile.
3 They said to me, “The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalem’s wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned.”
4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.
During this time of three weeks of mourning, Daniel did not partake of the king’s food. He had no meat or wine. He didn’t bathe or do any bodily hygiene. Daniel was in a state of spiritual turmoil and he wanted to hear from the Lord, so he practiced self-denial to demonstrate his sincerity.
E. Finally, Daniel received a heavenly vision. ()
E. Finally, Daniel received a heavenly vision. ()
It is another interesting note that Daniel received this vision after the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which would have taken place between the 14th day to the 21st day of the month. ()
The text gives his location as standing on the bank of the Tigris River.
F. The vision is of a supernatural being ()
F. The vision is of a supernatural being ()
i. The man was dressed in linen.
i. The man was dressed in linen.
ii. He was wearing a gold belt.
ii. He was wearing a gold belt.
The gold is from Uphaz or Ophir. It was a place from which King Solomon received tribute and was noted for its wealth.
iii. His body was like beryl.
iii. His body was like beryl.
Beryl is a mineral which can come in various colors and it transparent. Light shines through it.
iv. His face was like lightning.
iv. His face was like lightning.
v. His eyes were like flaming torches.
v. His eyes were like flaming torches.
vi. His limbs were like polished bronze.
vi. His limbs were like polished bronze.
vii. His voice was like the sound of a crowd.
vii. His voice was like the sound of a crowd.
It almost feels as if Daniel is looking at a statue, more than a being of some sort. Ezekiel contains similar descriptions in Ezekiel chapter 1.
G. The men with him did not see it, but they sensed something and ran away. ()
G. The men with him did not see it, but they sensed something and ran away. ()
H. Daniel was overwhelmed by what he saw. ()
H. Daniel was overwhelmed by what he saw. ()
Daniel is staggered by the vision of this supernatural being. Apparently, he faints. I am under the impression that the figure Daniel sees in is different the the character he interacts with in the second part of this chapter. I believe this is a theophany, an appearance of Jesus Christ the Son of God in the Old Testament. When we read other descriptions of the Son of God appearing, he is described like he is described here. Even in the book of Revelation we find similarities.
2. Daniel is given a glimpse of the supernatural conflict. ()
2. Daniel is given a glimpse of the supernatural conflict. ()
10 Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me shaking on my hands and knees.
11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured by God. Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you.” After he said this to me, I stood trembling.
12 “Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia.
14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days, for the vision refers to those days.”
15 While he was saying these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was speechless.
16 Suddenly one with human likeness touched my lips. I opened my mouth and said to the one standing in front of me, “My lord, because of the vision, anguish overwhelms me and I am powerless.
17 How can someone like me, your servant, speak with someone like you, my lord? Now I have no strength, and there is no breath in me.”
18 Then the one with a human appearance touched me again and strengthened me.
19 He said, “Don’t be afraid, you who are treasured by God. Peace to you; be very strong!” As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
20 He said, “Do you know why I’ve come to you? I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I leave, the prince of Greece will come.
21 However, I will tell you what is recorded in the book of truth. (No one has the courage to support me against those princes except Michael, your prince.
1 In the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to strengthen and protect him.)
A. The heavenly messenger strengthens and reassures Daniel ()
A. The heavenly messenger strengthens and reassures Daniel ()
i. He lifts Daniel up through touch.
i. He lifts Daniel up through touch.
ii. He lifts Daniel up through words of affirmation.
ii. He lifts Daniel up through words of affirmation.
He said that Daniel was treasured by God. He told him why he was sent to Daniel. He was sent to encourage and comfort Daniel by giving him an answer to his prayer. Daniel is still “trembling” due to this encounter with the supernatural realm.
B. Daniel is told to not be afraid because he is going to receive an answer to his prayer. ()
B. Daniel is told to not be afraid because he is going to receive an answer to his prayer. ()
We see this phrase to “not be afraid” quite often in Scripture when humans come into contact with supernatural beings. Apparently, the answer to Daniel’s prayer was dispatched as soon as Daniel started praying. I think verse 12 contains a beautiful concept.
12 “Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers.
God hears our prayers. God heard Daniel’s prayer and dispatched an answer to Daniel. This angel came to Daniel because Daniel humbled himself before God to find understanding. He came because of Daniel prayers. Likewise, God answers our prayers. This is comforting and encouraging.
C. The answer was held up due to a supernatural conflict. ()
C. The answer was held up due to a supernatural conflict. ()
The angelic messenger mentions a figure named “the prince of the kingdom of Persia”. He gives no explanation as to who this is, but we immediately are faced with the questions. Who is this? Who can oppose an angel? What is nature of this conflict? It seems we have more questions than we are provided answers. We are told the angelic messenger is aided by one of the chief princes of heaven, Michael. Sometimes Michael is referred to as an arch-angel.
I am assuming that Gabriel is the messenger angel sent to Daniel and Michael, the arch-angel is sent to aid Gabriel in delivering his message. We are given a glimpse of the conflict in the supernatural realm and there are many implications of what we are given. Here are a couple implications.
i. Angels and demons have roles and places of influence.
i. Angels and demons have roles and places of influence.
The opposer is the prince of the kingdom of Persia. This is his realm of influence and control. There are spiritual forces at play around us.
ii. There is a spiritual war happening all around us.
ii. There is a spiritual war happening all around us.
On one side is the forces of God and on the other side of forces of evil. The prince of Persia fought with Michael. These two powerful supernatural being did battle and most likely continue to do battle. It was this spiritual battle that delayed an answer to Daniel’s prayer.
D. The angelic messenger came to answer Daniel’s prayer. ()
D. The angelic messenger came to answer Daniel’s prayer. ()
The vision is going to be about the last days, specifically about what will happen with the Jewish people.
E. Once again, Daniel is overwhelmed. ()
E. Once again, Daniel is overwhelmed. ()
F. Another supernatural being strengthens Daniel. ()
F. Another supernatural being strengthens Daniel. ()
I think this reference of this being is back to the first supernatural being, the Son of God. He is described as having human likeness.
i. The being touched Daniel’s lips enabling him to speak.
i. The being touched Daniel’s lips enabling him to speak.
ii. Daniel expressed his weakness and inadequacies.
ii. Daniel expressed his weakness and inadequacies.
iii. The being reassured Daniel with a touch and words of affirmation.
iii. The being reassured Daniel with a touch and words of affirmation.
Daniel should not be afraid because he is treasured by God. Daniel is to have peace and be strong. Daniel is now ready to hear the message from the angelic messenger.
G. The angel will return to the battle, but first he will give Daniel the answer to his prayer. ()
G. The angel will return to the battle, but first he will give Daniel the answer to his prayer. ()
i. The spiritual battle is ongoing.
i. The spiritual battle is ongoing.
ii. After the price of Persia is defeated, the prince of Greece will come.
ii. After the price of Persia is defeated, the prince of Greece will come.
We know from history what happened. After the Medes and the Persians were defeated, the Greek Empire rose to power. The rise of the Greek Empire was facilitated by the prince of Greece, a supernatural force of evil. The fight between good and evil will continue. God is in control and he will prevail.
We must remember that our fight is a spiritual fight.
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens.
13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest,
15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.
16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.
18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
Eph
We are to fight against the evil in our world. This is a spiritual battle. I don’t think we need to be convince of the evil in our world. “The Bible as a whole calls us to the life of a warrior in a world of conflict. But God does not send us out to fight on our own or even to pool our resources with other Christians. No, he sent his Son to first win the battle. He defeated evil by dying on the cross. He shows us that the way of victory is through love and sacrifice, not hate and greed.” God is in control and the victory is won.