Daniel 10: Encouragement for Discouraging Times

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Introduction

Good morning,

Today, as we return to the book of Daniel, we begin the beginning of the end of the book. Chapters ten, eleven, and twelve fit together as one cohesive unit, which introduce Daniel’s final vision.
Specifically chapter eleven and twelve deal with the vision itself and chapter ten does something unique in this second half of Daniel, which is to give us the occasion for the vision—or the when and the how of the vision.
Given the uniqueness of the text we find our interest in the sermon. You see often the biblical authors play a sort of literary version of “which of these is not like the others” in order to catch our eye, provide emphasis, or give understanding.
If I can say it another way, I would simply say, the Spirit of God does not waste words. And up to this point the Spirit of God has not deemed it necessary to dwell on the circumstances of Daniel’s vision. But here, in preparation for giving us the last and most clear vision, the Holy Spirit inspires biographical reflection on what happened around the vision.
As such we will see in chapter ten a brief lead up to the vision, what happens to Daniel during the vision, and the effects of the vision on Daniel.
Next week, in Daniel eleven we will take a look at the vision itself.

Outline

As we approach our text this morning, then, we are going to go with an old school baptist outline:
What is happening?
Where is the Gospel?

Introductory Comments

SO, if you have your Bibles and notebooks get them ready.
As we get into this text I see five movements, which encapsulate much of the narrative.
The Date and Description of the Vision (v.1)
The Occasion of the Vision (v.2-4)
The Man in Linen (v.4-6)
Description of the Vision (v. 1)
Daniel’s Reaction (v.7-11, 15-17, 19)
Looking at those five pieces will answer the what’s happening and we’ll close by noticing that this text is actually only possible if God not only plans the rise and fall of nations, but the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as well.
In other words, this text is only possible because of the gospel.
So let’s pray and jump in.

Prayer

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Exposition: What Is Happening?

The Date and Description of the Vision (v.1)

Daniel begins by telling us that this vision took place “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia.” Though seemingly innocuous this is a pretty crucial historical marker.
As Drew referenced a few sermons back, when Cyrus conquered Babylon and established his supremacy, he issued an edict releasing any Jews who desired to return to Jerusalem.
This is recorded at the beginning of the Book of Ezra and establishes important context for our passage:
Ezra 1:1–3 ESV
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, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem.
An Observation from Ezra here:
Notice the reference to Jeremiah. If memory serves Drew and I have talked about this prophecy a few times in this series on Daniel, but let me note it again.
Ezra is referring to Jeremiah 25 and 29, two passages were written in 605 BC and 597 BC respectively, (remember before Jesus time counts down to year 0) , and Ezra 1 and Daniel 10 take place in 539 BC and 536 BC respectively.
In other words the Jeremiah prophesied accurately the return of the Israelites more than 60 years prior to the event.
But lets up the ante and move the goal posts back a bit.
Do you know where the Bible’s first reference to Cyrus is?
It’s in the book of Isaiah chapters 44 and 45.
What does Isaiah say about Cyrus?
After prophesying about the coming wrath and discipline for Israel’s faithlessness. Isaiah writes:
Isaiah 44:28–45:4 ESV
who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose’; saying of Jerusalem, ‘She shall be built,’ and of the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’ ” Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: “I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by your name. For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me.
What does Isaiah say?
Cyrus shall fulfill God’s purposes,
Cyrus shall tell Jerusalem to build a Temple to God
Cyrus will be used by God to subdue power nations,
Cyrus will disempower kings,
Cyrus will know that Yahweh is God of Israel,
Cyrus will work for the sake of God’s people,
Cyrus will not, however, truly know God.
We have seen each of that be true in either Daniel or here in Ezra 1. But when did Isaiah write that?
One commentator notes:
The Major Prophets The Ministry of Isaiah

Isaiah was called to the prophetic ministry in “the year that king Uzziah died” (6:1). Scholars compute that year to have been 739 B.C. His ministry extended for some sixty years through the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. According to tradition Isaiah died a martyr’s death about 680 B.C., early in the reign of the wicked King Manasseh. Legend has it that he was sawed asunder by this king (cf. Heb 11:37).

That means if Isaiah 44 and 45 were the last things Isaiah wrote, which they were not, they would have been written in the year 680 BC.
Again, the historical evidence for Ezra 1—both in an outside the Bible—dates Cyrus’ proclamation to 539 BC: 141 years prior.
For historical context that is the same number of years from the signing of the Declaration of Independence to middle of World War I.
Or it’s like predicting the President of the United States in 35 election cycles from now.
There isn’t a single one of us in here who can predict with the same level of accuracy what the year 2022 will be like. Yet our God has planned and prepared history as a canvas on which he his painting a grand masterpiece of his rightly deserved glory and his fatherly love for his people.

Moving back to Daniel

Long digression, I apologize, we better move back to Daniel, lest I end up preaching two sermons this morning.
Ezra 2:64 tells us that approximately 42,360 people acted on Cyrus’s offer. But the first two years of their return produced disappointment. One commentator notes:

They had come back with high hopes of returning to the Promised Land and rebuilding God’s temple. But the Samaritans who lived there opposed their plans and did everything possible to make their lives miserable.

and he goes on to point out:

We read in Ezra 4:4 that “the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah, and made them afraid to build.” And the work ground to a halt.

This news would certainly have reached Daniel and plays into what we see next.

The Occasion of the Vision (v.2-4)

Daniel is in mourning. He shows this in his fasting.
This mourning period lasts for three weeks during “the first month.” Commentators note that this fast, therefore, would have taken place and extended beyond the time of the celebration of Passover which is usually accompanied not by fasting but by feasts.
This is important for two reasons:
It suggest that Daniel’s mourning is related to the state of Jerusalem and the frustration of the work desired to be done there.
Second, the text implies that such a time of mourning is Daniel’s way of anticipating the tragedy of Daniel 8 — that God will allow a pagan king to desecrate the Temple (after it is rebuilt) and halt Jewish observances.
As such Daniel is fasting in solidarity with his contemporaries and with future Israelites.
It is in this time of religious mourning for God’s name, for God’s city, for God’s Temple, and for God’s people in which the events of our chapter take place.

The Man in Linen (v.4-7)

What are those events?
First, the arrival of the man in Linen.
On the bank of the Tigris, Daniel looks up and sees someone, a majestic figure described as:
A man clothed in linen — the garments of priests (Lev 16:4) and in which angels often appear (Eze 9:2),
with a belt of fine gold — symbolic of royalty and wealth,
a body like beryl — a yellow gem stone, gives the impression that he was brightly colored or possibly that light was emanating from him, which is buttressed by the images of
A face like lightening — a picture of other worldly glory,
eyes like torches — which are often associated with eyes that burn through or see through all things. In other words they get to the heart of the matter.
and arms and legs that gleam — meaning they reflect light.
His arms and legs, furthermore, gleam like bronze — symbolic of strength and steadfastness.
and his words ring loudly, like a multitude — suggestive of authority.
In verse seven we are told that this figures presence causes:
the men who were with me… a great trembling… [such that] they fled to hide themselves.
In sum, everything about this person signals authority and power.

Description of the Vision (v. 1)

The other event during this time of mournful fasting is that Daniel receives a vision. Unlike the previous visions, Daniel only gives us a glimpse at the visions’ content.
In verse one we read:

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.

We can note a few things about the vision:
It is a true word — this calls to mind the preceeding visions Daniel has seen in which Daniel’s experience confirmation of the vision’s accuracy in his own experience.
Further, this notion is prompted by the return to his Babylonian name Belteshazzar. This name has no reason to be here as Daniel is no longer under the Babylonian empire, but three years into the Persian reign.
Consider that the name Belteshazzar does not appear in the mouths of any characters in Daniel 6. Neither Darius, nor any of the satraps, nor the narrator use it. As Babylon passed so did the name Belteshazzar.
The use of Belteshazzar, then, draws our minds back to Daniel 1:7, 2:26, 4:8, 4:9, 4:18, 4:19, and 5:12. In which Daniel is praised as Belteshazzar… (4:8, 9):

in whom is the spirit of the holy gods

that no mystery is too difficult for

Hence Daniel’s ability to understand this vision is stated clearly. And the use of the Babylonian name runs contrary to Daniel 8 in which the name is not used and Daniel needs an angelic interpretation.
Importantly, we do well to associate the name Belteshazzar with the confession of Daniel 2:28, in which Daniel says that no one knows the future or the thoughts of a man’s head… But there is a God who does.
The point being that Daniel’s uncanny ability is sourced in God, not in him.
In terms of the content of the vision we can only note that it concerns “a great conflict.” We will see this is undoubtably true when we read the vision in chapter 11, next week.
But for now, Daniel focuses not on the content, but rather the effect of the vision upon him.

Daniel’s Immediate Reaction (v.7-11, 15-17, 19)

We have noted this before, specifically in Daniel 7 and 8, but we do well to remember that these visions of the future are intended to give encouragement to Daniel and to Israel that God is in control even though the nations of the world rage at God and at God’s people.
Contrary to expectation for us and our culture, however, is that Daniel seems to have negative visceral reactions to the visions in direct proportion to their clarity.
Look at Daniel 7:28, which follows a very complex vision
Daniel 7:28 ESV
“Here is the end of the matter. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts greatly alarmed me, and my color changed, but I kept the matter in my heart.”
And Daniel 8:27 after an unsettling, but understandable vision once explained.
Daniel 8:27 ESV
And I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for some days. Then I rose and went about the king’s business, but I was appalled by the vision and did not understand it.
We are told 10:1 that Daniel understood this vision and the rest of the chapter paints a picture of a man who has had the wind—maybe more accurately the spirit—knocked out of him.
Daniel records:
that he retained no strength (v. 8)
I fell on my face (v. 9)
...in a deep sleep with my face to the ground (v. 9)
[Daniel notes] a hand [had to] set him on his hands and knees (v. 10).
In this position he trembled (v. 10), which continued even when he was able to get to this feet (v. 11)
Verse 15 records, he was mute, unable to talk.
Even when he is strengthened to speak, verses 16-17 tell us that when Daniel was able to talk he spoke of his weakness because of the vision.
Daniel 10:17 ESV
How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”
Daniel’s struggles only subside when he is strengthened by the majestic figure of the man in linen.

Let me make two points of application here:

I know we aren’t to the end of the sermon yet, but I think we do well to note:
Hearing from God and encountering God or his messenger is not usually a pleasant experience.
This can be true for us today. Who among us has not known the real difficulty and real struggle to read the Bible and have the Holy Spirit hold up the mirror of Scripture so that you see your sin clearly.
In honesty, brothers and sisters, this is likely one of the reasons we take care to insulate our lives against the cold-shock of actually hearing from God.
When was the last time you let God speak to you in the Scriptures?
When was the last time you prayed and asked God to prepare your heart to hear his Spirit in the words of a sermon?
Or let me reframe it,
How frequently do you find yourself in prayer of confession and repentance during your quiet time?
How frequently do you meditate on God’s message for you in the pastor’s sermon rather than thinking about how the sermon would be great for your son or daughter, parent or friend, brother or sister, husband or wife?
Encountering God in his Word can level you, destabilize you, knock the wind out of you.
But...
Neither Daniel, nor the disciple of Jesus, is ever left to him or herself to pick up the pieces. Daniel always has God’s help whether an angel or the pre-incarnate Christ himself, Daniel always has divinely administered resources to recover and respond to God’s revelation.

Angels and Demons (v. 20-21)

The last issue to touch on content wise leads us into difficult territory with the topic of angels and demons.
There is so much to say about Angels and Demons that I simply do not have the time to do it justice, so let me simply ask that we be chastened by C.S. Lewis who warns against to extremes:
There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The others to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors inhale a material list or a magician with the same delight. - Screwtape Letters, IX
That having been said, it is worth reading the verses at hand again:
“Then he said...”
Remember the “he” speaking here is a human like figure hovering over a river, dressed in priests garments, with a solid gold belt, an enviable tan, face like staring at a lightning strike, eyes that burn through you, arms and legs of immense strength, and when he speaks it sounds like a stadium of people shouting in unison.
So keep all that in mind as we read:

“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.

“And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.

2 “And now I will show you the truth.

Exegesis 20-21

Let’s try and get a handle on what was just said in the text.
First, Daniel is asked, “Do you know why I have come to you?”
This is answered in verses 10:21 and 11:2.

I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth

now I will show you the truth.

Second, this figure is in a metaphysical conflict with a demonic counterpart who is associated with the empire of Persia.
In honesty, as I was researching my sermon I paused here for quite some time, not sure what to say about these verses. Then I realized… you know its actually pretty straight forward.
This text shows us that there is a spiritual reality— any readers of the Book of Ephesians will not be surprised:
Ephesians 6:10–12 ESV
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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.
Furthermore, this text reveals that it is not only individuals that contend with spiritual powers, but entire nations might be effected by such forces—this ought not be a novel idea to any readers of the Books of 1 Peter or Revelation...
Both books make reference to Babylon as a historical type of pagan city and empires which will oppose Christ and his people.
Finally this text reveals that God has provided for his people.
He provides a revelation… in that he make a way for this messenger to get to Daniel. So to has he preserved his Word for us.
He provides a champion… in Michael who is fighting (not just against Persia) for Israel. In fact Michael has been fighting for a long time. That’s pretty amazing to think about.
He provides ultimate victory… in that this messenger points not to Michael only but to Christ!
Consider Revelation 1:13-16 and the first picture of Jesus John gives us in Revelation:
Revelation 1:13–16 ESV
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. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 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.
Notice the similarities between this depiction of Christ and the messenger to Daniel. They are nearly identical.
In fact they are so close that it is almost inconceivable that John—who makes a number of references in Revelation to Daniel—did not want readers of his prophecy to associate Jesus with this figure.
Which is to say that there is a definite possibility if not a high likelihood that this is the pre-incarnate Christ.
Daniel 10 tells us that God’s angelic warriors (like Michael) and this majestic figure are in contention with demonic powers for God’s people
And they are winning.
Did you catch that?
Verse 20 says that the Prince of Greece is coming, what does that imply. It implies the passing away—whether temporally or finally—of the Prince of Persia.
Similarly throughout the gospel of Mark demons collapse with fear and trembling, pleading at Jesus’ feet.
Michael may win some victories, but Jesus wins the war. In Christ, we have our ultimate champion over Satan.

Gospel Application (v. 18-19)

In this text we can see the need for Jesus in other ways too.
Let’s go back to Daniel for a moment. I don’t know if you noticed, but I skipped over a few verses in discussing Daniel’s reaction to this vision.
Daniel 10:18–19 ESV
Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. 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.”
Let’s take a few minutes to consider the words that strengthen Daniel.
Remember Daniel is not doing well. Why?
Well, some commentators think its is because this is a rather overwhelming vision and Daniel is on a low protein diet.
I am willing to be it is a bit more theological than that.
Through out the Bible there are a handful of occasions that angels interact with humanity in direct, clear, and comprehensible ways.
In the vast majority, if not all, of those circumstances the encounter does not seem pleasant for the humans involved—no matter how saintly they are.
I believe Daniel is struggling because he is a sinner in the presence of celestial beings which come and go from the glory of the presence of God (Luke 1:18-19).
This, seems to me, makes sense of the reactions of Daniel, Isaiah, Mary, Zechariah, and others who encounter angels with varying amounts of fear, while the resurrected saints and the elders spoken of in Revelation are capable of joining in worship with and in the presence of the angels.
Keeping in mind that Daniel is a sinner consider what is said to him:
Oh man greatly loved
Fear not
Peace be with you
and to be strong and courageous

Greatly Loved

How can Daniel be greatly loved if he is a sinner?
The scriptures make it clear again and again that God hates sin and that sinners hate God!
Psalm 5:4–5 ESV
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.
Other scriptures go so far as to use military language to describe the animosity and opposition of sinners to God. Sinners are God’s enemies.
And who are sinners?
Romans 3:10–19 ESV
as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.
Everyone. Every mouth is stopped because:
No one does good
All have turned away
No one seeks God
No one is righteous before the law

Fear Not

Then, how can Daniel be told to “fear not”?
God must punish sin.
Colossians 3 tells us,

what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

And I bet you, like Daniel, see some of them inside yourself if you really look.

Peace Be with You

So, how can Daniel have peace in the presence of this celestial warrior?
Remember Romans 2 says
Romans 2:5–8 ESV
But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

Be Strong and of Good Courage

OR where can Daniel find strength and courage in the face of a guilty verdict before a God who says in Deuteronomy:
Deuteronomy 32:35 ESV
Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’
No wonder Daniel faints, trembles, struggles to stand, finds himself, mute, and states that there is no strength in him.

And Yet

Daniel lives, Daniel is strengthened. Daniel can find courage because he can be at peace and has no need to fear. Because God does love him.
How?
Only through Christ Jesus

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood,

A Propitiation is a sacrifice that satisfies wrath, opening a possibility to moe from disfavor to favor.

to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Or
1 John 4:9–10 ESV
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:15–18 ESV
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Daniel is loved because God could overlook his sin to see Jesus hanging on the cross.
Such a view of history makes sense of all that we have seen in Daniel.
For God would have had to move and maneuver people, places, and events—big and small—important and mundane—world changing and utterly missable—in order to guarantee Jesus’ sacrifice for sin.
Without the cross Daniel is not standing before his strengthener, but his executioner.
So too with us.
As God looked forward in time overlooking Daniel’s sins, so he looks back in time when we sin.
The cross has covered sins past, present, and future for all who believe in Christ and confess his rightfully purchased Lordship over their lives.

The Call

I don’t know where you are at in here this morning, but I want to address two groups of people.
Someone in here, and I say that in hope not prophetic awareness, might have come to check out this Christian thing or because they felt like coming to church for some reason. But they have not associated themselves with Christ. They have not placed their trust in him and asked him to propitiate God’s wrath against them or their sin.
I would like to ask you to consider that the Bible states clearly, as I read minutes ago, that before God you are sinner and God will give you justice for your sins.
I would like to make the offer that you ask Christ to take your sin and ask him to substitute his death on the cross in your place. That you would then owe him your life and allegiance.
Someone else in here might think of themselves as a Christian, but they are not walking with Christ actively or they don’t really think of themselves as that bad. I want to submit to you that the Bible is crystal clear that any who want to be saved by Jesus must follow Jesus. In fact let me simply quote Christ himself:
Matthew 16:24–27 ESV
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
Brother or sister, are you carrying your cross or seeking to preserve your own life and autonomy thinking you can accept salvation without surrender. Do not be deceived. For Daniel—in spite of all his work and wisdom would have faced death that day did he not have faith in God’s true King!
The author of Hebrews writes,
Hebrews 11:32–33 ESV
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Prophets… who stopped the mouths of lions? Who might that be? Daniel.
Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Pray

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