10:1 In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel (who was also called Belteshazzar). This message was true and concerned a great war. He understood the message and gained insight by the vision.
Chapters 10-12 record the last vision of Daniel. The “third year of Cyrus” was 534 B.C. This was about four years after the vision of the Seventy Weeks. Daniel was about 90 years old at this time and possibly retired from public office. He was given a vision about a great war to come upon the Jewish people.
10:2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks.
Why did Daniel mourn for three weeks? Cyrus had made a decree that the Jews could return to the land. Two years had passed, but very few of the Jews wanted to return.
10:3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine came to my lips, nor did I anoint myself with oil until the end of those three weeks.
Daniel wanted an answer to his prayer. Therefore, he did not take a bath, eat gourmet food, or drink wine until his prayer was answered.
10:4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was beside the great river, the Tigris.
Daniel gave the exact date and place of his vision. He was at the Tigris River on Nisan 24. This makes it difficult for the skeptics to late-date the book. They have to call Daniel a liar and ask their readers to place their faith in their own human speculations rather than in an inspired, inerrant, and infallible primary document. For some reason, Daniel was not allowed to return to Israel. It is interesting to note that the satanic world system will accept the dates of 99% of all secular primary documents, but not those of the Bible.
10:5 I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen; around his waist was a belt made of gold from Upaz.
Daniel may have witnessed the post-incarnation Christ.
10:6 His body resembled yellow jasper, and his face had an appearance like lightning. His eyes were like blazing torches; his arms and feet had the gleam of polished bronze. His voice thundered forth like the sound of a large crowd.
This description of this “man” is essentially identical with the description of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1:13-16.
10:7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see it. On the contrary, they were overcome with fright and ran away to hide.
When Paul saw the resurrected Christ on the Damascus Road, the other men could not see Him. Daniel has a similar experience.
10:8 I alone was left to see this great vision. My strength drained from me, and my vigor disappeared; I was without energy.
Daniel was left alone with God. God often works in this way. Abraham left Ur and was alone with God. Moses met God at the burning bush and was alone with God. Elijah was alone with God by the Brook of Cherith. Jeremiah was alone with God as he was prophesying to Israel about her coming captivity. John the Baptist was alone with God in the desert. Paul was alone with God for two years in the desert as well. God trains men one-on-one to become His servants and accomplish His work.
The satanic world system wants man to think that he is safe in numbers. Flocks run to night clubs, sporting events, and entertainment venues. Believers will not find God in these ungodly crowds. God often trains His servants one-on-one in desolate places.
10:9 I listened to his voice, and as I did so I fell into a trance-like sleep with my face to the ground.
When Daniel met the Lord Jesus Christ, it caused him to lapse into unconsciousness.
10:10 Then a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees.
God sent another heavenly messenger to Daniel.
10:11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are of great value. Understand the words that I am about to speak to you. So stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up shaking.
Daniel was greatly beloved by God.
10:12 Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words.
Daniel had been praying and fasting for three weeks. It took three weeks for this angel to reach Daniel. This is a look into the spiritual world. There is an angelic conflict going on inside the spiritual world which man does not even realize.
10:13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. But Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left there with the kings of Persia.
The angel could not get to Daniel, because he was fighting a demon from Persia for the last 21 days. The only reason that this angel was able to pass was because he called another powerful angel to help him. This powerful angel was named Michael, which means “who is like God.”
10:14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to future days.”
The angel wanted to tell Daniel what was going to happen in the future. The people of Daniel were the Jewish people. These people were not the church because the church did not exist at this time. Satan did not want Daniel to know the future, so he sent a demon to stop this angelic messenger.
10:15 While he was saying this to me, I was flat on the ground and unable to speak.
Many modern charismatics claim that an angel visits them and tells them the future. Then, they sell their books for profit. Beware of this kind of scam. First, the only divine information of today is the written Word of God, because it was written “once and for all.” Second, Satan wants Christians to read these angel books instead of the Bible, so that he can mix truth with error. Third, if an angel did speak to charismatics, then they should add their vision at the end of Revelation 22. Fourth, if Paul was not able to tell what he saw in heaven, then why does a charismatic claim to have revelation in which Paul was not able to divulge? Fifth, if an angel did visit a charismatic, then this visit would knock them down to the ground and utter them speechless. Beware of charismatics who claim that supernatural beings speak to them, appear to them, or kills them and brings them back to life. This is all a satanic scheme to deceive men.
10:16 Then one who appeared to be a human being was touching my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak, saying to the one who was standing before me, “Sir, due to the vision, anxiety has gripped me and I have no strength.
Daniel did not even have enough strength to speak to the angel.
10:17 How, sir, am I able to speak with you? My strength is gone, and I am breathless.”
Daniel could not even breathe in the presence of this angel.
10:18 Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again and strengthened me.
The Lord Jesus Christ strengthened Daniel so that he could hear the message of the angel.
10:19 He said to me, “Don’t be afraid, you who are valued. Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, “Sir, you may speak now, for you have given me strength.”
Daniel was given enough strength to hear the message.
10:20 He said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I am about to return to engage in battle with the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece is coming.
Notice that demons were placed over both Persia and Greece. Demons are still influencing the decisions of modern nations. There is most likely a demon of the United States who is working behind the scenes in order to deceive Americans.
10:21 However, I will first tell you what is written in a dependable book. (There is no one who strengthens me against these princes, except Michael your prince.
Notice that charismatics who claim to see angels will turn ignorant Christians to their books so that they can make a profit for themselves. This angel turned Daniel back to the written Word of God.
The written Word of God is the only divine revelation for the Christian. It is the only weapon of the Christian. Christians are supposed to be involved in an angelic warfare, but most of them are missing in action.
Bible doctrine is the only defense of the believer. Therefore, believers need to stay away from charismatic prophets, tongue speakers, those who claim to return from the dead, and so-called “anointed” servants of God. Satan was inside of Judaism during the days of Jesus. He was inside the church of the apostolic era. Today, he is inside the modern church as well. He will deceive and devour those who are not grounded in the entire counsel of the Word of God.