Daniel received an important revelation and decided to pray and fast about it.
The book of Daniel goes with the book of Revelation. This chapter teaches us about our role in fasting and prayer in these last days, as well as the fact that God will intervene against the powers of this world and darkness. It helps us realize that God is in control, despite the fact that demons are working behind the scenes with the leaders of this world to try to obscure and change God's purposes.
🔸Chronology of events
•The events of Daniel 8 took place before the fall of Babylon (in 539 BC) and before Cyrus’ decree of release (in 536 BC).
•Daniel 9 is during 538 BC, when Babylon had fallen, but Cyrus’ decree of release had not been proclaimed.
•The events of Chapter 10 happened in the year 535 BC, when Cyrus’ decree had already been given and the first group of Jews had returned to rebuild the temple.
•Chapters 11 and 12 are in the same time period as Chapter 10 because they are the continuation of it.
•Daniel 11:1 suggests that we should date the entire chapter to the same year as Daniel 9 (538). This would mean that the events of Daniel 11 transpired before those of Chapter 10.
•The introductory vision of Daniel 10 is continued in chapter 11 because both chapters are in the same period. In other words, Daniel 10 is the introduction to the explanation provided by the angel in Daniel 11.
Daniel 10 verse 1 to 3
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.
2 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.
🔸“Third year of Cyrus king of Persia”
King Cyrus was in his third year (534 B.C.). In this year, something was revealed to Daniel. The ‘thing’ which the angel revealed to Daniel in the third year of Cyrus (535 BC) was actually the explanation we find in Daniel 11:2–12:3.
🔸“Mourning three full weeks”
Verse 12 to 14 explain the reason for the mourning. Daniel desired a deeper comprehension of the revealed truth. In order to gain a deeper understanding, Daniel abstained from eating any pleasant breads or delicacies, including meat and wine. What we eat or drink affects our mind. Daniel ate a simple, healthy diet to keep his mind sharp and be perceptive to the Holy Spirit's promptings. Daniel’s reaction teaches us that diet has a direct link to our spiritual life. The body cannot produce good blood without clean, wholesome food, leading to poor circulation and a clouded mind that cannot accurately discern God's voice.
Daniel 10 verse 4 to 11
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;
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
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.
🔸“Hiddekel”
It translates as the Euphrates in Syriac. The Vulgate, Greek, and Arabic refer to it as the Tigris. From this information we can conclude that Daniel was at the point where these two rivers meet and become one before they continue down to the Persian Gulf. This is where Daniel was situated.
🔸“A certain man”
A vision of Christ was given to Daniel and the description is virtually identical with that of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1:13-16.
🔸“My face toward the ground”
When he saw the vision of Jesus, Daniel retained no strength. Even Daniel, being a godly man, saw his utter unworthiness in the presence of divinity, and that all the good that he saw in himself was only corruption compared to Christ. We see similar reactions in others:
•All Moses could do in the presence of divinity was to immediately bow down and worship. (Exodus 34:8).
•Isaiah’s reaction was also similar, for when he saw the throne of God with the Lord sitting on it, all he could exclaim was woe is me; I am undone and had unclean lips (Isaiah 6:1–5).
🔸“A hand touched me”
The angel Gabriel is the one who touched Daniel. We know this because of the words, “Unto thee am I now sent.” If we apply this phrase to other passages in Daniel and elsewhere, we find that it is Gabriel who is sent. (Luke 1:19; Daniel 8:16–19; 9:21-23) So Gabriel touched him, and now he is speaking to him.
The experience is overwhelming for Daniel, who is about 89 years old.
Daniel 10 verse 12 to 14
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.
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.
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.
🔸“Michael”
- The name itself, in Hebrew, means “who is like God.” He is also referred to as the Archangel in Jude 1:9. However, the definition of the word archangel in Jude 9 is “archangel, or chief of the angels.”
- Michael’s very name is a challenge to Satan. In Revelation 12:7-9, it is Michael who casts Satan out of heaven. It is of more than passing interest that, at the beginning of the great controversy, Michael is spoken of as having his angels and Satan is spoken of as having his.
- In Jude 9, Michael contends with Satan for the body of Moses.
🔸“Prince of the kingdom of Persia”
The prince of Persia is different from the king of Persia. There are 420 uses of the word ‘prince’ in the Old Testament, and not once is it used to denote a king. Actually, the word most frequently describes military commanders. Daniel 10:13 makes it abundantly clear that Gabriel and Michael were working on two fronts. First, they were contending with the prince of the kingdom of Persia, and secondly, they were working with the kings of Persia.
Since he fought against the angel Gabriel, the prince of Persia must have been a spiritual being. As stated above, only Michael can defeat Satan, so Satan is the prince of Persia. In the book of John, we read that Jesus referred to Satan as a prince.
John 14:30 says,
“Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”
John 16:11 says,
“Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.”
Daniel 10 verse 15 to 21
15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
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.
17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
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.
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.
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.
🔸“Similitude of the sons of men”
Daniel could not stand the glory revealed to him, so Gabriel veils his glory in the garb of humanity. This is not unusual, as you will see that Gabriel has already appeared to Daniel in the form of a man in Daniel 9:21.
🔸“Return to fight with prince of Persia”
Gabriel was going to go back to the ruler of Persia to fight against him. Gabriel was telling Daniel that the battle with Satan was not over.