HEAVENLY BEINGS AND EARTH
Chapter 10 to 11:1
Here begins the last vision of Daniel, which goes on to the end of the book.
Cyrus had allowed the Jews back to their land, by a decree in the first year of his reign (Ezra 1), upon completion of the seventy years of captivity as prophesied by Jeremiah (25:11-12).
Daniel in that year left his post in government (Daniel 1:21) but did not return to Jerusalem. Likewise, most Jews stayed where they were, only 42,360 returning (Ezra 2:62) with their servants.
It was now almost two years since they left, so Daniel should be aware of the opposition that those who returned were facing by those who lived there (Ezra 4:4-5), and this must have made him unhappy and contributed to the sadness and mourning of three full weeks described in verses 2 and 3.
Again God stepped in to cheer him up by showing him the fight that was being waged in the heavenly spheres in defence of his people, and then giving him even more details on the future of the Jews.
First Daniel saw the Lord of Lords (Christ in His glory - compare the description in verses 5 and 6 with Revelation 1:12-15) and as he heard the sound of His words, (which Daniel did not transmit to us), he passed out (just as, centuries later, and Saul and John - Acts 9:1-9 and Revelation 1:17). There were others with Daniel - they saw nothing but felt great terror, fled and hid.
Daniel was then awakened and raised by the hand of someone, probably the angel Gabriel ("Strength of God") which again called him "a man greatly beloved" and told him to stand upright and pay attention to what he had to say, because now he had been sent to him.
The angel reassured Daniel, telling him that from the first day when Daniel had dedicated himself to understand and to humble himself before God, his words had been heard, and so he came. His mission was to make Daniel understand what would happen to his people in the last days - a time still far away from Daniel.
The delay of three weeks in reaching Daniel was due to the resistance of the "prince of the kingdom of Persia" (not a man, but a spirit that opposes the messengers and the people of God - see Ephesians 6:12), this resistance was broken with the help of Archangel Michael ("Who is Like God"), the prince of the people of Israel.
The struggle between spiritual forces, on one hand those who develop the designs of God, and on the other the satanic forces of opposition, is an ongoing battle. We also participate in it, and so God provides us with the armour and strength of His power to achieve victory (Ephesians 6:10,13-18). The archangel Michael is mentioned in Jude verse 9, when he contended with the devil in a dispute over the body of Moses, and in Revelation 12:1-9 where we read that Michael with his angels in heaven shall fight against the dragon and his angels, forcing them out of there and throwing them down to earth.
Satan has his kingdom (Matthew 12:26), and he is the "prince of the power of the air," acting upon those who are disobedient to God (Ephesians 2:2), through its agents, of which the main ones (or "princes"), have influence on the leaders of nations. Probably the "prince of the kingdom of Persia" opposed himself to the messenger Gabriel because his commander (the devil) is the enemy of Israel and did not want its future to be revealed to Daniel (and all of us through him).
On being informed of what the message content was to be, Daniel weakened and remained speechless; another angelic being, human in appearance (the angels take on human appearance to be seen by human eyes) touched his lips for him to speak, and gave him strength to stand what was about to be said.
Gabriel told Daniel that he mut return to fight with the "Prince of Persia," and when he had gone the "prince of Greece" would come, and that he and Michael cooperated in the fight against satanic powers. In the first year of Darius the Mede it was Gabriel who stood up to confirm and to strengthen him.
R David Jones
1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.
3 I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
4 Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris,
5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!
6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice 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 terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8 Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength.
9 Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
10 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
12 Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia.
14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come."
15 When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.
16 And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, "My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.
17 For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me."
18 Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.
19 And he said, "O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!" So when 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? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.
21 But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.
1 "Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.)
Daniel chapter 10 and 11 verse 1