Daniel 10 is the introduction to the last prophecy given to Daniel. And, in many respects this vision is the most important one, because it shows us an Israel that has been Redeemed, who the Antichrist is, what the conditions are like in the Land of Israel, how long the Great Tribulation is, and when the Resurrection occurs.
All of that is a powerful message to end the Book of Daniel with. And, it’s even more powerful because Jesus told us to pay attention to it, and we aren’t.
So, let’s look at the beginning.
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Daniel 10 – A Biblical Overview of Daniel, Part 8
Sorry about not getting anything out last Saturday. I got really sick, and I’m not sure where it came from. Even now, eating solid food is something of a challenge – depending on how ‘solid’ it is.
However, it did give me a chance to reflect upon what I wrote previously, and what I need to correct.
I talked about Daniel 9:27, and took an awfully simple view of the first Hebrew word in that verse. The first Hebrew word in verse 27 is והגביר (v’Heeg-Beer). That is a special version of the Hebrew verb form of Hiphil that includes the sequential perfect form, called veh-qatal. This means that the first word of verse 27 draws its subject from the previous verse – meaning, Messiah (aka, Mashiach). Someone challenged me on that, and he was right. It’s not a huge mistake, but a mistake is a mistake and needs to be fixed.
I also was in error with another word in Hiphil form, in reference to the ceasing of sacrifice and offering. That is sort of a distinction without a difference, but we should be true to the words and not to what we think that they should be.
Here’s how the last two verses of Daniel 9 should read:
VERSE 26 – And after sixty and two weeks will Mashiach be cut off, but not for himself.
(and a people of a prince that shall come and destroy the city and the holy place, and its end in the overflow, and to an end war is desolations determined.)
VERSE 27 – And, [Mashiach] shall confirm a covenant to many, for one week. And, [at] half of the week, [He] shall cause to cease the sacrifice and offering.
(And, to the wing of abominations, devastation – until completeness and destruction is poured on [the] devastated.)
– Daniel 9:26-27, JLV (John Little Version)
Remember that both verse 26 and 27 include parenthetical phrases in the last half of each verse, and I have taken the liberty to denominate those parenthetical phrases with… parentheses. Again, our interpretation of verses 25-27 is governed by verse 24, which tells us what these verses mean.
Back To Daniel 10
Daniel introduces this last prophecy in this way:
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.
– Daniel 10:1 (NKJV)
That is our first clue about when this prophecy will be fulfilled. We will see many more clues along the way, and they will confirm that this really is about the very Last Days and the Resurrection.
By the way, it looks like Daniel received the vision in verse one. And, while it may be that the first two sentences might have been an introduction, describing what follows, it appears that he really did have a vision in that first moment. And, this was his response:
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.
– Daniel 10:2-3 (NKJV)
It sounds like he was mourning over the vision. If he was mourning over something else, he does not say why. However, what we read later would indicate that this really is about the vision, and he engages in a fast for three weeks to seek understanding.
After those three weeks, this happens:
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.
– Daniel 10:4-9 (NKJV)
So, Daniel faints. You would too, if an angel appeared in front of you. Angels have a terrifying amount of power, and they are not to be trifled with. And, there is something within us that understands that.
Oh, and why do I call this person an angel?
An Angel Comes To Daniel
Read on:
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.”
– Daniel 10:10-14 (NKJV)
There is no mention of the name of the angel that speaks with Daniel. We can’t even assume that this is Gabriel. After all, there are a lot of angels out there. But, there is one thing that confirms that this is an angel, and that’s these words from verse 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.
If this had been the pre-incarnate Christ, no matter how outnumbered this angel was, nothing would have stopped him. But, being outnumbered by the fallen angels of Persia, Michael had to step in and help out.
Oh, and notice something that is said about Michael:
“behold, Michael, one of the chief princes“
Apparently, there is more than one archangel than Michael, even though those ‘chief princes’ are not named. I’ve heard some say that there is only one archangel, but verse 13 says otherwise.
So, it took 21 days for this angel to reach Daniel, but now that he is there, he says that he has come to explain:
“what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
The Vision Is Horrifying
Poor Daniel faints again. And then Daniel makes an interesting point:
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.”
– Daniel 10:15-17 (NKJV)
When Daniel says this:
“My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.
He appears to be talking about the vision that he had, that he fasted and mourned over, that we will see explained in chapters 11 and 12. And indeed, it is a terrible vision, one that we would like to avoid for ourselves as well.
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.”
The Spiritual War And The Scripture Of Truth
So, Daniel is strengthened so he can receive what he needs to hear. And then two profound statements are made that are a bit mind-blowing when you think them through:
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.
– Daniel 10:20-21 (NKJV)
The idea that there is this ongoing war in the spiritual realm fascinating to think about, but foolish if you go too far with it. Too many have destroyed themselves with too much speculation about this, but it does show that we only see a tiny bit of what is real. And, this is on purpose. There are mysteries that God does NOT want us to know, for they are not safe.
I accept that, but far too many do not. This Spiritual Warfare that some teach is not from the Bible. For our victory over Satan and his angels is through a humble submission to God, the power of the Gospel and a willingness to give our lives for Christ. Anything beyond that is not Biblical and therefore a sin.
The second fantastic thing is that what we will see in Daniel 11 and 12 is something that was already written in the כתב אמת (K’Tav Eh-met) – Scripture of Truth or Writing of Truth. And, as I think about the scroll that is unsealed by the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8), I would be willing to bet that this Scripture of Truth is the one with Seven Seals that must be opened before the Great Tribulation can begin.
And, for those of you who have NOT read my Biblical Overview of Revelation, you will see quite clearly that the Seven Seals must be removed before the Great Tribulation begins.
For those interested in that overview, you can get it here:
A Biblical Overview Of Revelation
Now, does this mean that the Scroll with Seven Seals must be the Scripture of Truth that the angel is talking about?
Of course not. If the Bible doesn’t actually say it, we cannot. What I just gave you is speculation, and you should NEVER claim speculation as truth. Never do that. Doing that is the way to darkness.
All that I’m doing here is pointing out two things that appear to be similar – but might not be. Since the Bible does not say that they are the same, then we are stuck with a question mark over this K’tav Emet.
Conclusion
What did we learn from this chapter?
- The Vision is about the Last Days.
- There is more than one Archangel, besides Michael.
- There is a war going on around us that we cannot see – and shouldn’t see.
- The events of the Great Tribulation are written down in a scroll called the K’Tav Emet (Writing of Truth) – at least some of them, since not all is described in Daniel 11 and 12.
- This vision was horrifying to Daniel – causing him to fast for 21 days.
Lord willing, we will delve into Daniel 11, next week. And yes, it will be even more fascinating than this post has been.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
שאלו שלום ירושלים
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My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you… Hosea 4:6
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Keep this ministry alive with a donation.
Subscribe for free to Revelation Six and receive my articles in your inbox:
https://revelationsix.substack.com/subscribe
And, read my two books:
I created five Android Apps that will help you read through the Bible in a Year. You can find them here:
https://revelationsix.com/android-apps/
If you miss my rantings about geopolitics, idiocy, resource collapse and incompetent globalism, follow me on Twitter.
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