STUDY OF DANIEL
CHAPTER X
21 Verses
Chapter 10-12 record Daniel’s final vision recorded in the Book of Daniel. Chapter 10 is the introduction to the vision, with Chapter 11 spelling out the detailed events which will occur from Daniel’s day to the end of time. Chapter 12 then provides a final broad overview of the prophecies of this book; restating the big picture and closing with comforting words spoken to Daniel.
In Daniel 10, verse 1, Daniel’s last recorded vision is in the “third year” of Cyrus King of Persia. The vision recorded in is one received in Daniel’s retirement years when he may have been in his mid-eighties. From what he was told in Chapter 12, we get the idea that Daniel’s death was not too far in the future (see Chapter 12:13).
The date for the events in verse 1 must be about 537 B.C. The first wave of Jewish captives would have already made their way back to Jerusalem.
Unlike the vision of Chapter 8, Daniel did understand the vision received in Chapter 10.
*The essence of the vision; condensed into one word would be “conflict”.
There is a great spiritual warfare going on!! It reveals a conflict between good and evil. Good and evil angels wage war in the supernatural battle of light and darkness, good and evil, truth and error. As Daniel prayed, good and evil angels battle for control of the King of Persia’s mind. Daniel prayed that God would impress the mind of Cyrus, to free the captive Israelites. The “Prince of Persia, Satan” imprisoned Cyrus’s mind in darkness.
One thing was clear to Daniel; the message was told to him that the Israelites were going to be under great stress and wars before the end occurs.
In Daniel 2-3, “In those days I, Daniel was mourning three full weeks.” These weeks were not speaking of a long period of time, like the weeks in the previous chapter. These weeks were made up of seven, twenty-four hour days.
The entirety of Chapter 10 is concerned with Daniel’s preparation to receive the vision. The emphasis of the chapter is the strengthening of Daniel and the satanic opposition that he and God’s angels encountered.
In we see Daniel standing by the great River Hiddekel (Hebrew for Tigris). In verses 5-12, Daniel sees a “certain man” who is remarkably similar to the description of Jesus that was given by John in Revelation However, in verses 12-13, we see that this person does not seem to be omnipotent
Verses 7-10, describes physical strength or lack thereof, from seeing this presence of a “certain man”. In verses 11-12, we are told Daniel’s prayers were heard from the first day of his three-week fast period. “But the Prince of the kingdom of Persia (Cyrus) withstood me one and twenty days: But, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me…” Since God is omnipotent, and does not need help from anyone, this verse tells us this was not Jesus. This verse does tells us, also, that the angel was delayed because of angelic warfare. This battle between good and evil angels over the control of nations continues
The fight referred to in this verse apparently started 21 days ago. That’s exactly the length of time of Daniel’s fasting and praying. It is apparent that God was going to respond immediately to Daniel. However, the evil angels caused enough of a problem to send an angel to help the Prince of Persia (leader, Cyrus).
It lasted 21 days and then the angel came to Daniel to give him this vision.
In verses 14-15, the angel tells Daniel “What shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.” Latter days almost always refer to future days culminating in the events, surrounding the second coming of Christ. After hearing this, Daniel, in verse 15, becomes dumb; he could not say a word. Most likely, this was the angel Gabriel who touched and spoke to Daniel.
Note: Gabriel is only mentioned by name four times in the entire Bible; twice here in Daniel and twice in the Book of Luke, verses 1:19 and 26.
Daniel says in verses 10-11, that, “And when He had spoken to him to stand upright, Daniel stood trembling”. This being, which looks like a man, was sent of God with a message to encourage Daniel. He tells Daniel the words He spoke in verse 12, “Thy words were heard”, were of great encouragement from God. In verse 10:13, the angel tells Daniel why the delay to his prayer, if it was heard from the beginninng. “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.”
Whoever this angel is (Gabriel) representing God to Daniel, was not powerful enough to break through the satanic forces to Daniel. As we said before, there is a great spiritual warfare going on. The forces of God are fighting against the forces of the devil constantly.
The three-week delay was due to an evil angel opposing Gabriel in heavenly warfare. This evil angel was specially annointed with Persian power in an effort to thwart the work of God. This tells us that satan engages in heavenly warfare to influence generations and nations against God and His people.
Angels are ministering spirits to help the saints. Perhaps, Michael (an archangel) had more authority and broke through for him. Today the authority to fight these evil forces lies in the name of Jesus.
In the angel Gabriel tells Daniel that now he will return to fight with the Prince of Persia and that the Prince of Grecia shall come. The Persians were in control, when Daniel had this vision.
“The Prince of Persia” is an evil angel contesting for the kingdom of Greece and soon after the Grecians had control.
We see here, God sets kingdoms up, and pulls them down. Both the Persians and Greeks will be fallen when God gets ready for their fall.
There is a warfare in the spirit world, as well. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high (places).”
In we see that Michael is the archangel associated with the one we call Jesus. The “scripture of truth” in verse 21 is God’s plan of certain and true designs for men and nations, which He can reveal according to His discretion. This actually forms the heavenly basis for the earthly unfolding of history in
As we stated earlier, Gabriel told Daniel he was going to return to fight with the Prince of Persia Gabriel was going to go back to the ruler/king of Persia to stand by his side and fight with him; not against him. When Gabriel says, “When I have gone forth,” it means Gabriel is leaving the King of Persia, and the Prince of Greece shall come forth.
The ruler/king of Greece will come and overthrow the King of Persia. So we see that God fights with a nation until they have completely refused to surrender to Him. When it comes to this stage, the divine aid is withdrawn and another kingdom arises.
This brings us to the end of Chapter 10, with no interpretation of the vision that Daniel had.