Daniel is mourning and fasting and after twenty one days has a vision. An Angel appears and explains the warfare happening not just in the earth, but in the heavens. The angel assures Daniel that his prayers were heard as soon as he set his heart and humbled himself. And our prayers are also heard when we are covered by the blood of Christ, then we can come boldly to the throne Heb 4:16. But we also learn here, that there is opposition, principalities and powers, that must be overcome. Daniel is instructed to “pay attention to the words” and “you must not fear” and this is as he is seeing the battles among the kingdoms of men that were to come. And Israel, was right in the middle. Do you know that you are right in the middle? Put on the armor of God, Pray in faith knowing Jesus has overcome the world.
The Word Was Reliable
Daniel 10:1–10
In Daniel 10:2-4 he was “in mourning” and fasting “and I did not use any ointment until the end of three weeks”. Many of us have begun a fast on the first day of a new year and if so, then “His mourning ended on the twenty-first day, the closing day of the passover feast; but the vision is not till the twenty-fourth, because of the opposition of “the prince of Persia” (Da 10:13).1
Then in Daniel 10:4-6 “on the twenty fourth day of the first month … there was a man”. At least it appeared to be a man to Daniel. As we see later this is an angel, but here in vs. 6 we see a description using words like lightning, flames of fire, the sound of a multitude.
In Daniel 10:7-10 only Daniel saw him, but everyone with him sensed a great presence and ran to hide. Daniel alone is in the spirit realm having a new vision and being instructed by this angel. But Daniel is without strength in his presence, face down on the ground until the angel touched him and then he could only rise to his hands and knees.
Daniel is introducing this word about tribulation that he had received as he opens in Daniel 10:1. He said this word was reliable. Not every so called prophetic word is reliable and we should test before accepting. Then he says he understood the word and received understanding. When we hear something knew, we may understand the words and even the concept that is being shared with us. But there is something more that we may need, an understanding of how it will affect us and our actions and the people around us. In this encounter, Daniel got it all.
Pay Attention to the Words
Daniel 10:11-21
The angel recognizes Daniels fear and you can imagine that Daniel might have been focused on his feelings but in Daniel 10:11 the angel says “pay attention … stand up”. Then, again calling him by name, in
Daniel 10:12 (LEB) And he said to me, “You must 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 myself have come because of your words.
God does hear our words, our prayers and angels, messenger, ministering spirits for us respond.
Hebrews 1:14 (LEB) Are they not all spirits engaged in special service, sent on assignment for the sake of those who are going to inherit salvation?
But, as it says in Daniel 10:13 there are powers that resist even the coming of God’s word for us. Note though, that they could not prevent it. Today, we have full armor to fight as we should in
Ephesians 6:12 (LEB) because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Then in Daniel 10:14 the angel gives his purpose in coming “I have come to instruct you about what will happen to your people in the future”. Again in Daniel 10:15-21 Daniel is on his face on the ground and the angel is encouraging him and strengthening him to hear what is to come because he, the angel, is off to fight “these beings”.
His Kingdom Will Be Divided
Daniel 11:1–9
Darius the Mede is protected in Daniel 11:1 and in Daniel 11:2 four more kings are coming in Persia, the last with great wealth and strength “then he will stir up everyone against the kingdom of ” Greece.
Continuing in Daniel 11:3-4 is the history we know of Alexander and the prophecy given in Daniel 8 and the division of his kingdom. So, Egypt grows strong in Daniel 11:5 and in Daniel 11:6 seeks an alliance by marriage with “king of the north” but it fails. in Daniel 11:7-9 Egypt rises up and takes back “their gods …” and return home.
The Violent Ones Will Lift Themselves
Daniel 11:10–18
In Daniel 11:10 the Syrians “overflow like a flood” and in Daniel 11:11-12 Egypt rises up and “the multitude is carried off” and in Daniel 11:13-15 the king of the north comes against Egypt again, and many others and Egypt cannot resist them. In Daniel 11:16 this invader will “act according to his pleasure … he will stand in the beautiful land and complete destruction will be in his power”. Israel is right in the middle of this turmoil.
He Will Act Deceitfully
Daniel 11:19–27
Those Who Violate The Covenant
Daniel 11:28–37
Study Verses
- Daniel 10:1–10 The Word Was Reliable
- Daniel 10:11-21 Pay Attention to the Words
- Daniel 11:10–18 The Violent Ones Will Lift Themselves
Today’s Reading
- Daniel 10:1-21
- Daniel 11:1-37
References
- 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 642). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
