Daniel 10:1 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.

This was the king that was prophesied that would grant permission for the the captives to return to Israel and restore Jerusalem. Isaiah prophesied and even named this king years before the king was born.

Isaiah 44:26 That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof:
Isa 44:27 That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers:
Isa 44:28 That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

We can take this as a double prophecy of that day and of latter days when Israel is restored to its own homeland.  As in those days, there was much trouble, fighting and hindrances to rebuilding Jerusalem so it these latter days.  Old Harry Truman had the fight of his life to pressure the UN to vote for the state of Israel to be allowed to come into existence back in 1948. There is much trouble in Israel today also and it never ceases.

Dan 10:2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.

To those familiar with the Lord laying a burden upon the heart so that one feels like doing nothing but praying, it was probably a heavy burden like we feel when we are deeply concerned for the spiritual condition of someone's soul or as in Daniel's case the state of his whole nation. Yet we shall see in this chapter that fervent prayer and the seeking of God does have results.  Daniel was earnestly concerned for his nation of Israel.  Nothing he did was to be seen of men. 

Dan 10:3 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.

Daniel was fasting and praying for the burden was heavy upon him. He was humbling himself and set his heart to seek the Lord.

Dan 10:4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
Dan 10:5 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:
Dan 10:6 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 color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.

This sounds very much like Jesus Christ and I believe it was Jesus but was not known by the name of  Jesus or Yeshua until he came into the flesh and was born of Mary. He was dressed as a priest who was ready to do sacrifice on behalf of the people.  Jesus became our high priest to make intercession to God on behalf of all who come to Him and believe.  So this may have been Jesus.

Here is the description in Revelation

Revelation 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Rev 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.


Dan 10:7 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.

This is similar to the account of the conversion of the apostle Paul. Paul experienced things that those with him did not experience but they were aware that something was occurring.

Dan 10:8 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.

I realize that in modern times not everything that goes on is by the Holy Spirit, but we have to be careful not to false accuse people because the reaction to the presence of the Holy Spirit in many cases causes people to fall down, fall on their face and become very weak. We have to remember how powerful God is, and that our human flesh is very weak. It would be hard for us to stand straight and tall in the presence of an almighty God. There are many different reactions to God's presence. Some weep profusely, some fall down, and some may leap and shout. Lets be careful not to accuse the wrong people. Its not that God makes people do react in that manner but many may react that way in God's presence. Its not that God goes around knocking people down so to speak but our reaction to a strong presence of the Lord may cause us to fall to the ground in awe and wonder.

There are many well meaning discernment ministries on the Internet that are really going hard against people who "fall out under the power" and have certain manifestations. I'm sure all that goes on in every revival meeting is not always of God for we are flesh and people get in the flesh and want to draw attention to one's self. There is a chance also that Satan may send some of his people into a meeting to mimic or cause trouble. In saying that though, we have to remember that God is not going around knocking people down but sometimes our reaction to a great awesome presence of God may cause people to fall on the ground. There is such a thing as being slain in the spirit but it is not God purposely doing it but our reaction to His presence that may cause this.

Lets be very careful in our accusations for we would be accusing Daniel, Peter and perhaps John. I agree though that discernment people should go after false doctrine and line everything up with scripture but we have to be very careful not to falsely accuse. God's presence is awesome and real. I know of a lady in a church that fell to the ground in a church service and was healed of cancer. This was verified by a doctor. This does not happen in every case but it did for her.

Dan 10:9 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.

This was just too much for Daniel in the flesh to take until the hand touched him.

Dan 10:10 And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
Dan 10:11 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.


Again we see Daniel called, "greatly beloved". That would be the ultimate joy to have God refer to us as beloved. Notice also that God desires to comfort and set upright those that do fall to the ground in awe. He comes to people for a reason and it is not for them to just lie around but to listen to what He has to say. This angel is probably Gabriel who the person in the vision probably sent to Daniel to do the actual comforting and speaking.

Dan 10:12 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.

The first thing God's messengers do is tell those overwhelmed by the visions and dreams they receive, is to "fear not."  There was nothing for Daniel to fear from God and God is quick to reassure him. Notice that most dreams and visions in the bible were for a purpose.  They never were to exalt the person receiving these visions.  Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel did not go around or start a Revelation ministry to rake in money and build a cathedral.  They probably could have if they had gotten enough followers.  Real prophets do not make too many friends especially among the worldly crowd.  The message to repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, turns off most people.  They would rather hear how to have a good life now and be prosperous. 

Dan 10:13 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.

This shows that there is war and fighting among spiritual beings when one empire falls and another one rises to power. It is God who allows or disallows any ruler from reigning. Kings and rulers should be the ones to fear God.

Dan 10:14 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.

We see this is definitely a latter day vision.

Dan 10:15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.

This also would be our reaction to these types of visions and visitations from God.

Dan 10:16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spoke, 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.

This one looked like a human. Maybe he was Elijah or Enoch. We can only speculate. Angels sometimes take the form of men.

Dan 10:17 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.
Dan 10:18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
Dan 10:19 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.
Dan 10:20 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 Greece shall come.

This angel has to fight with the angelic being (one that had rebelled with Satan). For the rule of the Medes and Persians was about the end and then the prince of Greece shall come. Another evil angelic being represented Alexander the Great.

Dan 10:21 But I will show 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.

Michael is a good angel of God who represents Israel. He was there to help Gabriel. God's will is done at the final end of all things. At His word nations stand or fall.

This is why the people of any nation needs to fear God and not cast away His word. When we ignore God, we open the door to evil angelic beings to enter into the country's leaders and take control.

There is no way Adolph Hitler could have rose to power if the churches of Germany would have been on fire for God and what we call "prayed up" or walking in the spirit of God. When the church or God's people get worldly minded and start to go into apostasy, the whole nation will suffer.

In further chapters we will see more description of nations, rulers and even the anti-christ of latter days.  God gives us the prophets in the Old Testament and the apostles in the New Testament to show us what is to occur in the latter days just before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  God does not leave us with just one witness.  In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. 


Daniel Chapter 11
 


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