33 DANIEL 10

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. (The time was circa 536 BC after Cyrus had captured Babylon three years earlier. Likely, he was praying about the Jews who had returned to Judea, that were having a rough time though they erected God’s altar circa 536 BC in Jerusalem, about 70 Biblical years [A Biblical year equals 360 days] after Daniel and his friends were taken to Babylon in the captivity of the nation per Jeremiah 25:10,11. The desolations of Jerusalem during which the land of Israel kept her Sabbaths, i.e., the land lay uncultivated, also lasted 70 Biblical years [2 Chronicles 36:21] or just under 69 calendar years. This was a different 70 years, that began with the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar per 2 Kings 25:1 in December of 589 BC. The 70 years ended with Haggai 2:10, 18, 19 on the 24th day of the 9th month in the 2nd year of Darius or Dec 18, 520 BC according to one source.)

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. (In the first chapter of this book, he would not eat wine and meat from Nebuchadnezzar’s table because they were dedicated to the idols of Babylon first. Now, large numbers of Jews had come to Babylon, and he could very likely now get kosher meat and wine without difficulty, but he denied himself again for three weeks on a partial fast.)

4 Now on the 24th day of the 1st 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 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. (Daniel was greatly beloved by God in the Old Testament and was given visions on the prelude to the Christian Era and the Last Days; John was greatly beloved by Jesus and was given Revelation.)

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 21 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. (The prince and kings of Persia refer to Satanic angels here as no human king of Persia could withstand this mighty angel of God. Some believe this was Jesus Christ, but that is impossible as Christ would not need the help of Michael to get through to Daniel.)

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, the prince of Greece will come. (it appears that Satan has mighty angels in charge of each of the nations.)

21 "But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.) This chapter is the prelude to a vision that sweeps through from the era of the Persian Empire to that of the first coming of Christ. It has been written that these were the silent years, when God did not speak to Jews through any prophet, with Malachi the last prophet of the Old Testament whose time was the mid-5th century. The last two prophets were John the Baptist and Jesus Christ in the first half of the 1st century. However, God foretold the history of the Jews in the next two chapters up to the first abomination of desolation circa 167 BC and the success of the Maccabees, who retook the Temple and Jerusalem. Then, the prophecy continues with the soon-to-appear anti-Christ’s appearance and reign on the world’s stage until Christ comes to reign.

Considering America’s present political situation with a disputed election, a possible takeover by the Democrats of the US Senate, and the thin margin of Democrat control in the US House of Representatives, one wonders what would have happened had Daniel stopped praying during that three weeks before the angel arrived? It seems unlikely that the angel would have made it. The present situation in the US is to my way of thinking perfect for 2 Chronicles 7:14 (God speaking) “If My people, who are called by My name (This would include Christians), will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.” -

Please keep praying! That is our only hope! -Gentry

NOTE: Daniel 11 & 12 soon to follow!