Daniel’s Vision by the Tigris
1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, and it concerned a great conflict. And the understanding of the message was given to him in a vision.
2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. 3I ate no rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I did not anoint myself with oil until the three weeks were completed.
- DAN 10:3[NOTE]NO RICH FOOD. Today's 21 day Daniel Fast comes from this verse. See The Daniel Fast.
4On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, 5I lifted up my eyes, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude.
- DAN 10:5[MIRACLE]Daniel sees a man dressed in linen, with a face like lightning and eyes like flaming torches
- DAN 10:5[ALLUDED TO]The New Testament refers to this → REV 1:13-15
- DAN 10:5[NOTE]A MAN DRESSED IN LINEN. Some see Christ here, compare Revelation 1:13 to 15. Others see a mighty angel, since he needed Michael's help, 10:13. His words stay black.
7Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but a great terror fell upon them, and they ran and hid themselves.
8So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face grew deathly pale, and I was powerless. 9I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.
10Suddenly, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man who is highly precious. Consider carefully the words that I am about to say to you. Stand up, for I have now been sent to you.”
- DAN 10:10[MIRACLE]A hand touches Daniel and a heavenly messenger speaks
And when he had said this to me, I stood up trembling.
12“Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “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 in response to them. 13However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.”
- DAN 10:12[HEART]From the first day Daniel set his heart to understand and humble himself, his prayer was heard.
- DAN 10:12[TEXT]SET YOUR HEART. The Hebrew says you gave your heart, like the KJV.
- DAN 10:13[DEMONIC]Prince of Persia, Prince of Greece — territorial demonic principalities
- DAN 10:13[NOTE]THE PRINCE OF PERSIA. A spiritual power over Persia that fought against God's messenger for 21 days, until Michael came. Paul says our battle is not against flesh and blood, Ephesians 6:12.
15While he was speaking these words to me, I set my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16And suddenly one with the likeness of a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and said to the one standing before me, “My lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish, and I have no strength. 17How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? Now I have no strength, nor is any breath left in me.”
18Again the one with the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19“Do not be afraid, you who are highly precious,” he said. “Peace be with you! Be strong now; be very strong!”
- DAN 10:18[MIRACLE]The one like a man strengthens Daniel
As he spoke with me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”
20“Do you know why I have come to you?” he said. “I must return at once to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I have gone forth, behold, the prince of Greece will come. 21But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince.
- DAN 10:20[DEMONIC]Prince of Persia, Prince of Greece — territorial demonic principalities
- DAN 10:21[NOTE]MICHAEL, YOUR PRINCE. The angel who stands guard over God's people, 12:1. Jude 1:9 calls him the archangel.