1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a revelation was given to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). Its message was true and it concerned a great war.The understanding of the message came to him in a vision. 2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.
First, this vision is given to Daniel during the reign of Cyrus. Cyrus overtook Babylon in 539. So Daniel has been serving the kings of Persia for over 70 years! He began with Nebuchadnezzar (605 BC), served through the reign of the last monarch Belshazzar (which ended in Cyrus’ takeover, and is issuing this prayer three years into Cyrus’ reign. Here is a listing of the kings of Persia:
605-562 BC Nebuchadnezzar’s reign (43 years) 562-560 BC Evilmerolach (2 years) assassinated 560-556 BC Neriglaser (4 years) natural causes 556 BC Laborosoarchod (9 months)beaten by conspirators 556-539 BC Nabonidus ruled until conquered by Persia • lived in Arabia last part of his reignEldest son: Belshazzar (co-regency with Nabonidus)
Why is Daniel mourning? Is it because more Jews hadn’t returned to rebuild the temple? Is it because of this vision of great war?
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, 5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. 7 I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; those who were with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves. 8 So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision; I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless. 9 Then I heard him speaking, and as I listened to him, I fell into a deep sleep, my face to the ground.
Who is the man of verse 5? Is it Jesus (Revelation 1:12-16)? If we do a comparison of the two men described between these two passages, we may be able to come to a conclusion.
Daniel 10:5-6 Dressed in linen Belt of Fine Gold Body like Topaz Face like Lightning Eyes like flaming torches Arms and legs like burnished bronze Voice like the sound of a multitude
Revelation 1:12-16 Robe reaching to his feet Golden sash around his chest Face like the shining sun Eyes like blazing fire Seven stars in his right hand Sword in his mouth Voice like rushing water
No one else sees this encounter. This isolated encounter, amongst others, happened to Paul (Acts 9:1-9). The people around him sense it, but do not share the experience.
10 A hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.
“Highly-esteemed” is also translated as “beloved”. Beloved is also a moniker given to the Apostle John. Each of these men were devoted to God and each were given a deep prophetic mission.
12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.”
The man tells him that his devotion to God allowed God to hear his prayer. This man has come in response to the prayer, but he was resisted for 21 days. First, you’ll notice the recurrence of 7, which is the symbolic number for perfection. But this man was detained by the Prince of the kingdom of Persia. Prince is equal to ruler (Eph. 6:12, Col 1:16, John 12:31). This illustrates that this man is not Jesus but a messenger.
The man had to allocate his time there, for three weeks, before he could attend to Daniel. Daniel’s prayer was subject o spiritual warfare for this time, a refining of the passion and devotion of Daniel. But Daniel kept praying, knowing not when his prayer would be answered, but that his prayer would be answered.
15 While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. 16 Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I feel very weak. 17 How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.” 18 Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. 19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.” 20 So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; 21 but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince).
This angel, perhaps Michael, (Rev 12:7-8), is to go back to the battle. Long after Daniel’s lifetime, Greece becomes a major reigning power in the region. This angel will fight against that as well. But first will reveal what is written in the Book of Truth. The final parenthetical tells us Michael is a champion for Israel, fights for Israel when it is weak, and will continue to do so through the centuries.