Heavenly Visitors

I. Introduction

A. As we have worked our way through the book of Daniel we have met Daniel a man known for his wisdom, character, convictions, commitment, and righteousness. A man that God has blessed with seeing and interpreting dreams and visions. These dreams and visions have revealed prophecies and details of the future of the Israelites and many gentile kingdoms. As we begin chapter 10-12 we will once again encounter another vision and prophecy. This prophecy is the most detailed concerning the future of Israel and coming kingdoms. It is so detailed and accurate that there are those who attack prophecy, who don’t believe in God say that this had to be written after 160 BC. After much of this prophecy had already taken place so it is not prophecy but simply history. Yet, we see in Ezekiel that Daniel is considered a righteous man. Put on a pedestal with Job and Noah for his righteousness. If he was peddling lies as a prophet in this book his contemporaries in Babylon would not have seen him as righteous. Jesus would not have endorsed his prophecy had he not known it was the truth. Those who don’t want to submit to a sovereign and Holy God do all they can to attack anything miraculous such as prophecy.

B. Chapter 10 is a prologue to the prophecy in chapter 11 & 12 and much of chapter 12 is the epilogue. But they go together as a unit. There is so much information here that we cannot cover it in a single week and may not get through it in a single month. You will find as we get further into the prophecy in the coming weeks there is much history and many names. Some of you look at history and say, “Yeah, OK, so” others are just excited by it. I have to say I really didn’t get into history much in school, but as I have grown in my love for God’s Word my understanding of and desire to understand scripture has grown immensely.

C. In Daniel 10 the introduction to this section of prophecy there is a vision. In this setting Daniel’s commitment to understand God’s plan for his people and to remain humble before God and others becomes evident. This section also makes evident the spiritual warfare going on behind the scenes that we are oblivious to and would not understand apart from this passage.

II. A Commitment to Understanding and humility.

A. In the third year of Cyrus. King of Persia. We mentioned early on in our study of Daniel that Cyrus here and elsewhere such as Daniel 1 seems to be the same person as Darius in chapter 9. Daniel used interchangeably the names. One being his name and the other his official Title. If this is correct then chapter 10 is taking place two years after Daniel 9 if it is incorrect it may be a few more years.

1. Remember in chapter 9 Daniel had found the prophecy of Daniel and knew that the 70 years was coming to a close. If this is the same person then we know from Ezra 1-3 that the prophecy that was given before the captivity that a king called Cyrus would release the people to go back. Indeed, as prophesied the people did were freed to go back but only about 42,000 returned. Many were comfortable with their lifestyle in Babylon and chose to stay. Why didn’t Daniel go? Was it because of age as he approached 90 years? Was it because he was staying to encourage more people to return to their homeland, the “Glorious Land.”. We cannot be positive it could be a combination of both of these factors and more. What we do know is that the time frame of this passage is two years after the ruling of Cyrus that the people could return. Indeed some of the people went back but when they got back they became discouraged and they did not finish the cleaning and restoration of the temple the cleaning up of the city was not completed.

2. This fact of the in-completion of the temple and the state of affairs in Jerusalem and Judah would be a reason for Daniel to be in mourning.

B. Mourning vs. 2-4

1. Mourn – to grieve – to feel sadness and express it through vocalizations, tears, and ritual expressions of sadness and grief.

2. Three weeks ending on the 24th day of the first month.

a) Why is this date significant? By doing a little math we see that three weeks of days – 21 days we get back to the 3rd of the month. What special days take place during this time? … Passover and the feast of unleaven bread. A time when the Israelites remembered God’s miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt. Yet, here they were many thousands of people still in Babylon. The Temple still in disrepair. Rather than celebrating the feast Daniel has chose to mourn and do a patial fast.

b) No pleasant food – “choice food, delicacies, rich” all terms different translations use for pleasant.

(1) No meat or wine

(2) Did not anoint himself.

3. Why was he doing these things?

a) I think the circumstances of the Israelites we have described is part of the reason.

b) Further reason I believe is described in verse 12 “from the first day you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God.”

(1) I wonder my search to understand God and his work has never driven me to mourn and fast or partially fast for three weeks. This I need to consider.

(2) This is one of the passages that some groups have used to promote a Daniel Fast. In every situation that I have heard described by a group doing a Daniel fast it was to seek health, and physical blessing from God. Their focus was not the same as Daniel’s. It is as if they were trying to get God to change, manipulate Him for their good. This does not seem to be Daniel’s motive.

(a) Do I demonstrate a desire to be humble before God? (b) Has my desire to understand God’s Word and Work in the life of his church and my family driven me to mourning? To give up what is enjoyable?

III. Heavenly visitors

A. An Awesome “angelic” Man Described

1. Clothed in linen, waist girded with gold from Uphaz

2. Body like Beryl – a precious stone used in jewelry etc. can be colored or transparent (The LXX , Septuagint suggested it was a gold colored stone), eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze (bronze just from the furnace). Sound of his voice like a multitude.

a) Theologians are divided on who this is. The text does not tell us for sure. Because the description is so similar to the description of Jesus Christ in Revelation 1 many believe it is Jesus Christ. One problem with this idea is that Jesus Christ is God and is all powerful , yet if it is this man talking was delayed by the prince of Persia , a demon for at 21 days. Jesus Christ is all powerful and a demon should not have the power to delay him. Some would say that it was not this man talking ?

b) Some believe that this is Gabriel who we have met previously in two chapters revealing visions to Daniel.

c) What is for certain this is an awesome fear inspiring angelic being in the least and may by the Son of God.

B. Daniel’s Response

1. Vs. 7 the men who were with me did not see the vision but great terror came upon them and they fled to hide themselves.

2. Vs. 8ff I saw this vision and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to failty and I retained no strength.

a) Remember this is Daniel, as a young person he stood before the kings men and refused to eat their food. He has never cowered before the mighty emperors of the world. Yet, the sight of this being undoes him.

3. Vs. 9 I was in a deep sleep on the ground – fainting?

4. Vs. 10 a hand touched me and made me tremble on my hands and knees .

a) Was this the hand of this man or was this the hand of another angelic being that was with him?

5. “While he was speaking this word to me I stood trembling.” Vs. 11

C. Angel’s Message:

1. Vs. 11 Daniel, man greatly beloved

2. Understand the words I speak to you and stand upright, for I have been sent to you.

a) He stood trembling

3. Do not fear…from the first day you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.

a) But the prince of Persia withstood me 21 days; and behold Michael , on e of the chief princes , came help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. b) Michael as one of the chief of the princes is apparently a lead angel maybe one of the most powerful, who has a special with the people of Israel, as he is called “Michael your prince. Vs. 21 and in Daniel 12:1 (NKJV) 1 “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.

4. Note: The Prince of Persia is a demon who as one of the forces of Satan has great power and is assigned to influence Persia. I am afraid that we forget that we “wrestle not with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. “

a) We are never told to pray that these forces be removed. We are told in Ephesians six that our offensive weapons of warfare are the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, and prayer. Daniel is praying for his people and seeking to understand and be humble. The warfare behind the scenes are these powerful angelic beings.

b) We are to Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7) , Jesus demonstrated that resistance is done through and with the scriptures. (Matthew 4)

D. Manner: Though Daniel has been undone by these visitors. He has received strength multiple times.

1. Vs. 10 he was brought from laying down to his hands and knees.

2. Then to standing vs. 11

3. Vs. 15 Daniel became speechless but in vs. 16 He touched his lips and Daniel was able to speak. Listen, Daniel 10:16–17 (NKJV) 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.”

4. Then against the one having likeness of man touched me and strengthened me (vs. 18) Daniel 10:19 (NKJV) 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.”

E. Vs. 21 I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth.

1. He is revealing this prophecy to Daniel.

2. Michael will help him uphold it against those who try to thwart God’s Work for the children of Israel.

IV. Application

A. Have you put your faith in Jesus Christ? We spent our time today in a passage that did not encounter the gospel directly, though Daniel was a man of faith.

1. We are all sinners.

2. We need a savior.

3. God sent his Son Jesus Christ to pay the penalty of sin for all who believe.

4. Have you put your faith in Christ?

B. Are you committed to understanding and humility?

1. Are you striving to know God’s Word?

2. Are you seeking God in prayer?

3. Does God desire you to fast as you seek him?

C. Are you engaged in spiritual warfare?

1. Using the Scripture to know and declare God’s will.

2. Praying that God’s will is fulfilled?

D. Are you rejoicing in God’s Sovereignty.