Daniel 10.14-The Elect Angel Came to Give Daniel Knowledge of the Future of His People Israel in the Latter Days
Wenstrom Bible Ministries
Pastor-Teacher Bill Wenstrom
Wednesday March 5, 2014
Daniel: Daniel 10.14-The Elect Angel Came to Give Daniel Knowledge of the Future of His People Israel in the Latter Days
Lesson # 309
Please turn in your Bibles to Daniel 10:1.
Daniel 10:1 During Cyrus’s third year, king over Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel who was called by his name Belteshazzar. Specifically this message was truth and concerning a great conflict because he understood this message, yes he possessed understanding concerning this revelation. 2 During those days, I myself, Daniel caused myself to enter the state of mourning for three weeks. 3 I never ate expensive choice food or meat. Also, wine never entered into my mouth likewise I never anointed myself with oil until the end of the three weeks. 4 Then, on the twenty-fourth day of the first month while I myself was beside that great river, namely the Tigris, 5 while I lifted up my eyes, I then stared as behold there was a certain man dressed in linen. Specifically, his waist was girded with gold from Uphaz. 6 His torso like chrysolite, his face like a glittering appearance, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms as well as his legs like the appearance of polished bronze, and in addition the sound of his words like the sound of a large crowd. 7 Now, I myself, Daniel alone saw this revelatory vision while the men who were with me never saw this revelatory vision. However, a great panic fell upon them. In fact, they fled because they were hiding themselves. 8 Thus, I myself was left alone while staring at this great revelatory vision. However, absolutely no strength was left in me. Also, to my dismay, my facial appearance was transformed into a deathly pale state. Indeed, I retained absolutely no strength. 9 However, despite this, I could hear the sound of his words. In fact, as soon as I myself heard the sound of his words, I myself was then caused to enter the state of being in a deep sleep on my face, yes my face to the ground. 10 Then, behold, a hand touched me. Next, it set me trembling on my knees and the palms of my hands. 11 Immediately after this, he said, “O Daniel, a precious man. Please understand the message which I myself am about to communicate to you. Therefore, please stand in your place because for your benefit, I have been sent.” Consequently when he communicated this statement for my benefit, I stood shaking. 12 Then, he said to me, “Please do not be terrified, Daniel, because from the first day that you applied your heart in order to understand as well as to humble yourself in the presence of your God, your words were heard. Consequently, I myself have come because of your words. 13 But the ruler over the Persian kingdom stood opposing me twenty-one days. Then, behold, Michael, one of our chief rulers came to help me because I myself was left there opposing the kings ruling over Persia.” (My translation)
Daniel 10:14 Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future.” (NASB95)
This verse is marking a transition from the unidentified elect angel’s account of his confrontation with some non-elect angels of Satan who ruled over the Persian kingdom as recorded in Daniel 10:13 to his communication of revelation from God regarding the future of the nation of Israel during the times of the Gentiles.
Here in verse 14, the angel informs Daniel as to the purpose of his visit, which was to give him understanding regarding God’s will for the future of the nation of Israel during the times of the Gentiles and following it.
“For the vision pertains to the days yet future” presents an explanation for the expression “the latter days” thus the angel is telling Daniel that the revelation he is about to communicate to him pertains to the latter days “because” it pertains to the future of Israel.
Daniel 10:14 “Now, I have come in order to cause you to understand what will take place for and against your people during the latter days because the revelation pertains to these days as in the future. (My translation)
The elect angel transitions from giving his account of his confrontation with some of Satan’s angels who ruled over the Persian Empire at that particular time in history to communicating to Daniel the revelation of God’s will for the future of the nation of Israel during the times of the Gentiles and after it.
The angel informs Daniel that he had come to planet earth in order to cause him to understand what will take place for and against his people during the latter days.
He then explains what he means by “the latter days” by telling Daniel that this revelation which he was about to communicate to him pertains to these days as in the future.
“The revelation” is referring to what this angel communicated to Daniel as recorded in Daniel 11:2-12:13.
It is a revelation of the Father’s will for the nation of Israel during the times of the Gentiles as well as after the completion of the times of the Gentiles which ends with the Second Advent of Christ which brings to an end the seventy weeks.
In relation to Israel, the times of the Gentiles will be marked by war until “the Prince of Peace” returns to earth at His Second Advent.
The revelation communicated by the angel to Daniel and recorded in Daniel 11:2-12:13 makes clear that Israel will not only face terrible adversity and persecution but will also experience a great deliverance from her enemies with Michael playing a part in this deliverance.
These chapters tell us that regenerate Israel will be raised from the dead which will take place at the Second Advent of Jesus Christ.
It also promises blessing to those in Israel who survive the great tribulation occurring during the last three and a half years of Daniel’s seventieth week.
Those who survive will experience Christ’s millennial kingdom.
The expression “the latter days” appears in Daniel 2:28 and has the same meaning here in Daniel 10:14.
In the former, this expression “the latter days” described Nebuchadnezzar’s dream which Daniel reveals to the reader and interprets as recorded in Daniel 2:31-45.
This pericope describes four successive major world empires, which are first Babylon, then followed by Media-Persia, which will be followed by Greece and then Rome.
It also reveals that the Second Advent of Christ will destroy these empires.
Lastly, it speaks of the millennial reign of Christ. Therefore, “the latter days” refers to an extended period of time which begins with Nebuchadnezzar sacking Jerusalem in 605 B.C. culminating in the Second Advent of Christ and His subsequent millennial reign.
Here in Daniel 10:14, the expression “the latter days” is used to describe the revelation which this elect angel communicated to Daniel as recorded in Daniel 11:2-12:13.
Daniel 11:2-45 records the activities of the Persian Empire, Greek Empire, Roman Empire and final stage of the Roman Empire under Antichrist.
These activities are in relation to Israel during the times of the Gentiles.
Daniel 12:1-13 speaks of events taking place during Daniel’s seventieth week and specifically the last three and a half years of the seventieth week.
Also it speaks of events taking place at the Second Advent of Christ such as the resurrection of regenerate Israel as well as events pertaining to Christ’s subsequent millennial reign.
Therefore, Daniel 11:2-12:13 indicates that “the latter days” refers to an extended period of time which begins with Alexander the Great and his Greek Empire defeating the Persian Empire and ends with the Second Advent of Christ followed by His subsequent millennial reign.
If you notice in Daniel 2:28 “the latter days” begins in 605 B.C. with Nebuchadnezzar’s sacking of Jerusalem whereas in Daniel 10:14 it begins with Alexander defeating the Persian Empire.
The reason for the different starting points is obvious.
God’s plan for Babylon was yet future in Daniel 2:28 whereas in Daniel 10:14 it was already accomplished in history.
God’s will for bringing an end to Persia as a world-empire and having Greece become one was yet to be accomplished in history when this angel came to visit Daniel in Daniel 10:14.
The revelation God gave Daniel in chapter two concerned itself with the Times of the Gentiles as well as the Second Advent of Christ.
It also spoke of Christ’s millennial kingdom.
Then, in chapter seven, more information is given to Daniel regarding all these things.
Next, in chapter nine, even more details are given to Daniel with regards to the events pertaining to the Times of the Gentiles.
Now, even great information is given to Daniel regarding Israel during the Times of the Gentiles.
Chapter two speaks of the Times of the Gentles, the Second Advent of Christ and His millennial reign.
Chapter seven does so as well but with much greater detail.
Chapter nine gives us even more specifics with regards to the Times of the Gentiles and what momentous events will take place during this time.
Now, Daniel chapters eleven and twelve provide even greater details with regards to what events will take place during the Times of the Gentiles as well as what will take place at the Second Advent of Christ such as the resurrection of regenerate Israel.
Chapter twelve also speaks of the Second Advent as well as the millennial kingdom.
Altogether, chapters two, seven, nine, eleven and twelve give us a full picture of the Times of the Gentiles, the Second Advent of Christ and His millennial kingdom.
Just as the phrase “your people” in Daniel 9:24 is a reference to the nation of Israel and thus excluded the church being related in any way to the seventy weeks prophecy so “your people” in Daniel 10:14 is a reference to Israel and excludes the church being related in any way to the prophecy recorded in Daniel 11-12.