Daniel 10

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was _______, but the _______________________ was _____________; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.

What was the focus of the message that Daniel received?

Note: The phrase which was translated as “time appointed” is from a Hebrew word “tsaba” which is more accurately translated as “war” or “battle”. Daniel understood the fact that the 2300 year vision was indeed “long.” He apparently understands that it was also to be seen as a “war” or “battle.” This caused him concern.

Study of the Context...

Ezra 1:1–3 (NKJV)

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a _________________ throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,

Thus says Cyrus king of Persia:

All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a __________ at _________________ which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel (He is God), which is in Jerusalem.

What was going on at this time?

Note: King Cyrus had made a proclamation that God’s people should go home and rebuild the house of the Lord and this decree was made in the first year of Cyrus. But Daniel realized that if the devil had his way this would never happen. Ezra and Nehemiah tell all about an intense behind the scenes battle. In the great controversy between good and evil, the spiritual battles are affected by persistent prayer.

Daniel 10:2–3 (NKJV)

In those days I, Daniel, was __________________ three full weeks. 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.

As a result of Daniel’s concerns, what did he do?

Note: As has been his custom throughout his life, we find Daniel in serious prayer and fasting. Scholars tell us that he is now about 87 or 88 years old. Daniel realizes that parts of God’s plan concerning the 2300 years will not be seen in his lifetime, but he wants to at least see the start of God’s intervention on behalf of His people. He desires Jerusalem to be rebuilt as well as the temple, in which every service pointed toward the Messiah.

Daniel 10:4–9 (NKJV)

Now on the _____________-___________ day of the __________ month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a _________ _____ clothed in ___________, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.

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. 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. 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.

What was the special time during which Daniel prayed. Who does Daniel see as a result of his prayer?

Note: Daniel was praying just after the time of the Passover. The Passover was a yearly feast that pointed directly to the coming of Christ, the Lamb of God. It had come and gone and the 70 year captivity had not ended. Daniel desired the God of Passover to bring about an end to the captivity.

Revelation 1:12–18 (NKJV)

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a ___________ down to the feet and girded about the chest with a _________ band. His head and hair were ________ like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a _______ of __________; His feet were like fine _________, as if refined in a furnace,

and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

Who is pictured here in Revelation that is similar to the One described in Daniel ten?

Note: It is Jesus. He is the Son of Man, the Alpha and the Omega, and the One who lives and was dead and alive forevermore! John is so amazed by what he sees, that he falls at his feet as though dead and loses all strength. The same thing happened to Daniel.

Transfiguration of Jesus

Matthew 17:1–3 (NKJV)

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was _______________ before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as ________ as the light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

Matthew 17:6–7 NKJV

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”

What did Jesus look like? What effect did seeing Jesus at this time have on the disciples?

Note: This was what the Bible calls the transfiguration of Jesus. It occurred just prior to His death and resurrection. His face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as the light. Just like Daniel, the disciples fell on their faces and were greatly afraid, but Jesus touched them and told them not to be afraid. In all three passages: John, Daniel, and Matthew–they all fell down as though dead in the light of the splendor of the Son of God. But he then touches and strengthens them. Jesus loves us and we need not be afraid of Him. He wants to strengthen us with His touch!

Let’s think about this for a minute. The persistence of Daniel’s prayer allowed him to see a picture of Jesus! Our first spiritual key was for us to establish our connection to God by giving our heart to Him. Our second spiritual key was learning how to pray and stay in connection with God. Even to the end of his life, Daniel stayed in connection with God. The Lord increases our strength so we can pray with this earnestness! We want to look behind the scenes and see what was taking so long.

Daniel 10:10–12 (NKJV)

Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 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.

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the _________ _________ 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.

What new insight did Gabriel, Daniel’s familiar heavenly friend, bring?

Note: Many times we may feel that God isn’t answering our prayers. In Daniel’s case, Gabriel was working to answer prayer from the moment it began.

Daniel 10:13–14 (NKJV)

But the ____________ of the kingdom of ___________ withstood me ___________-________ 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. 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.”

What happened to Gabriel? Why hadn’t he arrived the first day of Daniel’s prayer?

Note: There was a struggle behind the scenes between the prince of the kingdom of Persia and Gabriel. It was such a struggle that Gabriel had been unable to come to Daniel for 21 days! It was only after Michael came to help Gabriel, that Gabriel was able to come and help Daniel understand this vision. What vision was Daniel praying about? As we shall see in Daniel eleven, it was the most detailed vision Daniel had yet received. It began in his day and continued to the end of time.

Daniel 10:21 (NKJV)

But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except ___________ your ___________.

Who was Michael?

Note: Michael is a prince and upholds Gabriel against the prince of Persia.

Daniel 12:1–2 (NKJV)

“At that time Michael shall ___________ _____, 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 _________________, Every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.

What does Michael the Prince do when the people are in trouble?

Note: He stands up for His people when they are in trouble. He is in charge of the books and has something to do with the resurrection of life or the resurrection of death.

Jude 9 (NKJV)

Yet Michael the ______________________, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

What is Michael called in this verse?

Note: Michael is called “the archangel” and he is contending with the devil over the body of Moses.

Where is Moses today?

Note: We read in earlier in Matthew 17 that Moses is in heaven. The disciples recognized that it was Moses standing by Jesus. Michael the archangel had asserted His power and Moses had been resurrected. Michael is a prince and stands up for His people when they are in trial and He is in charge of the resurrection as evidenced by this resurrection event.

What is an archangel?

Note: “Arch” means “chief” or “ruler” of the angels.

What does Michael mean?

Note: “Mi” = “who”, “cha” = “as” and “e”l = “God.” So Michael means “one who is as God.” Michael is a prince who is in charge of all the angels, the resurrection, as well as the books, and is “as God.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16 (NKJV)

For the _________ Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an _______________, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Who is the Prince that can resurrect and who is also the ruler of the angels?

Note: The Lord Himself descends to earth. He has a voice of an archangel (Notice that there is only one archangel). This is one of the noisiest texts in the Bible. The voice of the Archangel is joined by a trumpet and the dead in Christ rise.

John 5:25–29 (NKJV)

Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the _______ _____ _________; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the ____________ to have life in Himself,

and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the __________ _____ _______. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.

According to John, whose voice will be heard at the resurrection?

Note: The Son of God’s voice! Notice here the two different resurrections: the resurrection of life, and the resurrection of condemnation. We have seen in Daniel 12:2 the mention of these two different resurrections. We will study this in another study.

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, ____________ ____ ____________.

Acts 3:15 (NKJV)

and [you] killed the ___________ of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.

Who is the Prince?

Note: Jesus! The Creator of Life and Creator of all created beings, including the angels. We have learned that Jesus is our Prince. He is in charge of resurrecting the dead whether in the resurrection of life or the resurrection of condemnation. He is the one who resurrected Moses. He is the Judge as we learned in our previous study of Daniel seven, eight, and nine. He is in charge of the angels. Not only that, He was just as active on behalf of His people in Old Testament times as in the New Testament. (See Micah 5:2; Genesis 22:1,2,11-12)

Daniel 10:13 NKJV

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one 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.

Who is the prince of Persia?

????

Note: It cannot be King Cyrus because in all ancient sources he is called “King Cyrus, Great King, King of Babylon, King of Lands”. He is never called a “prince”. This must be someone different than King Cyrus. Let’s see who the Bible says is this prince.

????

John 12:31 (KJV 1900)

Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the ___________ of this world be cast out.

KJV

Whom did Jesus cast out?

John 14:30 (KJV 1900)

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the _________ of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

John 16:10–11 KJV 1900

Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Ephesians 2:1–2 (NKJV)

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the _______________ of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

Who is identified as the prince of Persia?

Note: The prince is none other than Satan, or the devil. As we continue our study of Daniel, we are beginning to see more clearly the Great Controversy between Christ and Satan (see Ephesians 6:12). Every leader of every nation is under special attack by the forces of evil. These attacks try and manipulate leaders so that Satan can manipulate entire nations and kingdoms to go against God’s people. This is all happening behind the scenes. If the curtain of the spiritual realm could be drawn back, we would see this spiritual battle. This is what Daniel is fasting and praying about. He doesn’t understand the vision, and he is in an alien kingdom that has been used by the Lord to bring correction to his people. The Jews have been in captivity for 70 years and he wonders if his people will be released. He is wondering will the great controversy end? Will the great controversy go to good or to evil?

Ezra 1:1–2 (NKJV)

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,

Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: ______ the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah.

How many kingdoms of the earth are the Lord’s?

Note: All of them!

How did the temple become rebuilt in Jerusalem?

Note: This became a reality as the result of Daniel’s prayer. Michael the prince came to help Gabriel to impress the heart of King Cyrus that he should rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. So King Cyrus made a decree to rebuild the Lord’s house.

Does God answer prayer?

Note: Oh yes, indeed! He answers persistent prayer. He stirs up the hearts of kings and monarchs, and He will do so today.

Daniel 10:14–15 (NKJV)

Now I have come to make you understand ________ ________ _____________ _____ _______ ________ ____ ______ _________ _______, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.

What was Daniel to understand now? What did he do as a result of his understanding?

Note: What was to come in the latter days of the vision refers to many days in the future. Gabriel came to help Daniel understand the rest of the 2300 day prophecy. Gabriel explained in great detail what was to happen to “your people” (Daniel 9:24-27), but now we are looking on to the last part of 2300 days and more details are to be given.

What happens next?

Daniel 10:16–20 (NKJV)

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. 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.”

Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. 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.”

Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of __________; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of ___________ will come.

What were the next details given?

Note: We are seeing the same sequence of kingdoms. Behind each kingdom there was this great controversy going between the forces of good and the forces of evil. The “prince of Persia” (Satan) had to be driven back just as the “Prince of Greece” (Satan) would likewise need to be driven back. This is the same sequence we’ve seen before as we studied in Daniel two, seven, and eight. We are beginning this prophecy that will take us all the way through chapter twelve.

Daniel 10:21 (NKJV)

But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except ____________ your __________.

What important detail concerning Daniel’s relationship to Jesus does Gabriel give us?

Note: Daniel has been faithful his whole life (he is nearing the end of it). Gabriel shares a very precious phrase with Daniel. He explains that “no one upholds me (Gabriel) against these (the prince of darkness) except Michael your Prince.” Who is Michael? He is none other than the Son of Man, the living Christ.

The great controversy between Christ and Satan is important to understand, but the most important thing for us to know is whether or not we have a close personal relationship with Michael the Prince!

Commitment Questions

· Do you desire to commit yourself to a life of prayer?

· Do you desire Michael to be your Prince?

Next Time

In our next study we will dive into a fascinating prophecy. As we have seen before, the prophecies of Daniel use the principle of repeat and enlarge. This prophecy significantly enlarges upon the details of the prior prophecies.

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