Wednesday Bible Study Fellowship, July 9, 2008
A Time Yet to Come
Daniel 10
Introduction: Daniel is told in verse 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.” In this chapter we will also gain a very revealing look into spiritual warfare. We will also notice Daniel’s attitude in response to that which is holy. Finally, “These last three chapters should be treated as one vision” (McGee, pg.159). Chapter 10 is the introduction. “The last three chapters constitute the fourth vision of Daniel…” (Walvoord, pg.238)
I. The Date (1)
A. We are told this is third year of Cyrus:
1. Walvoord – 536 B.C
2. Boice – 535/534 B.C.
3. McGee – 534 B.C.
4. Newell – 534 B.C.
B. Does this contradict Daniel 1:21?
1. Daniel 1:21 doesn’t say that Daniel died in the 1st year of Cyrus.
2. Daniel 1:21 may indicate he retired, after the first year of Cyrus.
3. Daniel 1:21 may simply be a way of saying that Daniel lived through the entire Babylonian bondage.
C. If Daniel was born about 620 B.C.- he would be about 84.
II. The Vision (1)
A. A revelation is given to Daniel.
B. The revelation is true.
C. The time appointed was long. “The Hebrew here, saba gadol, has been variously translated ‘great warfare’ or ‘a great task’ or more freely ‘involved great suffering’. The implication is that the period in view is a long and strenuous one involving great conflict and trouble for the people of God.” (Walvoord, pg.239)
III. A Prayer and Fasting (2)
A. For three weeks Daniel prayed and fasted.
1. Daniel was praying 21 days (12, 13)
2. Daniel was fasting
a. He mourned
b. He ate basic foods but denied himself “pleasant bread” i.e. “bread of pleasures”, no meat, no wine.
B. Why was Daniel fasting and praying? Probably because:
1. In his first year Cyrus permitted the Jews to return to Israel (Ezra 1:1-4). Swindoll has the date as 538 B.C.
a. The altar had been set and the temple foundation laid (Ezra 3)
b. The work had been suspended (Ezra 4:1-5, 24)
2. “It brought grief to the heart of this aged prophet of God, now past ninety, to see that his people did not want to return to their homeland” (McGee, 162).
B. In Daniel’s mind the 70 years of captivity should be about over.
1. First deportation = 605 B.C.
2. 3rd year of Cyrus = 536 B.C.
69 years
C. Recall Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9:2. “But Daniel did not understand that the seventy years of the captivity which expired with the return of the exiles in Ezra 1 did not fulfill the seventy years of the desolation of Jerusalem and the temple. This required an additional twenty years (the difference between 605 B.C., the first deportation of the Jews, and 586 B.C., the date of the destruction of Jerusalem).” (Walvoord, 240)
IV. Daniel’s Vision of Jesus (4-9)
A. The first month was Abib (Ex.23:15). Later it was called Nisan (Neh.2:1). For us the date would be April 24.
B. Daniel is standing on the banks of the Tigris River.
C. His vision of Jesus is described as:
1. A man dressed in linen- white linen characterized priests (Ez.28:39-43)
2. Wearing a golden belt
3. Body like chrysolite – transparent jewel such as jasper or topaz
4. Face like lightning (Rev.1:14-16)
5. Eyes like torches
6. Arms and legs like bronze (Rev.1:1)
7. Voice like a multitude
D. Compare to Revelation 1:13-15. This must be Jesus!
E. Notice the effect of seeing Jesus:
1. Daniel’s associates fled
2. His strength was gone. He turned pale. He fell face down on the ground.
F. Paul’s vision of Jesus affected him (Acts 9:7-8). John’s vision affected him (Rev.1:17).
A. “Friend, have you ever tried being alone? That is where God will meet with you. Take the Word of God and go off alone with Him. It will do you a lot of good.” (McGee, 165)
B. Daniel heard Jesus speaking…he listened! I recommend How To Listen To God by Charles Stanley.
A. Daniel is touched by an angel.
1. First he is prostrate on the ground (9)
2. Second he is on his hands and knees (10)
3. Third he is standing (11)
B. Daniel is known in heaven as one “highly esteemed.”
C. He is told to “consider carefully the words…” (11)
1. The angel came in response to Daniel’s prayer.
2. The angel was withheld 21 days by the Prince of the Persian kingdom.
3. The Archangel Michael came to assist the angel.
4. The angel came “…to explain what will happen to your people in the future…” (14). This is a vision for Israel not the church!
D. The Conflict
1. Daniel is praying for 21 days. While he is agonizing in prayer (Rom.15:30) a great spiritual conflict is occurring.
2. The Prince of Persia is the demon over Persia!
3. The prince of Greece is the demon over Greece!
4. “Why would the way be blocked? Daniel is going to be given information about the kingdom of Persia and about the kingdom of Greece- we will see that when we get to the next chapter(McGee, 168)
5. Remember: Daniel is now a part of the Persian kingdom.
6. The angel needed assistance and Michael came to assist!
VI. Daniel is restored (15-19)
A. Again, Daniel is speechless and bows before the angel.
B. The angel touched Daniel’s lips and he began to speak!
1. He is overcome with anguish!
2. He is helpless!
3. He unable to speak. His strength is gone. He can hardly breathe!
C. The angel responded: Be strong! Be at peace! Don’t be afraid!
VII. The Book of Truth (20-21)
A. The angel returned to fight the Prince of Persia and Greece.
B. The Book of Truth – God’s Word!
1. Daniel was uncertain because of the 70 years captivity, and the return of the exiles.
2. “The Book of Truth” was what the angel came to give Daniel. “Do you know why I have come to you?” To give the Book of Truth. Isn’t it the Word of God that gives us our assurance in times of uncertainty?
C. Michael “your prince” will help the angel. Evidently, Michael, while being an archangel, was also a guardian.
D. The fact that the angel came from a fight and was going to a fight reminds me that we are in a continual warfare (Eph.6:10-20)