The book of Daniel is one of the most prophetic books in the old testament. It has been sealed until the time of the end. Undoubtedly, now is the time of the end. Therefore, let us not be hypocrites without discerning this time and let us unseal the book of Daniel.
(Dan 12:4) “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
(Luke 12:56) “Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how [is it] you do not discern this time?
The tenth chapter of Daniel was about a message being revealed to Daniel regarding Persia and Greece.
No Passover in Exile
(Dan 10:1-3) In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning 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.
It is the 3rd year of king Cyrus of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel which is true, but the appointed time was long. It is mentioned that Daniel understood the message and the vision.
(Dan 10:4-6) Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, 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.
The exact date is also mentioned here which is the 24th day of the 1st month. It is also mentioned that Daniel didn’t eat any meat or wine for the past 21 days (or 3 weeks) which is from 2nd to 23rd day of the first month. One thing interesting to note is that, the 14th day of the first month is the Passover which requires to eat meat (or the Passover Lamb). Hence, the above verses prove Daniel (or any Jew) didn’t celebrate the Passover in captivity.
It is possible Daniel grieved in his heart and didn’t eat meat or drank wine to be merry because he was unable to celebrate the Passover. It was only during the period of Ezra when the Temple was built, the Passover was finally celebrated once again.
Ezra 6:19 And the descendants of the captivity kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
The passages also explain 7 descriptions of the man in the vision.
Clothed in linen
Girded with gold of Uphaz
Body like beryl
Face like appearance of lightning
Eyes like torches of fire
Arms and feet like burnished bronze in color
His sound of his words like voice of a multitude.
The above descriptions closely resembles the descriptions of Jesus Christ mentioned by John in the book of Revelation.
Rev 1:13-16 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, 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.
Heavenly Warfare
(Dan 10:7-14) 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. 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 first day 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. 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. 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.”.
The above passages are the narration of the event, which is the interaction between the man in the vision and Daniel. From the above passages, we understand Daniel is greatly beloved in the sight of God. We also understand the following passages.
The Lord heard Daniel’s prayer on the first day itself.
The man came because of Daniel’s words
The Prince of Persia withstood 21 days.
Michael is one of the chief princes
Michael came to help the man in the vision because he was left alone with kings of Persia.
The man came to make Daniel understand what will happen to Israelite people in latter days.
The above points mentioned by the man in the vision is one of the most puzzling information found in the Bible.
We find a similar war in heaven:
Rev 12:3,7-9 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. .. And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Dan 10:21 “But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.
Here the dragon which is represented as the Roman Empire and the devil, the old serpent who is the power behind it. Michael is the prince for the Israelite people an he is fighting for God’s people in heaven with the accuser. Similar to the war mentioned in Revelation 12, Daniel also mentions an event in heavenly realms. Because the prince of Persia and Greece are not on the side of one of the chief prince, the archangel Michael, these princes of the kingdoms could be the fallen angels.
Jesus Christ, the King of Israel
(Dan 10:15-19) When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 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.”
The one with the likeness of man touched Daniel to strengthen him so that he has the strength to listen. Daniel addressed the one with the likeness of man as his master by addressing him as ‘my lord’ and considers himself as his servant. The other places where Daniel addressed as ‘my lord’ is the king.
Lev 25:55 ‘For the children of Israel are servants to Me; they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Isa 41:8 “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend.
God calls Israel as His servant. Is it possible that the one with the likeness of a man is Jesus Christ? The last verse of this chapter is incomplete and it is only complete after including the first verse of the next chapter. The next chapter is also a continuation of this chapter.
Dan 11:1 “Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.)
Most translations translate as above giving a meaning that the one with the likeness of man stood up to confirm and strengthen Darius. However, if you read Septuagint which is translated into Greek 300 years before Christ, it gives an entirely different translation and the meaning drastically changes.
Dan 11:1 And I in the first year of Cyrus stood to strengthen and confirm [him].
The above verse refers to the one with the likeness of man in the first year of Cyrus (not Darius), stood up to strengthen and confirm him.
Now, what does the Bible say regarding Cyrus and who will strengthen him? What has to be confirmed regarding Cyrus?
Isa 45:1 Thus saith the Lord God to my anointed Cyrus, whose right hand I have held, that nations might be obedient before him; and I will break through the strength of kings; I will open doors before him, and cities shall not be closed. … (5) For I am the Lord God, and there is no other God beside me; I strengthened thee, and thou hast not known me. … (13) I have raised him up in righteousness, And I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city And let My exiles go free, Not for price nor reward,” Says the LORD of hosts.
It is Lord God who will strength Cyrus and confirm the promise to His people through Cyrus who will build His city and turn the captivity of His people. Hence, the one with the likeness of a man is Jesus Christ who is God Himself, the King of Israel.
The next obvious question we have is: If the one with the likeness of man is Jesus Christ, how can the fallen angels referred as the prince of Persia can withhold Christ and why should Michael come to His aid?
Heb 2:5-9 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. But one testified in a certain place, saying: “What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.
Jesus was made a little lower than angels and for His suffering of death, God crowned Him with glory and honor and put all things in subjection under His feet. However, even now, we do not yet see all things put under Him as the author of Hebrews mentioned.
Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Rev 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
Today, all authority is given to Christ but the kingdoms of this world has not yet become the kingdoms of Jesus Christ. He will do so when He comes a second time. As we see, the kingdoms of this would are still not under the authority of Christ. In Daniel’s time, the kingdom of Persia or Greece wasn’t under the authority of Christ nor was He glorified for He hasn’t yet died on the cross and Michael the archangel had to come to help and uphold Christ. But today, because of Christ’s death, He has authority over everything that is seen and unseen even death. All descriptions given in the Bible regarding the one with the likeness of man is Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Warfare
(Dan 10:20-21) Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. “But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.
The one with the likeness of a man was left alone with the kings of Persia for 21 days and Michael came to help. Now he had to return to fight again. After he had gone, prince of Greece will come. No one except Michael, the prince of the people of Israel will uphold him.
Mark 3:27 “No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.
As Jesus taught, the strong man must first be bound. Today, Christ has all authority and had victory over them. However, in Daniel’s time, they weren’t because Christ wasn’t crucified yet to have victory over them.
How come Michael came to help ” Jesus”? That supposes that Michael is stronger than Jesus? I don’t think this is true. Jesus the second Person of the Trinity created Michael, now how does he need help from his creature. Remember, here Jesus was not on earth in a human form yet. Incarnation was yet to take place. I don’t see how to deal with this in your explanation.
The Scriptures doesn’t say that the man in the vision was Jesus. It is more of a possibility based on Dan 11:1 who strengthened Cyrus and comparing it with Isa 45:5 based on Septuagint where it is referred that the LORD God will strengthen Cyrus. Angels were ministering Jesus during temptation (Matt 4:11) and strengthened Him before His crucifixion (Luke 22:43). John 8:56-58 shows that Jesus existed and visited Abraham (I believe it was in flesh since He was able to eat a meal with him). Jesus also mentioned in Matt 26:53 that His Father would provide Him more than 12 legions of angels if He asks. Hence, I don’t see a problem with angels coming to help Him before all authority was given to Him (Matt 28:18).
Genesis 18 states that the LORD (YHWH) appeared to Abraham. Based on John 5:37 and John 6:46, no one had seen the Father. Spirit does not have flesh and bones (Luke 24:39). Jesus said that He visited Abraham in John 8:56-58. Hence, this leaves us with only one possibility that it was Jesus Christ who visited Abraham.
Jesus’s weapons are not carnal, one of Michael’s duties is to fight and protect, there fore he did just that.
When Jesus went to Joshua, he says that he is the captain of the host of The Lord, captain leads and commands, Michael’s duty is to fight and defend his captain and his captain’s people.
Joshua 5:14
In the beginning God Almighty created man in His own image male and female He created them. And He also created the angels in heaven including heaven. He created the angels for Himself not Himself for the angels He created angels as and to be His servants. Michael the Arcangel alone was created for Almighty A–A–Almighty God Three , three Persons in One Almighty God even the Godhead, The Father and the Son-Jesus Christ who was with Him and The Holy Ghost were and are Almighty God He created Michael the Arcangel for his plans. Almighty means God is all strongest and He Yhwe the second God Person (Jesus today) before His birth was and is not weak. Michael the Arcangel was created by and for God Three in One Godhead.
Michael means who is like God who must be like God. Michael loves like God, does works for God he was created to serve God Almighty who was not weak. The flesh Jesus wore and bore was weak Jesus overcame sinful flesh because He was and is The God man. JESUS was in the form of God and thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself to be of no reputation but took on the form of a servant; who was in the likeness of men: and being found in the fashion as a man He humbled Himself “more than any other man”. And He became obedient unto death even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God hath highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, things in heaven and in the earth and under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the FATHER. THE ONE AND ONLY FATHER.
Please continue to read the rest of this book of Philippians chapter 2.
How come Michael came to help ” Jesus”? That supposes that Michael is stronger than Jesus? I don’t think this is true. Jesus the second Person of the Trinity created Michael, now how does he need help from his creature. Remember, here Jesus was not on earth in a human form yet. Incarnation was yet to take place. I don’t see how to deal with this in your explanation.
Further explanation is needed
The Scriptures doesn’t say that the man in the vision was Jesus. It is more of a possibility based on Dan 11:1 who strengthened Cyrus and comparing it with Isa 45:5 based on Septuagint where it is referred that the LORD God will strengthen Cyrus. Angels were ministering Jesus during temptation (Matt 4:11) and strengthened Him before His crucifixion (Luke 22:43). John 8:56-58 shows that Jesus existed and visited Abraham (I believe it was in flesh since He was able to eat a meal with him). Jesus also mentioned in Matt 26:53 that His Father would provide Him more than 12 legions of angels if He asks. Hence, I don’t see a problem with angels coming to help Him before all authority was given to Him (Matt 28:18).
Hello Felix, do you think that it was Jesus as a theophany in Genesis 18? who spoke to Abraham? and was accompanied by two angels?
Genesis 18 states that the LORD (YHWH) appeared to Abraham. Based on John 5:37 and John 6:46, no one had seen the Father. Spirit does not have flesh and bones (Luke 24:39). Jesus said that He visited Abraham in John 8:56-58. Hence, this leaves us with only one possibility that it was Jesus Christ who visited Abraham.
Jesus’s weapons are not carnal, one of Michael’s duties is to fight and protect, there fore he did just that.
When Jesus went to Joshua, he says that he is the captain of the host of The Lord, captain leads and commands, Michael’s duty is to fight and defend his captain and his captain’s people.
Joshua 5:14
In the beginning God Almighty created man in His own image male and female He created them. And He also created the angels in heaven including heaven. He created the angels for Himself not Himself for the angels He created angels as and to be His servants. Michael the Arcangel alone was created for Almighty A–A–Almighty God Three , three Persons in One Almighty God even the Godhead, The Father and the Son-Jesus Christ who was with Him and The Holy Ghost were and are Almighty God He created Michael the Arcangel for his plans. Almighty means God is all strongest and He Yhwe the second God Person (Jesus today) before His birth was and is not weak. Michael the Arcangel was created by and for God Three in One Godhead.
Michael means who is like God who must be like God. Michael loves like God, does works for God he was created to serve God Almighty who was not weak. The flesh Jesus wore and bore was weak Jesus overcame sinful flesh because He was and is The God man. JESUS was in the form of God and thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself to be of no reputation but took on the form of a servant; who was in the likeness of men: and being found in the fashion as a man He humbled Himself “more than any other man”. And He became obedient unto death even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God hath highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, things in heaven and in the earth and under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the FATHER. THE ONE AND ONLY FATHER.
Please continue to read the rest of this book of Philippians chapter 2.