1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.
2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) 5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. 9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”
15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. 16 And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. 17 How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”
18 Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Daniel’s final vision came in the third year of the reign of king Cyrus. Some of the exiles had returned to Jerusalem and begun rebuilding the temple. Everything was going well for the nation when this vision shattered any hopes that their peace would last for long. Daniel had been in mourning for three weeks. The reason for his mourning may have been stalled work on the temple rebuild at that point. He fasted by eating no choice food and avoiding excesses of personal grooming. Daniel was again humbled in prayer and fasting before the Lord looking for answers about Israel’s future. On the twenty-fourth day of the month, Daniel was on the bank of the Tigris River when he saw a man shrouded in bright light. Those with him didn’t see what he saw but, perhaps seeing the light without the detail, they hid in fear. Daniel’s description of the man he saw is similar to the description of Christ in Revelation 1:13-16 and Daniel’s reaction indicates that this man was of great significance. What Daniel saw drained him of all his strength and he fell asleep with his face to the ground.
Then an angel woke him with a message from God. Again Daniel was greeted as one greatly loved by God. This angel may have been Gabriel, the one who brought the previous message to Daniel. He was assured that from the moment he began praying, God heard his prayer and His message was sent. What follows is a glimpse into the spiritual battles that rage on in the unseen realms. Gabriel, if that is the interpreting angel, was delayed because he was resisted by the prince of the kingdom of Persia. This prince was likely a demon assigned to Persia by Satan (or possibly Satan himself). As Persia ruled the world, Satan would have concentrated his efforts in that area to exert influence over that nation’s world impact. Michael, one of the chief angels was dispatched to help and allow Gabriel through with his message. In God’s sovereignty He allows evil to exert influence in ways we don’t always understand but it is always restrained to work within His will. God has set limits within which Satan can operate (Job 1:12; 2:6). Paul reminds us that this spiritual realm is very real and our real battle as Christians is also spiritual (Eph 6:12).
Gabriel then explained that the purpose of his visit was to provide the insight Daniel had been praying for about the future of Israel. Daniel was overcome with emotion and rendered speechless. The angel touched his lips to give him the strength to speak and told him not to be afraid. Before revealing the detail of his message, the angel explained that he would return to fight against the prince of Persia and after that, the prince (demon) of Greece would come. Persia and Greece are the two nations that this final vision focuses on.
We don’t often think about the spiritual battles that rage on between angels and demons. If you consider the potential spiritual battle in the unseen realms, does that affect how you view God’s delay in answering prayer? Daniel wasn’t content to simply ask once and wait. He prayed and fasted for three weeks until he received an answer from God. How fervently do you pray for the things you need and for the needs of those around you? Are you prepared to deny yourself in fasting to earnestly pray for God’s kingdom plan on earth?
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
Water from the Rock Part two: Numbers 20