Good morning,
Daniel 10 reminds us that spiritual warfare is real, and the prayers of the faithful are potent weapons in this unseen battle. It encourages us to persist in prayer, trusting that our prayers are heard from the moment they leave our lips. The chapter also assures us that God provides strength and revelation when we seek Him with a humble and contrite heart.
Daniel 10
Daniel’s Vision by the Tigris
Heaven’s Response: A Divine Vision and Strength from Above
Section I: Daniel’s Mourning and Fasting (Daniel 10:1-3)
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
The chapter begins with Daniel mourning for three weeks. During this time, he abstains from all delicacies, meat, and wine, indicating a period of intense fasting and prayer.
Section II: The Vision by the Tigris (Daniel 10:4-9)
4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;5 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:6 His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in color to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.7 And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.9 Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
While standing by the Tigris river, Daniel experiences a powerful vision of a divine being, radiant and awe-inspiring. Despite the presence of others, only Daniel sees the vision, leaving him drained of strength and falling into a deep sleep.
Section III: Strengthened by the Divine Visitor (Daniel 10:10-19)
10 And, behold, a hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.16 And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,19 And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
An angelic hand touches Daniel and sets him on his hands and knees, trembling. The angel tells Daniel he is greatly loved, explains his delay due to spiritual warfare with the Prince of Persia, and reassures him about his prayers being heard from the beginning. He strengthens Daniel and prepares him to receive a prophecy.
Section IV: Prophecy of the Future Wars (Daniel 10:20-21)
20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
The angel reveals that he will soon return to the spiritual battle with the Princes of Persia and Greece. But before doing so, he tells Daniel about what will happen to his people in the latter days, providing a transition into the detailed prophecy of chapters 11 and 12.
Daniel 10 takes us deep into the spiritual realm as it records the prophet Daniel’s intense spiritual encounter. As Daniel enters a period of mourning and fasting, he is met by a heavenly visitor who unveils prophetic visions of the future. This chapter is a powerful testament to the spiritual realities that exist beyond our human perception, underscoring the profound link between our physical and spiritual experiences.
Themes
Spiritual warfare
Divine revelations
Personal struggle
Intercession of heavenly beings
Physical manifestations of spiritual experiences
Topics
Fasting and mourning
Angelic visitations
Power and impact of prayer
Prophecies concerning future events
Spiritual strength in times of distress
People
Daniel
Angelic Messenger (potentially Gabriel)
Michael, the Archangel
The Kings of Persia
The Prince of Greece
Locations
The banks of the Tigris River
Persia
Spiritual Warfare
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Who is at war? God and Satan
Who is Satan?
“Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more.” (Ezekiel 28:12-19)
What was Satan’s sin?
“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” (Isaiah 14:12-15)
Jesus speaking to the Jews.
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)
What does Satan do?
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8)
What should Believers in Christ do?
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.(Ephesians 6:10-13)
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.(1 Corinthians 10:13)
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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