#1222 Daniel 10 PTSD

 

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. Daniel 10 ESV

Daniel 10 

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:

2 “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 Whoever 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 rebuild the house of the Lord, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” - Ezra 1: 1-4

Cyrus Prophesied in Isaiah

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia - So about 3 years has gone by since the decree of Cyrus to rebuild the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Now this is even before the time of Nehemiah. 

Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar - So we know this is not another Daniel, but the same Hebrew that at some 14 years of age withstood the pressure to be a Babylonian, not by matter of location, but in His thinking, he was a good citizen, the finest, but resisted being paganized. He was true to the God of Israel. Belteshazzar was the name given to him in Babylon, in order to Hellenize him as the Greeks would call it. He has seen the down fall of Babylon as predicted by Jeremiah, and he must wonder that the 70 years is about up, but from where did it start, the first or the last deportation? This is the start of, the introduction to the last of Daniel's visions, and it will encompass the final 3 chapters of the book.

It was a great conflict - We know from reading Ezra and Nehemiah that the Jews that did go were not received well by those who were already in the land, and we are about to get a glimpse into something outside of our normal world, where a spiritual war has been raging as well.  

Whitcomb commenting on great conflict observes that...

Daniel had already learned of eschatological conflicts in store for his people (Da 7:21, 25; 8:24, 25; 9:27) and of persecutions at the hand of the little horn of the third kingdom even before the time of the end (Da 8:10, 11, 12, 13, 14). But now he was to learn of great angelic conflicts in­volving Israel and the nations and of seemingly endless struggles between kings of the north and south, also involving Israel. (Whitcomb, J. Daniel Everyman's Bible Commentary) - Precept Austin

Was mourning for 3 weeks - So Daniel has prayed for decree to return, Cyrus has already given that decree, yet a couple years later and Daniel is in mourning. He is fasting, and it is not like a sort of currency as some ridiculous preachers teach today, but his whole heart is bent towards God on this matter, and in his earnest it has taken priority even over his food. Those things just aren't as important. Of course people will try to pattern this, but you can't fake a sincere heart before God.

You say, “Didn’t any go back?” A few. Ezra tells us just 42,000 went back. You say, “Well, that sounds like a lot.” Not really. They had flourished in Babylon. There were myriads more than that. That was only a drop in the bucket; just 42,000 went back.

There had been many born in captivity, they didn’t go back. The few that did go back were led by a man named Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel was in the line of David. He had kingly seed. And he couldn’t establish again the monarchy, he just couldn’t pull it off. He was accompanied by a man named Joshua – not the Joshua of old, but Joshua the high priest who was to be their spiritual leader. And when they got back, it took them seven months just to clear the rubble off the temple ground to say nothing of the city. And as they started to try to rebuild the temple, they were opposed, and they were harassed, and they were mocked, and they were scorned, and they were hated; and finally the work came to a halt altogether. - J Mac

I think MacArthur nails this, that Daniel is depressed over the turnout, shocked that they have so few that want to return, but it is God's right to weed us out like this, to remove the tares. They had an effective statesman in Daniel, had proven their God over both the Babylonian and Persian gods, for which of their gods delivers from the fire and the mouth of lions? Babylon and Persia were impressive though, and the Jews had developed a taste for the luxuries of these places. It would also be a great temptation for the Levites, for they had no property in the land, God was there portion, yet this seemed more tangible to them here, owning houses and businesses, accumulating wealth. They had been effectively turned into pagans. 

The first month - This would be Abib, later known as Nisan, and it would be equivalent to March/April on our calendar. 

Likely the season of the year had been a factor in Daniel’s decision to fast and pray. Passover was the time of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, and this may have turned Daniel’s thoughts toward the present deliverance and “exodus” of the Israelites from Babylon. (Miller, S. R. - Daniel - New American Commentary, 18)  - Precept Austin

That is, the Tigris - It needs clarification because there are two great rivers in the region, the Tigris and the Euphrates. It is likely that he is there in a motivational fashion, trying to persuade and recruit more people to return to Israel.

A man clothed in linen - Linen was common to the priestly office, and we see it with angelic visitors as well.

2And I saw six men coming from the direction of the Upper Gate, which faces north, each with a weapon of slaughter in his hand. With them was another man clothed in linen who had a writing kit at his side. And they came in and stood beside the bronze altar. 3Then the glory of the God of Israel rose from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. And He called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side.… Ezekiel 9: 2-3

With a belt of fine gold - Gold is a representation of sovereignty, it is associated with royalty. You will see others of God's heavenly court dressed with gold sashes, yet the description of the man here is so similar to that of Revelation 1: 12-18 that many have come to see this as a Christophany in Daniel. The One, like a son of man, in Revelation, identifies Himself as the First and the Last, who was dead, and rose again. This is Christ most obviously in Revelation, but I think here too. 

12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Revelation 1: 12-18

And who is the one who appears to John in Revelation 1? It’s “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” Who’s that? Christ. You have almost an identical description here. John saw Christ in post-resurrection glory. Daniel saw Christ in preincarnation glory. Jesus Christ was not created when He was born, He existed eternally. And so we see its exact parallels in these descriptions.

By the way, it is not unusual to have Christ appear in this form in the Old Testament or in a similar form. There is a phrase used in the Old Testament fifty different times. It is the phrase “the angel of the Lord.” Have you read that phrase? Most commonly, the angel of the Lord refers to Jehovah God in the second person coming into time and space, a preincarnate appearance of the uncreated Christ. And you can read it all through Genesis, particularly the sixteenth chapter. You can see in Exodus chapter 3, you can see in Joshua chapter 5, you can see in Judges chapter 6 and Judges chapter 13, you can see it in Zechariah chapter 1, in Zechariah chapter 3 and many, many other places the appearance of this angel of the Lord who is best understood most often as Jehovah, the second person of the Trinity appearing in time and space. - J Mac

Here is a reference to those carrying out God's decree, His work, wearing similar clothes, they that work for the King, who bear His seal:

…6And out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues, dressed in clean and bright linen and girded with golden sashes around their chests. 7Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. 8And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power; and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.… Revelation 15: 6-8

They fled to hide themselves - Daniel was with a group of other men, and even though they did not see this, yet heavens glory had entered time and space in such a way as to make them run and hide in fear. 

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Acts 9: 3-9 

…15Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. 17For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”… Revelation 6: 15-17

…9But the LORD God called out to the man, “Where are you?” 10“I heard Your voice in the garden,” he replied, “and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” 11“Who told you that you were naked?” asked the LORD God. “Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”… Genesis 3: 9-11

My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength - He is going into trauma, and this is a common effect of encountering holiness. The residual glory of God reflected off the face of Moses was enough to frighten the Israelites, and when they heard the voice of God speaking from the veiled glory of the Shekinah cloud upon the mountain, they asked that God speak to Moses instead, they desired a mediator, God's voice was terrifying. John, in Revelation 1 above, says he fell dead at His feet. He was pale as a ghost, drained to collapse. Both the presence and the visions are crippling, In the prostrate position it says he fell into a deep sleep, he lost consciousness of the tangible realm.

…15You trampled the sea with Your horses, churning the great waters. 16I heard and trembled within; my lips quivered at the sound. Decay entered my bones; I trembled where I stood. Yet I must wait patiently for the day of distress to come upon the people who invade us. Habakkuk 3: 15-16

…5My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You. 6Therefore I retract my words, and I repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42: 5-6

Now I believe this is the last that he ever saw the glorious, uncreated Christ. And He disappeared. And then God brought some angels who began to minister to Daniel. By the way, it’s not strange, is it? God often travels with a few angels. Read Genesis 18. That’s the way He came to Abram. - J Mac

And behold a hand touched me - I believe this transitions from Christ to His messenger, this angel who has been relieved by Michael the archangel to leave his fight against the prince of Persia and deliver a message to this man. Remember this is the intro to the prophecy that will finish out the book of Daniel, and in the last chapter, starting at verse 5, we can see 3 separate entities, one standing on the bank Daniel was on, one on the other and the man in linen who was above the waters. 

…5Then I, Daniel, looked and saw two others standing there, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. 6One of them said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long until the fulfillment of these wonders?” 7And the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, raised his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by Him who lives forever, saying, “It will be for a time, and times, and half a time. When the power of the holy people has finally been shattered, all these things will be completed.”… Daniel 12: 5-7

Man greatly loved - Are you a believer, born again, a child of God, called out of this world, one to whom has been granted repentance unto life? If you have come to trust not in your own works, but in Christ alone, then are you not greatly loved? Christ died for me, and that is awe, a joyful bliss.

That you set your heart on understanding this - He was in sorrow over the way things had turned out, that not so many Jews wanted to return to the promised land, it was not what he had pictured in his mind, but he went to the right place, humility and prayer, wrestling like Jacob for an answer.

…12When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and gripped with fear. 13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. 14He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice at his birth,… Luke 1: 12-14

29This is to be a permanent statute for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month, you shall humble yourselves and not do any work—whether the native or the foreigner who resides among you— 30because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD. 31It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, that you may humble yourselves; it is a permanent statute.… Leviticus 16: 29-31

Humility, fasting and prayer go together (2Chr 7:13, 14, Ps 35:13). To humble one's self before God is to acknowledge one's proper relationship of the creature to the Creator and to admit our desperate dependence upon Him for everything necessary for life and godliness. Proud people "by definition" don't humble themselves before God. Perhaps one reason I don't pray as much as I should is because of my unwillingness to humble myself, to admit my dependence on God to give me "daily bread", etc. - Precept Austin

The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me 21 days - Here we are with another look, the reality of a spiritual war that goes on behind the scenes. Satan is the true master mind behind all who lie, the father of lies, and yet also the accuser of the brethren. Many people will read these things about angels, and then go and develop all sorts of fictions, gross speculations, but let us be happy to know what God has given us about them, and study His revelation. The people in Jerusalem see the opposition of neighbors, but now they should know all the more to pray, for it has a demonic backing.

…11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.… Ephesians 6: 11-13

…4Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build. 5They hired counselors against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.

6At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Ezra 4: 4-6

1Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. 2And the LORD said to Satan: “The LORD rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?” 3Now Joshua was dressed in filthy garments as he stood before the angel.… Zechariah 3: 1-3

Michael, one of the chief princes - Michael is here introduced to us by name, and is referred to by rank amongst the other angels, so note, when we go to chapter 12 we see the man in linen (preincarnate Christ), who was hovering above the waters, an angel on the side of the bank with Daniel and another on the opposite bank. Michael is a created being, Christ is the eternally begotten of God, yet many cults are recognized by their denial of Christ as God, but also of Him as taking on humanity, becoming a man. The Jehovah Witnesses actually think Michael, the arch angel, a created being, is Christ. This is a complete heresy, for we are to worship Jesus Christ, but not angels.

Michael one of the chief princes - This is the first mention by name of the angel Michael, who is later described as "your prince" (Da 10:21) indicating he is Israel's prince, a premise which is substantiated by Da 12:1 where we observe that Michael will arise when Israel is in a time of great distress (which in context is the Great Tribulation). In Jude 1:9 Michael is called an archangel one of the first or highest angels, a leader of the angels. Finally in the last Biblical use, Rev 12:7-note, Michael is found in heaven waging war with (and defeating) the dragon and his angels.

Miller draws the conclusion that "the implications of these statements are clear. Israel has a mighty angelic supporter in the heavenly realm. Therefore, regardless of Israel’s political, military, and economic weaknesses, its existence is assured because no earthly power can resist their great prince." (Miller, S. R. - Daniel - New American Commentary, 18)

Chief princes - "Chief" indicates an angelic hierarchy as described by Paul in Ephesians who explains to the saints why they must be strong in the Lord (Eph 6:10) and put on the full armor of God to be enabled to stand against this invisible evil army of demonic forces... - Precept Austin

18Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind. 19He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow.… Colossians 2: 18-19

…9“All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.” 10“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus declared. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’” 11Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.… Matthew 4: 9-11

…8And I am John, who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had shown me these things. 9But he said to me, “Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!” 10Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of prophecy in this book, because the time is near.… Revelation 22: 8-10

The latter days - The end of Daniel takes us through another sweep of history, starting with great detail about the kingdom that he is now in, Persia, through the northern and southern kings that came out of the 4 generals of Greece, all the way to the final antichrist. It is a startling vision and would be very confusing seeing all this take place before it happens, and especially that which occurs in a time very different from his own. Much of his prophecies have been fulfilled already, but we still look forward to the end, the Great Tribulation and finally the setting up of Christ's kingdom.

30When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. 31For the LORD your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers, which He swore to them by oath.… Deuteronomy 4: 30-31

1This is the message that was revealed to Isaiah son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.… Isaiah 2: 1-3

…4For the Israelites must live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, and without ephod or idol. 5Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days. Hosea 3: 4-5

1But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come. 2For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good,… 2 Timothy 3: 1-3

Touched my lips - This reminds me of Isaiah 6 where Isaiah, in the presence of God's holiness becomes aware that he is a man of unclean lips from a people of unclean lips, and so the angel purifies his lips with a burning ember, and he is sanctified to speak.

Touching my lips - Daniel's need = speechless. God's provision = touching his lips. A similar picture is found with a number of God's prophets enabling them to speak (cf Is 6:7, Je 1:9 Eze 3:27 33:22, cf Lk 1:64 21:15)

Strengthened me - Now once he could speak, he still needed help, and so strength was given to him.

…3Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees! 4Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.” 5Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.…  Isaiah 35: 3-5

…42“Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. 44And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.… Luke 22: 42-44

Michael, your prince - Just as the unbelieving Persians had a prince, a demon of high rank, so Israel has Michael the arch angel, and too, this messenger Gabriel.

…8Yet in the same way these dreamers defile their bodies, reject authority, and slander glorious beings. 9But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed with the devil over the body of Moses, did not presume to bring a slanderous charge against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10These men, however, slander what they do not understand, and like irrational animals, they will be destroyed by the things they do instinctively.… Jude 1: 8-10

6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 7 To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. 8I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. For you have only a little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.… Revelation 3: 6-8

6And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place for her to be nourished for 1,260 days. 7Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels.… Revelation 12: 6-8