Daniel Sees a Glorious Messenger

10:1 In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel (who was also called Belteshazzar). This message was true and concerned a great war. He understood the message and gained insight by the vision. 10:2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three whole weeks. 10:3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine came to my lips, nor did I anoint myself with oil until the end of those three weeks. 10:4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month I was beside the great river, the Tigris. 10:5 I looked up and saw a man clothed in linen; around his waist was a belt made of gold from Upaz. 10:6 His body resembled yellow jasper, and his face had an appearance like lightning. His eyes were like blazing torches; his arms and feet had the gleam of polished bronze. His voice thundered forth like the sound of a large crowd. 10:7 Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see it. On the contrary, they were overcome with fright and ran away to hide. 10:8 I alone was left to see this great vision. My strength drained from me, and my vigor disappeared; I was without energy. 10:9 I listened to his voice, and as I did so I fell into a trance-like sleep with my face to the ground. 10:10 Then a hand touched me and set me on my hands and knees. 10:11 He said to me, “Daniel, you are of great value. Understand the words that I am about to speak to you. So stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up shaking. 10:12 Then he said to me, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel, for from the very first day you applied your mind to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard. I have come in response to your words. 10:13 However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia was opposing me for twenty-one days. But Michael, one of the leading princes, came to help me, because I was left there with the kings of Persia. 10:14 Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to future days.” 10:15 While he was saying this to me, I was flat on the ground and unable to speak. 10:16 Then one who appeared to be a human being was touching my lips. I opened my mouth and started to speak, saying to the one who was standing before me, “Sir, due to the vision, anxiety has gripped me and I have no strength. 10:17 How, sir, am I able to speak with you? My strength is gone, and I am breathless.” 10:18 Then the one who appeared to be a human being touched me again and strengthened me. 10:19 He said to me, “Don’t be afraid, you who are valued. Peace be to you! Be strong! Be really strong!” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened. I said, “Sir, you may speak now, for you have given me strength.” 10:20 He said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I am about to return to engage in battle with the prince of Persia. When I go, the prince of Greece is coming. 10:21 However, I will first tell you what is written in a dependable book. (There is no one who strengthens me against these princes, except Michael your prince.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Daniel was mourning and fasting when God gave him a vision of a glorious heavenly messenger. The messenger told Daniel that his prayer had been heard from the first day, though the answer had been delayed by conflict in the unseen realm. God was showing Daniel that the future of his people was still under his rule.

Daniel was mourning for his people and fasting for three weeks. Then God gave him a vision beside the Tigris River.

He saw a glorious man clothed in linen. The sight was so overwhelming that Daniel lost his strength. The men with him did not see the vision, but they were frightened and ran away.

The messenger touched Daniel, helped him stand, and told him that he was greatly valued. He said Daniel’s prayer had been heard from the first day. But the answer had been delayed because of spiritual conflict. The prince of Persia opposed him until Michael came to help.

This passage shows that God hears his people at once, even when the answer is delayed by conflict in the unseen realm. It also shows that the world is not ruled by visible power alone. There is real conflict in the unseen realm, but God remains sovereign. He is preparing to show Daniel what will happen to his people in the future.

• God heard Daniel’s prayer from the first day.
• Daniel’s fasting and mourning showed humility before God.
• The vision was real and overwhelming, not a dreamlike invention.
• The glorious messenger is best understood as an angelic envoy, not forced to be a direct appearance of Christ.
• There is conflict in the unseen spiritual realm.
• The Lord remains sovereign over earthly empires and spiritual powers.
• God is committed to showing Daniel what will happen to his people.

• Do not be afraid.
• You are greatly valued.
• Stand up.
• Be strong.
• Your prayer was heard from the first day.
• The answer was delayed by spiritual conflict, not ignored by God.

God was revealing that the future of Daniel’s people was already under his rule. Even though Persia and later Greece appear in the vision, they are not ultimate powers. The Lord is governing history and the unseen conflict behind it, and he is preparing Daniel for what is written about his people.

When God’s people pray, silence does not mean rejection. Daniel was heard at once, even though the answer was delayed by conflict in the unseen realm. This passage calls readers to humble prayer, patient faith, and trust in God’s rule over both visible empires and hidden opposition. It also warns us not to speculate beyond what the text reveals.

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