The Vision of the Time of the End (Part 1)
Dan. 10: 1- 9
Introduction
The final vision given to Daniel came in the third year of the reign of Cyrus which was 536 B.C. Exiles had returned from Babylon and had begun rebuilding the temple. (Perhaps Daniel had not returned with the exiles because of his age.) Israel’s captivity had ended. Jerusalem was being reoccupied, and the nation seemed to be at peace.
The revelation in the vision given to Daniel on this occasion shattered any hope the prophet might have had that Israel would enjoy her new freedom and peace for long. For God revealed that the nation would be involved in many conflicts (a great war).
Understanding the significance of the vision, Daniel fasted for three weeks (lit., “three sevens of days. During this time of mourning, he abstained from choice foods and apparently waited on God in prayer (Dan. 10:12) concerning his people’s destiny
I. The Time of Vision
A. The third year of Cyrus. This would be 534 of 533 B.C., since the Babylonian fell in 536 B.C. The historical parallel to this vision is the return of many Jews to Jerusalem. Ezra 1:1 through Ezra 4:5.
B. Daniel’s Age – Daniel had now been in captivity for 72 years, making him at least 89 years of age. This may well have been his last year on earth. Some of his companions-in-captivities were able to return to their homeland. Ezra 3:12. Note: there is no discrepancy between Dan. 1:21, 6:28, and 10:1, because. None of this verse tells us when Daniel died- they simply state that he outlasted the Babylonian empire
C. Daniel’s name – His Babylonian name is used once again. Perhaps the blessed Holy Spirit inserted this information in anticipation of the critics who have suggested a number a number of writers of the Book of Daniel over a considerable span of time.
D. The extent of the vision. “…the extent of the vision was long…” this vision reveals more details of the prophecies found in Dan. 8 and Dan. 9. God said it would be a long period- so far over 2,500 years long!
II. The Preparation for the Vision
A. Daniel mourns for 3 weeks (v. 2). Why did Daniel mourn? There are a number of possibilities.
1. Because of Jewish Apathy (don’t care)- only 49,697 Jews responded to the challenge of King Cyrus and returned to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:64, 65). This was a relatively small percentage of the overall Jewish population in Babylon and Persia. Most were now content with their comfortable lives in a strange land. Contrast this with Ps. 137:1-6.
Note: this is typical for so many Christians today. When the call from the Lord comes very few responds.
2. Because Daniel could not Return. Although he lived to see some of his people return to Jerusalem, perhaps his age or his duties (Dan. 8:27) prevented him from going with them. We know that the holy city of Jerusalem was never far from his heart (Dan. 6:10).
3. Because of reports of opposition – According to Ezra 4:1-5, 24. there was much opposition to the work of rebuilding the temple. In fact, the project was effectively stalled by “legal challenges”
4. Because Daniel does not fully understand God’s workings. He may well have wondered, “Why wasn’t the temple built by now?”. The 70 years prophesied by Jeremiah is over.
B. Daniel gives himself to Prayer (v. 3). For the fourth time we see Daniel as a man of purposeful, intense prayer. See Dan. 2:17, 18; 6:10, 11; 9:3-19. Daniel fasts and prays.
Fasting is not just the going without food for a period of time- it involves the setting aside of any normal physical activity so as to accentuate the spiritual. In this case, Daniel set aside certain foods and normal acts of personal comforts.
III. The Glorious Person of the Vision (vs.4-9)
A. The three weeks (v. 4). In contrast with the “weeks” of Dan. 9, the language here makes it clear that these were literal 7-day weeks.
B. The river Hiddekel (v. 4). This was another name for Tigris River. See Gen. 2:14.
C. The description of this person closely resembles that of the Lord Jesus Christ as seen by the apostle John in Rev. 1:12-16.
1. Christ appeared in His unveiled glory. We see here what He left behind when He “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men” (Phil. 2:7).
2. Christ appears as a man (Dan. 10:5). In the eternal counsels of God, the Son determined to be a man. He is the Second Man who fulfils all of God’s covenants. He is the Son of Abraham, the Son of David. In the Gospels he is called “the Son of man” 85 times. He became man to make atonement for the fallen creation and to bring in the new heaven and new earth “wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Pet. 3:13).
3. He is clothed in linen (Dan. 10:5).
a. This is the clothing of priests (Ex. 39:27). It reminds us that Christ is the Saviour, the Mediator, the High Priest, the Intercessor. He holds the office of a priest who make eternal intercession between God and man.
b. The linen also signifies righteousness and reminds us of Christ’s sinless character (Rev. 19:8).
4. His loins are girded with fine gold (Dan. 10:5). Christ is also clothed with a golden girdle in Rev. 1:13.
a. The gold speaks of nobility, dignity.
b. The girdle speaks of service. Christ is the Servant of God and man. This is the emphasis of the Gospel of Mark.
5. His body is like beryl (Dan. 10:6).
This speaks of beauty, brilliance, majesty. The beryl is possibly the modern topaz. The Hebrew word is “tarshish,” because the stone came from Tarshish or Spain. Phoenician traders called it the Tarshish stone. “The prevailing color is
yellowish green, and pistachio-green of every variety and degree of shade, but always with a yellow and gold lustre” (Barnes).
6. His face has the appearance of lightning (Dan. 10:6). His appearance was “dazzling to the eye, striking terror to the mind” (John Gill).
a. His appearance reminds us of Christ’s transfiguration on the Mount (Mt. 17:2) and of His appearance in Rev. 1:16.
b. The lightning speaks of the glory of Christ’s eternal kingdom, which is normally hidden to men in this present world.
7. His eyes are lamps of fire (Dan. 10:6).
a. This signifies omniscient wisdom and keen insight. Rev. 1:14 and 19:12. “How piercing and penetrating his eyes are into the affairs of men and states, by whom they are clearly seen, and to whom they are exactly known” (Gill). To the churches, Christ said, “I know thy works” (Rev. 2:2, 9, 13, 70 19; 3:1, 8, 15). He knows everything, not only every deed, but every thought and motive every heart. All things are naked and open before Him (Heb. 4:13).
b. At the Great White Throne, Christ’s omniscience will be revealed before all men. The unbeliever will give account for every sinful thought, word, and deed. He will therefore suffer eternal punishment, since he rejected God’s redemption and must suffer in himself the punishment rightly due for his high crimes against the Creator.
8. His arms and feet are like to polished brass (Dan. 10:6). Compare Rev. 1:15. This denotes strength, power, stability. Christ has the power to exercise God’s will, to protect God’s people, to fulfil God’s promises, and to judge God’s enemies.
Christ’s great power was displayed on the cross when He purchased redemption and defeated the devil. “His great strength was especially displayed in the redemption of his people, when his own arm wrought salvation for them; when he came travelling in the greatness of his strength, and trod the winepress of his father’s wrath alone; when he set his feet on the necks of his and his people’s enemies, and got an entire victory over sin, Satan, and the world, under whose feet they are, and ever will be subject” (John Gill).
9. His words and voice are like the voice of a multitude (Dan. 10:6). Compare Rev. 1:15.
a. This speaks of authority, intensity, urgency, absolute truth. The word of God is living and powerful (Heb. 4:12). For those who have ears to hear, God’s Word can be heard today loud and clear above the noise and confusion of this fallen world.
b. Men are obligated to hear every word of God, and every man who ignores God’s Word is a rebel who will be punished.
D. The description above closely resembles the description of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in Rev. 1:13-14. Also, the reaction of Daniel is similar to the reaction of the Apostle John in Rev. 1:17. Many expositors believes it is Christ. However, some are convinced that this heavenly being is not Christ. Why? Because this heavenly being have to call upon Michael for help. Our Lord Jesus Christ doesn’t need any help.
IV. The effects of the Vision (Dan. 10:9)
1. Daniel Saw it alone – Compare Jn. 12:28, 29, Acts 9:3-7; Gen. 32:24: Jos. 5:13-15, Ezek.1 Gal.1:11-17. The making of a man of God, being alone with God.
2. Daniel was greatly affected – A vision of the glory and holiness of God serves only to amplify the weakness and sinfulness of man. Compare Gen. 15:12, 17, Ex. 3:26: Jos. 5:13-15; Isa. 6:1-8; Ezek. 1:28, Lk. 5:8, Rev. 1:7.
The mark of a man of God- humility before God!
Falling on one’s face or fainting is the typical result of seeing an angel or hearing God’s voice directly. Compare Gen. 15:12; Jud. 13:20; 1 Ch. 21:16; Eze. 3:23; Dan. 8:18; Mt. 17:6; Acts 22:6-7; Rev. 1:17.
This is different from Pentecostal “slaying in the Spirit.” The falling down in Scripture did not occur because an individual was touched, and it never occurred in the churches.
V. Conclusion:
Daniel was in river Hiddekel or Tigris River when he saw the vision of “a certain man”, a holy being which is similarly described as the glorified Christ in the Book of Revelations. He was again fasting. In answer to his consistent, persistent prayer, and Godliness. This heavenly being came to him. We will continue this next week
