Mystery man
Dan 10:1 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.
Daniel was elderly, about 84 at the time of this vision. The first group of exiles had returned with the priest and scribe, Ezra, to rebuild the temple of God in Jerusalem.
Ezra 1:2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
A vision was revealed to Daniel, he had understanding of it. It was an appointed time, a time of tribulation that would come, that was long and difficult.
Dan 10:2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
Apparently mourning either for those returning to Jerusalem who were having troubles, or for the greater trouble that would come to Israel at the end times.
Dan 10:3 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.
Daniel just got by with a little food, taking little personal care because of his concern.
Dan 10:4 And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
Dan 10:5 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:
Dan 10:6 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 colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
The appearance of the man was similar to the man Jesus Christ, described by John in the book of revelation.
Rev 1:12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
Rev 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Rev 1:14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
Rev 1:15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.
Rev 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
This sounded like Jesus, but Jesus as God's son was greater than the angels. He is Lord of Hosts. In Daniel 10:13, it said he was restrained from coming by the prince of the kingdom of persia, probably the devil.
Dan 10:13 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.
The Son of God is greater than the angels, Lucifer is of darkness and rebellion. This was no doubt a glorious angel, who needed the assistance of Michael the arch angel. Here is an example of authority given to angels. Satan's angels are given places to be princes or powers over regions of earth. God has given authority to his angels also. Michael was his arch angel. Some cults say that Michael is Jesus and Lucifer his brother, no way! Read Hebrews chapter one, to understand that Jesus is greater than the angels. By him were the worlds created.
Eph 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.
Rev 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
The mystery man was an angel, a type in the old testament of the Lord Jesus Christ in the book of Revelation.
Holy Presence
Dan 10:7 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.
Only Daniel saw the vision, but those with him were overcome with fear and hid themselves. They knew in their spirit that something was in their presence, something holier than they were. This is similar to Saul, who would be named Paul, on the road to Damascus.
Acts 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Acts 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
Dan 10:8 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.
Isaiah reacted this way when he saw a vision of the Lord of hosts.
Isa 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
Dan 10:9 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.
Dan 10:10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
Dan 10:11 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.
An angel will not let a man bow to them. He tells Daniel, that he is greatly beloved, and trusted to hear from God. Those who hear from God special revelations are special to him. False prophets and seers are everywhere, they exalt themselves and are quick to tell all their self made titles. Daniel was undone at the presence of God's holy messenger. It was the messenger who spoke good of Daniel. It was not Daniel doing it. Let another praise you, not yourself.
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
God's Messenger
Dan 10:12 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.
Dan 10:13 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.
Fear not Daniel, the angel had come with a message from God, but the spiritual prince over the region of Persia withstood the angel for 21 days. Michael the arch angel had to battle the prince for three weeks, so that the message could get through. From this we see that answers to prayers can be hindered by spirits of darkness. The angel stayed with the kings of Persia. I do not know what this means, but perhaps he spoke to the hearts of the kings convincing them of the importance of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. If the devil can speak to us his lies, why couldn't the angel of God impress upon men the word of God? The Holy Spirit does this work now.
But, God's spirit is not subject to the angels. Those who pray in the spirit have instant access to the father. The father can answer in an instant, for those who have the indwelling spirit of God. You may liken this to mail delivery. A personal message delivered by the postal worker takes time. The seem message sent by email is delivered immediately. We have "email" access to the Father through his spirit. Those who have not the spirit of God, nonetheless are drawn by the spirit of God, yet a messenger, a believing witness must contact them with the gospel message. We are the workers, the message givers of God, as the angels were in old times.
Many listen to angels; spirit guides from the fallen angels and many are drawn away from God's truth because they listen. When Jesus was glorified before Peter, James and John, as Peter was speaking, the Father's voice spoke from a cloud for all to hear:
Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Hear Jesus, he is the living word of God. God spoke audibly and he wants all people everywhere to hear Jesus who said: ...I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
Since Jesus came no new doctrine or prophecy has come from the angels. They do come on rare occasion to guide or rescue the saints from prisons or from harm.
Heb 1:14 Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Heb 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
Heb 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;
Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Heb 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
God the Father and Jesus speak to us through the Holy Ghost.
Daniel was about to hear of end time events from the angel, possibly Gabriel. Revelation again speaks of these events, through the Lord Jesus Christ, not by an angel. He is the beloved son, we hear him. Before Jesus came, God used the angels as his messengers. The Holy Spirit came upon men also, who prophesied in old times. But he did not stay as he does with us, in this time of Jesus' grace.
2 Pet 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
The Spirit and angels spoke in Daniel's time. Jesus speaks to us now through the Holy Spirit.
No human strength
Dan 10:14 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.
Dan 10:15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
This was very real. The angel was revealing end time events to Daniel, and his body was limp as he fell on his face as a dumb man; he emptied himself to hear what was revealed. When the presence of holiness is so stromg, men fall, or faint unable to stand in the presence of God's spirit.
Dan 10:16 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.
Dan 10:17 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.
Dan 10:18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
Compare this to Isaiah in the throne room by a vision.
Isa 6:6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
Isa 6:7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
Also Jeremiah
Jer 1:7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
Jer 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.
Jer 1:9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
Jer 1:10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
Dan 10:19 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.
Strength comes from God, not from flesh. Moses also felt unworthy to speak for God.
Exo 4:10 And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
Exo 4:11 And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?
Exo 4:12 Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.
I believe most servants of the Lord felt at first that they had nothing to offer. The truth is we can serve only through the grace that God gives to us. If he calls us he will equip us for his calling. The angel was using Daniel to speak terrible and secret things to come. By the touch from God's messenger, he was encouraged to speak.
Heavenly Princes
Dan 10:20 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.
The angel spoke to Daniel: Do you know the reason I came to you now? Daniel was to receive secret information of future events. The angel must return and battle with the prince of Persia. It appears that nations have demonic or angelic rulers, but God has princes or angels to protect his people. That is reassuring. Satan was referred to as the prince of this world by Jesus in three scriptures.
John 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
Satan no longer had control over all the world, because Jesus overcame him on the cross. Those who trust in Jesus overcome the devil. He is cast out of his position of authority over us.
John 14:30 Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
He had nothing in Jesus, because Jesus had no sin in him.
John 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Judgment is knowing right from wrong. The prince is judged as wrong and evil.The lake of fire is his sentence.
The angel then speaks to Daniel of the angel of Grecia that is coming. How so? Well, we know from history that the next nation to conquer would be Greece. As there are great generals on earth, they are guided by their heavenly prince. The princes of the nations are of the prince of this world, the devil. The angel guarding Israel, is the most powerful angel of God.
Dan 10:21 But I will show 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 will share God's revelation truth with Daniel. He will be aided by the guardian prince of Israel, Michael the archangel. Are we guarded by good angelic princes? Yes, we are not alone. Thank you Lord.
Psa 34:7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
Psa 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Psa 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.
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