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Daniel Chapter 10
Verses 1-24 |
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Daniel chapter 10 is the prelude to chapter 11. This chapter sets up the situation and message of the next vision. It is an introduction to the last vision, which Daniel was given and continues to the end of the book.
Highlights of the Chapter
At least two full years had passed from the end of the vision of chapter 9 and it seemingly is still playing on Daniel's mind. Daniel mourned over the prophecy given concerning his people and Jerusalem. He fully appreciated the gravity of what was told. His grief came because of the horrible destruction, which was coming upon his people. Undoubtedly this grief resulted in his becoming sick. For three weeks he suffered and could not eat or drink wine. Nor did he anoint himself. Meaning that he did not take care of his personal grooming.
The timing of the chapter has been calculated to be two years after the proclamation allowing the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild God's Temple. (See Ezra 1:1-4) This would have marked the end of the 70 years of servitude of the Jews, approximately 16 years before the beginning of the 70 weeks of chapter 9.
The response of Daniel at the appearance of the messenger and his speech is understandable. For Daniel had just gone through three weeks of fasting, plus Daniel at this time was a very old man, probably in his 80's or 90's. Repeatedly, he was being helped and strengthened.
Much of what is said of the struggle with the prince of Persia and Michael's subsequent aid is beyond our ability to understand. But what is appreciated by the sum of the details is that there is an earnest spiritual involvement in the affairs of nations, in particular with these nations, Persia and Greece. The prince of Persia must have been on equal footing with this messenger in order to be able to withstand him. Also it took Michael the Archangel to break the Prince of Persia's resistance against this messenger. Could it have been Satan? Possibly, but in any case this prince is a spiritual personage.
This being the case of spiritual involvement with these nations it compels us to believe that the same will be true with the subsequent nations of the visions; that is, the Roman Empire and it's eventual development into the Ten Nation Federation Empire. Mighty powers, invisible to us, are at work in the affairs of nations and men.
Now the stage is set for chapters 11 and 12.
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.
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Next: Daniel Chapter 11
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This page last updated September 14, 2004 at 10:21am
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