Daniel 10:1-21
Q.1. Under what circumstances did Daniel receive the vision of the pre-incarnate Christ? How did the vision impact him. What was it about? – (Dan.10:1-9 c.f. Rev.1:13-16)
Daniel was passionate to understand the truth of the vision he had received about the Last Days. Thus he fasted and waited on God for an entire three weeks (Dan.10:1-3, 14). After this, He was given a vision of the pre-incarnate Christ. Daniel saw before the coming of Jesus, what John saw after Jesus’ return to glory. The visions were strikingly similar. John, as a disciple of Jesus, had no doubt about the identity of the One Whom he saw (Dan.10:5-6 c.f. Rev.1:12-18). Daniel had learned that God’s people were going to face extreme persecution. The vision that he saw left him totally exhausted and over-awed. The vision presented the King on His throne, but without explanation regarding how these visions harmonized.
Q.2. How was Daniel viewed by God? Why did Daniel receive divine assistance to understand his vision? – (Dan.10:10-19)
As usually happened when people encountered angels, a word of comfort was first given. Daniel was to understand that the delay in answering his prayers was not a reflection on his standing with God – … O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you … (Dan.10:11). Daniel was strengthened so that he could record details of Endtime events for future generations (Daniel himself had received clarification through the writings of the prophet Jeremiah). In spite of spiritual opposition, the angel had come to explain the vision – Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future.” (Dan.10:14).
Q.3. What do we learn about the unseen principalities and powers over the nations? Do our prayers make a difference? (Dan.10:13, 20-21)
The unseen opposition of the Evil One is hard to fully comprehend. Daniel discovered that there is much more involved in the delays to his prayers than meets the eye … and that there is a spiritual dimension to the rise and fall of the nations and their rulers – But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia (Dan.10:13). After delivering his message, the angel had to return to serve in the unseen spiritual realm. He told Daniel – 20 … Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come. 21 However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince (Dan.10:20-21). What is the role of the angelic hosts? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? (Heb.1:14). The battle for the souls of men in the earthly realm requires us to apply the truth of God, so that people may come to a knowledge of the truth. This battle will heighten as we near the end, and as the population explodes. Paul declared that we need to be involved in that battle (2 Cor.10:3-6; Eph.6:10-13).