Daniel prayed for his people. He knew the 70 years were nearing their end for their exile. Cyrus decreed they could return to Jerusalem, but only 40,000 left. What about the others? They were too content in their new lives among those who chose pagan worship. Too comfortable to want to return home. Therefore, deeply sorrowed, Daniel prayed and fasted for three weeks. Then, Jesus came, followed by a messenger angel to reveal to Daniel the truth of all that would happen throughout history to the Jewish nation. Of this he wrote, “This message was true and concerned a great war.[c] He understood the message and gained insight by the vision.” Daniel 10:1 (NET)
When we understand that the message was true then, and forever will be true, we can relax in that truth. What do I mean? Well for Daniel, as was the case of many of the prophets, they were speaking of things so far into the future much of what they spoke was beyond reason. Just as Isaiah and Jeremiah had foretold of Cyrus releasing the captives hundreds of years before Cyrus’ birth. Daniel had remembered that Jeremiah foretold of their captivity being for 70 years. So, he was sorrowed that they had not returned to Israel. He did not understand that the 70 years had been from the destruction of the temple before the temple would be rebuilt and it was exactly on time as noted in Ezra.
Yet, what grieved Daniel was the lack of devotion of the people, even after their time in exile. He had prayed earnestly for them. His grief engulfed his heart. Have you ever felt that way? You have earnestly prayed, and nothing seems to be happening? But then we see the Lord of heaven’s armies comes to Daniel.
Who Can Stand Before the Lord?
On the twenty-fourth day of the first month[g] I was beside the great river, the Tigris.[h] 5 I looked up[i] and saw a[j] man[k] clothed in linen;[l] around his waist was a belt made of gold from Ufaz.[m] 6 His body resembled yellow jasper,[n] and his face had an appearance like lightning. His eyes were like blazing torches;[o] his arms and feet had the gleam of polished bronze. His voice[p] thundered forth like the sound of a large crowd. Daniel 10 4-6 NET
Did you know the twenty-fourth day of the first month would be the third day after Passover? Any coincidence that the Lord of Heaven’s army would arrive then? Also some would translate the sound of a large crowd as the sounds of rushing waters or others as sound of a large army.
This is essentially the same description given to Jesus by John in Revelations 1: (ESV)
13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead.
Daniel’s Response?
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. 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. 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 Daniel 10 KJV
Here is Daniel, a man we see with such high regard as very holy; yet, he upon seeing Jesus had no strength. Why? Because he saw the ugliness of his own sin nature. “My comeliness was turned in me into corruption and I retained no strength.” Similar response of John, Isaiah and Ezekiel? Who among us thinks we can come before Jesus with our “good works” and think they will ever compare to the “Lord of Heaven’s Armies? Daniel knew that Gods Message was true and forever will be true. Here it was that the preincarnate Jesus appeared to Daniel. Who else? The Lord of the Army of God.
Then, when he was touched by the hand, Jesus had faded and an angel presented the message to Daniel beginning with:
“ 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. Daniel 10 KJV
“Greatly beloved” Are they not words we all want to hear? But they are ours if we know Jesus.
Ephesians 1:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us[b] for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known[c] to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
And since we are in Christ, we are admonished to live who we are: Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5: 1 (ESV)
Gods message Was True and Forever Will Be:
The remainder of Chapter 10 explains that surrounding us is a spiritual warfare that is being waged for this earth and its inhabitants. This gives some insight into the continuing work of the angels. Then chapter 11 goes into detail as to the future of the Jewish nation until the end of times. Particularly is laid out precise information, verifiable by history. This chapter has such detail, many try to say it was impossible Daniel could have written it; but writing style, manuscripts and all prove he did. Since there is so much detail, I will only pick out a few instances for you to see.
The message was true that Israel’s purging was not fully complete and would continue to the end of time. Only then will there be peace when the prince of peace establishes His final rule. The words given Daniel are of multiple wars carried out by Syria and Egypt over hundreds of years. This spanned many centuries. So, check this out.
The Queenly Alliance:
6 And at the end of some years they shall join forces, for the daughter of the king of the South shall go to the king of the North to make an agreement; but she shall not retain the power of her [a]authority, and neither he nor his [b]authority shall stand; but she shall be given up, with those who brought her, and with him who begot her, and with him who strengthened her in those times. Daniel 11:
History tells us:
Berenice, (died c. 246 BC), daughter of Ptolemy II Philadelphus and Arsinoe I of Egypt. She was married to the Seleucid ruler Antiochus II Theos, supplanting his first wife, Laodice, whose children she persuaded him to bar from the succession to the throne in favour of her own. Laodice, however, persuaded Antiochus to come to Ephesus (in Asia Minor), where he died in 246, perhaps a victim of her intrigues. The former queen then ordered her partisans to kill Berenice and her children, who had taken refuge at Daphne, near Antioch, in Syria. Aroused by the murder, Ptolemy III Euergetes, Berenice’s brother, launched a successful war (the Third Syrian War) against Laodice and her son.[1]
Another Palace Intrigue Proving Gods Message Was True
17 “He shall also set his face to enter with the strength of his whole kingdom, and [i]upright ones with him; thus shall he do. And he shall give him the daughter of women to destroy it; but she shall not stand with him or be for him. Daniel 11:
Who is this about? Cleopatra the first. She was sent by her father as a spy, but she loved her husband more and turned against her father’s long time wishes.
Cleopatra I Syra, (died 176 BC), queen of Egypt (193–176 BC), wife of Ptolemy V Epiphanes and regent for her minor son, Ptolemy VI Philometor.
Daughter of Antiochus III the Great of the Syrian Empire, Cleopatra was married to Ptolemy V in 193 as part of the Peace of Lysimacheia, concluding warfare and border conflicts between Syria and Egypt. She brought as her dowry the revenues (but apparently not the ownership) of Coele-Syria, a land that Egypt had long sought to recover; and the total agreement helped to ensure Egypt’s neutrality in Syria’s continuing struggles with the Romans. When Ptolemy V died (180), Cleopatra became the true ruler of Egypt as regent for her young son, and she ruled equitably, keeping peace with Syria while doing nothing to alienate Rome, and thereby kept Egypt free of invasion.[2]
The Forerunner to the Antichrist: Proving again Gods Message was true
21 And in his place shall arise a vile person, to whom they will not give the honor of royalty; but he shall come in peaceably, and seize the kingdom by intrigue.
From verse 21 through 45 show Antiochus Epiphanes who reigned from 175 to 164 B.C. He desecrated the temple and did horrible things to the nation of Israel; but he is the foreshadowing of the Antichrist who is yet to come. In fact the final verses are about the Antichrist.
Gods Message was true and forever will be
When all looked to be the worse possible.
12 “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.
Then I said, “O my lord, what shall be the outcome of these things?” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. 10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. 11 And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. 12 Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. 13 But go your way till the end. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.”
Daniel was able to finally go in peace because He knew Gods message was true. Perhaps with some sadness of heart for those who would not believe. But he had seen the Lord of heaven’s armies and knew the end.
What about us,
Shouldn’t we stand firm with resolve knowing Gods message was true and forever will be.
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is on our side.[w]
The God of Jacob[x] is our stronghold. Psalm 46:7
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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DISCLOSURES
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
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New English Translation (NET)
NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[1] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Berenice-daughter-of-Ptolemy-II
[2] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Cleopatra-I-Syra