14 “Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
15 When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16 And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. 17 “For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”
18 Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21 “But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince. 1 “Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.)”
10:14
“Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
The clear purpose of the angels coming to Daniel was to reveal to him what would happen to Israel in the “latter days.” Daniel’s reputation for “understanding” brought him further understanding. He would receive eschatological (prophetic) understanding in this case. The passage 11:2-12:4 details this prophecy relating to the fate of Israel in relation to Antiochus Epiphanes in the nearer future and of the Antichrist in the distant future.
10:15
When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.
Further revelation brought further weakness to Daniel. This revelation was a complete surprise to him. He had served as a key administrator in the Neo-Babylonian Empire for decades and did not know about angelic conflict and national entities.
10:16
And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.
An angel touched Daniel’s lips allowing him to speak. Daniel continues to express his sorrows over the content of the vision.
10:17
“For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”
Daniel felt that he could not continue to communicate with the angel because of the draining of his strength over the shock of the vision. We need God’s grace in prayer.
10:18
Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.
An angel strengthens Daniel for the third time to continue the communication of the vision.
10:19
And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!” So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
The angel repeats God’s high view of Daniel. The words of the angel strengthened Daniel to listen to the rest of the vision.
10:20
Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.
The angel explains his activity to Daniel from verse 20 to 11:1. Michael came to fight with the prince (demon), affecting Persia and the prince (demon), influencing Greece.
10:21
“But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.
The “Scripture of Truth” is all of God’s revealed truth. Daniel does not deal with speculation. Only God knows the future. God reveals this prophecy with unerring accuracy. The word “noted” means recorded or registered. God dispatched this angel with a transcript about the near and remote future revealed in chapters 11 and 12.
The angel made clear that Michael would uphold him when he contended with the emissaries of Satan. He did this during the preceding twenty-one days. God reminds Daniel of special angelic protection for Israel.
11:1
“Also in the first year of Darius the Mede, I, even I, stood up to confirm and strengthen him.)
This verse concludes chapter ten. Without this clue, we might conclude that this refers to yet another king different from 10:1. The angel Michael adds that he was responsible for protecting Darius the Mede from the first year of his reign in Babylon in 539 B.C. The “prince of Persia” attempted to hinder that return (10:13). Almost immediately after Darius (Cyrus) assumed the throne, he issued a decree permitting the Jews to return to Palestine. The success of the Israelites under Darius was the result of angelic warfare.
PRINCIPLE:
God’s sovereignty upholds us in time of difficulty
APPLICATION:
God does not always overrule Satan’s plan immediately, but He sets limits to Satan’s plans.
Job 1:12, “And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.’ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”
Job 2:6, “And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, he is in your hand, but spare his life.’”
1 Co 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
All things ultimately work together for good. God delivers us from anxiety when we put our situation in His hands.
Ro 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Ph 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
1 Pe 5:6-7, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care (anxiety) upon Him, for He cares for you.”
