Daniel 10:15-21

Daniel 10:15

And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.

 

Once Gabriel had finished giving Daniel the meaning of the vision, Daniel was so affected by it that he set his face toward the ground and became dumb.  The word “dumb” means that he became silent.  It also carries with the meaning of “being bound.”  It was like Daniel was so affected by the vision that he actually felt like he was literally bound to the point that he could not speak or move.

 

Daniel 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.

 

When Daniel was in such a weakened state someone had touched him.  It was probably not Gabriel since Daniel describes him as having resembled or shaped like a human being had touched his lips.  This divine empowerment allowed Daniel to speak since he was weak.  The lord he has in view here is not the Lord in Heaven but it is a title of “master.”  He then tells this master that the vision had caused him great sorrow and he was unable to retain strength.  The word for “retained” in the Hebrew carries with it the meaning of “maintained or kept.”  This should also be an eye opener for us in these final days.  People who claim to have visions seem to have no physical effects from them.  Here Daniel was literally drained of all his physical strength owing to this vision.  This is why these visions that people have today are false and should be rejected.

 

Daniel 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.

 

Then Daniel asks the angel how it is possible for him to speak to his Lord when he is in a condition of extreme weakness.  Daniel gets to the point that he felt he had no breath left inside of him.  Daniel did not realize that he was given divine strength to speak.  Daniel was so weak he was almost like a dead person.  Consider also the fact that he was way up in age.

 

Daniel 10:18

Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,

 

Then once again the angel touched Daniel and gave him divine strength to be able to respond and to hold a conversation even though he was weak in body.  Another eye opener, here we see that Daniel speaks of the angel having an appearance like a man.  It seems all the pictures we see of angels all have wings.  It goes to show you that we cannot trust Hollywood or an artist’s conception as to what an angel looks like.  We need only go to the Scriptures.

 

Daniel 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.

 

Then the angel assures Daniel that he is beloved and because of that he should not fear.  The angel bids peace unto him and bids him to be strong.  The word “strong” in the Hebrew carries with it the meaning of “be firm and secure in your calling and to be strengthened.”  Daniel then experiences divine strength to the point he is ready to hear what the angel has to say to him.  Daniel acknowledges the fact that he was given divine strength to continue.

 

Daniel 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.

 

Then the angel gives a tremendous insight into the spiritual battles in the heavens.  Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)   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.  Ephesians 6:12 gives insight into the fact that we are in a spiritual battle.  Flesh and blood are only the window dressing through which the devils work.  The angel asks Daniel if he knew where he came from?  As we saw in a previous verse that it was the Prince of Persia that withheld answers to Daniel’s prayer for a period of twenty one days.  It was not the physical ruler of Persia but it was the demonic forces behind the pagan country.  The angel tells Daniel that he is going to return to fight the prince of Persia.  Then after that the demonic power behind the empire of Greece will make war with him.  The principle which is being taught is that the opposition to Christ and His people is going to be perpetual until they are destroyed on the last day.  One kingdom comes and another goes but the demonic forces behind them are always present.

 

Daniel 10:21

But I will shew 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 now tells Daniel that he will show him what is in the Scripture of Truth.  This is not referring to the Bible because Daniel had not yet penned his portion of Scripture.  What is in view here is the book of The Decrees of God’s Will which is being performed at present to show Daniel what the future holds for his people.  Now that is not the official name of the book but we hold the Scriptures in a book and I just likened it to the Scriptures which we see.  Remember Daniel was a member of two groups, the physical nation of Judah and the eternal church of Christ.  Then the angel tells Daniel that there is no one who stands with him in those things concerning God’s decrees except Michael his prince.  Once again it is referring to the Lord Jesus Christ as the one who executed the will of God for His people on Calvary and is the protector and deliverer of the eternal body of Christ.  The word “holdeth” carries with it the meaning of “seize or fasten.”  In other words, it is Christ who holds fast to the truth of God.

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