Three Reasons Why We Must Rely upon Christ – Daniel 10:1-11:1
10 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, something was revealed to Daniel (who was called Belteshazzar). This thing was true and it concerned a great warfare. He understood this thing; indeed, he had understanding of the vision. (2) At that time, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three full weeks. (3) I ate no choice food; I tasted neither meat nor wine; and I did not anoint myself with lotion at all until three full weeks were completed. (4) Then on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, (5) I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen; his waist was wrapped with pure gold from Uphaz. (6) His body was like chrysolite, his face was like the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and his feet were like polished brass, and the sound of his speech was like the sound of a multitude. (7) I, Daniel, was the only one who saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see the vision, but such great terror fell upon them that they fled to hide themselves. (8) So I was left alone, and I saw this great vision; no strength was left in me, my face turned deathly pale and I became faint. (9) Yet I heard the sound of his words, and when I heard the sound of his words I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground.
(10) Then a hand touched me and set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands. (11) He said to me, O Daniel, you who are greatly loved, consider the words I am about to speak to you and stand upright; for I have now been sent to you. When he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. (12) Then he said to me, Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. (13) But the prince of the kingdom of Persia stood against me for twenty-one days. But Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, so I remained there with the kings of Persia. (14) Now I have come to inform you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to those future days.
(15) When he spoke these things to me, I set my face toward the ground and was speechless. (16) Then one who looked like a man touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke to the one who stood before me. I said, O my Lord, because of the vision, I am overcome with anguish and I am faint. (17) How can the servant of my Lord speak with my Lord?—for immediately there remained no strength in me, neither was there any breath left in me. (18) Then again the one who had the appearance of a man touched me and he strengthened me. (19) He said to me, O man, you who are greatly loved, do not be afraid. Peace be with you. Be strong; yes, be strong. And when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and I said, Let my Lord speak, for you have strengthened me. (20) Then he said, Do you know why I have come to you? Immediately I must return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I emerge from that conflict, the prince of Greece will come—(21) but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth—and there is no one who stands with me against these, except Michael, your prince. 11 In the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.
Now proceed to the next section of this study, entitled, Exploring the Passage.
