| THE VISION OF MICHAEL |
|---|
| In this Chapter, Daniel saw a vision of the Angel of the Spirit of Christ in the LORD’s Day, the Archangel WHO IS LIKE GOD (Michael). The identity of the Archangel is revealed to us in verse 21, by the statement “Michael your Captain.” The Angel’s explanation of Daniel’s vision ends in Daniel Chapter 12, where we see the Archangel Michael (Christ) returning in the LORD’s Day. The vision of the Archangel in Daniel Chapter 10, is repeated in the vision of Christ on the Lord’s Day, in Revelation Chapter 1. Michael is the English transliteration of the Hebrew expression מִיכָאֵל, WHO IS LIKE GOD: “the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15, Heb 1:3). |
| 1 In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, even a great warfare: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision. |
| Dan 10:1 the appointed time was long – most translate this phrase as “of great conflict.” The interpretation of this vision spans from Chapter 10 to Chapter 12, and is a 3,000 year prophecy of the battle between the King of the North and the King of the South, that ends with the Judgment Day. he understood the message – Daniel will finally understand the message after the Angel’s very long explanation. and had understanding of the vision – Daniel understands that the vision he saw was WHO IS LIKE GOD, the Captain of the Angels of Israel, who stands up on the Lord’s Day, as described in Dan 12:1. |
| 2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three whole weeks. 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine into my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, until three whole weeks were fulfilled. |
| Dan 10:2 mourning three full weeks – to understand the vision, and its meaning. |
| 4 In the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel, |
| Dan 10:4 the Tigris – Daniel stands by this great river to see the vision, and in Dan 12:7, he will see the Angel WHO IS LIKE GOD, “above the water of the river” speaking. |
| 5 I lifted up my eyes, and looked, and, behold, a man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with pure gold of Uphaz: 6 his body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as flaming torches, and his arms and his feet like burnished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. |
| Dan 10:5-6 clothed in linen… – Daniel sees the Angel, the Spirit of Christ, as He appears in the LORD’s Day. We can refer to Rev 1:13-16, “and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.” Let us compare the description of Dan 10:5-6 to Rev 1:13-16. Keep in mind that John in Revelation is not trying to copy Daniel, rather he just describes what he sees from his own perspective. The description is very similar but not exact. There may also be slight differences in the interpretation of these two old languages: of Greek and Hebrew. a certain man – “one like a son of man” clothed in linen – “clothed in a robe reaching to the feet” waist girded with gold – “girded across the chest with a golden sash” his face like lightning – “His face was like the sun shining in its strength.” Lightning may have also been translated “gleaming” as in Nah 3:3, Hab 3:11. his eyes like torches of fire – “His eyes were like a flame of fire” his arms and his feet like burnished bronze in color – “His feet were like fine brass” like the voice of a multitude – “voice was like the sound of many waters” – see also Ezek 1:24; 43:2 Of course, in Rev 1:15, we also see the Spirit of Christ as the Archangel, holding seven stars (angels) in His hand (Rev 1:20). |
| 7 I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; for the men who were with me didn’t see the vision; but a great quaking fell on them, and they fled to hide themselves. |
| Dan 10:7 they fled to hide themselves – we are on the side of the great river Tigris, and there may be many others who were there. |
| 8 So 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 fallen into a deep sleep on my face, with my face toward the ground. |
| Dan 10:9 while I heard the sound of His words – the words like the voice of great multitude (vs 6), the voice of His Church in the LORD’s Day, for the Spirit of Christ is the body of Christ, see Ezek 43:2-5. |
| 10 Behold, a hand touched me, which set me on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11He said to me, Daniel, you man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright; for to you am I now sent. When he had spoken this word to me, I stood trembling. |
| Dan 10:10 a hand touched me – an Angel came with real physical form to interpret the vision. |
| 12 Then said he to me, Don’t be afraid, Daniel; for from the first day that you did set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard: and I am come for your words’ sake. |
| Dan 10:12 from the first day – see also Dan 9:23: “at the beginning of your supplications.” Another proof that God hears us immediately when we pray, even though we may not receive the answer immediately. |
| 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me: and I remained there with the kings of Persia. |
| Dan 10:13 the prince – as we mentioned in Chapter 8, the Hebrew word “sar” [שַׂר־] should be translated “Captain” throughout the Book of Daniel. of Persia – this is the Captain of the Angels of Persia. withstood me 21 days – it appears from Dan 10:2, that Daniel remained by the riverside for 21 days, waiting for the answer to the vision. Michael – Michael is the English transliteration of the Hebrew expression מִיכָאֵל, WHO IS LIKE GOD. one of the chief captains – there was no Archangel in the Old Testament. Archangel means “Ruler of the Angels” or Ruling Angel. The Spirit of Christ, became the ruler of the Angels when Christ was made Lord, after His resurrection. See Rev 12:10 – “the power of His Christ have come.” In Rev 12, we will see that “Michael” takes control of all the Angels, casting Satan and his demons out of heaven. |
| 14 Now I am come to make you understand what shall befall your people in the latter days; for the vision is yet for [many] days: |
| Dan 10:14 the vision refers to many days yet to come – it goes from the time of Daniel to the LORD’s Day, and is the longest prophesy in the Bible. |
| 15 and when he had spoken to me according to these words, I set my face toward the ground, and was mute. 16 Behold, one in the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spoke and said to him who stood before me, my lord, by reason of the vision my sorrows are turned on me, and I retain no strength. 17 For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, immediately there remained no strength in me, neither was there breath left in me. 18 Then there touched me again one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me. 19 He said, “Greatly beloved man, don’t be afraid: peace be to you, be strong, yes, be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak; for you have strengthened me.” |
| Dan 10:19 you have strengthened me – Daniel is overwhelmed, it appears that he has not eaten for 3 weeks. |
| 20 Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Now I will return to fight with the prince of Persia. When I go forth, behold, the prince of Greece shall come. |
| Dan 10:20 the Prince of Greece – this Angel will need to fight with the Captain of the Angels of Greece, after fighting with the Captain of the Angels of Persia. Greece will be the next of “the transgressors” against the saints. |
| 21 But I will tell you that which is inscribed in the writing of truth: and there is none who holds with me against these, but Michael your prince.” |
| Dan 10:21 I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of truth – the account of the Antichrist to come, and account of the judgment and resurrection on the LORD’s Day. except Michael your prince – which should read “your captain,” the Captain of the armies of Yihvah. Here, the Angel identifies Michael, WHO IS LIKE GOD, as the name of the Angel of Yihvah, the Captain of Armies of Israel, who appeared to Joshua. In Chapter 8, we first met the Captain of the Host, (Dan 8:11). He was the Captain of the armies of Israel, and the pre-existent Christ, who appeared to Joshua, in Josh 5:14. He became the “Captains of Captains” (Dan 8:25) – the Archangel, after Christ was made our Lord. |
