The Book of Daniel - part 12

Daniel 10 : When Daniel Prays

As we begin, note that chapters 10-12 function as one literary unit broken into three sections. Chapter 10 is the preparation for Daniel’s final vision. Chapter 11 is the vision itself. And, Chapter 12 are the final instructions for Daniel. As we finish our series on Daniel, we will see a bit of repetition as this final vision provides even greater detail for previous ones. What began as a general revelation to Nebuchadnezzar will culminate in a series of prophecies concerning Persia, Greece, Egypt, Syria, Antiochus IV, and then finally the End of This Age. 

Today, we are in for a treat, because we are in one of those places in the Bible which gives us a description of angelic beings. Now, much has been made of this particular passage in angelology circles, but as always with Scripture, we want to be careful to let the text speak to us rather than speaking things into the text. 

But, also, rather than just having an academic exercise in angels, we must also recognize this text has more to say to us. Specifically, the story involved can inform much about our own prayer lives.

Setting the Stage : 10:1-3

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision. 2 In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. 3 I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks.

The first verse is the prelude or setup for the vision. This is the third year of Cyrus, and the word (or message) Daniel receives concerns a great conflict. Notice the state Daniel is in when he receives the vision.

He was in mourning and fasting for three weeks. When noting the timeline of this vision in relation to Israel’s return, Daniel is probably in mourning over the state of Jerusalem. Ezra and Nehemiah both mourned (same Hebrew word) over the spiritual condition of their Jewish people, and undoubtedly as chapter 9 saw, Daniel is just as burdened.

He had been fasting from delicacies, meat and wine, and even from anointing himself (which we can read as daily hygiene). The NIV translates ‘anointing’ as ‘using lotions’. The practice refers to the oils and creams used in the Ancient Near East to rejuvenate the skin and protect from the sun. 

In preparation to hear from the Lord, one must set aside the daily luxuries. 

Sometimes fasting is seen as a legalistic endeavor, but keep in mind throughout Scripture, the great giants of faith practiced fasting. Jesus Himself would spend time fasting, including the 40 days of fasting that led up to His temptation in the wilderness. The earliest Christians would choose two to three days per week to fast as a rule of thumb, though we know not every Christian was as diligent as others. 

Now, whatever your convictions about fasting are, we must accept the principle that in order to hear from God, we must listen and place ourselves in a place where we can listen. That is why many pastors will call for fasts from social media, entertainment, and yes, even food, because it is only when we remove distractions in our lives that we can truly listen. 

How much should you fast? I suppose the answer to that depends on how badly you want to hear from the Lord. 

The Glorious One : 10:4-9

4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) 5 I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 6 His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude. 7 And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. 9 Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.

In verse 4, we are introduced to a remarkable figure. I should also note that commentators are a bit divided on who and how many figures we actually see here. The first is someone whose glory is so strong that Daniel faints into a deep sleep. Verse 10 may pick up with another angelic person, though not as glorious, and in verse 18, that may yet be another or the same as in 10. The reason for this angel headcount is twofold--the first is Daniel's reaction which is stronger than previous visions, and the remarkable parallel to Revelation 1. Before we read more in Daniel, turn with me to Revelation 1.

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 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. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Revelation 1:12-18

John sees the Risen Lord in a long robe, golden sash, with white hair, eyes of flame, feet like burnished bronze, face as bright as the full sun, and a voice like the roar of many waters. Now, John also notes Jesus is holding seven stars and wields a two-edged sword in his mouth, but we should note these are symbols which relate to John's message in Revelation. We should also note this is the Glorified Jesus who touches John directly. 

The similarities in the description lead to the conclusion Daniel does, in fact, see the Pre-Incarnate Christ, however the differences point us to a wonderful truth. Where Daniel can only catch a glimpse of Christ before fainting, John is able to withstand a touch from the Savior. 

Christ's death, burial, and resurrection brings us closer to God than what was ever possible before Jesus came.

I also want us to look closely at the response to the Lord's appearance. As stated already, Daniel falls into a deep sleep, but note also, the others with Daniel flee from a terrible fear that they cannot understand. They do not see the Lord, they just know they have to get out the area quickly! 

In our prayer times, we must always remember the awesomeness of God.

When was the last time you felt the overwhelming power of God after a session of prayer? We may not walk away from our times of prayer slumped in exhaustion every time, but is that because God has refused to make His presence known, or have we simply lost sight of the vision of God? When you turn to God in prayer, are you looking full into His wonderful face, or simply glancing His way?

A Vision like no other : 10:10-14

10 And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”

Again, commentators are divided on the number of angels in this passage, but it appears this is a second person, because, first, Daniel says 'a hand' rather than 'his hand'. Second, this messenger states the "prince of the kingdom of Persia" has been able to withstand against the angel for 21 days. It contradicts the whole of Scripture to accept a demonic being withstood against God for 21 days. Last, in 12:5, there are two other angels next to the One in white linen. Thus, though causing some ambiguity in the text itself, it makes more sense to say the vision.

Now, these verses also point us to two truths concerning prayer.

First, as has been stated in previous weeks, 

Daniel's prayers are answered because he has sought understanding from God and humbled himself before God.

"The Lord draws near to the humble, but opposes the proud." -- James 4:6

"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." -- Matthew 5:8

Scripture makes it clear that if we are to hear from God, we must leave all pride and self-entitlement behind us.

The second truth points us to why prayers may be delayed. Of course, we know that all things work according to God's timing, but we must also remember the very real nature of demonic forces. In our modern age, many do not like the idea of talking about evil spirits disrupting our lives, but that doesn't change the fact Scripture is clear: just as much as the Lord loves us and wants to build us up, there are dark forces who wish us harm and destruction. 

Engaging in prayer is to engage in spiritual warfare.

In Daniel's day, it was widely accepted that heavenly forces would battle just as earthly ones would. The pagans saw physical conquering equivalent to their gods conquering foreign gods. This is a perversion of the truth which is simply in the times before Christ, God's angels would have to fight against the fallen angels of the devil. But, now, because of Christ, the schemes of the devil have been finished. It is no longer about angels fighting angels, but God Himself has conquered Satan, and now, when we surrender to Christ, we have that same victorious power available to us. 

Consider Ephesians 6:10-13.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

We do not pray to angels for help, we have direct access to the power of God. The armor we put on comes from the salvation and eternal life given by Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

When was the last time your prayer session was a battle against evil rather than a sitting in Santa's lap?

Daniel receives strength to hear : 15-21

15 When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. 16 And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. 17 How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”

18 Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as 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? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.

Notice there are three phases to Daniel's restoration. At the sight of the Pre-Incarnate Christ, he falls into a slumber. Then, at the touch of the first messenger, he is able to pull up into a crouch. Then, at the second touch, he is finally able to stand. Our next point regarding prayer is thus:

In order to hear a heavenly message, we must receive heavenly strength.

These last verses finalize the setup for Chapter 11 which we will return to next week, but for today, let's review the principles of prayer we have seen so far:

Praying well begins by setting aside earthly distractions.

Praying well keeps in mind the awesomeness of God.

Praying well comes from a humble heart earnestly seeking God.

Praying well engages in spiritual battles.

Praying well requires heavenly strength.

Do you see why Christian leaders call prayer a 'spiritual exercise'? It is a skillset that must develop over time. But, that doesn't mean only the select few are able to pray well. It means that if we want to be good pray-ers, we must exercise daily! 

Today, before we dive deeper into Daniel's final vision, we must make ourselves ready. The first step is to hearing from God is to humble our hearts and remove those earthly distractions. There is nothing that will stop us from hearing God's voice quicker than sin. If you have not yet received forgiveness of sin by believing in Jesus, turning from your sin and surrendering to Him as King and Lord of All, then today, do that! Jesus came so that we can know our Creator, our God, and we can have everlasting life. Receive it today.