The Book of Daniel illustrates the life and visions of the prophet Daniel, who endured the conquering of Jerusalem and exile into Babylon. Though Daniel was sent into foreign lands, He never forsook His God or bowed down before any other rulers. Daniel remained faithful to God and hopeful of the coming day when the Messiah would reign. Because of his faithfulness and loyalty, God began to reveal prophecies to him that are articulated in this book. These prophecies speak of the reigning of Gentile rulers in the world and the ultimate destiny of Israel. Daniel’s steadfast faith in God was known all throughout the region as the famous story recants him being saved from the mouth of hungry lions. Daniel’s integrity and loyalty increased his influence with King Cyrus who conquered Babylon and ended up allowing the Jews to return home to Judah. Daniel’s hope in the Lord is a symbol of the goodness of God always prevailing over the evil of the day. God made a way because of Daniel’s faithfulness and chose to reveal himself to Daniel in some of the most vivid revelations recorded in the Old Testament. Daniel speaks of a vision of a Man in chapter 10 which many believe to be the pre-incarnate Christ. Seeing as how the gospel of John begins by saying, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God and the Word was with God” reveals that Jesus has been present from the beginning of time. Peter talks about Jesus also as being “foreknown before the foundations of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you” in 1 Peter 1:20. I have reason to believe that this is Jesus who Daniel saw in chapter 10, just as in many other passages throughout the Old Testament where the Lord appears. In chapter 10, Daniel sees a vision of the Lord that very few people on earth had seen before, and his reaction gives us a glimpse of just how awe-inspiring it was. Through his recording, we get to know Jesus in his pre-incarnate form, as the one who has always been and always will be, and who stands outside of time to make Himself known to all people. And we see Jesus as one who hears those who cry out to Him. Jesus forever makes himself available to those who long for truth.

Summary of Daniel 10

It is the third year of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel receives a word from the Lord about the end times and wrath of God, which was revealed in chapter 9; this word is troubling to Daniel since he understands everything that is in the vision; Daniel mourns and fasts for three weeks; on the 24^th of the first month, Daniel looks up and sees a vision of a man while standing on the bank of the Tigris River; Daniel describes the radiant and glorious appearance of the man; Daniel informs the reader that he is with others, but the others do not see the man as he does but experience a great trembling; Daniel loses all his strength and becomes pale; Daniel hears the man speaking and immediately falls to the ground; the man touches Daniel, calls him beloved, and sets him upright; Daniel stands trembling; the man reassures Daniel to not be afraid but that because he has humbled himself before God and has set his heart to understand, his words have been heard; the man tells Daniel that he has come because of Daniel’s words; the man tells David that there has been a delay in his coming because “the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me,” which allude to heavenly/spiritual warfare; the man tells Daniel that he has come to tell him what will take place in days yet to come; Daniel then looks to the ground and cannot speak; “one in the likeness of the children of man,” an angel, comes and touches Daniel’s lips and he speaks; Daniel tells the angel that he is unable to articulate all that he has seen because he has no strength or breath left in him; the man touches him, strengthens him and tells him that he is greatly loved, not to fear, to be strong and be of good courage; the man tells him that he must return to fight against the prince of Persia and that soon the prince of Greece will come – alluding to an unseen spiritual war going on contesting for the hearts of the leaders of these nations; the man tells him that he will continue to reveal what will take place, which goes on into chapters 11 and 12; Michael, the angel, intends to contend with the man for these nations.

Jesus in Daniel 10

Jesus reveals a word to Daniel (v. 1)

Jesus appears unexpectedly (v. 5)

Jesus draws near to His people (v. 5)

Jesus is clothed in linen with a belt of fine gold (v. 5)

Jesus’ body is like beryl, a glimmering gem (v. 6)

Jesus’ face shines like lightening (v. 6)

Jesus’ eyes are like flaming torches (v. 6)

Jesus’ arms and legs gleam like burnished bronze (v. 6)

Jesus’ words sound like that of a multitude (v. 6)

Jesus reveals himself only to Daniel (v. 7)

Jesus magnifies his presence to all who were with Daniel (v. 7)

Jesus’ presence causes Daniel’s friends to tremble and hide themselves (v. 7)

Jesus’ appearance and presence cause Daniel to lose all strength at the sight of Him (v. 8)

Jesus’ glory causes our appearance to change in His presence (v. 8)

Jesus appearance is awe-inspiring (v. 8)

Jesus’ words cause Daniel to fall at His feet (v. 9)

Jesus touches Daniel, which causes Daniel to tremble (v. 10)

Jesus tells Daniel he is a man greatly loved (v. 11)

Jesus calms (v. 11)

Jesus speaks to us with love even as we tremble before Him (v.10-11)

Jesus tells Daniel to understand the words He speaks to him (v.11)

Jesus helps Daniel to stand upright (v. 11)

Jesus is tender and caring (v. 11)

Jesus tells Daniel not to fear (v. 12)

Jesus has noticed Daniel’s heart towards God (v. 12)

Jesus tells Daniel He has heard his words (v. 12)

Jesus hears the humble cries of his people (v. 12)

Jesus comes to those whom He hears (v. 12)

Jesus wars with enemies of God (v. 13)

Jesus reveals to Daniel what will take place in the future (v. 14)

Jesus wants for Daniel to be hopeful in Israel’s destiny (v. 14)

Jesus cares about Daniel’s concerns enough to appear to him to tell him these things in person (v. 14)

Jesus leaves Daniel speechless in His presence (v. 15)

Jesus’ angel touches Daniel’s mouth so he can speak (v. 16)

Jesus hears Daniel’s plea and restores his strength (v. 18)

Jesus is not angered by our weakness (v. 18)

Jesus willingly gives strength to those who ask (v. 17-18)

Jesus reminds Daniel again that he is greatly loved (v. 19)

Jesus reminds Daniel again to not fear (v. 19)

Jesus encourages Daniel to be strong (v. 19)

Jesus inspires Daniel to have courage (v. 19)

Jesus’ words immediately strengthen those who hear (v. 19)

Jesus takes time to tell Daniel what he promised He would tell him (v. 21)

“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.” – Daniel 10:12 –

Questions for Today:                      

• What attributes of Jesus in Daniel 10 stood out to me?
• How can I let that shape the way I view Jesus in my own life?
• Why do you think Jesus heard Daniel and came near to Him?
• How can I position my heart to better hear from the Lord?