A Messenger From the Father's Throne
Three weeks of mourning end with a vision that empties Daniel of strength. He is told his Father heard his words the first day, and that the delay was a struggle with the prince of Persia until Michael came. He is touched twice and called dearly loved.
10 1In Cyrus king of Persia's third year, a message was revealed to Daniel, called Belteshazzar—true, about a great war. He understood it, gaining insight into the vision.
2In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. 3I ate no fine food; no meat or wine touched my mouth; I used no oil at all, until three weeks passed.
4On the twenty-fourth day of month one, I stood on the bank of the great river—the Tigris. 5I looked up and saw a man in linen, a belt of fine gold of Uphaz around his waist. a a v5 This shining figure dressed in linen is described much like the risen Jesus in Revelation 1, and many in the church have read the two as one and the same. 6His body like beryl, his face like lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and legs like polished bronze, and the sound of his words like a roaring crowd.
7I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; the men with me didn't see it, but great trembling fell on them, and they fled and hid. 8Left alone, I saw this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face turned deathly pale, and I kept no strength. 9Then I heard his words, and hearing them, I fell face down on the ground in a deep sleep.
10Suddenly a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11He said to me, "Daniel, dearly loved man, understand the words I speak to you; stand up, for I am now sent to you." When he spoke this word to me, I stood up, trembling.
12He said to me, "Don't be afraid, Daniel. From the first day you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your Father, your words were heard, and I came because of your words. 13But the prince of Persia's kingdom opposed me twenty-one days; then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with Persia's kings. b b v13 These "princes" are angelic beings — Michael is the great archangel who guards Daniel's people, while the "prince of Persia" is a hostile spiritual power behind the earthly kingdom. 14I came to help you understand your people's future in days to come, for the vision is for days still ahead."
15As he spoke these words to me, I turned my face to the ground, unable to speak. 16Then one like a man touched my lips. I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, "My lord, the vision has filled me with pain, and I have no strength left. 17How can I, your servant, speak with you, my lord? No strength remains in me now, no breath is left."
18Again the one who looked like a man touched me and strengthened me. 19He said, "Don't be afraid, treasured one. Peace to you; be strong, be strong!" His words strengthened me, and I said, "Speak, my lord, for you have strengthened me."
20He said, "Do you know why I came to you? Now I return to fight Persia's prince; then, as I leave, Greece's prince comes. 21But first I'll tell you what's written in the Book of Truth: none stands firmly with me against them but Michael, your prince."
