Daniel Mourns and Fasts
Study note
This vision came around 536 BC, during the third year of Cyrus king of Persia. Some Jews had already returned to Jerusalem, but Daniel apparently stayed in Babylon. He fasted for three full weeks, eating no rich food, meat, or wine as he sought God in prayer.
1 During the third year of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) received a message from God. The message was true and dealt with a massive conflict. Daniel came to understand it through a vision. In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.
2 During that time, I, Daniel, spent three full weeks in mourning. In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
3 I did not eat anything special — no meat, no wine, no fine food. I did not even put lotion on my skin for the entire three weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
The Glorious Vision
Study note
Daniel saw a man dressed in linen with a belt of fine gold. His body gleamed like a precious stone, his face shone like lightning, and his voice sounded like a great crowd. The men with Daniel did not see the vision, but they felt such terror that they ran away. Daniel was left alone and lost all his strength.
4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River. And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;
5 When I looked up, I saw a man wearing linen clothes with a belt of the finest gold wrapped around his waist. Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz:
6 His body gleamed like a polished gem. His face shone like a flash of lightning. His eyes burned like blazing torches. His arms and legs glowed like polished bronze, and when he spoke, his voice thundered like a massive crowd. His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude.
7 I was the only one who saw this vision. The men who were with me did not see it, but they sensed something so terrifying that they bolted and hid. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
8 There I stood, all alone, staring at this incredible sight. Every ounce of strength drained out of me. My face went ghostly pale, and I felt utterly helpless. Therefore 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 Then I heard his voice speaking. As his words reached my ears, I dropped into a deep sleep, face down on the ground. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.
The Angel Strengthens Daniel
Study note
The angel told Daniel he was greatly loved by God. He explained that a spiritual prince of Persia had resisted him for twenty-one days until the archangel Michael came to help. This reveals a spiritual battle behind earthly events. The angel came to explain what would happen to Daniel's people in the future.
10 A hand reached out and touched me. It set me trembling on my hands and knees. And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
11 "Daniel," he said, "you are deeply treasured by God. Focus on every word I say to you and stand to your feet, because I was sent to you for a reason." When he said this, I stood up, though I was still shaking. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
12 "Don't be afraid, Daniel," he continued. "From the very first day you decided to humble yourself before your God and seek understanding, your prayers were heard. I came because of those prayers." Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
13 "But the spiritual ruler of Persia blocked my way for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the most powerful angels, came to help me break through, because I had been held up there by the rulers of Persia." But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
14 "I came to help you understand what will happen to your people in the future. This vision is about things far down the road." Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.
15 As he spoke, I dropped my gaze to the ground. I could not get a word out. And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb.
16 Then someone who looked human touched my lips. I opened my mouth and managed to say to the figure in front of me, "My lord, this vision has left me completely weak. I have no strength at all." And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength.
17 "How can someone like me even speak to you, my lord? My strength has vanished and I can barely breathe." For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.
18 The figure who looked human touched me again and fresh energy flowed into me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
19 "Don't be afraid," he said. "You are deeply treasured. Peace to you! Take courage — be strong!" As his words washed over me, I felt my strength come rushing back. "Go ahead and speak, my lord," I said, "because you have given me new strength." And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
20 "Do you understand why I came to you?" he asked. "I must go back soon to fight the spiritual ruler of Persia. And after that, the spiritual ruler of Greece will arrive." Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
21 "But first, let me tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. No one stands with me against these spiritual forces except Michael, your people's angel." But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.