The Vision of the Lord God: “A Man Clothed in Linen”

Daniel 10

Daniel 10:1

“In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose

name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time

was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the

vision.”

Time of the Vision

“In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate

no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor

did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”

Daniel 10:2, 3

Daniel’s Mourning

“Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that

is, the Tigris.”

Daniel 10:4

The 24th Day

Time of Vision

• This is the third year of Cyrus, King of Persia; Daniel is still in Babylon.

• At this time, the prophet Daniel would be an old man (probably about 90).

• The Babylonian name confirms that this is the same Daniel.

• After 70 years of captivity, Daniel chose to remain in Babylon.

Affirms Truth of the Revelation

• Knew the words were true.• The message indeed was difficult.• It concerned “warfare.”• Daniel said he “understood the thing.”• Does not means he understood “all” of it• War and hardship would be coming.• Struggle for things in the revelation itself.

Daniel’s Anguish

• “In those days”—duration of three weeks• Length of his fasting from food and drink• Not anointing with oil when one was in mourning

or facing a crisis • Daniel’s sincerity is seen in this example of his

humiliation. • His understanding of the approaching “suffering”

caused him great turmoil.

Time Period

• 24th day of the first month

• This date would be three days after conclusion of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. (Exodus 23:15)

• Passover fell on the 14th day of the month, and the Feast followed for the next seven days—15-21.

• Daniel was beside the Tigris River.

Daniel 10:5

“I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man

clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of

Uphaz!”

A Man Clothed in Linen

“His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his

eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words

like the voice of a multitude.”

Daniel 10:6

A Man Clothed in Linen

“And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were

with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon

them, so that they fled to hide themselves.”

Daniel 10:7

For Daniel’s Eyes Only

“Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in

me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no

strength.”

Daniel 10:8

For Daniel’s Eyes Only

His Visage• Clothed in linen—celestial visitant• Gold girded his lions—fine gold• His body—like beryl (transparent stone from

Tarshish)• Face—like the presence of lightning—resplendent

brilliance• Eyes—like flaming torches• Arms and feet—like burnished brass• Voice—like the sound of a multitude

Revelation 1:13

“And in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of

Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded

about the chest with a golden band.”

A Similar Vision

“As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like

burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches going back and forth among the living creatures. The fire was bright,

and out of the fire went lightning.”

Ezekiel 1:13

A Similar Vision

“He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.”

Revelation 1:16

A Similar Vision

“His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and

His voice as the sound of many waters.”

Revelation 1:15

A Similar Vision

Daniel’s Eyes Only

• Everything about this person frightened Daniel.

• Tidings about warfare—from one who looked like he could wage warfare!

• Daniel’s companions were trembling.

• Nearness to them—Daniel saw the vision—they could not.

• Similar to the Apostle Paul’s vision— Acts 9:3ff.

• Daniel was left alone.

• The companions fled; then Daniel saw the vision.

• Daniel lost all his strength (fear).

• His vigor turned to fragility.

• The creature appeared in human form.

• Was this the incarnated Christ?

• Mighty angel on a par with Michael?

Daniel’s Eyes Only

The Person

• Some claim that this was a “theophany”—a physical appearance of a spiritual Deity.

• Yet, remember that angels are also created beings.

• They are spirit, but they can take human form.

• Remember Abraham and Lot.

• One thing’s for sure—God sent this “person.”

• His message came from God!

Effect on Daniel

• Daniel’s strength left him.

• He fell into a deep sleep or swoon.

• He fell into a state of unconsciousness.

• Like being stunned.

• Why should this seem strange to one who believes he has been in the presence of a Holy Being!

• Sadly, many claim such experiences today, as if they were common!

Daniel 10:10

“Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my

hands.”

A Hand Touched Daniel

“And he said to me, ‘O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak

to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.’ While he was speaking

this word to me, I stood trembling.”

Daniel 10:11

A Hand Touched Daniel

“Then he said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand,

and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.’

Daniel 10:12

God Hears Daniel’s Words

‘But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one

days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with

the kings of Persia.’

Daniel 10:13

Where He Came From

‘Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many

days yet to come.’”

Daniel 10:14

Why He Has Come

The Heavenly Being’s Exhortation

• Gradually, Daniel’s consciousness was restored.

• His Touch: – “Hand” shook to rouse him– Daniel trembled in his palms, and he was on his knees.

• His Tone:– His words are tender--“O man greatly beloved”– His words comfort--“fear not”– His words assure, “I came for thy word’s sake”

• Must have been music to Daniel’s ears

• Visitor explains that Daniel is an object of love.

• Instructs Daniel to stand upright

• Yet, in his humility, Daniel continues to tremble.

• Daniel’s words were heard from the time he began to consider the future of the people.

• At the beginning of his prayer and fasting, the visitor had been sent from God.

The Heavenly Being’s Exhortation

• His Task:– His mission: to help Daniel understand what would befall

him in the “latter days”– The King of Persia “withstood” the visitor for 21 days--

the same amount of time as Daniel’s fasting.– This is thought to mean spiritual warfare.– It was not the physical king of Persia.– It was a wicked or demonic being behind the kingdom of

Persia.– Such contending is beyond our understanding.

The Heavenly Being’s Exhortation

“Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for

those who will inherit salvation.”

Hebrews 1:14

Ministering Spirits

Ephesians 6:12

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against

principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of

wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Wickedness in Heavenly Places

“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the

dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not

prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.”

Revelation 12: 7,8

War in Heaven

“Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you!’”

Jude 9

Michael the Archangel

“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your

people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation,

even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who is found

written in the book!”

Daniel 12:1

Michael the Archangel

Spiritual Warfare

• Michael called “standing for God’s people.”

• Here, he is called “your prince” (10:21).

• Michael gave help to this heavenly messenger and this enabled him to bring the message to Daniel.

• The Lord Himself, on behalf of His faithful people, makes war on heathen nations’ hostile spirits.– Revelation 19:11-16

Making Daniel Understand

• “Latter Days”

• Language used in Genesis 49:1

• In this context, it means in “future days.”

• Some of Daniel’s prophecy does refer to the Messianic Period—Daniel 2:44,45.

• Yet, what is about to be revealed to him will happen during the “Grecian” period--in Chapter 11.

• The key words are “many days yet to come.”

Daniel 10:15

“When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face

toward the ground and became speechless.”

Daniel Becomes Speechless

“And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my

mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, ‘My lord, because of the vision my

sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.’”

Daniel 10:16

Daniel Speaks

“For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in

me now, nor is any breath left in me.”

Daniel 10:17

Daniel Feels Inadequate

“Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me

and strengthened me.”

Daniel 10:18

Again, Daniel Is Touched

Daniel’s Helplessness

• He is unable to regain his composure.

• He is astonished and speechless.

• Reverent position—”face set toward the ground.”

• Because of this vision, Daniel is unable to retain strength.

• Extreme desperation

God’s Helpfulness

• The heavenly being “touched” Daniel for the second time.

• One in human form touched Daniel’s lips that he might speak.

• Tells him his inability is due to pangs caused by the vision.

• Daniel speaks as though he were a servant speaking to his superior.

• Vs.16—restores speech; vs.18—restores strength.

“And he said, ‘O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes,

be strong!’ So when he spoke to me, I was strengthened, and said, ‘Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.’”

Daniel 10:19

Greatly Strengthened

“Then he said, ‘Do you know why I have come to you? And now I

must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of

Greece will come.’”

Daniel 10:20

Greatly Beloved

“But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one

upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.”

Daniel 10:21

Daniel’s Prince

Daniel Receives Assurance

• The Lord comforts and assures Daniel.– “Fear not”– “Peace be unto you”– “Be strong, yea, be strong”– Bad news is coming.– This encouragement made him strong, and

so he is ready to hear what the messenger has to say.

– Calls him back to what he had previously said

Future Spiritual Warfare

• This makes clear, that despite the fact that Persia is under God’s hand, and serving God’s purpose, it is yet supported in its career of ungodliness by demonic powers.

• Spiritual warfare is a reality.

• Another struggle against the Prince of Greece is looming.

• One is put down, and another will rise up to fight against God’s will.

• A glimpse into the spiritual activity behind the scenes

• We see there are “ranks” of angels, principalities, and powers and dominions of this world.

• Daniel assured of the truthfulness of what he is hearing

• God knows what the future holds!• “Continue in battle”—future battles yet to be

fought.

Future Spiritual Warfare

Behind the Scenes

• There will always be those who seek to thwart God’s plans.

• They can’t succeed—but they’ll try!

• God keeps them in check and at bay.

• Look at an example of such action…

2 Kings 6:16,17

“... Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the

eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and

chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

God’s Army

Scripture of Truth

• This phrase informs Daniel that the history about to be revealed (Chapter 11) contains events of which God alone bears record. As always, it is infallibly accurate.

• One needs only to compare God’s prophetic revelations to secular history to see His absolute accuracy!

• God knows and reveals the DETAILS!!• Even before it comes to pass!• The strongest argument for inspiration!