Daniel 10

10 ¹ In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. The word was true, and it concerned a great conflict. He understood the word and grasped the vision.

² In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. ³ I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips, and I used no oil at all, until the three weeks were over.

⁴ On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, ⁵ I looked up, and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. ¹ 1 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. 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 roar of a multitude.

⁷ I, Daniel, alone saw the vision; the men who were with me did not see it, but a great trembling came over them, and they fled and hid. ⁸ So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision. No strength remained in me; my face turned deathly pale, and I was helpless. ⁹ Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard them, I fell into a deep sleep, face down on the ground.

¹⁰ Suddenly a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. ¹¹ He said to me, "Daniel, you who are greatly loved, understand the words I am about to speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling.

¹² Then he said to me, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. From the very first day that you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your Father, your words were heard, and I have come because of your words. ¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been detained there with the kings of Persia. ² 2 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. ¹⁴ Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the days to come, for the vision concerns a time still to come."

¹⁵ While he was speaking these words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and was unable to speak. ¹⁶ Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, "My lord, because of the vision such anguish has come upon me that I have no strength left. ¹⁷ How can I, your servant, my lord, speak with you? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me."

¹⁸ Again the one who looked like a man touched me and strengthened me. ¹⁹ He said, "Do not be afraid, you who are greatly loved. Peace be with you; be strong now, be strong." And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have given me strength."

²⁰ Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I must return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go out, the prince of Greece will come. ²¹ But first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. No one stands firmly with me against these except Michael, your prince. ³ 3 v21 Michael is presented in Scripture as a powerful heavenly prince who serves God's purposes on behalf of his people. The "Book of Truth" is a heavenly record of God's decrees and purposes.