Today, we will finish our study into the book of Daniel.
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. 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.
Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris, I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! 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.
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. 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. Yet, I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words. I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 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.
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. 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. 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.”
When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became 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. 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.”
Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. 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.”
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. But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.”
-Daniel 10:1-21 NKJV
The next chapter was all about explaining what is to come. It’s too cryptic for me, but if you are curious, please give it a read.
But we will finish with the final chapter.
“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. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
“But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”
Then I, Daniel, looked; and there stood two others, one on this riverbank and the other on that riverbank. And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long shall the fulfillment of these wonders be?”
Then I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever, that it shall be for a time, times, and half a time; and when the power of the holy people has been completely shattered, all these things shall be finished.
Although I heard, I did not understand. Then I said, “My Lord, what shall be the end of these things?”
And he said, “Go your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
“And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days.
“But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”
-Daniel 12:1-13 NKJV
My summary
“From the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard.”
“‘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.’”
I can’t think of another scripture that speaks of peace and strength better. If you struggle with these areas, post this in your house where you can be reminded every day of the God who not only gives peace, but also strength.
“But you, go your way till the end; for you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”
In the midst of all that Daniel lived through, these were the final pages of his story revealed to us. The visions he was given to carry were weighty, to the point of losing strength. Have you felt that way before? Have you received news that felt too heavy? I have been working on balance for the past five years, for I experienced the weightiness of His glory in the days proceeding my husband’s passing. The Father gave me vision for this place, but for a time to come.
Carrying vision/purpose can be hard to understand, but as you can see, this was one of Daniel’s greatest strengths. He set his heart to understand and to be humble before his God. This combination is a major threat to the enemy, because when he can’t find gaps in our character, it gets harder and harder to distract us from our kingdom mission. Missing the mark is one definition of sin. The Holy Spirit is our guide/guard to keep us moving forward down the narrow road set before us in our individual race. Daniel would have peace until he received his inheritance in eternity. What a promise!
If you are looking for peace, it’s Jesus. If you are looking for renewed strength, it’s Jesus. If you are needing clarity, it’s Jesus. He’s the author of all of our stories. He knows the beginning and the end. Do I believe there are many unwritten pages yet to be lived through together? YES! Meaning, I see life more like an alternate ending kind of living. There are options, and it’s our job to connect within along the way to align our hearts with His and then walk accordingly. This is true spirit-living to me. It feels differently. It’s feels more poetic. Romantic. Intentional. It’s slower in pace at times, but in the spirit realm things are flying by at epic speeds.
I hope you have enjoy this chapter by chapter study through Daniel. There is so much more that could be unpacked. I would love to hear what stood out to you in the comments below.
Until next time,
Stay Tender
Connect to the Mender
Be a Sender