Dan 10:1-3 NASB In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the message was true and one of great conflict, but he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision. (2) In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. (3) I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed.

• What was Daniel doing for 3 weeks?
• What was his attitude and why?
• What does this reveal about Daniel’s character?
• What issues in our lives may merit similar attitudes and actions?

Dan 10:4-10 NASB On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great river, that is, the Tigris, (5) I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz. (6) His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a tumult. (7) Now I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great dread fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves. (8) So I was left alone and saw this great vision; yet no strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength. (9) But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground. (10) Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees.

• Who do you think the angel is? (Rev 1:13-15, Dan 10:13, Heb 1:1-14, Mat 26:53)
• What does the appearance and influence of the messenger reveal about heaven and God.
• The angel was visible only to Daniel, what does this reveal about God’s communication with his people before Christ compared with after Christ?
• What does the effect that the presence of this person have on Daniel reveal to you about God?

Dan 10:11-13 NIV He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. (12) Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. (13) But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.

• What is the first word that the angel speaks to Daniel? Why do you think the angel said that? (of the Pharisees – Jesus said in Luke 16:15 “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.)
• What is the second word that the angel speaks to Daniel? Look at the verses in the New Testament alone that entreat God’s people not to be afraid (Mat_1:20; Mat_14:27; Mat_17:7; Mat_28:5; Mat_28:10; Mar_5:36; Mar_6:50; Luk_1:13; Luk_1:30; Luk_2:10; Luk_8:50; Luk_12:4; Luk_12:32; Joh_6:20; Act_18:9; Act_27:24; Heb_13:6; Rev_1:17). If the God, Jesus and their angels don’t want us to be afraid, why do God’s people have to repeatedly encouraged to not be afraid? What doe s this reveal about the nature of God and heaven?
• Who is resisting the angel bringing the message? How long was he resisting? How long was Daniel’s fast? What does this reveal about the process of prayer and the workings of heaven during our prayers?

Dan 10:14-21 NIV Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.” (15) While he was saying this to me, I bowed with my face toward the ground and was speechless. (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, “I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I am helpless. (17) How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe.” (18) Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. (19) “Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.” (20) So he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? Soon I will return to fight against the prince of Persia, and when I go, the prince of Greece will come; (21) but first I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one supports me against them except Michael, your prince.

(Dan 11:1 NIV) And in the first year of Darius the Mede, I took my stand to support and protect him.)

• Why do you think Daniel was overcome?
• What helped him to proceed?
• How did the “one who looked like a man” help Daniel?
• Do you recall other scripture where similar support was offered?
• Who do you think the “one who looked like a man” was and why?
• What do you see about the battles in heaven from verses 10:13 and 10:20.
• What do you see about angels and their work in verses 10:20-11:1?

THEME

CHARACTER OF GOD

APPLICATION