DANIEL 10-12

Most commentators agree that the last three chapters of Daniel constitute a unity that serves as the grand conclusion to the book. It is by far the most elaborate of the visions, but covers much of the same territory as the earlier revelations in the book and uses much of the same language (especially from Chapter 8). I will adopt a fairly standard three-part division: Introduction (10:1-11:1), Body (11:2-12:3) and Conclusion (12:4-13). It is a chiasm with several strong correspondences between the Introduction and Conclusion:

“I looked and there before me was a man clothed in linen on the bank of the river” (10:4-6); 12:5-7)

“I, Daniel” (10:2,7; 12:5)

“understand(ing)” (10:1,12; 12:8,10)

revelation given (10:1) and revelation closed up (12:4)

We will only cover the first and last sections and save the body of the vision for the final lesson.

Introduction (Daniel 10:1-11:1)

A. Daniel's vision in the third year of Cyrus (10:1-6)

    B. Daniel's reaction to vision: strength gone, face to the ground (10:7-9)

        C. Man revives him with a touch of the hand (10:10-11)

            D. “Do not be afraid. I have come” (10:12)

                E. “The prince of Persia opposed me” (10:13a)

                    F. “Michael helped me...I will help you understand the end of days” (10:13b-14)

    B'. Daniel's reaction to vision: face to the ground, strength (10:15-17)

        C'. Man revives him with a touch of the hand (10:18)

            D'. “Do not be afraid. I have come” (10:19-20a)

                E'. “I must fight the prince of Persia” (10:20b)

                    F'. “I am to tell you what is in the book of truth;” Michael helps him (10:21)

A'. Gabriel's actions in the first year of Darius (11:1)

Look at the repeated cycles, which resemble the structure of the whole book.

Daniel 10:1-9

10:1 By this time some of the Jewish exiles had already returned to Jerusalem. Daniel decides to stay: he is either too old, or he feels God still has use for him in Persia. The latter may be the reason that his Persian name Beltashazzar is used for first time since Chapter 5.

10:3 Just as the time he was in training as a young boy at court, he again abstains from certain foods.

10:4-9 The vision is quite similar to that experienced by Ezekiel earlier. Linen was worn by priests, gold by kings. Chapter 1 of Revelation has a description of Christ that is similar so some feel this is Jesus while others assume it is Gabriel again. However, Daniel's reaction to Gabriel's appearance in Chapter 8 is not as drastic. Therefore others feel that it is an unknown angel who is actually above Gabriel and Michael.

10:7 Does this remind you of any event in the NT? Saul's vision of the risen Christ on the road to Damascus in Acts.

Daniel 10:10-11:1

Assuming it is Gabriel, what can we learn about angels from these verses? Even angels need help.

Gabriel appears to be more equipped for sending messages than fighting. Revelation 12:7 indicates that 

Michael may be the head of the angels, or at least the angelic army. All this may lend credence to the 

idea that in the afterlife we will not all be uniform beings with the same personalities and strengths, but 

will all be unique (all we are meant to be).

10:11 There is only one other person in the Bible identified by this phrase. Who? John the Baptist.

10:13 Countries may have their own patron “angels,” some of whom seem to oppose God or not 

understand God's overall plan for the nations. Read Deuteronomy 32:8. In Daniel 12:1, Michael is 

called a great prince, the same word used in 10:13 for the prince of Persia. This verse seems to say that 

as soon as Daniel started fasting (v. 2), the messenger was dispatched to him.

10:14 indicates that at least some part of the following vision refers to the last days.

10:20 shows that although the Persians were better than the Babylonians, they still oppose God's plans.

10:21 This probably refers to a book which tells what will happen in the future. At least the larger 

movements in history are determined in advance by God.

11:1 The earlier event may have been when the Medes conquered Babylon or when Daniel was saved 

in Chapter 6 by an angel.

Conclusion (Daniel 12:4-13)

A. Command to Daniel “But you, Daniel” (12:4)

    B. “How long?” (12:5-8)

A'. Command to Daniel “Go your way, Daniel” (12:9-10)

    B'. “How long” (12:11-12)

A''. Command to Daniel “But you, go your way.” (12:13)

Common words and phrases to the Command sections are: go, time of the end, seal the words, understand, and knowledge.

12:4 The scene shifts back to the river, but this time there are definitely three heavenly beings, probably Michael and Gabriel and one who is superior to both of them.

The answers to Daniel's questions in the B sections are all approximately 3 ½ years – recall the 

symbolism of this time period as a time of testing (1277.5, 1290, 1335). It has been suggested that (a) 

the difference has to do with which of the several calendars is referred to, (b) the angel is indicating 

that even for heavenly beings the exact prediction of the future is uncertain, or (c) the date was revised 

several times when the expected conclusion failed to happen (unlikely).

The bigger question is whether it refers to events under Antiochus IV, the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, 

or a future time of tribulation.

12:13 In the last verse, Daniel is basically told, “Don't concern yourself with such matters; you will be 

taken care of by God in the end.” This remains good advice for us today.