The Final Countdown
The Final Countdown
Daniel 10
In 1986, an unknown Swedish rock band unexpectedly took the world by storm with the release of a song inspired by the lead singer’s love for UFOs. The song was written about the band leaving earth for Venus, possibly never to return. The opening stanza:
We're leavin' together
But still it's farewell
And maybe we'll come back
To Earth, who can tell?
I guess there is no one to blame
We're leaving ground (leaving ground)
Will things ever be the same again?
I have heard this song more than a hundred times and never really understood what it was about. The song reached number 1 in 25 different countries. It took the world by storm. Do you know what song it is? Maybe the second stanza will help.
We're headin' for Venus (Venus)
And still we stand tall
'Cause maybe they've seen us
And welcome us all, yeah
With so many light years to go
And things to be found (to be found)
I'm sure that we all miss her so
The song has appeared in more than five movies, a number of TV shows, and lately even in Geico commercials. People have heard this song repeatedly, yet most of them have no idea what the song is actually about. But when you hear the opening notes you will immediately know what song I’m talking about. Many of you have probably sung the chorus at the top of your lungs at least once in your lives.
Daniel 10 is the introduction to the last vision of the book of Daniel; it’s the final countdown. And, like the song, we may not understand all the words of Daniel, but it will be hard to forget the refrain. God changes the times and seasons. He sets up kings and kingdoms and removes them. The nations may rage, but God will be victorious. In Daniel 10, Daniel saw a vision of what was to come. He had a vision of a great war, a battle between good and evil. It was a sobering vision for Daniel. He is near the end of life, and God gives him understanding of what is to come. My prayer is that God would give us understanding as we live in the last days, and the final countdown has begun. The question is, “Are we ready?”
The Mercy of God’s Messenger
At this point, Daniel is about 85 years old. He has lived in Babylon for the last seventy years. The people of Israel have started to return to the promise to rebuild the Temple as we read in Daniel 10:1.
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.
The vision comes to Daniel in the third year of Cyrus. We read in opening words of Ezra,
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing:
“Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel—he is the God who is in Jerusalem. And let each survivor, in whatever place he sojourns, be assisted by the men of his place with silver and gold, with goods and with beasts, besides freewill offerings for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1–4
God stirred the heart of Cyrus, king of Persia, to allow Israel to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. But shortly after the work had begun, the Israelites experienced opposition. This opponent wrote a letter to the king, and the rebuilding of the temple ceased.
At this time, Daniel remained in Babylon. It may have been because his influence was more politically useful there, or it may have been because he was too old to physically help or make the journey back to Jerusalem. We don’t know why Daniel did not return to Jerusalem, but we do know that he was affected by the struggle of his people.
In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. Daniel 10:2–3
Daniel mourned for Israel and Jerusalem. He fasted and prayed to the Lord intensely for three weeks. Daniel could not physically do all that he wanted to do but he prayed.
Beloved, never underestimate the power of prayer. Aging is difficult. As we age, our physical strength begins to fail, but we are still useful to God’s Kingdom. As we will see, God heard Daniel’s prayer. The Creator of the world, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the only Sovereign, God Almighty, heard his prayer. Beloved, He hears yours as well. It may be frustrating for you not to physically help like you once did, but that does not mean you are any less useful. If you pray, God hears your prayers. And, as we will see, the ultimate battle is not against flesh and blood, but it is a spiritual battle that is won through prayer.
Daniel was moved by his love for Jerusalem. He wanted the temple to be rebuilt, so he fasted and prayed. Beloved, certain seasons in life will require that we forego life’s luxuries so that we can tighten our focus on the Lord and seek His face. When was the last time you were moved by such compassion for others that it caused you to forego the pleasures of life? Maybe we should fast and pray for our children or grandchildren. Maybe we should fast and pray for the conflict in Ukraine or the gun violence in America or the end of transgenderism or the lost in our city. Maybe we should ask God to grip our hearts about something so that we are willing to lay down the pleasures of life and seek His face.
The Majesty of God’s Messenger
At the end of the three weeks of fasting and mourning, God appeared to Daniel in a vision.
On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 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 sound of a multitude. Daniel 10:4–6
An incredible figure stands before Daniel. Scholars have debated whether this figure is the pre-incarnate Christ or one of His angels, such as Gabriel, who has already appeared earlier in the book. There are solid arguments for both. The description in Daniel 10 is very similar to the description of the Lord Jesus in Revelation 1.
Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Revelation 1:12–18
The figure in Revelation 1 is clearly Jesus, as He was the one who died and is now alive forevermore holding the keys of life and death in His hands. And yet, even though the description in Daniel is similar, it does not mean it is Jesus. For the angels in Revelation are described similarly yet without as much detail.
After this I looked, and the sanctuary of the tent of witness in heaven was opened, and out of the sanctuary came the seven angels with the seven plagues, clothed in pure, bright linen, with golden sashes around their chests. Revelation 15:5–6
The figure who came to Daniel struggled against an evil spirit later in the chapter, implying that it could not have been the pre-incarnate Christ. But whatever side you may fall on, whether the pre-incarnate Christ or one of His angels, the figure is incredible. It is so incredible and the vision is so overwhelming that it causes Daniel to tremble and his companions to flee.
And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.
Daniel 10:7–9
Daniel saw what was to come, and he was undone. His strength left him, and he fell to the ground.
It is humbling to stand in the presence of God’s messenger. Romans 12:3 says, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment.” We live in an age when the opposite is taught. We are told from our culture to think highly about ourselves. We are told to do what makes us happy; to follow our dreams; to live our truth. When we enter God’s presence, like Daniel, we will think of ourselves with sober judgment.
We need to train ourselves to humble ourselves before God’s Word. One of the small ways we do this is to stand every week before the Word is preached. We stand in honor and reverence to the Word of God. We want to physically train our bodies to respond to the Word of God. How do you prepare to hear the Word? Do you prepare to hear the word? Do you put your phones on do not disturb or turn them off so you will not be interrupted? Do you pray asking God to reveal His word to you?
Let’s be people who are eager to hear God’s word and receive it with glad and sincere hearts.
The Meaning of God’s Messenger
After the vision in Daniel 8, Daniel fell to the ground and into a deep sleep before being touched by Gabriel. We see something similar in chapter 10, which is one of the reasons I believe the figure in Daniel 10 is more likely the angel Gabriel than the pre-incarnate Christ. Then Daniel hears reassuring words from the heavenly being.
And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.
Daniel 10:10–11
The heavenly being reminds Daniel that he is greatly loved by God. This happens several times throughout the book and twice in this chapter. When we stand in God’s presence, we need this reminder as well. We do not deserve to stand in God’s presence because of our sin. This is why Daniel fell to the ground. This is why he was afraid. Sinners standing in the presence of a holy God and His holy angels is terrifying. Friend, if you are a follower of Jesus, please understand how terrifying it is for humans to be in the presence of God. It is terrifying because we are sinners. And when we stand in God’s presence, we know we deserve to be punished for our sin. It is like when an employee is called into his boss’s office when he knows he has been stealing from the company. He is afraid because he knows he has done something wrong. Even Daniel was afraid, and he knew the Lord. But Daniel rightly understood that he did not deserve to stand in God’s presence because he knew he was a sinner. Yet, the angel says, “O Daniel, man greatly loved.” What sweet words these are.
Friend, these words are possible for Daniel and for us because of Jesus Christ. Daniel believed in the promise of the Messiah. He believed God would send a Savior to take his iniquity and give him forgiveness. God sent Jesus Christ into the world to save us. He lived a perfect life and died a sinner’s death. But after Jesus died, God raised him from the dead. In Jesus, we are loved.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in Jesus is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. John 3:16-18
God sent Jesus to show you His love. You can experience that love today by repenting (or turning) from your sins and trusting in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Those of us who have made a commitment to Christ are reminded yet again that when we stand in His presence, we are greatly loved. We will not be condemned because Christ was condemned for us. Jesus died for us and was raised for us, so we are safe, forever! Isn't it good to be reminded? You are greatly loved. And therefore you should not fear.
And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” Daniel 10:11–14
God heard Daniel’s prayer when he humbled himself and set his heart to understand. Friend, God will hear your prayer as well when you humble yourself and set your heart to understand.
The angel gives a brief window into the unseen spiritual battle. The prince of the kingdom of Persia is most likely an evil spirit associated with the kingdom of Persia who is working to attack and thwart God’s plan and hurt God’s people. The Jews were facing earthly opposition as they returned to Jerusalem and attempted to rebuild the temple, but they were also facing powerful spiritual enemies as well. A couple of observations and applications here:
First, there is an unseen spiritual battle happening in the world - We know demonic spirits are at work in the world today; they are often referenced in the Gospels and the Pauline epistles. Paul writes in Ephesians,
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10–12
The heavenly being reveals that the unseen spiritual struggles will impact geopolitics. The kingdom of Persia had evil spiritual beings working to thwart God’s plan. Evil spiritual forces are working in America and Russia and in Iraq and Afghanistan. We should not be surprised by this struggle that is not only global, but personal. Consider 2 Corinthians 4,
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3–4
Or 2 Timothy 2,
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24–26
The devil blinds people to the gospel and captures them to do his will. We should pray that God wil open the eyes of those caught by the evil one so that they may be recused from the domain of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the Beloved Son, where there is redemption, and the forgiveness of sin.
Second, the spiritual forces of darkness will end - The prince of the kingdom of Persia raged against God and His people, but it was only for a time. This prince withstood the heavenly being for 21 days. We don’t know if that was a literal 21 days or a symbolic number as it is a multiple of seven (and seven is a sign of completion). But we do know that he was only able to withstand the heavenly beings for 21 days. Evil will not be able to stand against God. This is a repeated theme in Daniel: evil prospers, but only for a time. Then evil ends, and God’s plan continues.
Lastly, the vision was extremely important - The battle is raging on, but the heavenly being left the battle to give Daniel the vision. (Side note: Here are two more reasons why I believe this is an angel and not the pre-incarnate Christ. First, the evil spirit was able to stand against the heavenly being, which would not be possible if it was the Lord. Second, the angel had to leave the battle and then return to the battle. He was not omnipresent like the Lord who is everywhere at all times.) The fact that the angel left the battle in order to share the vision with Daniel illustrates just how important this vision is. We will look at the vision in more detail over the next several weeks, but know the vision is important.
Again, the words of the angel physically affect Daniel. He falls to the ground and is mute before the angel touches him and strengthens him.
When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”
Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as 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? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince. Daniel 10:15–21
God gave this vision to Daniel so that he and the people of God would be prepared for what was to come. The angel asks the question, “Do you know why I have come to you?” He wants Daniel to fear not, to be at peace and be strong and of good courage because he is greatly loved by God. Do not fear what is to come. Kingdoms will rise and fall. Evil forces will work to thwart God’s plan in the world. Evil will be defeated, and resurrection will come.
The angel left the battle against the prince of the kingdom of Persia because this vision was so important for God’s people. The first few verses of chapter 12 show us the reason for this vision.
“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:1–3
There is a day of trouble again, and the only ones who will be delivered from that trouble are those whose names are found in the book. Those who have been delivered from death through faith in the promised Messiah are written in the book. The book is the Lamb’s Book of Life. They have been delivered, not because of their own righteousness, but on the basis of God’s mercy in Jesus Christ. Resurrection is coming. Some will rise to everlasting life-those whose names are written in the Book of Life. Some will be sentenced to everlasting contempt-those whose names were never written in the book.
This vision is so important because it does two primary things. First, it prepares God’s people to endure in the midst of suffering. God wins. God’s people win. The suffering may be difficult, but God will carry you through. This is the promise of our Father. Second, it warns those not in the book to repent and believe. I have had several conversations this past week with people who do not believe. Both seemed genuine and authentic, honest and kind, and they were more than willing to talk about Jesus, heaven and hell, eternal life and eternal judgment. I tried to do for them what the angel did for those who would read this vision; I tried to warn them of the coming judgment. We are indeed in the final countdown. We must be ready.
Friend, if you have not trusted in Christ, your name is not written in the Book of Life. You are under judgment and need to repent and trust in Christ. The end will come for us all. I desperately want you to be ready. Prepare yourself for the resurrection by putting your faith in the Lamb of God who died and was raised from the dead.
Beloved, you are forgiven. Your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. You are safe. Persecutions and trials will come. Evil beings will work to harm the people of God and thwart God’s plan, but we will be held by Christ. He will hold us fast. The good work He began in us, He will carry to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. And the good work God has done in us, we want Him to do in others. Daniel 12:3, “And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” What a promise. We will shine and turn many to righteousness.
Facing a task unfinished
That drives us to our knees
A need that undiminished
Rebukes our slothful ease
We, who rejoice to know Thee
Renew before Thy throne
The solemn pledge we owe Thee
To go and make Thee known
Where other Lords beside Thee
Hold their unhindered sway
Where forces that defied Thee
Defy Thee still today
With none to heed their crying
For life and love and light
Unnumbered souls are dying
And pass into the night
We go to all the world
With kingdom hope unfurled
No other name has power to save
But Jesus Christ The Lord