Brit-Am Biblical Commentaries
The Book
of
DANIEL
Wisdom
and
Prophecy:
Michael: Guardian-Angel
of Israel
Even Most of the Angels Are Against Us!
Daniel-10
Daniel 10
[Daniel 10:1] IN THE THIRD YEAR OF CYRUS KING OF PERSIA A THING WAS REVEALED UNTO DANIEL, WHOSE NAME WAS CALLED BELTESHAZZAR; AND THE THING WAS TRUE, BUT THE TIME APPOINTED WAS LONG: AND HE UNDERSTOOD THE THING, AND HAD UNDERSTANDING OF THE VISION.
Daniel was known to the Babylonians as "Beltshazzar".
<<BUT THE TIME APPOINTED WAS LONG: AND HE UNDERSTOOD THE THING, AND HAD UNDERSTANDING OF THE VISION>>:
This phrase can also be understood from the Hebrew (see "Daat Mikra") as saying:
"However the appointed time involves very much, it must be understood and the vision contains much to enable understanding".
[Daniel 10:2] IN THOSE DAYS I DANIEL WAS MOURNING THREE FULL WEEKS.
Daniel understood the vision at the simple level but he failed to comprehend the whole picture. This may have been why he was mourning. Another possible reason for his mourning may have been mourning about the Temple. This was in the third year of Cyrus (Daniel 10:1). In the first year of his reign Cyrus had made an announcement allowing the Jews to return to their Land and to rebuild the Temple (Ezra 1:1-4). Wicked foreigners however had told lies about the intentions of the returning Jews so Cyrus forbade continuation of the building in Jerusalem (Ezra 4:5) apparently in the third year of his reign which was the same year of this vision.
[Daniel 10:3] I ATE NO PLEASANT BREAD, NEITHER CAME FLESH NOR WINE IN MY MOUTH, NEITHER DID ANOINT MYSELF AT ALL, TILL THREE WHOLE WEEKS WERE FULFILLED.
<<ANOINT MYSELF>>: In those days people used to anoint their bodies with olive oil. This took the place to a great extent of frequent bathing with soap and had medicinal and therapeutic value.
[Daniel 10:4] AND IN THE FOUR AND TWENTIETH DAY OF THE FIRST MONTH, AS I WAS BY THE SIDE OF THE GREAT RIVER, WHICH IS HIDDEKEL;
Hiddekel is the Tigris River.
[Daniel 10:5] THEN I LIFTED UP MINE EYES, AND LOOKED, AND BEHOLD A CERTAIN MAN CLOTHED IN LINEN, WHOSE LOINS WERE GIRDED WITH FINE GOLD OF UPHAZ:
The "man" was the Angel Gabriel who is also referred to as "THE MAN GABRIEL" (9:21).
UPHAZ is the name of a place. Some equate "Uphaz" with "Ophir" which was probably somewhere in Africa. Gold was also obtained from Ireland.
[Daniel 10:6] HIS BODY ALSO WAS LIKE THE BERYL, AND HIS FACE AS THE APPEARANCE OF LIGHTNING, AND HIS EYES AS LAMPS OF FIRE, AND HIS ARMS AND HIS FEET LIKE IN COLOUR TO POLISHED BRASS, AND THE VOICE OF HIS WORDS LIKE THE VOICE OF A MULTITUDE.
<<BERYL>>: Herbrew "Tarshish", one of the stones in the Breastplate, likened to ther color of the sea.
[Daniel 10:7] AND I DANIEL ALONE SAW THE VISION: FOR THE MEN THAT WERE WITH ME SAW NOT THE VISION; BUT A GREAT QUAKING FELL UPON THEM, SO THAT THEY FLED TO HIDE THEMSELVES.
[Daniel 10:8] THEREFORE I WAS LEFT ALONE, AND SAW THIS GREAT VISION, AND THERE REMAINED NO STRENGTH IN ME: FOR MY COMELINESS WAS TURNED IN ME INTO CORRUPTION, AND I RETAINED NO STRENGTH.
[Daniel 10:9] YET HEARD I THE VOICE OF HIS WORDS: AND WHEN I HEARD THE VOICE OF HIS WORDS, THEN WAS I IN A DEEP SLEEP ON MY FACE, AND MY FACE TOWARD THE GROUND.
[Daniel 10:10] AND, BEHOLD, AN HAND TOUCHED ME, WHICH SET ME UPON MY KNEES AND UPON THE PALMS OF MY HANDS.
[Daniel 10:11] AND HE SAID UNTO ME, O DANIEL, A MAN GREATLY BELOVED, UNDERSTAND THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK UNTO THEE, AND STAND UPRIGHT: FOR UNTO THEE AM I NOW SENT. AND WHEN HE HAD SPOKEN THIS WORD UNTO ME, I STOOD TREMBLING.
[Daniel 10:12] THEN SAID HE UNTO ME, FEAR NOT, DANIEL: FOR FROM THE FIRST DAY THAT THOU DIDST SET THINE HEART TO UNDERSTAND, AND TO CHASTEN THYSELF BEFORE THY GOD, THY WORDS WERE HEARD, AND I AM COME FOR THY WORDS.
Note these words:
<<FOR FROM THE FIRST DAY THY WORDS WERE HEARD, AND I AM COME FOR THY WORDS>>: Often it appears that our prayers are not answered but they are.
[Daniel 10:13] BUT THE PRINCE OF THE KINGDOM OF PERSIA WITHSTOOD ME ONE AND TWENTY DAYS: BUT LO, MICHAEL, ONE OF THE CHIEF PRINCES, CAME TO HELP ME; AND I REMAINED THERE WITH THE KINGS OF PERSIA.
The Sages said that each nation has its own "Guardian Angel" in heaven cf. Isaiah 24:21
AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY, THAT THE LORD SHALL PUNISH THE HOST OF THE HIGH ONES THAT ARE ON HIGH, AND THE KINGS OF THE EARTH UPON THE EARTH [Isaiah 24:21].
From this we learn that every nation has its own guardian angel in heaven. Somehow or other the angel is held responsible for the deeds of the nation underneath it. See Daniel 10:13 10:21: Michael your prince.
Michael is described as the guardian angel of Israel. In early Christian times the archangel Michael was regarded as the patron saint of Britain but was later replaced, first by St. Edward, then by St. George.
For some reason the Angel of Persia was attempting further revelation from reaching Daniel. He struggled against Daniel for 21 days. These were the three weeks that Daniel fasted. During this time Daniel was in a sense alone until the angel Michael came to his help.
[Daniel 10:14] NOW I AM COME TO MAKE THEE UNDERSTAND WHAT SHALL BEFALL THY PEOPLE IN THE LATTER DAYS: FOR YET THE VISION IS FOR MANY DAYS.
[Daniel 10:15] AND WHEN HE HAD SPOKEN SUCH WORDS UNTO ME, I SET MY FACE TOWARD THE GROUND, AND I BECAME DUMB.
[Daniel 10:16] AND, BEHOLD, ONE LIKE THE SIMILITUDE OF THE SONS OF MEN TOUCHED MY LIPS: THEN I OPENED MY MOUTH, AND SPAKE, AND SAID UNTO HIM THAT STOOD BEFORE ME, O MY LORD, BY THE VISION MY SORROWS ARE TURNED UPON ME, AND I HAVE RETAINED NO STRENGTH.
[Daniel 10:17] FOR HOW CAN THE SERVANT OF THIS MY LORD TALK WITH THIS MY LORD? FOR AS FOR ME, STRAIGHTWAY THERE REMAINED NO STRENGTH IN ME, NEITHER IS THERE BREATH LEFT IN ME.
<<BREATH>>: Hebrew "neshama" probably more correctly translated here as "soul". Daniel entered into a death-like state. Studies have been done who have technically died in the clinical sense and returned. These cases (both Jewish and non-Jewish) often relate similar experiences of passing through a tunnel, seeing blue and white light, etc.
This is known as the Near Death Experience (NDE).
Before going further:
See WARNING below!
Common Elements Are Found in NDEs
http://www.near-death.com/experiences/evidence06.html
This website gives a statistical analysis of the phenomenon. Results are clearly influenced by "you get what you expect" and vary between Christians, New Agers, Atheists, Other Religions, and the Uncommitted. Nevertheless, there appear to be common denominators in the experiences undergone.
Dr. Jeff Long states: "NDEs are quite varied, but the consistency of the NDE elements (OBE [Other Body Entities] experience, tunnel, light, meeting other beings, etc.) is striking. There is no plausible biological explanation of NDEs. There is no other human experience so dramatic, shared by so many people, and so relatively consistent in its elements. The preceding suggests faith in the validity of NDE accounts is the most reasonable conclusion from the evidence."
See also:
Out of Body Experience FAQ
http://www.nderf.org/obe_dream_faqs_nde.htm#theories
NDE in Judaism | Jewish Near Death Experience
http://www.simpletoremember.com/vitals/LifeAfterDeath.htm
WARNING: Delving too much on these matters may be forbidden:
[Deuteronomy 18:10] THERE SHALL NOT BE FOUND AMONG YOU ANY ONE THAT MAKETH HIS SON OR HIS DAUGHTER TO PASS THROUGH THE FIRE, OR THAT USETH DIVINATION, OR AN OBSERVER OF TIMES, OR AN ENCHANTER, OR A WITCH.
[Deuteronomy 18:11] OR A CHARMER, OR A CONSULTER WITH FAMILIAR SPIRITS, OR A WIZARD, OR A NECROMANCER.
<<A NECROMANCER>>: Hebrew "Doresh el HaMatim", literally "Inquire After [or "from"] the Dead".
[Deuteronomy 18:12] FOR ALL THAT DO THESE THINGS ARE AN ABOMINATION UNTO THE LORD: AND BECAUSE OF THESE ABOMINATIONS THE LORD THY GOD DOTH DRIVE THEM OUT FROM BEFORE THEE.
[Deuteronomy 18:13] THOU SHALT BE PERFECT WITH THE LORD THY GOD.
<<PERFECT>>: Hebrew "tamim" connoting "innocence", believing on faith.
Keep away from the quacks.
Brit-Am people do not need them.
[Daniel 10:18] THEN THERE CAME AGAIN AND TOUCHED ME ONE LIKE THE APPEARANCE OF A MAN, AND HE STRENGTHENED ME,
We all have a friend above. This is the Almighty God of Israel who sometimes sends an emissary to us in some form or other, spiritual or physical.
[Daniel 10:19] AND SAID, O MAN GREATLY BELOVED, FEAR NOT: PEACE BE UNTO THEE, BE STRONG, YEA, BE STRONG. AND WHEN HE HAD SPOKEN UNTO ME, I WAS STRENGTHENED, AND SAID, LET MY LORD SPEAK; FOR THOU HAST STRENGTHENED ME.
[Daniel 10:20] THEN SAID HE, KNOWEST THOU WHEREFORE I COME UNTO THEE? AND NOW WILL I RETURN TO FIGHT WITH THE PRINCE OF PERSIA: AND WHEN I AM GONE FORTH, LO, THE PRINCE OF GRECIA SHALL COME.
The Angel of Israel shall defeat the Angel of Persia but then the Angel of Yavan ("Grecia" i.e. Greece) shall take his place and Israel for a period will be subjected by him.
GRECIA (Greece) in Hebrew is Yavan. The Greeks were descended from Yavan son of Japhet but so were other peoples.
[Genesis 10:2] THE SONS OF JAPHETH... JAVAN.
[Genesis 10:4] AND THE SONS OF JAVAN; ELISHAH, AND TARSHISH, KITTIM, AND DODANIM.
Yavan gave his name to Ionia in Western Turkey. The Turks from Central Asia conquered Asia Minor (Turkey) and imposed their language and the Muslim Religion but the ethnic base remained of the common people remained. Many inhabitants of present-day Turkey are probably descended from Yavan.
EVEN THE ANGELS OPPOSE ISRAEL!
[Daniel 10:21] BUT I WILL SHEW THEE THAT WHICH IS NOTED IN THE SCRIPTURE OF TRUTH: AND THERE IS NONE THAT HOLDETH WITH ME IN THESE THINGS, BUT MICHAEL YOUR PRINCE.
The Commentary "Daat Mikra":
<< BUT MICHAEL YOUR PRINCE. Here it mentions that Michael, "ONE OF THE CHIEF PRINCES" (Daniel 10:13), is Your Prince, the Prince [Ruler, Protector] of Israel. "MICHAEL THE GREAT PRINCE WHICH STANDETH FOR THE CHILDREN OF THY PEOPLE" (Daniel 12:1). Rabbi Isaac Abarbanel wrote: "This tells us that all the Supreme Princes aligned with the Heavenly Constellations were against Israel. Gabriel however was an advocate for them and Michael his motivator strengthened him". The existence of Gabriel is an extension of Michael. Michael is higher up than Gabriel who executes his will.>>
Israel is alone even in heaven. If you are an Israelite you are part of a lonely people.
LO, THE PEOPLE SHALL DWELL ALONE, AND SHALL NOT BE RECKONED AMONG THE NATIONS [Numbers 23:9].
It is the will of God Almighty that Israel prevail but Creation is so arranged that everything is against us including most of the angels who are good creatures.
In this world the Jews and the Zionist State of Israel represents Israel in its entirety as far as the non-Israelites are concerned.
The State of Israel is a good country when compared with other ones. Nevertheless many "do-gooders" and "bleeding-hearts" (in other words basically good people) are against the State of Israel. They do not see or care about injustices or oppressions committed by the Palestinians against other Palestinians or against Jews. All they see are real or imagined injustices committed by the Jews. This chapter of Daniel explains why. Such types are built that way. They are responding to their subconscious greater spiritual reality.
The "Poor Dears"!
They are in effect worshippers of idols.
They should repent while they can.
So too, the USA and Britain today in many ways fulfills the task of Israel in so far that the Lost Ten Tribes (and especially the Tribes of Joseph) are dominant amongst them. Enmity to the "Anglos" often follows the same pattern as enmity to the Jews. It is no coincidence that the enemies of one are usually strongly antagonistic to the other.
All the above is simple and clear.
It is written in the Bible.
It is Bible Truth.
It is the Brit-Am message.
Remember us.
We could use your help and may well deserve it.
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For more on the subject of Michael and the Guardian Angels of other nations
see our article
The Angel of Israel
and Joseph:
Is it
MICHAEL?
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