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| 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. |
Third year of Cyrus – Cyrus typified Christ (see Isa. 44:28 + comments). Since the first year of the antitypical Cyrus' reign (i.e. our returned Lord) was 1874, the third year would be 1876. This seems to be the prophetic date indicated in this passage.
Daniel – In this case picturing the church in the flesh at the end of the age.
Understanding of the vision – "Write the vision and make it plane upon tables" - the Divine Plan of the Ages. |
| 2 In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. |
Three full weeks – 21 days. |
| 3 I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. |
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| 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; |
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| 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: |
Man clothed in linen – This is a special designation that applies prophetically to the 7th messenger, Pastor Russell. See Eze. 9:2,3,11
Loins were girded with fine gold – Being girt about the loins indicates servitude. In this case, the servant is "faithful and wise" - Matt. 24:45. Note, he is girded with fine gold - indicating Divine service. - We may further note that he was girt about the loins, indicating labor, i.e., he was still in the flesh. Contrast this with Rev. 1:13 where our Lord (in glory) is girt about the paps (not the loins). |
| 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 copper, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. |
His face as the appearance of lightning.. – Compare this (as well as vs 5) to the description of our Lord as given in Rev. 1:13-17
A point of clarification. "The man clothed in linen" is a designation for the seventh messenger to the church. He is used of the Lord to deliver the message of "present truth" to the Lord's people. As such, it often appears to be the Lord himself (as here in verse 6.) The description here of "His face as the appearance of lightning" does indeed describe a spirit being, our Returned Lord Jesus. "The man clothed in linen" is being used as His mouthpiece. |
| 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. |
I Daniel alone saw the vision – Daniel pictures the Lord's people. It is only they who truly see the vision. Hab. 2:2 |
| 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.
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I – Daniel, picturing the same thing as the 'John' class in the book of Revelation, i.e., the church in the flesh during the time of our Lord's second advent.
Was left alone, and saw this great vision – None but the church class will be able to comprehend in its fullness the vision.
There remained no strength in me – Thus is the attitude of the Lord's people when they realize just how powerful and wonderful is the great Divine Plan of the Ages! These recognize their own nothingness in comparison.
My comliness .. into corruption – By comparison to the Truth we see ourselves as corrupt. Indeed we are corrupt and completely worthy of the death sentence were it not for the (completely unmerrited favor of) the Robe of Christ's Righteousness.
I retained no strength – of my own. No, from this point forward we recognize that ALL our strength comes from Him who loved us and bought us with His precious blood! |
| 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. |
I was in a deep sleep – I = Daniel, the Lord's people. The deep sleep is suggestive of the wise and follish virgins who all "slumbered and slept." – See also additional comments for 1 Kings 19:5-8 |
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| 10 And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
Michael, one of the chief princes – "Michael, the first of the chief heads" - YLT. This is in harmony with what we have learned about Michael, i.e., this is another name for our Lord who is indeed "the chief head." |
| 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. |
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| 15 And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 18 Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 21 But I will show 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. |
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