Daniel 10
The story of experiences to be expanded in Gabriel’s long narration
 Notice, in verse 1, that the “thing” revealed to Daniel was true and that the “scripture [or writing] of truth” in verse 21 must be the “thing” — the drama of the long story Gabriel tells begins in the last part of chapter 10 and continues through chapter 11 and part of chapter 12. It is the story of struggle against oppression and of final resolution in the rescue by Michael. It is also the story of restoration in chapter 9. It is the ending of the trampling of chapter 8. It is victory over the horn power in chapter 7. And in fact we see it in the forgotten dream of chapter 2 as well. The symbols change but the message is the same. God loves us and will one day put an end to sin and the misery it brings.
 The prophet received truth in symbols by hearing and seeing God’s message for us. Now he is shown by experiencing it. Centuries later the apostle John, too, would be shown truth by the bitter book experience (Rev. 10:8). We saw how Daniel slept in 8:18. That verse may be seen as expanded here in chapter 10. So lift your heart in prayer to heaven and read through the chapter sensing how Daniel felt as the prophecy unfolded.
Text Comments
.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 Probably 536/535 B.C., 70 years since Daniel's coming to Babylon as a youth of 17.
   Thing or matter. 
   But the time appointed was long Probably better translated as "and it concerned a great conflict" (NRSV). Considering the "thing" or vision, and remembering the vision of chapter 8, we can see that either translation would be appropriate da0813, da0826.		    He understood the thing ... the vision See vss 14, 21.
   Vision Mareh, which means revelation we understand to be the explanation or development of something shown in a supernatural way to a prophet da0801n. What vision? At the end of this chapter v21, Gabriel says he will explain the "scripture of truth" which we take here to be the thing that was true. So the vision is the one running through chapter 11 to the middle of chapter 12. It carries us through the centuries until Michael stands at the resolution of the trampling problem which was the focus of the 2300-day vision. In fact, all the visions of Daniel cover the conflict of the ages, each taking a different viewpoint. 
   # From the way the sentence is written, we may see this as an editorial note by another inspired writer, possibly Ezra. Of course Daniel could have written this way, too.
.2  In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
  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.
.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 [Tigris];		    2 - Mourning The problem would have been the opposition of the Samaritans to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. See ezr0401ff.
   3 - Anoint Applying oils to the skin was a popular practice of the time. It was a dry climate ps10415, ps02305.
   4 - River Others have met God by a river ez0101, ac1613. On Hiddekel, see ge0210,14.
.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:
 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.		   5 - Man in linen From the description we may see this person as the glorified Messiah re0113.
  We note that the vision began with the presence of the Messiah – the man in linen.
  5 - Linen See ex3901f.
 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.
 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.		   7 - Men ... with me Ezekiel also was in the presence of others when his vision recorded at the beginning of his book began. See on v4.
  7 - Fled to hide We assume for the same reason Adam and Eve hid ge0310.
  8 - Left alone When the Messiah appeared in human flesh on this earth, most people did not believe Daniel's prophecy about the event jn0110f, da0925. And as even His disciples deserted Him, so Daniel alone saw the vision of the Man in Linen. Elijah felt alone 1ki1918. See Paul's discussion in ro1101-8.
.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.    Heard the voice [while ...] in deep sleep Compare the witness in sackcloth re1103a.
   Deep sleep on my face After the early church lost its first love and apostasy set in re0204, it turned toward paganism and union with the state. The Bible was removed from access by the common people. For well over a thousand years, Daniel, through his book, was silent and buried for all but a very few people. See notes table. Also zc0401.
.10 ¶ And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.
.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.
 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.
.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.
.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.
 10 - Touched ... hands and knees The Protestant Reformation began uncovering forgotten truth from the Scriptures. Notice that this experience ends the time of sleep with face to the ground. That time began after the vision of Christ.
  11 - Stand upright Further light came. Daniel was beginning to stand in his lot and place da1213, re1111, ez0201-3.
11 - Now sent The fact that the time of sending is mentioned draws our attention to the angel who proclaimed that "time" would be no longer. This connection is confirmed as we realize that he was speaking about Daniel's book. After this there would be no more fulfillment of time prophecies. See on re1005f.
  12 - From the first day The twenty-one days here were the "three full weeks" of v2. Persistence in prayer is important.
  12 - Words heard See ps9114f.
  13 - Prince ... of Persia Satan (although some would see Cyrus himself) jn1430, jn1231, 2ch3622f.
  13 - Michael one of ... Or "Michael, first of the chief heads," YLT. Michael means "one like God." The name is used in scripture for conflicts between Christ who is like God and the evil one who aspired to take over God's throne and be like God is1414. See re1207a.
  14 - Now I am come ... latter days In the previous verse we saw fulfillment in Daniel's time. How do we justify also seeing Daniel's influence extending into the distant future? See note da10n-v12f.
 15  And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb [unable to speak].
 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.
 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.		   15 - When he had spoken ... dumb Picturing the disappointment of 1844, Daniel, at first had nothing to say. The majority of those who had expected the coming of Christ rejected everything the prophet had said, not just their calculation of the time. See on re1008. The prophecy had apparently failed ez1221-8, so0502-6.
  16 - One like ... men Not Christ. Compare da0815.
  16 - Touched my lips is0606-9, re1011. 
  16 - Spake je0106.
  17 - Talk with this my lord Following the thought for v15.
.18  Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me,
 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.
.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.		   18 - Touched strengthened After studying the prophecies of Daniel and other Bible books, some of those who had been disappointed realized their error and began proclaiming the end-time messages as depicted in the calls of the three angels of Revelation 14.
  19 - Peace Consider jn1426f, ps119165.
  19 - Be strong, yea, be strong The two calls for strength remind us of the two rains, jl0223. Those who witness during the former rain of the Holy spirit will be prepared for the latter at the very end of time.