Daniel 10:1

Daniel 10:1 says, 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.  Two years had passed since the prophecy concerning the Jews and the coming Messiah had occurred, but Daniel was still faithfully praying.  He had not decided that things were ultimately going to work out so he could just sit back and wait.  Since the fulfillment of the prophecy was a long way off but was certain, he could have figured it didn't matter what he did.  Even though we know that Christ will ultimately return in triumph, we cannot allow that to cause us to be complacent in our worship of and witnessing for God.  Verse two adds, In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.  Daniel said he had been mourning for three full weeks, and I don't believe he was mourning about his situation.   Matthew Henry said he may have been mourning because the Jews were now free to return to Jerusalem, but they weren't going.  I believe he was mourning for the people of Israel and their situation.  We need to mourn today for those Christians who are truly suffering for their faith.  Verse three continues, 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.  Once more, Daniel refused the rich foods and drink and lived on only what he needed to survive.  Daniel was old by now and could have felt that doing without food would be harmful to him, but he always lived by his faith in God.  We must do likewise and be sincere in our worship of God.  Verse four states, And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel;  This simply tells us where Daniel was at the time of this vision.  We do not have to be in a particular place in order for God to speak to us, but I do believe that we have to be aware of the presence of God in our lives.  Verse five adds, 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:  Verse six continues, 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. Matthew Henry says this was Jesus that Daniel saw.  If it was, then Jesus was not the same Jesus Who came to earth, since He was just a ordinary looking man, but the resurrected Jesus instead.  Verse seven says, 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 said those with him did not see the man, but they were still shaking greatly and ran away.  I do believe that when Jesus appears to a person that it is an individual encounter.  Though many may be saved at the same point in time, all are saved by an individual encounter with Christ.  Those who are in the presence of Christ but do not hear or accept Him should be afraid and try to hide.  Verse eight adds, 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 said that he was powerless in his own strength, just as we are in the presence of God.  Verse nine continues, 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 said that even in his helpless state and that he heard the words spoken to him, even while he was in a deep sleep face down on the earth.  When God speaks to an individual, that person will know it, whether they acknowledge it or not.