Daniel 10:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.”

NIV: Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come.'

NASB: Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, because the vision pertains to the days still future.'

CSB: Now I have come to help you understand what will happen to your people in the last days, for the vision refers to those days."

NLT: Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.'

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

An angel, probably Gabriel (Daniel 8:15–16; 9:21–22; Luke 1:26), appeared to Daniel (Daniel 10:11) three weeks after a troubling vision (Daniel 10:1–3, 12–13). The angel explains his delay was the result of a conflict; most likely, this was against another spiritual being (Daniel 10:13).

The purpose for the angel's visit is to make Daniel understand what would happen to the Jewish people "in the latter days," meaning the future, with a special emphasis on the very end of human history. The vision Daniel received concerned "days yet to come." All of Daniel's prophetic visions include aspects of the end times (Daniel 2:28; 7:16–18; 8:17; 9:23–24).

Prophecy is often given in poetic terms, yet God's predictions always come true. Before blessing his sons, Jacob intended to tell them about what was to come in Israel's future (Genesis 49:1). He prophesied that his son, Dan, would be "a serpent in the way, a viper by the path, that bites the horse's heels so that his rider falls backward" (Genesis 49:17). Centuries later, the tribe of Dan was the first to openly embrace idolatry (Judges 18). Commentators suggest the false prophet (Revelation 13:11–12) in the end times may emerge from the tribe of Dan. It is noteworthy that the tribe of Dan is not mentioned among the twelve tribes that are sealed in the tribulation period (Revelation 7:4–8).

Daniel 10:10–14 explains why the angel appears three weeks after Daniel's initial vision (Daniel 10:1–9). This angel, probably Gabriel (Daniel 8:15–16), had been sent as soon as Daniel prayed. Yet he was delayed and relates the circumstances surrounding his flight. The passage also introduces another angel, Michael, and reveals that the first message concerned what would happen to the Israelites in the latter days.

Daniel sees a vision of great conflict, which apparently sends him into mourning. Three weeks later, he is stunned by the appearance of a celestial being, most likely the angel Gabriel. Daniel had prayed earlier, and an angel was sent in response. But he was delayed due to a spiritual conflict, which the archangel Michael helped him overcome. Though Daniel is deeply shaken, his visitor provides strength and encouragement so that Daniel can endure the explanations which are about to be given.

The event recorded here occurred in the third year of the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia, around 536 BC. The chapter supplies background to the prophecies detailed in chapters 11 and 12. Daniel received a heavenly visitor, sent to make Daniel understand what Israel will experience in the latter days. Along with chapter 12, this covers the final prophetic vision of Daniel's book.

The book of Daniel contains famous Old Testament stories and prophecies. Daniel was taken from the Israelite people and made an advisor for a conquering empire. He demonstrates faithfulness and wisdom during many years serving in this role. Though Daniel does not deliver a public message, Jesus refers to him as a "prophet" (Matthew 24:15). The first portion of the book mostly describes Daniel's interpretations of dreams and other events. The second portion looks ahead to the end times. Daniel is classified in English Bibles as a "major" prophet, meaning the book is relatively long and the content has broad implications. The book of Revelation echoes and expands on many of the same themes.