◄ Daniel 10:21 ►
But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth. Yet no one has the courage to support me against these, except Michael your prince.
Study Bible
But first I will tell you what is inscribed in the Book of Truth.

The Book of Truth records God’s settled purposes for the nations and for His people. What Daniel receives has been established in heaven and will unfold according to God’s sovereign will. The coming conflicts of Persia, Greece, Israel, and the final kingdom are neither accidental nor beyond the Lord’s rule. God’s decrees stand with the same certainty as His record of the redeemed in the Book of Life.

Psa 56:8 You have taken account of my wanderings.…
Mal 3:16 At that time those who feared the LORD spoke…
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing…

Yet no one has the courage to support me against these,

The angel speaks of opposition from the spiritual princes associated with Persia and Greece. Behind earthly kingdoms stand hostile powers that resist God’s purposes and seek to hinder His servants. Daniel’s vision reveals that political events on earth are connected to conflict in the unseen realm. God’s messengers carry out His will amid real spiritual warfare, yet the outcome remains governed by the Lord’s written plan.

Isa 63:5 I looked, but there was no one to help;…
2Ti 4:16 At my first defense, no one stood with me,…
Psa 94:16 Who will rise up for me against the wicked?…

except Michael your prince.

Michael is the heavenly prince appointed to defend Israel. He stands uniquely with God’s messenger against the powers opposing the covenant people and will arise again during Israel’s future time of distress. His presence assures Daniel that Israel is not abandoned among the empires that threaten her. God has assigned powerful protection to His people while preserving them for the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes.

Dan 12:1 At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch…
Jud 1:9 But even the archangel Michael, when he disputed…
Rev 12:7 Then a war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Daniel
A prophet and a key figure in the Book of Daniel, known for his faithfulness and visions concerning the future of Israel and the world.

2. The Angelic Messenger
Likely Gabriel, who is delivering a message to Daniel. He is a heavenly being tasked with revealing God's plans to Daniel.

3. Michael
Referred to as "your prince," Michael is an archangel who stands as a protector of Israel. His role is significant in spiritual warfare.

4. The Book of Truth
A metaphorical book representing God's sovereign plan and the unfolding of future events as decreed by God.

5. Spiritual Warfare
The context of this passage involves a cosmic battle between angelic forces, highlighting the unseen spiritual conflict that influences earthly events.
Teaching Points
The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Believers should be aware of the spiritual battles that occur beyond our physical perception. Understanding this can encourage us to be vigilant in prayer and spiritual readiness.

The Sovereignty of God
The "Book of Truth" signifies God's ultimate control over history. Trusting in God's sovereignty can bring peace amidst uncertainty.

The Role of Angels
Angels are active participants in God's plan, serving as protectors and messengers. This can remind us of God's provision and care for His people.

The Importance of Support in Spiritual Battles
Just as Michael supports the angelic messenger, believers are called to support one another in prayer and encouragement, especially during spiritual struggles.

Courage in the Face of Opposition
The angelic messenger's courage, supported by Michael, serves as a model for believers to stand firm in faith, even when facing spiritual opposition.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the role of Michael as a protector influence your view of spiritual warfare and God's protection over His people?

2. In what ways can you actively participate in supporting others in their spiritual battles, as Michael supported the angelic messenger?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced spiritual opposition. How did you rely on God's sovereignty and the support of fellow believers during that time?

4. How can the concept of the "Book of Truth" encourage you to trust in God's plan for your life, even when circumstances seem uncertain?

5. Considering the unseen spiritual battles described in Daniel 10, how can you better equip yourself with the "armor of God" as described in Ephesians 6?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Revelation 12
Michael is depicted as a warrior angel who battles against the forces of evil, reinforcing his role as a protector and fighter in spiritual warfare.

Ephesians 6
Paul speaks about the armor of God and the reality of spiritual warfare, which aligns with the unseen battles described in Daniel.

Jude 1:9
Michael is mentioned as contending with the devil, illustrating his role in spiritual conflict and protection.
Sermons
The Highest Literature and the Highest MinistryHomilistDaniel 10:21
The Teaching of ScriptureAnon.Daniel 10:21
The Vision on the Banks of the HiddekelsWilliam M. Taylor, D.D.Daniel 10:1-21
Variety of Angelic ServiceJ.D. Davies Daniel 10:11-21
People
Belteshazzar, Cyrus, Daniel, Javan, Michael
Places
Greece, Persia, Tigris River, Uphaz
Topics
Book, Contends, Declare, Except, Firmly, Forces, Holdeth, Holds, Howbeit, However, Inscribed, Michael, None, Noted, Prince, Scripture, Shew, Sheweth, Stands, Strengthening, Strong, Supports, Truth, Writing, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Daniel 10:21

     1461   truth, nature of
     4121   Satan, enemy of God
     4145   archangels
     5232   book

Daniel 10:14-21

     4112   angels, messengers

Daniel 10:20-21

     5459   prince

Library
November 15. "Oh, Man of Desires" (Margin) (Dan. x. 11).
"Oh, man of desires" (margin) (Dan. x. 11). This was the divine character given to Daniel of old. It is translated in our version, "O man, greatly beloved." But it literally means "O man of desires!" This is a necessary element in all spiritual forces. It is one of the secrets of effectual prayer, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them." The element of strong desire gives momentum to our purposes and prayers. Indifference is an unwholesome condition; indolence and …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

Daniel's Band
"O Daniel, a man greatly beloved."--Daniel 10:11. It did not do Daniel any harm to know that he was greatly beloved of God; or else he would not have received that information from heaven. Some people are always afraid that, if Christian people obtain full assurance, and receive a sweet sense of divine love, they will grow proud, and be carried away with conceit. Do not you have any such fear for other people, and especially do not be afraid of it for yourselves. I know of no greater blessing that …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892

Elucidations.
I. (Greater licence, p. 104.) In this treatise, which is designed to justify the extremes of Montanistic fasts, Tertullian's genius often surprises us by his ingenuity. This is one of the instances where the forensic orator comes out, trying to outflank and turn the position of an antagonist who has gained an advantage. The fallacy is obvious. Kaye cites, in comparison, a passage [1125] from "The Apparel of Women," and another [1126] from "The Exhortation to Chastity." He remarks, "Were we required …
Tertullian—On Fasting. In Opposition to the Psychics

Youthful Confessors
'But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink; for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Difference Between Union and Rapture. What Rapture Is. The Blessing it is to the Soul. The Effects of It.
1. I wish I could explain, with the help of God, wherein union differs from rapture, or from transport, or from flight of the spirit, as they speak, or from a trance, which are all one. [1] I mean, that all these are only different names for that one and the same thing, which is also called ecstasy. [2] It is more excellent than union, the fruits of it are much greater, and its other operations more manifold; for union is uniform in the beginning, the middle, and the end, and is so also interiorly. …
Teresa of Avila—The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, when Error Prevaileth, and the Spirit of Error Carrieth Many Away.
There is a time when the spirit of error is going abroad, and truth is questioned, and many are led away with delusions. For Satan can change himself into an angel of light, and make many great and fairlike pretensions to holiness, and under that pretext usher in untruths, and gain the consent of many unto them; so that in such a time of temptation many are stolen off their feet, and made to depart from the right ways of God, and to embrace error and delusions instead of truth. Now the question is, …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

A Sight of the Crowned Christ
(Revelation, Chapter i.) "Since mine eyes were fixed on Jesus, I've lost sight of all beside, So enchained my spirit's vision, Looking at the Crucified." "The Lord Christ passed my humble cot: I knew him, yet I knew him not; But as I oft had done before, I hurried through my narrow door To touch His garment's hem. "He drew me to a place apart From curious crowd and noisy mart; And as I sat there at His feet I caught the thrill of His heart-beat Beyond His garment's hem. "Rare was the bread He broke …
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

Departed Saints Fellow Servants with those yet on Earth.
"I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets." That the saints do not remain insensible, while their bodies are in the dull, but become angels, * see and serve God and bear his messages, and minister to the heirs of salvation, hath been argued from several considerations, in the preceding discourse; but we chiefly depend on revelation. The text and several other scriptures, we conceive to be our purpose, and sufficient to establish our theory, and that the same is illustrated and confirmed …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Doctrine of Satan.
I. HIS EXISTENCE AND PERSONALITY. 1. EXISTENCE. 2. PERSONALITY. II. HIS PLACE AND POWER. 1. A MIGHTY ANGEL. 2. PRINCE OF POWER OF THE AIR. 3. GOD OF THIS WORLD. 4. HEAD OF KINGDOM OF DARKNESS. 5. SOVEREIGN OVER DEATH. III. HIS CHARACTER. 1. ADVERSARY. 2. DIABOLOS. 3. WICKED ONE. 4. TEMPTER. IV. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS SATAN. 1. LIMITED POWER OF SATAN. 2. RESIST HIM. V. HIS DESTINY. 1. A CONQUERED ENEMY. 2. UNDER ETERNAL CURSE. VI. DEMONS. THE DOCTRINE OF SATAN. Throughout the Scriptures Satan is set …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
(at Jerusalem. Probably b.c. 6.) ^C Luke I. 5-25. ^c 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa [a Jewish proselyte, an Idumæan or Edomite by birth, founder of the Herodian family, king of Judæa from b.c. 40 to a.d. 4, made such by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Mark Antony and Octavius Cæsar], a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course [David divided the priests into twenty-four bodies or courses, each course serving in rotation one week in the temple …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Of a Private Fast.
That we may rightly perform a private fast, four things are to be observed:--First, The author; Secondly, The time and occasion; Thirdly, The manner; Fourthly, The ends of private fasting. 1. Of the Author. The first that ordained fasting was God himself in paradise; and it was the first law that God made, in commanding Adam to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit. God would not pronounce nor write his law without fasting (Lev. xxiii), and in his law commands all his people to fast. So does our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Jesus' Feet Anointed in the House of a Pharisee.
(Galilee.) ^C Luke VII. 36-50. ^c 36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. [We learn from verse 40 that the Pharisee's name was Simon. Because the feast at Bethany was given in the house of Simon the leper, and because Jesus was anointed there also, some have been led to think that Luke is here describing this supper. See Matt. xxvi. 6-13; Mark xiv. 3-9; John xii. 1-8. But Simon the leper was not Simon the Pharisee. The name Simon was one of the most common among the Jewish …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Calls Four Fishermen to Follow Him.
(Sea of Galilee, Near Capernaum.) ^A Matt. IV. 18-22; ^B Mark I. 16-20; ^C Luke V. 1-11. ^a 18 And walking ^b 16 And passing along by the sea of Galilee [This lake is a pear-shaped body of water, about twelve and a half miles long and about seven miles across at its widest place. It is 682 feet below sea level; its waters are fresh, clear and abounding in fish, and it is surrounded by hills and mountains, which rise from 600 to 1,000 feet above it. Its greatest depth is about 165 feet], he [Jesus] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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