Why is Daniel's vision described as "true but appointed for a great conflict"? Entry Title – Daniel 10:1: “True, but Appointed for a Great Conflict” Text of the Passage “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, and it concerned a great conflict. And the understanding of the message was given to him in a vision.” (Daniel 10:1) Immediate Literary Context (Daniel 10–12) Chapters 10–12 form a single unit: angelic visitation (10), detailed prophecy of Persian-Greek wars and Antiochus IV (11:2-35), escalation to the eschatological Antichrist and final resurrection (11:36–12:3), and concluding exhortations (12:4-13). The introduction in 10:1 signals that everything following—near-term and end-time—is simultaneously trustworthy and turbulent. Historical Fulfilment Already Verified Persia vs. Greece (11:2-4) – fulfilled in Xerxes’ wars and Alexander’s conquest. Ptolemaic-Seleucid struggles (11:5-20) – verified by Polybius and Josephus. Antiochus IV Epiphanes (11:21-35) – mirrored in 1 Maccabees, with the desecration of the temple in 167 BC. The accuracy of these details confirms the “true” nature of the message, while the turbulence of those centuries illustrates the “great conflict.” Prophetic Horizon Beyond Antiochus Verses 11:36-45 portray a ruler exceeding Antiochus, echoed in New Testament descriptions of “the man of lawlessness” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4) and “the beast” (Revelation 13). Daniel 12:1-2 pushes the vision to the final resurrection. Thus the conflict extends from intertestamental wars to the climactic struggle preceding Christ’s return. The Unseen Spiritual Battle Daniel 10:12-13, 20-21 unveils angelic warfare: “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” resisting Gabriel, Michael battling on behalf of Israel. Paul later affirms, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12). Therefore the “great conflict” encompasses both geo-political and celestial arenas. Pastoral Purpose for the Exiles Returning exiles under Cyrus faced fragile beginnings (Ezra 4). By certifying that the vision is “true,” God assures them of His sovereignty. By forewarning of “conflict,” He immunizes them against disillusionment when opposition, persecution, and delay arise. Theological Implications • Divine Sovereignty – God scripts history before it unfolds (Isaiah 46:10). • Human Suffering – Saints will be “refined, purified, and made spotless” (Daniel 11:35). • Ultimate Vindication – “At that time…your people will be delivered…many who sleep…will awake” (12:1-2). Canonical Coherence Jesus cites “the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel” (Matthew 24:15), confirming the prophecy’s truthfulness and projecting its conflict to the end of the age. Revelation’s imagery (chapters 10-13) echoes Daniel’s beasts and time-frames (“time, times, and half a time”), showing scriptural unity. Why Emphasize “True” First? The authenticity clause counters despair by anchoring hope in God’s veracity (Numbers 23:19). Because the ensuing revelations are daunting, the Spirit first fastens Daniel’s—and our—confidence to the unbreakable word. Why Underscore “Great Conflict”? 1. Historical Conflicts – successive empires will trample Judah. 2. Spiritual Conflicts – angelic princes clash behind earthly thrones. 3. Eschatological Conflict – the final Antichrist persecutes the saints. 4. Personal Conflict – Daniel himself fasts and mourns three weeks (10:2-3), embodying the burden every generation will share. Contemporary Relevance Believers today witness geopolitical volatility, ideological hostility, and unseen spiritual pressure. Daniel 10 assures us that turbulence was foreknown, time-limited (“seventy sevens,” 9:24), and servant to God’s redemptive plan culminating in Christ’s triumphant resurrection—“the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Colossians 15:20). Summary Statement Daniel’s vision is labeled “true” because every portion—verified past, unfolding present, and certain future—rests on God’s infallible decree. It is said to be “appointed for a great conflict” because that decree unfolds through protracted, multi-layered warfare involving nations, principalities, and the faithful until the Kingdom of Christ is consummated. |
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