Daniel 10: 5I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt ofpure gold of Uphaz. 6His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a tumult.

There is a lot of controversy concerning this man dressed in linen … who is he?   

Revelation 1:12Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; 13and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. 14His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. 16In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.

A comparison between Daniel 10:4 and Revelation 1:12-16 leaves little doubt that these are both one in the same person and this person is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.  There are some subtle difference in that Daniel sees Jesus in a garment girded with a gold belt for fighting, he sees the “beryl body” of Jesus and the arms of Jesus like polished bronze.  While John sees Jesus in a garment that is worn down to his feet, like when walking or resting with a gold sash of victory over His chest.

Daniel 10: 12Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there (remained over there) with the kings of Persia. 14“Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future.”

The fact that Jesus waits for Michael to take over the effort of combating the prince and kings of Persia bothers people and they think this person is not Jesus because it implies that Jesus is not able to deal with with this issue unless Michael “helps” Him.  And this is what the cult “Jehovah Witness” believes and they use this scripture in Daniel to incorrectly reason and assert that Michael, an Angel, is the most powerful being in Heaven (other than God) and therefore it is Michael who came to earth as the baby Jesus.  But this is not the correct way to view this scripture since Daniel calls the man he is speaking to Lord (Daniel 10:17).  And this man must therefore be the Lord Jesus Christ because an Angel would have corrected Daniel and told him that he was a fellow servant like Daniel, not a Lord.

Revelation 22:8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9But he said to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.”

I think it is encouraging to know that Jesus restrains evil, yet He also allows us to assist in this work.  When it seems like evil is winning and holding back God grace I am reminded of the time that Jesus was told about the dire sickness of Lazarus.  The disciples with Jesus though He would immediately go to heal Lazarus but instead upon hearing the news Jesus purposefully stayed two more day in the place where he was ministering (John 11).  God is not in a hurry to get things done like we are but everything is done in His perfect order, for His perfect purpose, in His perfect timing.  And it’s no different in this case.  Jesus knew Michael would come and take over the Spiritual battle with Persia and he knew Daniel would continue in prayer until he received an answer.  So perhaps this scripture is trying to teach us something about being patient and diligent in prayer.  Or perhaps there is something significance about praying and waiting three weeks for an answer from God.

By the way, the prince and kings of Persia are not men on earth but they are fallen Angels in Heaven.  They are princes of the Spiritual realm who are fighting with Satan against the Angels in Heaven who are doing the will of God.  These good Angels like Micheal are used by Jesus to restrain evil and we, the Church, are suppose to be restraining evil now, through our prayer and works of faith.  In fact the Church is “the Restrainer” that will removed (raptured) and then the Antichrist and the Tribulation will begin.

Does Jesus need the help of His created beings to do His will … “no” but does God use His created beings for His purpose and for His glory to do His will “yes of course” … and that is what the Bible is all about!  Man in cooperation with God, “by faith in Jesus Christ” is used by God to do His will and give God glory.  It’s our “free will” surrendered under the yoke of the “Holy Spirit” that we are able to do the good works that God has prepared for us.  This is what is stated in the Westminster catechism written in 1646 “man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever“.

Don’t worry I haven’t turned Catholic and I pray the apostate teaching of the Catholic church will be exposed so that those held captive will “come out” of it and be “born again” in Jesus.  The Catholic Church is in for a rude awakening at the end times because they are the woman who rides the Beast and they are judged along with the Beast!

The thing to take away in this article is that Jesus came to Daniel to give him end-times prophecy just like Jesus came to John for the same purpose.  More importantly this end-time prophesy is coming to fruition right before our eyes!  Now is the time to watch for this man Jesus, clothed in linen, to come take His bride from the earth (the rapture) and met Him in the air!

Maranatha!

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