Daniel 10, 11 and 12 give us a summary of history in connection with the times of the Gentiles, Daniel 12 particularly giving us the part the Jew shall play in the end.
Daniel 10 begins with Daniel mourning and fasting for three whole weeks. At the end of that period he sees in vision, a wonderful person by the banks of the great river —Hiddekel. Clothed in linen, girded with fine gold of Uphaz, his body like beryl, his face as the appearance of lightning, his eyes as lamps of fire, his feet like polished brass, and his voice like the voice of a multitude, the vision frightened his companions so that they fled to hide themselves, whilst its effect upon Daniel was to render him strengthless, and to turn his comeliness into corruption.
A hand touched him, and set him upon his knees and the palms of his hands. Evidently the vision, as in the case of Saul of Tarsus, at a later date, had struck him to the ground. The man then bade him stand. He informed him that God respected his mourning and fasting, and that he was sent as God's messenger, but that the Prince of the Kingdom of Persia had withstood him for one and twenty days; that is, during the three weeks in which Daniel fasted.
There is reference to three beings in this chapter, which throws fuller light upon the principalities and powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, the spiritual wickedness in high places (see Eph. 6:1212For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)). Evidently the powers of evil under Satan are organized to a high degree. We have in this chapter some malignant spirit in charge of Satan's interests in Persia, and another in charge of his interests in Greece. One is called the Prince of Persia, the other the Prince of Greece.
Michael, the archangel, is called “Michael your prince” [that is Israel's], and it was the powerful intervention of Michael on behalf of God's interests that enabled this wonderful man seen in the vision to overcome the demoniacal power of the Prince of Persia, and come to Daniel's help.
Michael is said to be one of the chief princes. So in this chapter we get a glimpse of a world of evil spirits under Satan's arrangement, and of good spirits under God's.
Daniel is told that this wonderful being seen in his vision is come to make him understand the latter days. Daniel looked upon the ground and became dumb, whereupon one in similitude like a man touched the prophet's lips, and another came and strengthened him.
He then informed him that his present conflict was with the Prince of Persia, and later the Prince of Greece would come forth to oppose. Thus was indicated that the world-empire of Greece would follow that of Persia, and that under-world agencies would seek to use these empires for their own ends.