Verse 1: In the third year of Cyrus king of Persians, a word was revealed to Daniel surnamed Baltssar, and a true word, and great strength: and he understood the word: for there is need of understanding in a vision.
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persians, that means, AM 3478 or eleven years after the visit of Gabriel the archangel to the prophet, a "word" or wisdom was granted.
Verse 2: In those days I Daniel mourned the days of three weeks.
The prophet Daniel had been mourning for three weeks, probably for the reparation of sins of his people.
Verse 3: I ate no desirable bread, and neither flesh, nor wine entered into my mouth, neither was I anointed with ointment: till the days of three weeks were accomplished.
He fasted and did not dress up for three weeks.
Verse 4: And in the four and twentieth day of the first month I was by the great river which is the Tigris.
Few days after fasting, the prophet went for a walk by the river Tigris.
Verse 5: And I lifted up my eyes, and I saw: and behold a man clothed in linen, and his loins were girded with the finest gold:
He suddenly had an encounter with a glorious figure of the angel of the Lord who was enclosed in the light.
Verse 6: And his body was like the chrysolite, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as a burning lamp: and his arms, and all downward even to the feet, like in appearance to glittering brass: and the voice of his word like the voice of multitude.
This heavenly visitor had a brilliant appearance, thundering voice, full of glory and power.
Verse 7: And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw it not: but an exceeding great terror fell upon them, and they fled away, and hid themselves.
Only the prophet could receive the apparition. His companions could not see but could feel that an extraordinary phenomenon had happened. They became afraid and ran away.
Verse 8: And I being left alone saw this great vision: and there remained no strength in me, and the appearance of my countenanace was changed in me, and I fainted away, and retained no strength.
The prophet, overcome with awe and fear, became paralyzed momentarily. His face turned white as he fainted.
Verse 9: And I heard the voice of his words: and when I heard, I lay in a consternation, upon my face, and my face was close to the ground.
And then he heard the heavenly figure speaking to him, he fell prostrated to the ground.
Verse 10: And behold a hand touched me, and lifted me up upon my knees, and upon the joints of my hands.
Then the angel touched him and lifted him up from the ground.
Verse 11: And he said to me: Daniel, thou man of desires, understand the words that I speak to thee, and stand upright: for I am sent now to thee. And when he had said this word to me, I stood trembling.
And the angel of the Lord said to the prophet:"Daniel, you are the man who has desires and sincerity to understand the heavenly revelations. I am sent to speak to you about the mysteries. Be prepared and stand upright." And he explained the vision to the seer and the latter trembled with fear.
Verse 12: And he said to me: Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand, to afflict thyself in the sight of thy God, thy words have been heard: and I am come for thy words.
And the angel said:" Do not fear Daniel for from the first day, you already set your heart to understand the meaning of the vision. You afflict yourself in penance and prayers in the Presence of God. And your prayers have been heard, therefore, I now come to you for the interpretation that you are seeking."
Verse 13: But the prince of the kingdom of the Persians resisted me one and twenty days: and behold Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and remained there by the king of the Persians.
The evil angel, the guardian angel of the Persian kingdom (Islamic countries led by Iran) has resisted the angel of God (mentioned in the preceding verses) for "twenty one days" or twenty-one years of battles. And the archangel Michael comes to assist him, enable him to resist the assault of the enemies and hold his ground against them. Behind the apparent war between the Islamic and Russian forces verse Western countries in the World War III is the real battle, the spiritual battle engaged by the spiritual principalities. As for indivisuals, God also assigned guardian angels for each countries. The angel who appeared to Daniel in Verse 11-13 is the guardian angel for the nation which leads the Western allies. This country according to Nostradamus and other ancient prophetic sources is France. This verse is believed to mean that the Western Alliance shall be triumphant and advancing in all fronts after fighting the Muslims and Russians for a period of twenty-one years. And at the turning point of the World War, the archangel Michael shall carry God's Command coming to assist French troops in defeating the Muslim forces, not by human hands but by the natural elements. The role of Saint Michael to battle the Dragon's cohorts at the end times is very prominent.
Verse 14: But I am come to teach thee what things shall befall thy people in the latter days, for as yet the vision for days.
The angel came to teach the prophet Daniel the meaning of the vision which concerns mankind at the "latter days" or at the end times. The vision is for the distant fututre which was as yet to come.
Verse 15: And he was speaking such words to me, I cast down my countenance to the ground, and held my peace.
While the angel was speaking, the prophet fell prostrated and felt more peaceful.
Verse 16: And behold, as it were the likeness of a son of man touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spoke, and said to me that stood before me: O my Lord, at the sight of thee my joints are loosed, and no strength hath remained in me.
The angel of the Lord touched Daniel's lips or allowed him to speak. Daniel said that he could not even standing up as he felt so weak in the heavenly presence.
Verse 17: And how can the servant speak with my lord? for no strength remained in me, moreover my breath is stopped.
How can your servant speak to you my lord for there remains no strength in me and as I am speechless?
Verse 18: Therefore he that looked like a man touched me again, and strengthened me.
Thus the angel of the Lord touched the prophet Daniel again to strengthen him.
Verse 19: And he said: Fear not, O man of desires, peace be to thee: take courage and be strong. And when he spoke to me, I grew strong: and I said: Speak, O my lord, for thou hast strengthened me.
The angel strengthened Daniel while he was talking to him.
Verse 20: And he said: Dost thou know wherefore I am come to thee? and now I will return, to fight against the prince of the Persians. When I went forth, there appeared the prince of the Greeks coming.
And the angel said: "Do you know where I came from? And now I will return to that place to fight against the evil guardian of the Islamic forces governed by Iran. And when I leave, the guardian angel of the Greeks or of the Western forces shall come."
Verse 21: But I will tell thee what is set down in the scripture of truth: and none is my helper in all these things, but Michael your prince.
But I will tell you what is written in the Scripture of the Eternal Truth. The one who shall help me to defeat the enemies of the Church is nobody else but the archangel Saint Michael.
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