Symbols in the Bible Symbolization: The Glorious Man

Original Entry Date 1/23/2016: In Daniel 10, we read about his account of a great vision. Now before we go over the vision of the Glorious Man I want to point out something I find interesting. So interesting but so easy to miss:

In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision. ²In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. ³I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
⁴Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris
Daniel 10:1-4
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What I find so interesting is how a lot of times these visions are had while being on the bank of a river. I’ll point one example and that is in Ezekiel 1 where he is on the banks of the River Chebar and sees visions of God. That’s all I wanted to share about that, just something for you to chew on.
Now back to our scripture in Daniel, he is on the bank of a river and that is when he sees a great vision of the Glorious Man:

⁵I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz! ⁶His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.
Daniel 1:5-6 NKJV
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Now there are differing opinions about who the Glorious Man is in Daniel’s vision. Some believe it to be Gabriel, the archangel based upon what is said to Daniel in the passages that follow this one. I totally get that by the way and we will take deeper look as to why.
I believe this to be a vision of Jesus Christ hands down. It does not say in Daniel who this is but the description of the Glorious Man matches the description of Jesus in the Book of Revelation:

¹⁰I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, ¹¹saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
¹²Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. ¹⁴His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; ¹⁵His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; ¹⁶He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
Revelation 1:10-16 NKJV
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There’s no denying the similarities there and we know for a fact that John was speaking with the Risen Christ.
Now back in Daniel we continue on and there are multiple similarities but then it becomes evident that Daniel is speaking to a warrior of God who speaks of the angel, Michael. I actually believe there to be two visitors in Daniel’s presence. Pay attention to the comparison’s I make as we read:

⁷And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. ⁸Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. ⁹Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
¹⁰Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. ¹¹And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling.
Daniel 10:7-11 NKJV
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Now compare to what John describes in Revelation:

¹⁷And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. ¹⁹Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
Revelation 1:17-19 NKJV
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Both men fall to the ground, having no strength. A hand is laid upon both men and they are comforted with words of reassurance.
Now continuing on in Daniel the visitor describes to Daniel how he has been sent to Daniel but was caught up in Persia by a satanic force (this is where it sounds to be an angel speaking). Suddenly a second person is decribed:

¹⁵When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. ¹⁶And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. ¹⁷For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”
¹⁸Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. ¹⁹And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”
So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
Daniel 10:15-19 NKJV
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“The one having the likeness of the sons of man” This is clearly a second person in Daniel’s midst. Another bit to chew on
Daniel is given strength by this One having the likeness of the sons of man and he is able to speak and he highlights the fact that he was strengthened by this man.
This shows the empowerment that Christ Jesus gives to us to bear through times of trial. I’m going to end on this comparison. Daniel is struck into a weakened state and the One with the likeness of the sons of strengthens him. This is very much a symbol of Gods Grace as Paul describes in 2 Corinthians 12

⁹And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NKJV
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