These final chapters represent the longest and most detailed vision given to Daniel. Time wise the vision represents three things. Historically it speaks about the Persian and the Greek empires. Then it describes the general rule of evil in the world, and finally it describes the anti-Christ, the culmination of evil in the world. Part of the difficulty in interpreting Daniel lies in deciding where the boundaries between these three applications lie, and where they overlap. These visions were given to Daniel almost seventy years after he had arrived in Babylon. At this point the first exiles had returned to Jerusalem. Given that Daniel must have been close to ninety it is understandable that he had stayed behind, the journey would have been too much for him.
In v1 NIV stays the word was about a great war, it can also be translated as "it was a great conflict" (ESV) indicating that understanding the word was difficult.
Daniel was exercising spiritual discipline. It those who are disciplined in following Christ who receive true revelation and understanding.
Daniel was by the river and saw a vision of an angelic man. His companions did not see the vision, they were only aware of something awesome and fled with terror.
Daniel too was deeply affected by the situation, but the angel spoke to him, saying again that he is highly esteemed.
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