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Oh God, King of the Universe, thank you for sending your Son, my Messiah, to die on the cross for me. Your name is great amongst all nations, and I await for the day that you will establish your eternal kingdom here on Earth. May Your will be done always across the universe. Bless me with provision for a healthy body, and please forgive the wrongs I have committed against you or any person in my life. Keep me on the narrow path that leads straight to You. May Your Kingdom reign eternally. May you come quickly full of power and glory forever. Amen.
Have you ever felt like something was there, but you could not see it?
Have you ever felt like something was there, but you could not see it?
Jump scares, paranormal activity, thrillers, etc are all useful tactics utilized by the television and film industry to strike fear into the hearts of the masses. I remember as a little kid a fear of drain pipes and clowns bestowed upon me by Stephen King. My cousin experienced a similar fear of sharks potentially being in our lake thanks to Jaws.
Daniel 10 is a good reminder to us all that there is a war being waged that we cannot see. THANK GOODNESS! Angels and demons are constantly fighting over souls, territories, political parties, etc. They battle over church leadership, decisions made after drinking, elections...you name it. Did you ever consider that your prayers could actually make a difference with this ongoing battle? Do you think that maybe we are so absorbed with our day to day that we don't even consider what is going on behind the scenes?
"Our prayers are are weapons of warfare that provide ammunition for angels
as they engage the demonic forces of evil in spiritual combat. Our prayers matter(Akin, pg. 128)."
Daniel 10 makes clear the following:
Angels and demons exist
Angels and demons engage one another in spiritual combat
Certain demons, and probably certain angels, are given particular geographical and governmental assignments
Our prayers in some genuine measure enter into and effect the battles being fought
Darius or Cyrus?
Darius or Cyrus?
Historical Context:
approximately 536 BC
3rd year of King Cyrus of Persia
two years after the vision in Chapter Nine-All the Sevens
Darius the Mede & King Cyrus are probably the same person
Darius is probably a dynastic title
Darius means: "he possesses" or "rich and kingly"
helps fit the idea that Darius is a title
Cyrus is his proper name
Daniel 10:1
Yet again, Daniel is presented with a vision that was given to him. It is true because God does not lie. Daniel is seeking the Lord as he always does fulfiling the prophetic word of Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all of your heart."
Daniel 10:2-3
This vision was presented to him around the time of the Passover and the Feast of the Unleavened. Daniel is mourning, not eating choice food, not drinking wine, and not lotioning his skin with the oils that are utilized to keep his skin from scorching and drying in the heat. Why you may ask?
Ezra 1: 1-4 provides context for this behavior in Daniel.
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: 2 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:“‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. 4 And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’”
Daniel is mourning the fact that Jews were not returning to the Holy land, and those who did return were arguing over the building of the temple.
Daniel 10:4-6
Describes an image of a being that is much debated...who is this man?
A Man Like the Son of God or an Angel?
A Man Like the Son of God or an Angel?
Revelation 1:12-16 gives us a pretty good insight to the answer. What do you think?
Daniel 10:7-9
This vision was revealed to Daniel via sight and sound; however, the others only heard the image. They were so afraid that it sent them running? Ever hear something that scared you enough to make you run? This happened to his companions. Even Daniel felt the effects of it so much that it affected him physically. He fell to the ground exhausted.
Daniel 10:10-11
Daniel receives encouragement. You are receiving the word that I was sent to tell you. Stand up and listen.
Daniel 10:12
God heard Daniel's prayer. Corrie Ten Boom stated, " We never know how God will answer our prayers, but we can expect that He will get us involved in His plan for the answer. If we are true intercessors, we must be ready to take part in God's work on behalf of the people for whom we pray (Newell, Expect Great Things, 225)."
and Dee Duke states, "Almost everyone believes that prayer is important. But there is a difference between believing that prayer is important and believing it is essential. "Essential" means there are things that will not happen without prayer (Newell, Expect Great Things, 225)."
Daniel 10:13-14
Daniel 10:13-14
This angel that touched him and brought him back to his feet describes a situation which caused him to be delayed. Gabriel was facing resistence by the Prince of Persia, a demon. He had to receive help from Gabriel to overcome him to reach Daniel in the flesh.
Do you ever wonder what demons are fighting amongst you? For what purpose do they fight?
Again this is so overwhelming that Daniel falls prostrate once more. Spiritual warfare is exhausting.
Daniel 10:18-21
Being once more invigorated by the angel, and his strength returned Daniel can listen once more.
"Are we ready to hear what God has to say to us no matter what the message might be (Akin, pg 134)?"
Gabriel's response is, "Do you know why I have come?" Gabriel states that before he leaves once more to fight the Prince of Persia, the Prince of Greece will follow. Michael will stand with him against these powers.
Are you ready to hear what I have to say?
It is amazing to me that I have read Daniel so many times and never recognized the spiritual warfare mentioned within its chapters. It brings so much to my mind and soul about the importance of prayer.
How often do we think about the realities of spiritual warfare? What causes us to recognize them?
Why do you think it is so difficult for people nowadays to recognize and belive that angels and demons are in constant combat with one another?
Let's go to the Father in prayer:
Father, Adonai, King of the Universe, thank you for your word. It is truly a blessing to have your word available to us so that we can seek a deeper relationship with you. The kingdom that you have promised is much desired, but I pray that you will help me to tell others about it. Please help me to go wherever you tell me to go. Thank you for you love, mercy and grace! Amen.
Resources:
Akin, Daniel L.. Exalting Jesus in Daniel. Christ Centered Exposition, edited by David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida. Nashville. : B&H Publishing Group, 2017.
Newell, Marvin J. , ed. Expect Great Things: Mission Quotes That Inform and Inspire. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2013.
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