(Daniel 10:1-6) In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar; and the message was true and one of great conflict, but he understood the message and had an understanding of the vision.
2 In those days, I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. 3 I did not eat any tasty food, nor did meat or wine enter my mouth, nor did I use any ointment at all until the entire three weeks were completed. 4 On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, while I was by the bank of the great river, that is, the Tigris, 5 I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose waist was girded with a belt of pure gold of Uphaz. 6 His body also was like beryl, his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and feet like the gleam of polished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a tumult.
The appearance of the angel overwhelmed Daniel and he fell into a deep "sleep". Meanwhile the men who were with him didn't see the angel, but they still felt dread and ran away...
(Daniel 10:7-9) Now I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, while the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great dread fell on them, and they ran away to hide themselves. 8 So I was left alone and saw this great vision; yet no strength was left in me, for my natural color turned to a deathly pallor, and I retained no strength. 9 But I heard the sound of his words; and as soon as I heard the sound of his words, I fell into a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
The angel's touch empowered Daniel to finally stand...
(Daniel 10:10-11) Then behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. 11 He said to me, “O Daniel, man of high esteem, understand the words that I am about to tell you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling.
Now here we see a description of an actual angelic battle - a warfare that took place in the spiritual realm.
God had commanded this angel to go to Daniel as soon as Daniel had begun his time of prayer - but -the angel had been delayed in getting there, because for three weeks he had been battling "the prince of the kingdom of Persia" and "the kings of Persia".
Demons work to influence the affairs of nations. In this particular scenario, a group of demons had been trying to direct the human rulers of Persia to oppose God's plan.
Michael (meaning "who is like God?") is one of the chief princes among the angels.
From this we see that there is a hierarchy in the spiritual realm.
So Michael took over the battle that was taking place in Persia, allowing this other angel to go to Daniel to deliver the message to him...
(Daniel 10:12-14) Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to give you an understanding of what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision pertains to the days yet future.”
The angel now empowered Daniel to speak, since Daniel still felt weak in the angel's presence...
(Daniel 10:15-19) When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16 And behold, one who resembled a human being was touching my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who was standing before me, “O my lord, as a result of the vision anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For how can such a servant of my lord talk with such as my lord? As for me, there remains just now no strength in me, nor has any breath been left in me.”
18 Then this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me. 19 He said, “O man of high esteem, do not be afraid. Peace be with you; take courage and be courageous!” Now as soon as he spoke to me, I received strength and said, “May my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
We get another peek into the angelic warfare which this particular angel had to get back to. It sounds like another demon (who was assigned to Greece) was going to join in that particular battle and Michael was going to need help to fight against the demonic forces...
(Daniel 10:20-21) Then he said, “Do you understand why I came to you? But I shall now return to fight against the prince of Persia; so I am going forth, and behold, the prince of Greece is about to come. 21 However, I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth. Yet there is no one who stands firmly with me against these forces except Michael your prince..."
Before he left to continue the battle, the angel gave Daniel the message, which contained amazing prophecies regarding several nations. Perhaps these angels already knew the battles that would be involved with those details. But I will only show the obvious verses which pertain to spiritual warfare.
Like in this following verse, we see that this particular angel had been assigned to king Darius, to encourage and protect him. Remember that Darius was the one who had faith that Daniel's God could protect him in the lion's den,,,
(Daniel 11:1) “In the first year of Darius the Mede, I arose to be an encouragement and a protection for him..."
Later on, beginning in verse 36, the prophecy explains what will happen during the Tribulation.
The Antichrist will set himself up as the only one to worship, in attempts to undermine God. The Antichrist will only have the seven allotted years to try to accomplish what Satan wants accomplished...
(Daniel 11:36-39) “Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done. 37 He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the desire of women, nor will he show regard for any other god; for he will magnify himself above them all. 38 But instead he will honor a god of fortresses, a god whom his fathers did not know; he will honor him with gold, silver, costly stones and treasures. 39 He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price..."
The Antichrist's "god" will be military power and activity, and during the first half of the Tribulation, he will be busy gaining worldwide dominion, which he will achieve in the second half, allowing and spurring him on to exalt himself.
At the end of the seven years, the Antichrist will rally his troops to fight God's children in the battle of Armageddon. This is when Jesus will return to earth and have the victory. That will be the end of the Antichrist as he will be thrown immediately into the lake of fire...
(Daniel 11:40-45) “At the end time the king of the South will collide with him, and the king of the North will storm against him with chariots, with horsemen and with many ships; and he will enter countries, overflow them and pass through. 41 He will also enter the Beautiful Land, and many countries will fall; but these will be rescued out of his hand: Edom, Moab and the foremost of the sons of Ammon. 42 Then he will stretch out his hand against other countries, and the land of Egypt will not escape. 43 But he will gain control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the precious things of Egypt; and Libyans and Ethiopians will follow at his heels. 44 But rumors from the East and from the North will disturb him, and he will go forth with great wrath to destroy and annihilate many. 45 He will pitch the tents of his royal pavilion between the seas and the beautiful Holy Mountain; yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.
The angel Michael, is also called the great prince, and is assigned to stand guard over the Israelites. During the Tribulation, there will be the biggest spiritual battle ever, and Michael will be there fighting to help protect and rescue God's children...
(Daniel 12:1) “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued...”
When the prophetic message ended, Daniel looked and saw two more angels. These two angels held a conversation with each other about the end times, regarding the prophecy that maybe they just overheard...
(Daniel 12:5-7) Then I, Daniel, looked and behold, two others were standing, one on this bank of the river and the other on that bank of the river. 6 And one said to the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be until the end of these wonders?” 7 I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time, times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed.
Daniel turned to the angel who had given him the prophetic message in order to understand what the other angels were talking about.
The last half of the Tribulation (from the point of when the Antichrist will abolish the Jewish sacrifices until the battle of Armageddon) will be three and half years. The few extra days mentioned could be when Jesus will be judging the nations.
The main point the angel was trying to stress was - Daniel did not have to be concerned about understanding it all. He just had to know that he would not miss out on seeing the covenants being fulfilled. Even though he would die before these things took place, he would be resurrected in order to be there in the Millennial kingdom to enjoy all of God's blessings...
(Daniel 12:8-13) As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. 10 Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand. 11 From the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. 12 How blessed is he who keeps waiting and attains to the 1,335 days! 13 But as for you, go your way to the end; then you will enter into rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age.”
From this we see:
- angels can appear to one person, while others may only sense them (10:7)
- angels can cause people to feel dread (10:7)
- angels can cause people to become overwhelmed and go into a deep sleep (10:8-9)
- angels can cause people's strength to drain away (10:8, 16-17)
- angels can touch people (10:16-17)
- angels can minister to people and empower them (10:10-11, 18-19)
- angels can empower people to speak (10:16-17)
- angel described, when he appeared to look like a man (10:6, 16)
* he was dressed in linen, with a belt of pure gold
* his body was like beryl
* his arms and feet were like the gleam of polished bronze
* his face had the appearance of lightning
* his eyes were like flaming torches
* his voice sounded like a tumult
- God sends angels in response to our prayers (10:12)
- angels can be delayed because of warfare in the spiritual realm (10:12-14)
- demons and angels battle in the spiritual realm (10:12-14, 20-21)
- "the prince of the kingdom of Persia" and "the kings of Persia" was a group of demons who were trying to influence the human rulers of Persia to oppose God's plans, demons work to influence the affairs of nations, another example: "prince of Greece" (10:13, 20-21)
- demons are organized with hierarchy of demons assigned to different countries (and causes) (10:13, 20-21)
- angels are assigned to rulers of countries to encourage and protect them (11:1)
- angels are organized with a hierarchy in the spiritual realm (10:13)
- Michael means "who is like God?"
- Michael is one of the chief princes among the angels (10:13)
- Michael, also called the great prince, is assigned to stand guard over the Israelites (12:1)
- angels deliver messages of truth only, which can still cause great conflict to a person (10:1)
- angels can explain and deliver messages of prophecy (10:14)
- angels hold conversations with each other (12:5-7)
- angels can be curious and ask questions (12:6)
- Michael will be fighting in the biggest spiritual battle during the Tribulation to help protect and rescue God's children (12:1)
Personal experience: one of my biggest spiritual battles (thus far) happened a few weeks after I returned from the mission field. Since my parents were still in Puerto Rico, I was staying with a family from church, while I worked to earn enough money to go to college.
My one brother, who had been involved with the occult (back then), had also returned to our hometown and was staying with - - - I have no idea where he was staying. But he had put the word out that he was looking for me.
It happened that night, after hearing this message about my brother, that I had the most disturbing nightmare of my life. Well, it seemed to begin as a nightmare.
I became very aware of a green light, which - as it became more in focus - formed into a green demon-like-monster who was trying to claw me. It was green, and the background was black, then as the light was flickering, much like a strobe light, the colors would reverse (green-black-green-black...). And it was huge. The light filled the entire room.
By that point, I remember trying to move, but I was paralyzed with fear. DREAD... really. And I remember trying to pray out loud, but all I could do was repeat in my head, "Jesus help me. Jesus help me..."
I also remember trying to figure out where this light was coming from. I thought, "Oh, I'm blinking! - - - But wait! No. My blinking is causing the strobe-light-effect. So - where is this light coming from?"
You see, because of all my past experiences, I always made it a point to have my room as dark as possible for sleeping. And the room where I was staying faced a very dark backyard. And the heavy curtains that were there blocked out everything. And it was past midnight. So where was this light coming from???
Now in quick thinking-mode, I'm wondering, "Am I dreaming? No. I am really fully awake! And for all the bad dreams I have ever had - NOTHING can even compare!!! So - am I imagining this? No! I have a really good imagination and there is no way I can imagine this. This - felt more real than reality."
I still felt dread. And I still couldn't move. So I continued to pray. Suddenly, as the demon-monster tried taking another swipe at me - it got its own shoulder. Or something else got his shoulder. Then black blood started trickling down. The color of his blood was opposite the color of the demon-monster itself... (black-green-black-green) along with the flickering - because the light was so bright - my eyes could not stay open as I tried to look on.
The demon-monster looked at his injury, then realized he was wounded, and that maybe (probably) "someone else" had arrived. As he shrunk back a bit with a very angry glare, the light began to fade. As the light faded, I could stop blinking, until I was left in complete darkness... the way it should have been all along. I just lay there for what seemed like twenty minutes... still terrified. Finally I could move my arm to turn on the lights. I still just lay there - - - for quite a while.
There still seemed to be a presence in the room. To satisfy my curiosity, I checked the closet and under the bed. Well, really? Maybe I was expecting to find my brother??? Anyway, I kept praying until it felt like the presence was gone, and I finally felt at ease enough to go back to sleep.
It's a pretty safe assumption that I was under spiritual attack. And while I was praying, within a few minutes there was some sort of battle going on above me or around me, and the guardian angel - who I'm assuming had been sent - had the victory! Maybe the battle continued on a bit a little further away, or there was a "smaller / weaker" demon looking on for a few minutes after that until he too was chased away, I have no idea.
Today's takeaway: we just have to know that God sees all and knows all and will take care of us all. Not one of His children is more important or less significant...
(Galatians 3:26-29) But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.
(Ephesians 2:4-22) But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; 18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
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