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HEAVENLY WARFARE |
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1. A study done by the Canadian Army Journal found that since 3600 b.c. the world has only known 292 years of peace. That is an amazing fact. Out of 5,067 years, only 292 years have been without a war being fought somewhere in the world. During this period there have been 14,531 wars, large and small, in which 640 million people have been killed. The value of the destruction caused by these wars would pay for a golden belt around the world 100 miles wide and 33 feet thick! 2. Just in last 500
years, England has engaged in 78 wars; France 71 wars; the
Netherlands, 23; Spain, 64; Australia, 52; Germany, 23; Poland, 30;
Russia, 61; Turkey, 43; and Japan, 9. European nations alone engaged
in 74 wars during the lifetime of the first generation born in the
20th century. The 3. How do you explain such a fact in history? I believe we find an answer in Daniel chapter ten. H.C. Leupold in his Exposition of Daniel says of the chapter: “We get a rare glimpse behind the scene of world history. There are spiritual forces at work that are far in excess of what who disregard revelation would suppose. They struggle behind the struggles that are written on the pages of history.” 5. The Bible speaks of how believers are engaged in spiritual warfare. In 1 Peter 5:8 we read, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” We read in Ephesians 6:11-12, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” 6. The Christian life is not a playground, but a battleground. The Christian life is a life of spiritual warfare. But this spiritual warfare is not limited to the believer on earth. There is a war that is going on in the heavens. There are forces at war that are unseen. It is this heavenly warfare that is behind the events that occur on the earth. 7. The last three chapters of Daniel form a unit. They contain the last of Daniel’s visions, embracing a climatic prophecy that builds on all that has been revealed in chapters 1-9. Chapter 10 is actually a prologue to chapters 11-12. It contains vital information which takes is behind the scenes informing us of a warfare that is being waged in the heavens. 8. Let’s look at the chapter as a whole and build our thoughts around Daniel’s experiences in the chapter. Let’s begin by thinking about:
1. THE REVELATION GIVEN TO DANIEL 1. In verse 1 we read,
“In
the third year of Cyrus king of 2. We first met Daniel in chapter 1 as a teenager. Now he is an old man, somewhere around the age of 85. In the most adverse surroundings, Daniel had been faithful to God. Daniel is a great example that no matter where we live, where we work, whatever our surroundings, one can be faithful to God. A teenager might say, “It is so hard to live for where I go to school.” An adult might say, “It is so hard to live for God where I work.” We ought to be embarrassed to say such a thing when you consider how Daniel lived for God in an environment far worse then any we know. 3. In verses 1-9 we see two particular revelations that Daniel was given. First, we see that he was given:
A) A Prophetic Revelation 1. We read in verse 1 “and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.” Two things are said about the revelation given to Daniel. 2. First, it is described as a faithful prophecy. We read, “the thing was true.” Each of the prophecies that we have seen in Daniel have been revealed, and in many cases, already proven to be true. The prophecy Daniel now receives is no different. The word “true” as used here speaks of that which is certain and trustworthy. 3. When the Bible says something, you can believe it. When the Bible tells you something will happen, you can drop your anchor on it. As certain the sun comes up each morning and sets in the evening, even more certain is the prophecies of God’s Word. 4. The second description of Daniel’s revelation is that it is a future prophecy. We read that “the time appointed was long.” Stating that it was long was another way of saying that the prophecy would occur in the future. 5. In Daniel’s revelation we are given a glimpse into the future. There is much about the future that has been revealed, however, a lot about the future has not been disclosed. When we move into chapters 11-12 we will see this prophetic revelation and the future events that are described. The Bible is tomorrow’s newspaper. It tells us what will happen in the future, as we have already stated, everything it says about the future will happen just as God said. 7. Furthermore, we see that Daniel’s revelation was not only a prophetic revelation, but it was also:
B) A Personal Revelation 1. We read in verses 2-3, “In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.” We find Daniel with a heavy heart. For three weeks Daniel mourned. The heaviness of his burden is revealed that for the 3 weeks he fasting, neither eating nor drinking. 2. Although it is not
stated what his burden was, most commentators believe that Daniel’s
burden involved the welfare of the remnant that had returned to
their homeland to rebuild the 3. In verse 4 we read,
“And in the four and twentieth day of the first month, as I was by
the side of the great river, which is Hiddekel.” Daniel
tells us that he was standing beside the river Hiddekel. We know
this river to be the river 4. While standing on
the banks of the 5. Several years ago I visited a home where a couple of elderly ladies lived. One was sitting in a rocker chair in a corner of the room. She didn’t say a word but just sat there rocking. I began to talk about the Lord. Suddenly the lady in the rocking chair spoke up and said, “Have you ever seen the Lord?” I told her that I hadn’t. She then said, “Well, I have.” Curious I asked, “You have seen the Lord? Tell me about it.” Then she began to tell me how He appeared at the foot of her bed one night. I said, “He came and stood at the foot of your bed.” She said, “Yes siree, and He was a good looking man.” 6. In Daniel’s case,
He actually saw the Lord. When he saw Him, He was clothed in the
garments of a priest. His revelation of the Lord Jesus is very
similar to the one John had in Revelation 1:13-15:
“And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of
man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the
paps with a golden girdle.
His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as
snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto
fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the
sound of many waters.” 7. During Daniel’s life, at first he interpreted the dreams and visions of others. Then he began to receive visions himself. Then the angel Gabriel came to Daniel. Now we have the climatic experience of his life as the Lord Jesus Himself makes a personal visit to Daniel. 8. As the years had passed the spiritual experiences of Daniel were expanded and deepened. It is tragic that oftentimes the early years of a Christian’s life is the period of time when there is the most growth. However, those early experiences are nothing compared to those known by those who never cease growing. As the years pass, those who are faithful to God, are rewarded with deeper and more intimate experiences with the Lord. 9. In verses 7-8 we see the effect of this personal appearance of the Lord to Daniel. We read in verse 7, “And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.” Only Daniel saw the Lord, but the men that were with him was aware of some extraordinary happening. Fear fell upon them and they fled to hide themselves. 10. In verse 9 we read, “Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.” Daniel was the only one to see and hear the Lord. It is not disclosed what the Lord said to Daniel, but the effect of seeing and hearing the Lord was so overwhelming that Daniel fell prostrate on the ground. 11. I think of the song Imagine: I can only imagine
what it will be like, when I walk by Your side... Surrounded by Your
Glory, what will my heart feel? I can only imagine,
when that day comes, when I find myself standing in the Son!
12. We can only imagine what we will do when we first look upon the Lord Jesus, but it is my personal belief that we will fall prostrate before the Lord Jesus, as did Daniel. I believe that at that moment we will experience an overwhelming sense of our own unworthiness and sinfulness, and a full realization of His grace and glory. The only response we can have is fall before His feet in gratitude, adoration, and worship.
13. In verse 9 Daniel says, “then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.” The word “sleep” literally means “to stunned with sleep.” We might say that he passed out. It was an overwhelming experience for Daniel. He had looked into the face of the Lord Himself.
13. Secondly, notice not only the revelation given to Daniel, but also:
2. THE EXPLANATION GIVEN TO DANIEL
1. In verses 10-14 we
read of Daniel being given understanding of the prophetic revelation
he had been given. We read in verses 10-11,
“And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and
upon the palms of my hands.
And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved,
understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for
unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I
stood trembling.” 2. Daniel’s new visitor is not identified, but most believe it was the angel Gabriel. Daniel is still on his face when Gabriel touches him causing Daniel to rise to a kneeling position. 3. He addresses Daniel as “as man greatly beloved.” This was the same epithet that Gabriel had given him in Daniel 9:22. The implication of what Gabriel said is that Daniel was a man greatly loved in heaven. What could be greater said of man than that in heaven one is greatly beloved.
4. Gabriel then tells Daniel “understand the words that I speak unto thee.” Gabriel was about to explain the meaning of the prophetic revelation Daniel had received. All that had happened to Daniel left him trembling as he stood to his feet. 5. Before Gabriel actually explains the revelation he explains something else to Daniel. First, he explains:
A) The Heavenly Battle That Is Fought 1. Gabriel says in
verses 11-12,
“And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man
greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and
stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken
this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear
not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart
to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were
heard, and I am come for thy words.” 2. What he explains to Daniel describes a battle that goes on behind the scenes. It is not a battle that is fought on earth between nations, but one that is fought in the heavens above us. It is a spiritual battle that is fought between the emissaries of Satan and the emissaries of God. 3. First Gabriel tells
Daniel there is no reason to fear. Then he tells Daniel that from
the first day he had been praying and fasting to seek understanding,
the answer had been on its way. However there had been delay in the
answer getting to him. This delay is described in verse 13:
“But the prince of the 4. This is one of the most fascinating verses in the entire Bible. Gabriel explains that when he had dispatched from heaven to give Daniel understanding, he had been confronted and opposed by a hostile spiritual power. For 21 days this enemy had fought with Gabriel. 5. This enemy is
identified as
“the prince of the 6. His description as
a
“prince of the 7. Gabriel tells of how this Satanic emissary fought with Gabriel and of how Michael the archangel came to help him and aid him in defeating this evil emissary and influence the king of Persia in favor of the Jewish people. 8. A similar scene is described in Jude verse 9: “Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.” 9. These scenes describe a war that is waged in the heavens above us. It is a war between the forces of evil and the forces of good. It gives us insight into what goes on behind the scenes. It tells us that behind the political and social conditions of the world there is spiritual influence, either for good or evil. 10. It gives us
insight into a network of Satan that works behind the scenes in the
governments of the world. Just as this evil power had influenced the
king of 11. Behind the strife that exists in our world today is the evil influence of Satan. Satan is called “the prince of this world” on different occasions in the Bible. This is more than a title. It is a declaration of the power and influence Satan exercises over the world in which we live. 12. When Satan tempted
the Lord Jesus we have an indication of His rule over this world. We
read in Luke 4:5-7,
“And the devil, taking him up into an high
mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment
of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give
thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to
whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all
shall be thine.” 13. Satan could not have offered the kingdoms of the world to the Lord Jesus if he were not in control of them. Being in control of the kingdoms of this world, Gabriel’s explanation for the delay of his arrival helps us to understand that Satan assigns his demons and evil spirits to influence leaders and nations. 14. Take the Jewish
people for example. There have never been a people more hated than
the Jew. Why is that? For one thing, 15. I think of Hitler
in more modern times. Who can doubt or deny that Hitler was the
demon-energized and demon-directed scourge of 16. You take the
conflict in the 17. In a letter to President Bush, President Mahmood of Iran wrote: “Young people,
university students and ordinary people have many questions about
the phenomenon of 18. President Mahmood,
like every Palestinian and Islamic movement that exists in the world
today, does not recognize the right for 19. What drives the
hatred of President Mahmood and the nations of the 20. There is a war being wages behind the scenes, a heavenly battlefield on which the forces are evil are at war with the forces of good. Our congress and Senate can fuss and fight over who is to blame for this and that, but what they don’t understand is that a heavenly battle is being fought. 21. After explaining the reason for the delay, Gabriel gives Daniel understanding of:
B) The Earthly Burden That Is Future 1. In verse 14 Gabriel says, “Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.” He explains to Daniel that the prophetic revelation he was given concerns the future of the Jewish people and what shall befall them. 2. The prophecies of
Daniel 11 and 12 describe the things that will befall the nation of 3. In closing notice:
3. THE CONSOLATION GIVEN TO DANIEL 1. The personal
revelation of His Lord left him on his face stunned. In verse 15 we
find that the prophetic revelation he received once again caused him
to fall on his face and it left him speechless. We read,
“And
when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the
ground, and I became dumb.”
2.
The word “dumb” means “to be speechless.” The whole experience had
left him without words. This had been an experience like no other he
had ever had. In verses 16-17 we see that:
A) Daniel Was Troubled 1. We read,
“And,
behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my
lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that
stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon
me, and I have retained no strength.
17 For how can
the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me,
straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there
breath left in me.”
2.
We find Gabriel described as
“one like the similitude of the sons of
men.” The “sons of men” is often a title given to angels.
Gabriel touches Daniel’s lips. The reason he touched Daniel’s lips
was so Daniel would speak freely.
3.
Daniel then confesses to the “sorrows” the vision had brought to his
heart. The particular word that he used describes something being
“pressed.” What was revealed to Daniel caused him great concern.
4.
He says to Gabriel in verse 17, “For
how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord.”
To say another way, “How can someone like me to talk
to someone like you.” All
that has happened has left him with a great sense of unworthiness.
5.
When God meets with you, it will never leave you haughty. It will
always leave you humble. You can mark it down. If someone runs
around bragging about their experiences with the Lord, they have not
had an experience with the Lord.
6.
He feels unworthy but says “there
remaineth no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me.”
To put it other words “I am absolutely exhausted. I
feel like I am smothering.” Daniel is a very troubled man by what
has been revealed to him. As we shall see, the revelation involves
his people, the Jew, and what he learns deeply affects him.
7. However, in this troubling time we see that:
B) Daniel Was Touched 1. We read in verse
18,
“Then
there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a
man, and he strengthened me.”
Gabriel is given a further description. He is described as “one like
the appearance of man.” There were certain human features about
Gabriel. We see the paintings and pictures of angels, but we really
don’t know what they look like. From Daniel’s description, angels
appear much like you and me.
2.
We read that Gabriel touched him and he felt his strength returning.
I think of the song Just When
I Need Him Most. When Daniel needed a divine touch he received
one. I can assure you that when you need His touch, He will touch
you.
3.
Gabriel says to Daniel in verse 19,
“O
man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong,
yea, be strong.” He tells Daniel to not be afraid, to
have peace about things, and to be strong. Daniels’ response was,
“And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let
my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.”
4.
When we need calm hearts, peace, and strength, God will send an
angel to touch us. I don’t believe that Daniel is in a class all by
himself in this area. We are God’s children. He will give what we
need when we need it.
5.
In verses 20-21 Gabriel reminds Daniel that he has to return to his
role of battling with the forces of evil that are in the world. We
read,
“Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I
come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of
6.
He has to get back to his heavenly warfare. But before he leaves he
tells Daniel that another king and kingdom will come, that being the
Grecian empire. He also tells him that he will show him the things
that are to happen. He closes by assuring Daniel that there none
stronger than him, but Michael. It was a way of assuring Daniel that
things were happening just as God has purposed.
7. There is a heavenly war being wages in the heavens. All you have to do is pick up your newspaper or turn on the evening news to see the evidence of it. But as Gabriel assured Daniel, God is greater than all the evil forces of the world and His plans and purposes will come to pass. © 2008 by the Living Word |
