Skip to content The Unseen Battle: Insights from Daniel's Vision in Daniel 10 May 9 · 14 min ...more
The Unseen Battle: Insights from Daniel's Vision in Daniel 10
May 9, 2025 · 14 min
In Daniel 10, we're shown the power of prayer and persistence. Discover how angelic intervention is linked to our devotion to God.
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0:10 Good morning. Welcome to Stand on the Word. Alright. Today, an amazing chapter, Daniel chapter 10. And I'm gonna warn you up front, we're gonna be a little longer than normal, but stay at the end because I have the0:21 application at the end. Verse 13, the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me 21 days. But Michael, 1 of the chief princes, came to help me for I was left there with the kings of Persia. Now, the next0:32 3 chapters kind of all go together. In chapter 10, we have Daniel's final recorded vision. In chapters 11 and 12, we have further explanation. Now, in November, October and November of 5 390:44 BC, Babylon falls to the Medes and the Persians. Daniel is set up as 1 of the 3 governors. In 5 38 BC, Daniel discovers the prophecy of Jeremiah that after 70 years of captivity, the0:56 Jewish people would be able to return to Jerusalem. He prays in chapter 9, asking God to act for his name's sake. It's around this time that Daniel's political adversaries1:09 managed to get the king to sign a decree that no 1 could petition any god or man but the king, which led to Daniel being thrown into the lion's den at somewhere around 75 years of age.1:21 Now, Daniel's faithfulness to pray to God to fulfill his promises led to a decree that the Jewish captives could return to Jerusalem. However, as we will see in1:32 Nehemiah, the opposition to the promises of God did not abate. They remained intense. What Daniel is praying about in chapter 10 is most likely informed by what he sees happening1:44 in Babylon. He is in his eighties or nineties at this point and according to chapter 1, no longer be in an official capacity. So he was no longer in a government role. He was1:56 might be might be what we read in in verse 2 that he was mourning for 3 weeks. You know, was not he couldn't do anything about it. So he mourning. And he and he2:08 couldn't do anything about the situation like hands on. So he he fasted and he prayed for 3 weeks. You see, Daniel was serving the Lord to the very end. Just because he wasn't in a an official capacity and didn't have2:20 the ear of of the leader didn't mean he couldn't do something. He was appealing to heaven. Daniel's prayer is answered by a visit and a vision that pulls back the curtain on what is really happening2:33 in the spiritual realm and then gives the assurance of what is to come over the next almost 400 years, part of which is a type or shadow of what will actually happen2:44 in the end of times. 1, Daniel chapter 10. In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia, a word revealed to Daniel, who was named Belchazzar. And the2:56 word was true and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision. In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for 3 weeks. I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth,3:08 nor did I anoint myself at all for full 3 weeks. On the 20 fourth day of the month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, that is the Tigris, I lifted3:20 up my eyes and looked and behold a man clothed in linen and a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl,3:32 his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and sound of his words like the3:44 sound of a multitude. So who was this? Well, doesn't tell us. But if you look at Revelation chapter 1, the description is very similar to John's description of Jesus. Now3:56 compare the responses of the 2. Daniel says, No strength remained in me, for my vigor was turned to frailty to ruin or ruin in me, and I retained no strength. John said it like4:08 this, I fell at his feet like a dead man. So we see the response being very similar. Verse 7: And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling4:19 fell upon them, they fled to hide themselves. So I was alone, and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength.4:31 Then I heard the sound of his words and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep, with my face in the ground. And, behold, a hand touched me, and set me trembling on my hands and4:43 knees. And he said to me, O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright for now I have been sent to you. And when he had spoken this word to me, I4:55 stood up trembling. While this 1 is not named, we can assume that it is Gabriel who provided the previous interpretation. Verse5:07 12, then he said to me, fear not, Daniel, from for from the very first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, that was the fasting, your words have been heard and I5:19 have come because of your words. Now Daniel's prayers now get this. They were heard from day 1, but the spiritual warfare that was going on delayed the answer.5:31 So don't miss this. You I mean, have you ever been earnestly praying and interceding, but nothing happened? It wasn't happening. Well, in Luke, Jesus talks about being persistent5:42 in our prayers. So here, we're given 1 of the few glimpses into the spiritual realm. This is 1 of the few that we see in the Bible that that really kinda pulls back the curtain that allows us to see5:54 what has happened. That's why I love the book of Daniel. Verse 13, the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me 21 days. But Michael, 1 of the chief princes, came to help me for I was left there with the king of6:05 Persia, the kings of Persia, and came to me and came to make you understand what is happened, what is to happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision is for the days yet to come.6:17 So let's talk about the spiritual realm here for a moment that Daniel was made aware of, that he was told about. This is what Paul is describing in Ephesians chapter6:29 6. I've made reference to this before. Verse 12, for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of6:40 wickedness in heavenly places. Now these are the ranks of the demonic powers that are at work in the spiritual realm. Satan and his demons are not some ragtag army darkness without6:51 a plan or focus. Although evil is marked by lawlessness and that is a weakness, they are ordered and they are structured and they have the benefit of knowing history. They've been around a while.7:03 There are demons over territories, demons over nations, even states and cities, and those who prey upon individuals. It is very interesting that in recent years, as lawlessness and demonic activity7:15 has increased, there has been a lot of focus. Have you noticed this in the movies on a parallel universe or multiverse?7:24 Scripture indicates that as we move toward the end of time, there will be a greater manifestation of spiritual activity. So what's the7:36 best way to cover it up? Or is the best way to open it up to a storyline of fiction so that you blur reality7:48 with fiction. I think that might be why we see all of these movies and all of these things right now. Now some may be dismissive of the idea, but look again at what Paul said in Colossians chapter8:00 1 verse 16. For by him all things were created that are in heaven and on the earth, visible and invisible. Whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created through him and for8:12 him. Alright. So here the angel, assuming it is Gabriel, tells Daniel that he was prevented from responding to Daniel's prayer because of the prince of Persia. This prophecy8:24 that Daniel is about to be given covers a period of almost 400 years, and it's so precise when you look through the remaining chapters of the book. It's unbelievable in its accuracy8:36 and precision. But it also provides a type, an illustration of the very end before the second coming of Jesus Christ in his millennial reign. Verse 15, when he had8:48 spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. And so Daniel is told what will happen and it leaves him8:59 speechless. Once again well, verse 18. Again, 1 having the appearance of a man, touch me and strengthen me. And he said, oh man, greatly loved. Fear not. Peace be with you. Be9:11 strong and of good courage. That's easy to say when you've seen all of this that he has seen. And he spoke to me and I was strengthened and said, let my Lord speak for you have strengthened me.9:23 Then he said, do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia. I mean, there's a spiritual battle happening in the in the heavenlies. And when I go out, behold, the prince9:34 of peace will come. Alright. This angel is battling the prince of Persia, but notice the prince of Greece is next. This is the next world empire that would rise under Alexander the Great around 3 409:46 BC. Now this passage, again, provides remarkable insight into the influence that is behind world9:57 leaders. I've discussed this before that this is why we see history repeating itself in various regions of the world. The demonic influences are the same. They10:09 haven't changed. They're they're they're repeating what they've done in the past. It's just the people that are out front, the pawns in their hands. Verse 21, but I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth.10:21 There is none who contends by my side except the except Michael, your prince. Now this is interesting. When the angel says, no 1 battles with me for you,10:32 he's referring to Israel. Michael is the defender of the Jewish nation, and I think this speaks to how often they stand alone as really the focus and target of opposition,10:44 which, again, we see as we read in the next chapter. Now here is the application for us in this passage. How could the angel deliver to Daniel a vision of10:56 what would transpire over 400 years ago with such amazing amazing detail. Yet, he had to battle for 21 days to get to Daniel to11:07 answer his prayer. How is that? Well, here's the answer. The the the future is not in question. Alright? It's not that, you know, God knows what's going to happen.11:20 God will accomplish his plan. What he said he would do, he will do. His promises will be fulfilled. What is in question is often the timing. This is where our prayers and11:32 our fasting come in. There is a battle that is raging. But will our faith be strong enough to be a part, to allow us to be a part of what God is doing and11:44 be a part of seeing his promises fulfilled? Praying the promises of God, as Daniel was doing, aligns us with what God intends to11:55 do. It strengthens our faith and prepares us to join him in what he is and will do. Father, we thank you for your word. And and, again,12:07 we thank you for the example of Daniel. What an amazing book this is. And I pray once again the holy spirit would lead us into all understanding of of knowing how this applies to us12:19 and to this world in which we live. May we have faith. May we pray. May we pray your word. May we be strengthened. And and, Lord, may we see the fulfillment of your word12:31 even in our day. We pray and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. Alright. Thanks so much for for being with me today as we journey through the word. Now we're gonna be going into the word the book of Ezra.12:43 We're we are almost to the end of the Old Testament, believe it or not. Very close to being at the end of the Old Testament. And then first part of June, we're gonna begin the New Testament12:54 with the book of Matthew. And I've mentioned this, but I'll have more coming You might think be thinking about someone you would like to invite to join us on this journey. We're doing a13:06 special family challenge in the month of June, beginning June the eleventh with the book of Matthew to to encourage families to read the bible together. We got a lot of special13:18 resources that will be associated with that. I'll have more of that probably next week, be able to release that and get that to you. But be thinking of families. Maybe it's your children, grandchildren,13:29 if you'd like to invite to do this as a family. Powerful impact the word of God has upon our lives. Alright. Until next time. Keep standing on the word.13:41 Today's study comes from the Stand on the Word bible reading plan. Available for free at f r c dot o r g slash bible. By following along in just a few minutes a13:52 day, you can read through the entire Bible in just 2 years. Learn more and request the free reading guide at frc dot org slash bible.
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