Daniel 10:1- 11:1  Prayer and Spiritual Warfare

 

Alan Redpath: “The Christian life is not a playground it is a battleground.”

 

The sooner we understand that the better off we are going to be!

A) We are in a war! – There is an enemy-

 

B) But praise be to God – that the Bible declares that in  2 Corinthians 10:4 that “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.”

 

C) Well Daniel Ch.10 brings us front and center into that conflict –

1) As well as the victory that is ours in the Lord.

 

Now before we begin looking at this Chapter, we need to understand that this is the last of the four visions that were given to Daniel by God.

 

And this last vision covers the last 3 chapters of Daniel, chapters 10-12, and they cover a time frame from Cyrus through the second coming of Jesus Christ.

 

These three chapters can be broken down as follows.

A) In Daniel chapter 10 through Daniel 11:1 we see an introduction to the vision.

 

We get a behind the scenes look at spiritual warfare.

Then in Daniel 11:2 through Daniel 12:4 we see two major divisions.

A) Daniel 11:2-35 deals with the immediate future from the time of Cyrus through the Persian empire and into the Grecian empire, to Antiochus. {Mind-blowing detail

 

B) Then, from Daniel 11:36 to Daniel 12:4 we see Daniel being informed of the distant future, the latter days.

 

C) That is the time period of the great tribulation up to the second coming of Jesus Christ.

 

D) And from Daniel 12:5-13 we see the final message of comfort to Daniel, the judgment of the nations and on into the establishing of the millennial reign of Christ!

 

RD V.1-3

 

The date in this first verse is very significant.

A) This word or vision came to Daniel in the third year of Cyrus king of Persia. 536BC

 

B) That meant it came right at the time the prophet Jeremiah had predicted when the seventy years during which the people of Israel would be held captive was up.

 

C) Here is what is significant about that: Cyrus gave the Israelites permission to go Home -But only about 45k out of several hundred thousand actually left.

 

 

The majority were content to stay in their captivity

A) They had it good under the Persians – they were allowed to open businesses –

 

B) They went from being sheep keepers to

shop Keepers and they were content

 

C) Problem is they were still in captivity –

1) The blessing of God was waiting for them back in Jerusalem.

 

Ironic – The same thing happens to believers who compromise in sin – Pretty soon they are back in bondage – but some become comfortable in their bondage. – Blinded

 

That was the case with many of the Israelites and it broke Daniels heart/ that is why he is mourning AND fasting!

A) Daniel was way too old – close to 90 now to make this journey – but he knew that is what God wanted for his pp.

 

B) For 70yrs now his body had been in Babylon but his heart had always been in Jerusalem.

1) It grieved him that so few of his countrymen felt the same way. “Lord break our hearts…breaks yours

 

C) Settled to be comfortable in captivity.

1) Problem with Prodigals – Lord – Pig pen

                                RD V.4-6                      

Now the Bible tells us that a Broken and contrite heart God will not turn away from.

A) The next thing we see is God appearing to Daniel in a Radical way.

 

B) Daniel has an amazing encounter – Heavenly being

1) Seeing Jesus in His glory!

 

C) Very similar to the description that John received in Revelation Ch.1:12-16

 

“Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.”

 

This is the 3rd time in the book of Daniel we are seeing Jesus. – 1st Daniel 3 – Fiery furnace

A) Daniel wasn’t there – but he heard about it

 

B) 2nd time Daniel 7 Vision of Heaven – Son of Man coming in Power and great glory.

1) 3rd time most Radical here in Ch.10

Now if you asked Daniel what was the highpoint of his life – I believe it would be this moment right here

A) Daniel had a tremendous life – Advisor to Kings

 

B) Saw the future – Prophesied of the fall of Babylon and now he was living in the reality of it

 

C) Interpreted the writing on the wall – the guy has been thru some amazing situations {lions Den

 

But I am confident that the highpoint of his life would be this here: Seeing JESUS. Vision of glory

A) But here is something that I want you to think about

 

B) Daniel is this incredible prophet – 3 times in this book we are told that he is greatly beloved of God

 

C) But this is what I want you to see – Daniel is a guy used in a special way – special calling

1) In His 90yrs of following God – He only has a couple radical experiences like this.

 

I point that out because – this is not the norm

A) Some Christians go their whole lives waiting for some radical experience – may never happen

 

B) Walking with Jesus – 34yrs – never had an experience like this –

1) Probably count on one hand times radically sensed his presence in a situation – Thick –

C) See the Christian life is about walking by faith not by sight – Daily walk

 

D) My days like yours are pretty routine- they often look very similar – faces change problems the same

 

E) Here is what I am learning is to look for the Lord in the little things of each day.

1) God is ready to reveal Himself in the Mundane

When we are looking for Him

 

F) Sometimes we spend so much of our lives hoping for some radical encounter like Daniel

1) God is with us every day – Revealing Himself in many situations – teaching us – speaking word

 

Note: V.7 Daniel alone sees the Person. RD V.7-9

A) So Daniel’s compassions get freaked out – might of heard something – but didn’t see anything

 

B) Daniel is undone here: Loses strength – driven to the ground – semi unconscious – hears a voice

 

C) He is spent – This is always the response when someone has this kind of encounter with Jesus

 

Saul of Tarsus –Damascus – Light Voice

A) Blinded driven to his knees

 

B) Isaiah – Woe is you – Woe is me – Undone Unclean

1) John I Revelation 1 I fell at his feet as dead

C) But here is what is cool about all those encounters – the result was Service

1) A calling – Paul and Isaiah / further insight and revelation Daniel and John

 

D) Purpose was to motivate and inspire them for service – not to freak them out.

 

RD V.10-13

A) Now I think it is important to note here that I believe this is a new being – entering the scene here

 

B) This is an Angelic being – entering the picture – note Daniel says A HAND touched me – not his hand

1) A Hand –

 

C) The reason I think that it is important to make note of this is because this Angelic being we are being introduced to here –

 

D) We learn in V.13 that He was sent immediately with an answer to Daniel’s prayer but was held up by a Demonic force – called the prince of Persia

 

E) This Angel needed the help of Michael the Arch Angel to help him get passage.

1) This can’t be Jesus because Jesus doesn’t need the Help of Michael for anything –

2) Mike needs Jesus …. Jude 9 …..body of Moses – The Lord rebuke you Satan

 

So this can’t be Jesus{ This is an Angelic being!

A) But this whole little scenario gives us some incredible insight into Spiritual warfare and prayer

 

B) Daniel is told that from the moment he prayed – an God sent this Angel with an answer to his prayer

 

C) But that Angel is held up for 21 days by this demon identified as the prince over Persia

 

6 things we learn about Prayer and Spiritual warfare from this:

 

#1 When Believers pray – God hears!

A) God is not deaf – not indifferent – not too busy

 

B) When we pray – the Almighty hears our prayers

 

Purpose of Prayer is not to get our will done in heaven – but it is to get God’s will done on earth

Stedman: “Prayer is not a way by which we get God to do what we want; prayer is a way by which we get involved in what God wants. Prayer is a way by which we become caught up in the exciting activity of God, doing what he plans to do in this world. As we pray about it we become involved in the whole exciting program. God works through

us to ask for what he wants.”

 

C)God always responds to prayer: Always answers

1) Yes

2) No

3) Not Yet

#2 Here we also learn that sometimes the delay in the prayer can be because of spiritual warfare.

A) Daniel prayed – God dispatched an Angel with the Answer – but he was delayed in battle for 21 days

 

B) Here Daniel is a getting a behind the scenes look  at what often goes on in the Spiritual realm

 

C) The Bible says that Angels are ministering Spirits – they aid the believer – protecting –

 

D) Daniel’s Angel was delayed – Prince of Persia

Demonic force behind Persia

 

E) 2 Kings 6 Syrian forces – Dotham – Elisha

1) Lord open His eyes

 

Satan and his minions Know they cannot defeat God – but he tries his best to come against God’s pp

A) Distract – depress – delay – {Israel email

 

Gleason Archer explains, “While God can, of course, override the united resistance of all the forces of hell if he chooses to do so, he accords to demons certain limited powers of obstruction & rebellion somewhat like those he allows humans. In both cases the exercise of free will in opposition to the Lord of heaven is permitted by him when he sees fit.”

 

B) There is a battle underfoot – in the unseen realm

 

C) Two common mistakes believers make in regards to Satan.

1st Some take him way to lightly – practically ignore his existence – off guard – {My mistake Oregon

 

2nd Others give him way too much credit – almost make his power equal with God. {Omnipresent

A) Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world. Satan is no match for Jesus!

 

 

B) Stand strong against the forces of Satan in the Power and Strength of Jesus

 

C) Fight not for Victory but from Victory!

1) But we fight!

 

D) Stand strong against the Wiles and tricks of the Devil – being clothed in the Armor of God

1) The Armor is about Who we are in JESUS

 

So sometimes there are delays because of the battle

A) Sometimes the opposition that we face is because of the Spiritual warfare

 

#3 The Third thing we learn from this exchange is that there can be Demonic forces over cities.

A) Prince of Persia – Demon

 

B) Prince of Vista – Crystal Meth – gangs – drugs

 

C) Prince of High Schools – after the Youth

1) Demons assigned to break up Christian marriages

2) Attack pastors -

D) We need to pray that strong holds would be broken –

 

#4 Teaches us that wrestling in prayer is exhausting work.

                                  RD V.14-16

 

Now whether it was the vision itself that floored Daniel {Ch.11 revealed} or the FACT on the fact that demons were delaying his answer to prayer can’t be dogmatic –

A) I believe – He was told the vision – that is recounted for us in Ch.11- told at this time

 

B) He is completely leveled in his heart by the atrocities that are going to befall Israel in the latter days. Broken and Speechless.

 

C) The ancient Hebrew word translated sorrows has the thought of twisting or writhing pain. It is used several places for labor pains in childbirth.

 

The spiritual battle believers wage can sometimes take a physical toll.  Agonizing

Romans 15:30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me.

 

The Greek word for ‘strive’ we get our English word ‘agonize’. You and I are to agonize in prayer.

Real prayer is agonizing. It is getting through the barriers to release spiritual power.

 

#5 ) Following wearisome times of prayer, strength returns in extra measures.  RD V.17-19

A) After the angel's second touch Daniel was greatly strengthened.

 

B) And we are told exactly how. The angel said to him, "Fear not," i.e., all reason for fear has been removed.

 

C) Then he gave three factors in that, "peace be with you: be strong and of good courage."

That is what prayer does for us.

 

D) Every time we come to the Lord in prayer it brings peace to the soul, strength to the body, and courage to the spirit.

 

 

#6 Overcoming demonic forces is not a once-and-for-all matter.  V.20-vh.11:1

A) Daniel was about to receive the answer to his prayer, but the battle was not over for his heavenly messenger.

 

B) First he must battle the prince of Persia, then the prince of Greece.

 

C) God is watching out for Israel, working behind the scenes in the spiritual realm.

Lesson: Right when you sense the victory, look out! Here comes another one!

 

Remember, 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

And yet, Colossians 2:15 “(cross context) Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”

Romans 8:38,39 “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”