Saturday, October 24
Read Daniel 10
Think About It:
Have you ever come to a place in your life where you decided that no matter what, you are going to seek God’s face until you completely understand it? Daniel was in Babylon, he was now on his third or fourth king, and he was resigned to stay at his station. But there was more, there was so much more. He knew he was a member of God’s chosen people, he also understood from Jeremiah’s prophecy, that the time of their captivity would come to an end and the Jews would be released. But Jeremiah’s prophecy was also for the temple of His God.
Daniel fasted and prayed for 21 days. Three days after the end of his fast, Daniel saw an awesome vision as he stood by the Tigris River. It was during the first month of the Hebrew year that the Jews celebrated Passover, the feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of First Fruits.
Suddenly, Daniel saw an awesome site: a man wearing a linen garment in a golden girdle, with a body like chrysolite, a face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and feet gleaming like polished brass, and his voice sounding like a great multitude. We’re not told what this man said to him, but the combination of his appearance and his speech was overwhelming. The description of the glorious man resembles the description of the glorified Christ given in Revelation 1:12-16. Then he was gone.
Perhaps it was Gabriel who touched Daniel. The Angel spoke to him, and this gave him the strength to stand upright. This is the second time Daniel was addressed as “dearly beloved”. Daniel’s conversation with the angel reveals to us the important fact that there is an invisible war going on in the heavenlies between the forces of evil and the forces of God. For three weeks, Daniel had been praying for wisdom to understand the visions he’s already seen, but the answer to that prayer was delayed. Why? Because “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” –an evil angel—had attacked the angel bearing the answer, probably Gabriel. This evil angel was assigned to see to it that the king of Persia did what Satan wanted him to do. Now Michael, the arch angel assigned to minister to Israel, assisted Gabriel and together they won the battle.
Once again, the angel restored Daniel’s strength so he could hear the prophetic message from the messenger and record for our learning. Twice the angel told him, “fear not”. The angel also said, “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” Daniel needed strength to be able to hear the long message the angel brought to him.
Finally, the angel made it clear that the battle wasn’t yet over. As soon as he finished instructing Daniel, Gabriele would return to assist Michael in battling the prince of Persia and the prince of Greece, two satanic evil angels who were all opposing the plans of the Lord for these nations. The ruler over Persia had shown great kindness and mercy to the Jews allowing them to return home, and Satan was against this decision. God also had plans for Greece and Satan wanted to interfere there. One reason why God commands his people to pray for those in authority is so that God’s will, not Satan’s plans, might be fulfilled in their lives. The destiny of more than one nation has been changed because God’s people fervently prayed.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but they are mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Family Time:
- What type of food did Daniel give up in this fast?
- What gave Daniel the power to stand?
- Why was the angel who spoke to Daniel not able to come sooner?
- Whose strength comes upon Daniel?
- What equipment do believers need to stand strong in spiritual battles?
