Setting – Daniel gets a visit from an angel because God wants answer Daniel’s prayer
Content – Daniel was I morning for three weeks (v. 2 NLT) “When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three weeks.” The angel would have come earlier but was delayed (v. 10a NLT) “But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way.” The visit from the angel greatly gripped Daniel (v. 8 NLT) “So I was left there all alone to watch this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak.” And we can understand this because of what the angel looked like (v. 6 NLT) “His body looked like a dazzling gem. From his face came flashes like lightning, and his eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice was like the roaring of a vast multitude of people.” [Some consider this to be Christ because of the close description in Revelation. This is most likely not the case because Christ wasn’t hindered by demons while on earth.] The angel wanted Daniel to not be afraid of the situation (v. 19a NLT) “’Don't be afraid,’ he said, ‘for you are deeply loved by God. Be at peace; take heart and be strong!’” His visit was to tell Daniel what is to come (revealed in chapter 11) (v. 21a NLT) “But before I do that, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.” The angels other purpose was to fight against other demons (v. 20 NLT) “’Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and then against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece.’”
Application – We see that God listens to our prayers. We also see the unseen war that occurs in the heavens (angels and demons fighting). We are partners in the spiritual war, Ephesians 6:12 (NASB) “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” We need to do our part (Eph. 6:13 NASB) “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” We are to equip ourselves. This includes knowing God’s word (the Bible), praying for other saints, encouraging the other troops (believers), resisting sin, and bringing on another troops (evangelism). Since we are enlisted as solders of Christ, we must not entangle ourselves in daily issues (2. Timothy 2:4 NASB) “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”
Content – Daniel was I morning for three weeks (v. 2 NLT) “When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three weeks.” The angel would have come earlier but was delayed (v. 10a NLT) “But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way.” The visit from the angel greatly gripped Daniel (v. 8 NLT) “So I was left there all alone to watch this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak.” And we can understand this because of what the angel looked like (v. 6 NLT) “His body looked like a dazzling gem. From his face came flashes like lightning, and his eyes were like flaming torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice was like the roaring of a vast multitude of people.” [Some consider this to be Christ because of the close description in Revelation. This is most likely not the case because Christ wasn’t hindered by demons while on earth.] The angel wanted Daniel to not be afraid of the situation (v. 19a NLT) “’Don't be afraid,’ he said, ‘for you are deeply loved by God. Be at peace; take heart and be strong!’” His visit was to tell Daniel what is to come (revealed in chapter 11) (v. 21a NLT) “But before I do that, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth.” The angels other purpose was to fight against other demons (v. 20 NLT) “’Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and then against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece.’”
Application – We see that God listens to our prayers. We also see the unseen war that occurs in the heavens (angels and demons fighting). We are partners in the spiritual war, Ephesians 6:12 (NASB) “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” We need to do our part (Eph. 6:13 NASB) “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” We are to equip ourselves. This includes knowing God’s word (the Bible), praying for other saints, encouraging the other troops (believers), resisting sin, and bringing on another troops (evangelism). Since we are enlisted as solders of Christ, we must not entangle ourselves in daily issues (2. Timothy 2:4 NASB) “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”
Comments