Showing posts with label Exposition of Daniel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exposition of Daniel. Show all posts

Sunday, August 20, 2023

DANIEL 12 : THE TIME OF THE END

 


When we first met Daniel in Chapter 1 he would have been perhaps only 14 years old. As we find him in Chapter 12 he is almost 90 years old. Isn’t it encouraging to see him still as faithful as when he started out as a youth? This is ‘a long obedience in the same direction’[1]. One of the great lessons we learn from Daniel is that it does not require   an ideal world or ideal conditions to be a faithful witness for God. Faith may flourish in the darkest places. Thank God that He holds more onto us than we on to Him!

Daniel 10-12 forms the concluding vision of the book. Daniel was standing on the banks of the Tigris river(10:4), when he saw an awesome vision of a man clothed in linen. When we compare him with John’s vision in Revelation 1:13ff we think that this is the pre-incarnate Lord Jesus. In Daniel 11 He gave Daniel a prophetic understanding of what would happen for a few hundred years into the future from where he stood. All these came true in history.  He gave Daniel also a vision into the very distant future. Daniel received a vision of “the time of the end” (8:17; 11:40; 12:1,4,9,13) or the end  of days. That time would be a time of terrible trouble for the people of God, but at the end of that time there also would be a glorious deliverance for the people of God. 

It is worth reminding ourselves that the history of our world is not just a matter of human cause and effect. There are so many things that we don’t and can’t understand from where we are. We have finite minds and very limited access to that which exists beyond our 5 senses. History is more complicated than we suppose. For this we need revelation. This is what Daniel receives. That is what all prophets received. This is what John received in the Revelation whilst he was on the island of Patmos. This is what we have received in our Bible.  We have received an understanding of the future - of how things will ultimately turn out.

OUTLINE

1.      12:1-4 the conclusion of the vision which Daniel had received in chapter 10.

2.      12:5-13 The final moments of this visionary experience

(i)                   12:5-7 The angel’s question

(ii)                 12: 8- 13 Daniel’s question

 

1.       12:1-4 The conclusion of the vision which Daniel had received in chapters 10,11.

12:1 Good news, bad news, good news: “At that time (links us up with 11:40 - the antichrist king who thinks he is God- 11:36-39) shall arise Michael (Good news – we have met this heavenly warrior angel before in 10:13. His name means ‘who is like God?’), …the great prince who has charge of your people (God’s people are supernaturally protected: Hebr.1:14; Matt. 26:53; Ps. 91:11,12 “He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone”).  Bad news …And  there shall be  a time of trouble, such as  never has been  since there was a nation till that time, which is caused by the abomination that causes desolation (Dan.9:27,11:31à Matt 24:15ff) God's people must be prepared for trouble and tribulation. Good news… But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone  whose name shall be found  written in the book”. The names of God’s people are recorded from eternity. We find this concept first in Exod. 32:32,33 à Ps 69:28. Jesus refers to it in Lk. 10:20, Paul in Philip. 4:3 and John in the Revelation 3:5; 13:8; 17:8;20:12,15; 21:27.  Again, if you will find this in the Olivet discourse, Matt. 24:22,24 where the Lord Jesus talks about the elect, the chosen people of God not  being spared. These are the sheep for whom the Good Shepherd laid down His life (John 10:15). Let this be the call to everyone here: Hear  the voice of the Good Shepherd - enter by the narrow gate – NOW! (Matt. 7:13,14; Lk. 13:24)

12:2 That day of the defeat of the antichrist (11:45) will be the day of 1 Thessalonians 4:16: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first”. Here we find the testimony of the Old Testament to the doctrine of the resurrection. But Daniel says that there is also another resurrection – “some to shame and everlasting contempt” (12:2). This is  what Jesus speaks of when He says in John 5:28,29, “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice  and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment”.  At the time of the end the will be a resurrection. Please remember that deliverance from death is not guaranteed for Christians. What is guaranteed is deliverance out of death. And remember this: Resurrection day will also be division day (Matt. 25:32). No grave will fail to give up its dead. Each member of the human race will find themselves in one of two destinies: some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  

12:3 focuses on the blessedness that awaits those who have remained faithful in tribulation (Matt. 24:13). Notice: In 12:1 God will protect the faithful. In 12:2 God will resurrect the faithful. In 12:3 God will bless the faithful who are wise. They will shine like the brightness of the sky. These are the ones, similar to 11:33, who in the face of much adversity, continue to instruct others in the way of God’s truth, and who turn many to righteousness. These were fools in the eyes of the world of their day. They were despised when they were standing on the street corners of the world, like Noah proclaiming God’s judgement and salvation. These will be ultimately be vindicated by God.These will ultimately be shown to be the truly wise.

12:4 Daniel is told, “Shut up the words and seal the book!” The vision that began in chapter 10 is now complete. This does not mean that the things revealed to Daniel were to remain a secret. No! This revelation is sealed and preserved for the purpose of being a great help for future generations, like ours.  12:4 ends with a difficult phrase: “Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” What does this mean? I am going with a positive interpretation[2].  The future and its ultimate outcome have been made known to us by way of this book of Daniel. Now there has been no shortage of frenetic activity among Christians  to determine  exactly how the future may be played out – particularly as to  who the antichrist may be,  and the meaning of the  mysterious  number 666,  and whether the church will be taken out of the world before  this  great tribulation etc.  The truth is that we don’t know exactly. What we do know is this: Jesus will bring everything to a climax. He will finally overthrow the antichrist. He will raise the dead. He will be the final Judge of all. He will consign everyone to their final destinies.  I think that as we get closer to the end, and as we give diligent attention to the Scripture we will have a clearer grasp of things. Our knowledge shall increase  as the future unfolds.

2.      12: 5-13 The final moments of this visionary experience

(i)                 12:5-7   The Angel’s Question

At the end of this vision, Daniel is joined by two more heavenly visitors, one on each bank of the Tigris river. The man dressed in linen was now seen above the waters. One of them asked the One dressed in linen  a question: ‘How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?’ (12:6). The answer given was, “for a time, times and half a time (cf. 7:25- which also relates to the coming of the antichrist) and that when the shattering of the power of the holy people, comes to an end all these things will be finished.” In doing so He raised both His hands to heaven (a very solemn oath). Daniel did not understand the reply. If he can’t, how can we? So let’s stick to what we do know. The antichrist will dominate the world for a determined  time (indicating God's control of  this time)  and when he is at the height of that time  (i.e. when the holy people – God’s people – the church   is shattered- See Revelation 11), he will be  destroyed, and the church shall rise from the ashes.  

(ii)               12:8-13  Daniel’s Question

Daniel's question follows in 12:8 and he says, “explain this to me. I don't understand. What is going to be the outcome of all this?  The answer that Daniel gets in 12:9 is this:  Daniel, this is not for you to know. What you do need to know is found in 12:10. “Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined; but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand’.  Simply put: these hard providences are for the purpose of refining God's people. God's people will be purified, and the wicked will continue in their wickedness to the end (see also Rev.  22:10,11). That is what Daniel needs to know.  And now God says, “Go your way Daniel” (12:9; 12:13).

What do we make of 12:11? At 30 days to the month 1290 days make up 3 years and 7 months. Whatever that means (and no one knows for sure) we can say that the days of purification are counted and known to God. There shall be an end to them. What about the 1335 days (12:12)  - 45 days more than 1290? There are three sets of days mentioned in the book of Daniel:  In 8:14,  2300 evenings and mornings; 12:11  1290 days ; 12:12, 1335 days. What is the significance of these? We don’t know. We do know this: be prepared to persevere. Understanding Matthew 24:36-51 is helpful- no one knows the day or hour! In that parable Jesus tells us that we are to be faithful even if our Master doesn't come home at the expected time.

12:13 is a beautiful personal promise for Daniel and for all believers: Daniel is told that his duty is to go on and to endure, and then to enter into joy. It reminds us of Jesus words in  Matthew 25:21,23:  “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”  

What a glorious promise for Daniel and for us at the conclusion of this great book. How long did Antiochus Epiphanes dominate Jerusalem? Between 1,290 and 1,335 days, (12:11 & 12), that is, about three and a half years. It was just a matter of days. Not decades, and not  centuries – just  a few days, and  he was overthrown. So too, we must know that Satan’s little season is quickly gone. “Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the days” (12:12). “And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days“, Daniel is assured (12:13).

That is where  it all ends  dear believer! We are not in the hands of unspeakable evil; we are not in the hands of an almighty devil. We are in the hands of Jesus. And from Him we receive our promised rest if we endure to the end. Our earthly journey ends, not with despair or uncertainty. It ends in the words of 1 Peter 1:3-7  …”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be  born again to a living hope through the resurrection of  Jesus Christ from the dead , to an  inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation  ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire – may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Amen!



[1]  A classic book  by  Eugene H. Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980)

[2] E.g. as held by expositors  such as  D.R. Davies and S.Olyott

Monday, August 14, 2023

DANIEL 11 - THE SAD TESTIMONY OF AN UNSTABLE WORLD AND THE WONDERFUL TESTIMONY OF THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD

 


Chapters 10 -12 contain the closing vision of the prophecy of Daniel. In fact, these last three chapters ultimately describe human history across many empires from the time of Daniel until the 2nd coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Chapter 10 forms the introduction in which we saw that Daniel received a heavenly visitor (a theophany), explaining to him what is ultimately behind the political manoeuvrings of this world. We see that Daniel is utterly overwhelmed by what he sees. The heavenly visitor   obviously thinks that it is necessary for Daniel to see the bigger picture, and not only for him only, but also for us who need to make sense out of what is happening in the world across the ages and into the future.  Daniel is receiving this information for the purpose of praying and preparation! Christians must not be caught off guard. We must learn to watch and pray in the light of God's revelation.  And just in case you have forgotten, our Lord Jesus said, “In this world (in every generation) you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.  (Jn. 16:33)

As we now look at the 11th chapter we find at least 45 historic events predicted here. They are all verified in history. All these are   beyond the time of the return of God’s people  from Babylonian exile after the 70 decreed  years are  over.   God is showing Daniel what is going to happen to Israel, the glorious land, after her return from Babylonian   exile. It is an account of a very messy future. It is an account of the comings and goings of political kingdoms and rulers. In the midst of it all we find the sufferings of God’s people until the time appointed- the time of the end (11:27,29,40; 12:4,9,13) .

Outline of Daniel 11

The One speaking in chapter 11 is the Heavenly Visitor, who sees with the eyes of eternity.  From Daniel’s perspective these are future happenings, breath-taking in their scope.  

1.      11:2  Three  more kings  and a fourth

2.      11:3-4  A mighty king whose kingdom  is broken  and divided

3.      11: 5-20 Southern kings versus northern kings

4.      11: 21-  35  A contemptible  king

5.      11:36-45 The king who exalts himself above  God


1.      11:1-2 The Persian empire:  Three more kings  and a fourth

The three kings who appear in Persia (11:2) after Cyrus (10:1) were Cambyses,  Smerdis and Darius Hystaspia. “A fourth, who will be far richer than all of them” (11:2) appears. This was king Xerxes – the Ahasuerus of Esther 1:1. [Remember here Daniel 2:31ff    the great image in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, where Persia represents the chest  and arms of silver ; In  Daniel 8:1ff   Persia is represented as a ram. The Persian ram  is usurped by the Greek goat of 8:1-27. Alexander’s Greek navy mauled the Persian fleet at the battle of Salamis in 480 B.C.]

2.      11:3-4  A mighty king whose kingdom  is broken  and divided

The “mighty king” (11:3) who defeated the Persians was the Greek king, Alexander the Great. He was tutored by the famous philosopher Aristotle.  He succeeded his father Philip II to the throne in 336 BC, aged 20. He conducted a lengthy military campaign throughout Western Asia and Egypt. Alexandria in Egypt is named after him. By the age of 30 he had created one of the largest empires in history, stretching from Greece to north-western India. He is widely considered to be one of history's most successful military commanders. He died in Babylon at the age of 33. 

Following Alexander’s untimely death his empire was divided in four (11:4), led by Ptolemy (Egypt), Lysimachus (Trace, Asia minor, Macedonia), Cassander (Southern Greece), and Seleucus (Syria). Our narrative will focus on the Ptolemy and Seleucus  dynasties.

3.      11: 5-20 Southern kings  versus northern kings

Verses  2-20  covers  history from 530 – 175 B.C.  -  from Cyrus to Antiochus III  the Great.  We are not going to attempt to mention all   the names of all the kings referred to here. Just know that the king of the south is Egypt, and their dynasty name is the Ptolemies. The king of the north is from Syria, associated here with the Seleucid  (Antiochus) dynasty.  

11:5-20  covers a lot of detail. 11:5-12 relates to Ptolemaic/ Egyptian dominance. Ptolemy II (Philadelphus) tried to consolidate relationships with the northers Seleucid kingdom, then under Antiochus II (Theos),  by marrying off his daughter Berenice to the  Egyptian leader. This is  a very convoluted story and full of intrigue  and ultimately solving nothing.  In 11:13-17 Antiochus III of the north successfully attacks the Egyptians, and in that process  he takes from them  the  land of Israel. In this chapter we find this ‘back and forth’ between these two kingdoms -  south and north.  South and north - from which  perspective?  The answer - from the perspective of Israel’s location - the glorious  land (11:16, 41). North of Israel was Syria - the Seleucid dynasty, and south of Israel was Egypt, the Ptolemaic dynasty,   with Israel in between.  It’s a war of the superpowers, wreaking havoc in Israel while they were trying to assert their own powers over each other.   

4.      11: 21- 35  A contemptible  king - Antiochus IV Epiphanes  (175-164 BC).

11:21-35 These 15 verses cover the events of 175 – 163B.C. – the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. We have seen him before in Daniel 8. He is the “contemptible person”,  who comes without warning and who obtains  the kingdom  by  flatteries ” (11:21). His  accession to the throne was controversial. After the death of his brother Seleucus IV Philopator in 175 BC, the true heir should have been Seleucus's son Demetrius I. However, Demetrius I was very young. Antiochus IV seized the opportunity to declare himself king instead – thus his ability to “act deceitfully” (11:23).  

His Egyptian wars are documented in 11:25-29. Antiochus failed in his third invasion of Egypt. The Roman navy (the ships of Kittim) came against him, he became afraid and withdrew (11:30). Then we read that he turned his anger on Israel- against the holy covenant  (11:28,30). He defiled the temple and the altar of sacrifice, turning it into a pagan altar setting up “the abomination that causes desolation”. He set up a statue of Zeus in the temple and offered sacrifices to Zeus on the altar in the temple. Sadly, there  were   Jews  who co-operated  with  this abominable man, but then there were also those that  resolutely withstood  him -  “…the people who know their God shall stand firm  and resist him” (11:32). It was a hard time for the nation of Israel. It was a time of   sword and flame, captivity and plunder (11:33). It was a time of purification (10:35).  Thankfully,  there were some wise and faithful men in Israel who kept reminding their people of the truth. They received a little help (11:34) – perhaps a reference to Judas Maccabaeus, a Jew who led a successful rebellion against the occupying forces, so that in December 165 BC the altar of the Temple was rededicated to God.  In summary, this Antiochus IV Epiphanes becomes the epitome of evil in OT history. 

He is the antichrist of the Old Testament.

5.      11:36-45 The king who exalts himself above  God

Many think that the rest of the chapter still speaks about Antiochus IV, but careful reading takes the persecution by Antiochus IV to a much wider and profounder  level - pointing to a  future persecution by an even  more notorious and sinister  personality.  Some make the following  connection:   If Antiochus Epiphanes  persecuted the people of God shortly before the first coming  of Christ, then  this   sinsister personality  referred to in the New Testament as the man of lawlessness (2 Thess. 2) will persecute the people of God before  Christ’s  second  coming.  

The picture of 11:36-42 certainly looks more like the antichrist of the end times. Concerning him it is said in  11:36-38 that “he  shall exalt himself and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak astonishing things against the God of gods…. He shall pay no attention to the gods of his fathers … he shall pay no attention to any other god, for he shall magnify himself above all nor will he regard any god”. “He shall honour the god of fortresses”

When we consider this and compare this with the rest of Scripture then we shall see that this is the satanic spirit – the spirit of the antichrist. As we consider him, so we find that his is the quest for autonomy from God. You can hear the Satan-serpent speaking in the garden of Eden, “Has God really said?Eat it. You will be like God.”  Also note from 11:36 that blasphemy is associated with the antichrist. He has no regard for the structures created by God (11:37). His trust is in his fortresses – the things that he has built – the god of fortresses. 

And then in 11:45 we find that all his pomp and power crashes with none to help him. God will triumph over him. We shall see more of that in Chapter 12 and of course in the book of the Revelation.

APPLICATION

1.  Interpretation is hard work. To really get the most out of this passage, we do have to know the history behind it.

2.    This chapter reminds us again, that behind the earthly conflicts of the ages there is a spiritual war. The church of the ages exists and endures in the midst of it all. She ultimately bears the brunt of the enemy’s hatred against God.  The enemy operates by war and violence, but he also operates by flattery and deceit. This reminds us to pray and to keep watch over our hearts and our lives, and to trust in God's deliverance.

3.    From the battles of the north and south, with Israel in between we also learn that the church in the world is always in the crossfire of competing ideologies. The heart of chapter 11 is basically a picture of the battle not only for Israel, but the church – the people of God at all times. She is the glorious land (11: 16,41).  

4.   We learn that the persecutions which the people of God experience are more than just what evil people do to God’s people. From God’s perspective these trials are also   a refining fire for the church. God is working His purposes out in the midst of our suffering circumstances of our lives. There are no accidents in God's providence; there are  only purposes for the good of His people.

5.      How do we act when evil marches through the land?  

     (i)  Resist!The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action” (11:32). The true church is always a resistance movement, fighting not with carnal weapons, but with the armour of God and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17). 

      (ii)  Teach!And the wise among the people shall make many understand” (11:33). We teach our people that His Word is above all things. 

6.      Why do we have texts like this in the Bible? To teach us to pray. God is here encouraging Daniel to pray now for the people of God who will be persecuted under the reign of these wicked kings.  May we learn to pray for the kingdom of God and against the kingdom of Satan. This is the beginning and the end of the Lord’s prayer in  Matthew  6:9-13.

7.     We are also reminded of the instability of kingdoms in this world. Evil is always unstable because it does not have a foundation in God. If you want to have stability in this world pray to God and maintain that which God has given you by way of the commandments.

8.     We also learn that evil gains a foothold in the Israel / the church of God because there are those who compromise the truth and embrace the spirit of the world   (11:32a). Doctrinal, moral and spiritual compromise with the world is how the church is invaded, divided and defeated. We must be devoted to the terms of the covenant.

9.    We learn that the devil and his associates may plan and scheme  but God  has the last say.  Notice how often the word but occurs in verses 4, 6, 9, 11, 12, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 27, 29,41,44. Over and over, we learn that man proposes but God disposes.  

Thank God that we are in His hands. 

History is His story. 

The cross of Christ has secured our  future and therefore  we are comforted even though the world around us  constantly falls apart.

 

 

Monday, July 31, 2023

DANIEL 10: A THEOPHANY AND THE VISION OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE

 


We   now have before us  the last  Chapters 10 - 12   which contain a lengthy vision which Daniel received as a very old man - in the 3rd year of the reign of Cyrus  the Persian. It is estimated, that Daniel was now about  86   years old!

PREVIEW OF CHAPTERS 10 -12 

1.  Chapter 10 constitutes the introduction; it tells us how the vision  came about, under what circumstances   and what kind of effect it had on Daniel.

2.     Chapter 11 contains the sum and substance of the revelation. Here we find prophecies containing Persia, Greece and the time of the end. In 11:21 we will meet again with Antiochus Epiphanes (see Chapter 8)  - Seleucid king of the Hellenistic Syrian kingdom who reigned from 175 to 164 BC. He was responsible for much suffering among the Jews of his  day.  Antiochus Epiphanes is the type of an anti- Christ who will also   cause havoc in the Christian church. Thankfully we learn  that it is decreed that an end will  come  for his kind at the appointed   time (11:27,35). Thankfully, the influence of the anti -Christ will be limited (11:36, 45).  We are greatly encouraged, along with Daniel and all the saints of history, to learn that evil cannot last forever. In fact, it is God's principle to break evil when it is at its height. We also learn that it is God's way to help His people IN the fire.  We learn that   even though evil may win many battles, it will never win the war!  It can never ultimately triumph, because  God is God. He is the Sovereign God.

3.      Chapter 12 contains the epilogue and reveals a glimpse of the future. The church of God will go through much suffering in the ultimate end days, as indeed it has done throughout these last days i.e. the time between Jesus ascension and descension. We also read here   of the resurrection of the believers, which will happen after that time of   suffering. There are many things which Daniel does not understand here, nor is he permitted to understand them. But he knows this: God will bring His plan to completion.

OUTLINE : DANIEL 10  

1.      10:1-3  The  year  and effect of the Vision  

2.      10: 4-12  An overwhelming  Visitor assures Daniel

3.      10:13-14 What’s behind it all : Spiritual Warfare

4.      10:15-21 Daniel utterly exhausted and strengthened

 

1.      10:1-3 The year and the effect of the Vision  

“In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia...” (10:1). This would have been in 537 BC.  We know that in the first year of Cyrus, whose heart was in the Lord’s hands (Prov. 21:1),   the Jews were given permission to return to Jerusalem (see Ezra 1:1ff). That process lasted for a century or more.  The Jews had been in exile in Babylon since 605 BC. According to the books of Ezra–Nehemiah, the return to Israel occurred in several waves, i.e. under  Sheshbazzar,  Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah. In the book of Nehemiah (445B.C.), who lived almost a 100 years after Daniel, we find a record of  42,360 people that  went home  to Israel (Neh. 7:66).  It does not appear as if Daniel ever made it back to Israel. In fact, the prophecy of Daniel ends with these words concerning him… “…And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days” (12:13). This points forward to something more glorious, something far greater than an earthly country. Daniel, like Abraham and Moses was enabled to look forward to a far greater city, “that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” (Hebr. 11:10)  

During that third year of Cyrus, when some of his countrymen were already beginning to settle back in Israel, Daniel received a revelation of a great conflict to come. He understood the word and had understanding of the vision (10:1).  This vision so overwhelmed Daniel that he mourned with fasting for three weeks.  When the going gets tough the tough get praying. Please note that this response was heard from the very beginning (10:12), but Daniel did not know that yet. It would take another three weeks before he would receive an explanation.  God often makes his people wait a while before they see the answer. How encouraging then to know that God sees and hears our petitions (1 Jn. 5:14,15). We do not need to have our questions immediately answered if we know that God hears us. We are reminded in this passage of what a tremendous need we have in the church today for intercessors like Daniel. Faithful praying people always have been the human tool used by God to bring true perspective, true wisdom of the times, and the knowledge what to do. Praying people also have been the reason why God, in history has often revived and renewed His church (Ps.85:6). We have a tremendous need for that ministry in our own day.

2.      10:4-12  An overwhelming Visitor assures Daniel

In response to prayer, Daniel receives this glorious and overwhelming visitation.  After three weeks (10:4), when Daniel was standing  on the bank of the Tigris river, he  lifted up his eyes and  saw  an indescribably  glorious man. We called it a Theophany.   When we consider the description we shall see the similarity with what  Abraham saw  (Gen. 15 etc.), what Jacob saw (Ex.32:30),  what Moses saw in Exodus 3, whom  Isaiah saw (Isaiah 6),   whom Ezekiel  saw  (Ezek. 1:26-28), whom Peter, James and John saw on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-13; 2 Pet.1:16-18),  whom  Saul  saw on the Damascus Road (Acts 9)  and whom John saw on the Isle of Patmos (Rev. 1:9-18).  Daniel saw him too.  Whether this was   the angel Gabriel, or another angel or an appearance of the pre-incarnate  Lord Jesus Christ we do not know.  All we know that this was heaven’s own presence!  The men with Daniel were not privileged to see this  although they  felt his presence  and “trembled and fled to hide themselves” (10:7). The effect on Daniel is recorded throughout the chapter.  Daniel tells us, “no strength was left in me (10:8,16,17). My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength … I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground“ (10:8). That glorious visitor left Daniel trembling, shaken  and speechless by this encounter. There is nothing casual about a  heavenly visitor. [1] The visitor affirms something in 10:11,19  to Daniel that was previously said in 9:23, “You are greatly loved”.  It is a great word of affirmation and assurance.

It is also the answer to Daniel’s prayer. In Chapter 11 we shall see that the vision concerns  some of the  huge trials and sufferings  which the Jews – the covenant people of God,  shall undergo in the future. And the glorious visitor helps Daniel to understand  the bigger picture which is behind this huge conflict.  He introduces the reality of the spiritual conflict (Ch. 10) which is behind the physical conflict of the nations in Ch.11, with Israel caught up in the middle. 

3.         10:13-14  What’s behind it all:   Spiritual Warfare

And so He tells Daniel that He has been  at war with the Prince of  Persia these past twenty-one days (10:13). In all this he assures Daniel that his prayer was not neglected. What Daniel saw caused him to be  anxious for the future of his people. The  glorious man comes to assure him, “I came to make  you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come” (10:14). The first thing that David must understand  is that there is behind all of history  a huge, unseen reality, a war raging in the heavenlies. This glorious visitor, assisted by Michael (10:13,21, Jude 9)  is presently  fighting with the Prince of Persia, and soon also with the prince of Greece (10:20). We know very little about these realities, and it is not really wise to speculate[2],  but we know that the apostle Paul affirms this  in Ephesians 6:10ff. This has generated  an interest  in the last century  in ‘territorial spirits’, generating  the theory that every community has ‘territorial spirits’  or guardian demons who rule over them. Prayer warriors are then called to identify the names of these territorial spirits and bind them in the Name of Jesus, to release the captives held in bondage by them. This movement seemed all very man centred, and we here nothing of it now. Still, there can be no doubt that  the Bible affirms that there is a huge spiritual battle happening in  the unseen realm, and in an ongoing fashion. 

Abraham Kuyper (1837–1920), pastor, theologian, and one time prime minister of the Netherlands once wrote, “If once the curtain were pulled back, and the spiritual world behind it came to view, it would expose to our spiritual vision a struggle so intense, so convulsive, sweeping everything within its range, that the fiercest battle fought on earth would seem, by comparison, a mere game…”[3]

There can be no doubt that Satan does his utmost to destroy the church of God on earth through killing her, and by infiltrating and subverting her[4]. We must remember that our entire existence on earth is about the war for the human heart. And the ultimate truth is this: Everyone is a captive of Satan until they are liberated or freed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The whole world is Satan’s current domain (1 John 5:19) and not just Persia or Greece. Satan uses any means at his disposal- any  political powers, religious organisations, false teachings,  at all times. 

How then can Satan be defeated? The glorious One seen by Daniel, has successfully resisted him. Ultimately, only the  One  who was to come from God  in the flesh would decisively defeat the powers of darkness by His sinless life and death. The Lord Christ defeated Satan at the cross (John 12:31, 16:11, and Rev. 12:7-9). The gospel of Jesus  now goes beyond  the boundaries of Israel into every nation in the world, systematically plundering the strong man of his subjects. By divine permission He is presently allowed to roam the earth like a roaring lion (1 Pet. 5:8), and as such he  will never stop attacking the people of God until the second coming of Christ. The way he is defeated now is through gospel preaching and gospel living. Every Christian is called to resist the devil  and he will flee  (James 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9).

So what we see here then is a revelation of the spiritual battle for the kingdom of God.   And so, even after their return to Israel there would be severe  spiritual conflict. They weren’t returning to heaven. We learn so much from this.

We learn first of all, that all the events of this world cannot be simply interpreted by historical interpreters.  History is far bigger. Ultimately history is His story.  Therefore history, the past  and the future is spiritual and theological. One American general was once asked, “Sir what is the origin of all wars?” The general said, “the origin of all wars is theological.” We tend to think of  Washington or Moscow, the West or the  East as  the  ultimate  powerbrokers. But they are not at the centre of the ultimate power struggle of history. “Not here, but up there, that is where the real conflict is waged”.

Let me ask you  a question. What do you see in this building? Is there anything else?Let me tell you what I see. From this passage and from Ephesians 6 and from the book of Revelation I see powers and principalities at work. I see spiritual forces above engaged in a war for your soul.  

We learn that Christians are inevitably caught up in that spiritual conflict and  we learn that our prayers have a role. This passage teaches us  concerning  the power of prayer, but  be careful! The power of prayer is not in the prayer. The power of prayer is in the God who wants “all men to pray, lifting holy hands without anger  or quarrelling” (1 Tim 2:8). From the life of Daniel we also learn that the power of prayer is connected to the power of consistent godliness and holiness. Our character and our prayer goes together. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5: 16b).

Once again I submit to you that the Bible gives you the only reasonable  worldview and explanation for the  way things are in this world.



[1] D.R. Davies : The Message of Daniel: BST Series,p.142

[2] As was the case in a genre of books that appeared in the 90’s  e.g. Frank Peretti : This Present Darkness

[3] Bryan Chapell: The Gospel according to Daniel, Baker Books , p.175

[4] thus   Rev.  2:9-10, 13,24; 3:9

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