Angel Addresses Daniel example essay topic

The final three chapters of Daniel consist of one long narrative. They record the final vision given to this prophet of God. Chapter 10 introduces the vision, giving an amazing 'behind the scenes' look at the spiritual conflict of which Daniel was a part. The Bible plainly reveals that life in our universe exists on two planes: the material and the spiritual.

The unseen world is just as real as that which we see. Moreover, many of the struggles that take place in this world are influenced by conflicts taking place in the spiritual realm - conflicts that are the result of Satan's rebellion against God. Aligned with Satan isa host of fallen angels who joined him in his rebellion. Together, they make up a spiritual kingdom of darkness over which Satan rules as king. From the beginning, Satan's kingdom has been at war with the kingdom of God, and the people of God have always been at the heart of the conflict. Paul recognized this, writing, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds... Ephesians 6: 12; 2 Corinthians 10: 3-4 This chapter gives us the opportunity to consider those involved in the spiritual conflict Paul describes. There are several things for us to learn. One is the reality of the conflict - and the potential for suffering defeat. Another is the means of victory, and the price that must be paid to achieve it. Finally, we need to learn that the struggle between God and Satan is ongoing, and we cannot escape involvement.

We will either be numbered with the conquerors or the casualties. We cannot remain neutral. I. Daniel - The Soldier on His Knees (Verses 1-3) A. Faithfulness in retirement (1) B. Daniel 1: 19 informed us that Daniel and his friends stood before the King. Upon graduation from Nebuchadnezzar's school, they were numbered among his advisors. Furthermore, Daniel 1: 21 records that Daniel continued in that role unto the first year of King Cyrus. At that point, his service to the kings ended, and Daniel began his retirement years. It was two years later, in the third year of Cyrus, that Daniel receives this vision.

This tells us that although Daniel may have been past his prime physically, he was still in the thick of things spiritually. His public ministry was over, but not his service to the Lord. C. Fasting with resolve (2-3) Some people fast as a matter of routine. Others fast as a means of spiritual discipline. Daniel's fast was a result of an intense burden. Hew as mourning. He was so burdened in his spirit, so spiritually in need of God's help, that he ate no pleasant bread or flesh (meat) and drank no wine.

For three weeks, he lived on plain bread and water while he waited to hear from heaven. Daniel does not tell us why he was mourning. We only know that Daniel was so overwhelmed by his burden that he continued to fast until the answer was received - even though, as the later verses imply, it physically weakened him greatly. Daniel's period of prayer and fasting is typical of the part of spiritual conflict we can observe.

For three weeks he petitioned God - wrestling, agonizing, weeping, waiting - all the time unaware of the battle that was raging somewhere in the unseen realm of the heavens. The delay Daniel experienced resulted because Satan vigorously contested the answer to that prayer. If Satan's persistence had outlasted that of Daniel, Daniel would have been defeated in prayer. The deciding factor was Daniel's perseverance. The reason we are instructed to persist in prayer is not to overcome God's reluctance, but to prevail against Satan's opposition. II.

Jesus Christ - The Coming King (Verses 4-9) A. The Person Daniel Saw The first part of Daniel's vision concerned the appearance of a certain man. By comparing the description of the man Daniel saw to John's vision of the Son of man in Revelation 1: 13-16, it is apparent that each saw the same person: the Lord in his messianic glory - a reigning King, the righteous judge of all the earth, and not the lowly Savior. Both figures wore a golden girdle Both had eyes that appeared to burn with fire Both had feet that shined like brass Both had thunderous voices and shining faces (countenances). John and Daniel also had the same reaction to being in the presence of Christ in his exalted form. In verses 8-9, Daniel describes how he became weak and collapsed in a feint to the ground, landing face downward. John is less descriptive and more to the point.

He wrote, 'When I saw Him, I fell at his feet as dead. ' A. The purpose for which He appeared First, this was not Daniel's first introduction to Christ. In chapter 2, Christ was symbolized as the Stone cut out without hands. In chapter 7, Daniel sees Him as one like the Son of Man to whom is given an everlasting Kingdom. In chapter 8, He is called the Prince of princes. In chapter 9, He is called the Most Holy and Messiah the Prince. Second, it had already been revealed to Daniel that it would be many years before God's kingdom was established on earth through Israel.

In chapter 9, God revealed to Daniel that 70 weeks of years would pass before everlasting righteousness would be established and the Most Holy would be anointed. In verse 1 of this chapter, Daniel affirms that he understood that the appointed time was long before the visions would be fulfilled. It makes sense that in this final vision, Daniel would see Christ in all his messianic glory. In this way, Daniel would receive the assurance that although the time was long, and there would be a point when Messiah the Prince was cut off, yet the final victory would be His. The turning point in human history will be the coming of Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords to judge the world and establish the Kingdom of God upon the earth. SEE REVELATION 19: 11-21 .

Heavenly Angels - God's Ministering Spirits (Verses 10-21) A. The presence of the messenger. From this point onward, an angel addresses Daniel, not the 'man' who caused his collapse. This is apparent from the fact that a fallen angel could delay this messenger. It is clear from the New Testament that the demons greatly fear the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. (See Mark 5: 6-13) They certainly are unable to hinder His work. It also appears that other angels were present to minister to his needs. C. The performance of his ministry God has commanded the angels to care for His people.

In Psalm 91: 11-12, the writer declares, 'For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. ' Hebrews 1: 14 states that the angels are 'ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. ' Although we are largely unaware of the activity of angels, we can learn from this vision some of the ministries they perform on behalf of the saints. He encouraged and comforted Daniel. Verse 11 He conveyed the answer to Daniel's prayer from heaven's throne room. Verse 12 He strengthened Daniel.

Verse 18 We will probably never know this side of heaven how much we owe to the ministry of the holy angels. Although the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the possession of the completed Word of God has made it unnecessary for angels to provide guidance or give revelation, they are still active on our behalf, joining us and aiding us in our spiritual conflicts. IV. Fallen Angels - The Militant Servants of Satan (Verses 13, 20) A. Their origin It seems evident that the 'princes' mentioned in this chapter are not men, but other angels belonging to the ranks of Satan's demons. The Bible reveals that when Satan fell, a large number of angels joined him in his rebellion. Matthew 25: 41 refers to the devil and his angels Revelation 12: 9 tells us that Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven Matthew 12: 24 calls Satan the prince of the devils B. Their organization.

The term 'prince of the kingdom of Persia' reminds us that there are different orders of angels. The New Testament reveals that there are various orders, or ranks of angels. SEE EPHESIANS 6: 12 It is also apparent from Scripture that some angels are more powerful than others. Some are referred to as 'mighty angels. ' In these verses, we see that the more powerful 'prince of Persia' hindered the angelic messenger sent to Daniel until Michael the Archangel came to his aid. Further, this text reveals that Satan assigns very powerful demons to carry out his purposes and influence the affairs of human governments.

They exercise the authority of Satan in specific geographical and political spheres. D. Their opposition In Ephesians 6: 12, Paul refers to our conflict with the spirit world as a wrestling match. In 2 Corinthians 10: 4 he calls it warfare. This tells us that Satan and his angels are actively obstructing, opposing, and attacking the lives of believers. If Satan can discourage or cripple a Christian, he has advanced his cause and hindered the purposes of God. Nowhere is Satan's opposition more noticeable than in the believer's prayer life. Daniel's prayer was heard in heaven from the first day (verse 12), yet it took 21 days for the answer to get through because a fallen angel vigorously opposed God's messenger.

This is the reason for the Biblical teaching of persistent prayer. The answer to many prayers may not be received not because they were not granted, but because the believer quit the battle before God's messenger could get through. CONCLUSION: The spiritual struggle we glimpse in this chapter is real. It continues to this day. Satan and his organized legions of angels are constantly working to obstruct the plan of God. As believers, our greatest weapon is prayer.

With it, we can 'pull down strongholds' (2 Corinthians 10: 4). It is logical to conclude, then, that we can expect our greatest opposition when we are on our knees. And, as Daniel teaches us, the fallen angels do not quit the battle until they must. The price we must pay for victory is persistence -praying until the answer is received..