Prophecy
Earlene Davis
A Great Warfare
Daniel’s last and greatest vision is recorded in chapters 10,11 & 12. It gives further revelation of end time events and contains what has already been revealed. The first section fo the vision (Ch. 10 to 11:1) is mainly introduction.
Daniel 10, verse one, “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a thing was revealed unto Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar; and the thing was true, but the time appointed was long: and he understood the thing, and had understanding of the vision.”
The original Hebrew text reads, “and the thing was true, even a great warfare. That is the subject of the vision, even a great warfare, a war between opposing forces which affects the nations. Daniel knew it is not to be in his day, “the time appointed was long.”
Cyrus had given commandment that the Jews could return to and land, and a few went back. Those who did had much difficulty which is recorded in the book of Ezra. The neighboring people withstood those returnees. A small replica of the temple was undertook that did not have the glory that it once had in Solomon’s time. All this burdened Daniel.
Daniel fasted and praye and Daniel sees a man, it is none other then the Lord Jesus Christ clothed as Judge (Vs. 5-6), the judge of the nation Israel. In the book of Revelation, John saw Christ as judge of the church, but Daniel was shown only those things concerning His people (V. 14).
The others with him did not see Christ, only the brightness and they trembled being afraid and fed (V. 7). Daniel became weak hearing the voice of his words and fell, his face to the ground (Vs. 8-9). Behold a hand touched Daniel and set him on his knees and the palms of his hands (V. 10). He is told by the Lord Himself that he is greatly beloved and told to stand up and not fear, for I am come in answer to your prayers (Vs. 11-12).
The voice said the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me 21 days, but Michael, a chief prince came to helped me and I remained with the kings of Persia (V. 13). Many people do not understand the strength and power of wicked forces in the heavens. In spite of people thinking that Satan is in hell, he is not there yet, he is loose today, he is the god of this world, the prince and power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience (II Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:2). Satan has organized wicked forces (Eph. 6:12). We learn here that he has a captain over ever nation. The prince of Persia is not Cyrus, he couldn’t withstand the Lord. It had to be a spiritual power of Satan forces.
The devil knew the Lord was going to show Daniel this and he did not want anyone to know what was going to happen. Today the devil knows his time is short (Rev. 12:12). He redouble his efforts all he can, especially against the people who want to know the truth and who want to reign with Christ. He fights them more than anyone else. Because if he can defeat them, in that sense he has defeated the Lord. So he withstood and Michael a warring prince, fought against that evil force.
We read of Michael in the book of Revelation (12:7-9), he will rid heaven of these wicked powers. We cannot fight against the devil with flesh and blood, we have no power over him. Our one spiritual weapon is the sword of the spirit. We do have an Armour to clothe ourselves with (Eph. 6:12,17).
Again Daniel is told that the vision is “for many days.” “The later days.” It is to much for Daniel, he looked toward the ground and became dumb, he could not speak a word. (Vs. 14-15).
The Lord touched Daniel lips. Daniel said, how can I talk, I have no strength, there is no breath left in me. The words of God strengthened Daniel and they strengthen us (Vs. 16-18). Again the Lord tells Daniel that he is greatly beloved and not to fear, “peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me. I was strengthened, and said, Let my Lord speak: for thou hast strengthened me” (V. 19).
Isn’t this wonderful, how even the words of God can strengthen us. We are so privileged to have the written Word. As we read, it, it is as though someone speaks it to us. When we have it in our heart and mind, it strengthens us. The Lord is speaking, just like He spoke to Daniel. Praise the Lord! He speaks to our hearts and strengthens us.
V. 20, “Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.”
These are opposing forces. It started in the heavenlies and was reflected on the earth. Here was the prince of Persia and the prince of Grecia and they do battle together and then on earth they had the battle.
V. 21, “ But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.”
No one strentheneth himself with me, but Michael your prince. God sent Michael to Daniel for this. Michael is a special warring angel for Israel.
Chapter 11:1, This is referring back to Michael even in the first year, there was a mighty conflict in the skies, the evil forces were against the setting up of the Medo-Persia Empire. Why? Because that signaled the Jews release.
Continued in the next issue.
