Daniel, Chaper 10

Tonight chapter 10

Two weeks from now 11 and 12, and then break for December’s activities

Spiritual Lessons

Daniel 10:1 NLT

In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship.

Daniel has a troubling vision/message - about war and hardship in the future

We get details in chapters 11 and 12

Daniel 10:2–3 NLT

When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.

This troubling vision causes him to fast and pray, and he has been doing it for three weeks

“Daniel fast” (not a full fast) - rich food (bread, sweets), no meat, no alcohol

if you decided to do one, please know that this is no magic formula fast

Daniel 10:5–6 NLT

I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people.

wow!

Daniel 10:7 NLT

Only I, Daniel, saw this vision. The men with me saw nothing, but they were suddenly terrified and ran away to hide.

Only Daniel saw the angel

while others around could not see it, they could feel the angel’s, and ran away

it was revealed to Daniel but not to the others

Spiritual Lesson #1: God is a revealing God

He knows everything and will reveal some of those things to us

give example of reveal

What will he reveal to us? What are the Guidelines?

what we need to know

what we can handle

what we will be good stewards of - how faithful we have been with his past revelations

How? dreams, visions, preacher, teacher, prophet, mental clarity, circumstances (tough times reveal who’s really there for you)

. . . . and the biggest revelation is the Bible

the Bible reveals what we need to know

The bible reveals what we can handle

how faithful have you been with what (the Bible) has been revealed by God?

and biggest revelation in the Bible is Jesus

Ask for revelation in your prayers

show me open doors

show me ideas

show me hidden enemies/true friends

wisdom

Daniel often prayed for understanding of dreams

note: faith will always be a factor, he will not reveal everything . . . Ex. might reveal the “what”, but not the “how”

Daniel 10:8–9 NLT

So I was left there all alone to see this amazing vision. My strength left me, my face grew deathly pale, and I felt very weak. Then I heard the man speak, and when I heard the sound of his voice, I fainted and lay there with my face to the ground.

the vision caused him to pass out, unconscious

that’s what an angel can do to us, wow!

I will say again, “for those angry and mad at God, and have an attitude about God” . . . . you don’t want him to return that same energy

Daniel 10:10–12 NLT

Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling. Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.

shaking and trembling, but the angel helps him stand up

angel was sent with the answer to Daniel’s prayer on the first day Daniel started praying

makes me wonder if he could have stopped fasting after 1 day, lol

Spiritual Lesson #2 - Prayers Matter

angel was dispatched right away!

then angel mentioned that Daniel humbled himself before God

Spiritual Lesson #3: prayer must be done with the proper attitude (humbly)

Daniel was mournful, verse 2

have mercy on me, I call on your compassion

attitudes we sometimes have

complaining attitude - like disciple; s to Jesus, “don’t you care if we perish”; insulting to God

Daniel could have complained, “Why give me visions if you won’t help me understand them!”

we pray like we deserve something - we live in a “you deserve the best” culture; don’t let that leak over to your prayer

ungrateful - you might have a lot to ask for, but you have a lot to be thankful for too

Daniel 10:13 NLT

But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.

spiritual warfare - this angel was sent with the answer to the prayer but was blocked by the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia . . . fighting the whole time Daniel was fasting

demons seem to have territories - a ruler behind the ruler

Michael, on of the chief angels (archangel) came to help him

Spiritual Lesson #4 - Battles are going on in the spirit world

we wrestle not against flesh and blood . . .

so how do we fight?

Ephesians 6:10 NASB95

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

ain’t no joke, be strong

Ephesians 6:11 NASB95

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.

lot of “standing” - not giving up

Ephesians 6:12 NASB95

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.

the real battle, like the ruler of Persia

Bible goes on to say that the armor includes: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the word of God . . . . then goes on to say “with all prayer and petition”

Daniel 10:14 NLT

Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”

demon was trying to block the message, demon did not want us to know what will happen in the future

Spiritual Lesson #5 - evil spirits don’t want us to know the truth

don’t want us to have the truth

truth that makes us free

they want us lost and without understanding

obstacles will arise to prevent church/bible study

Daniel 10:15–17 NLT

While he was speaking to me, I looked down at the ground, unable to say a word. Then the one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing in front of me, “I am filled with anguish because of the vision I have seen, my lord, and I am very weak. How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.”

presence of angel makes him speechless, can’t even look at him

angel has to touch Daniel to give him strength to speak

Daniel says, “I don’t know how I can even talk to you . . . no strength, barely breathe

Daniel 10:18–19 NLT

Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning. “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “for you are very precious to God. Peace! Be encouraged! Be strong!” As he spoke these words to me, I suddenly felt stronger and said to him, “Please speak to me, my lord, for you have strengthened me.”

Daniel 10:20 NLT

He replied, “Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece will come.

when he leaves, the battle will continue

and then later he will have to fight another demon that represents Greece

Daniel 10:21 NLT

Meanwhile, I will tell you what is written in the Book of Truth. (No one helps me against these spirit princes except Michael, your spirit prince.

your spirit prince, Michael . . .

Michael seems to be the angel in charge of Israel

Spirit Lesson #6 - Angels are assigned to us

we have help

scripture speaking of how Jesus is way higher than angels

Hebrews 1:13–14 NLT

And God never said to any of the angels, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

despite their magnificence, they are servants

they help us!

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