The Invisable War

(RE-CAP OF DANIEL 9:24-27)

As we began to move forward now to Daniel, lets stand with our Bible and declare what we believe.

++++CBC Creed++++

Now in Daniel 10, there is a change of time. From Daniel 9, to Daniel 10, some years had passed. But also some other things had changed. Do you remember Jeramiah’s word from the Lord that they would only be held in captivity for 70 years. That time had passed. The King Cyrus of Persia, not only let them go, but told him what the Lord had said about the Temple.

2 Chronicles 36:23 NLT

23 “This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has appointed me to build him a Temple at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Any of you who are his people may go there for this task. And may the Lord your God be with you!”

They were free to go! Free to go back to their place and worship God in the Temple, which would be rebuilt. Many of them did, but some decided to make their life where they were. Even Daniel decided that God could use him right where he was. So he stayed.

And look what happened, God gave him another vision with a purpose. This vision is all about the last days. And as we move to the end of the book ofo Daniel, we are going to see how God, slowly shows Daniel what will happen at the end of the world. Again today we see apocalyptic writing. Writing that points the last days.

Today, we are going understand that there is a war going on… all around you, but you can’t see it. It is an invisible war. Who is fighting? The forces of good and the forces of evil. The good is Good and his angel armies, and the evil is Satan and his army of de mons. The are always fighting around us, but we never can see them. Why are they fighting? Because Satan wants to confuse you and make you take your eyes off Jesus. He wants you to look to the world, love the things of the world, and give yourself to the world. So God has his angel army constantly fighting for you.

Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)

12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Lets read Daniel 10

Daniel 10 (NLT)

1 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.

2 When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks.

3 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.

4 On April 23, as I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River,

5 I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist.

6 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.

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

8 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.

9 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.

10 Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees.

11 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.

12 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.

13 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.

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

15 While he was speaking to me, I looked down at the ground, unable to say a word.

16 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.

17 How can someone like me, your servant, talk to you, my lord? My strength is gone, and I can hardly breathe.”

18 Then the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning.

19 “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.”

20 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.

21 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.

Daniel had a vision, and is disturbed him. It made him so sick that nothing tasted good in his mouth. And for three weeks he did not understand what the vision was about. Finally one day he leaves his house and goes out by the river. Now Daniel is an important man in the kingdom so he has people, maybe security that follow him everywhere he goes.

While is by the river he sees someone:

Daniel 10:5–6 (NLT)

5 I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist.

6 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.

But he was the only one who could see this man, The others with him heard it, but they ran in fear. Daniel even lost his strength and fell to the ground. But the angel touched him and his strength came back. Look what the angel says in verse 11

Daniel 10:11 (NLT)

11 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.

Daniel had proved his obedience to the one true God. In the most difficult situations, Daniel turned to God and honored him even to the point to death. Would you like to hear that one day as you stand before God? Walt, you are very precious to God. Nonso, you are very precious to God. I know we know that, we are precious to Him, but to hear him say your name followed by, you are precious to me… that is what I want to hear one day.

Daniel had been waiting for 21 days for the man, why did he delay? He was in a battle…a war…an invisible war. He was battling with the prince of Persia. Now this is not a human prince, these are the forces of Satan that have been assigned to the region of Persia. You see the devil has an army, and his little demons, unseen, are everywhere, And there are many people who believe that the devil has specific demons in influencing specific area, countries, or even families to try to suppress the truth of the gospel. Satan does not want people to turn to God.

So, this is my thinking, that and angel was sent to Daniel to tell him about the vision, but as the angel from God entered Persia, Satans army began to fight him, and that explains the 21 days of battle that the angel would have with the prince of Persia. But he even says in verse 20 that he will also battle the prince of Greece. Those of Satans army that will be active during the time of the Greek empire.

Until the time that the Lord comes back again, there will always be a war…an invisible war being fought that we cannot see. A war where Satan and his demons want to confuse you, lie to you, and do anything he can to get your eyes off of Jesus.

How can we remain strong? How can we not give into the Father of Lies….we need to prepare…everyday.

How do we do this? We put on the things of that a warrior puts on. When a warrior goes into battle, he gathers all of the things he needs to fight his enemy. The things he needs to protect himself, and the things he needs to beat the enemy.

Look at what Paul said,

Ephesians 6:11–13 NLT

11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.

What are the tool for our daily spiritual battle?

Ephesians 6:14–17 NLT

14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The invisible war is going on all around you. Its a battle between good (God) and evil (Satan) We know who wins. The Bible tells us in Revelation

Revelation 20:10 (NLT)

10 Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.