Looking Behind the Curtain

750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers 235: The Future

André-François Raffray, a retired lawyer in Arles, France, made what any reasonable businessman would say was a sound financial decision.

According to the Chicago Tribune, for a five-hundred-dollar-a-month annuity, he bought the rights to take over an apartment in Arles, France, on the death of its current resident. The woman living in the apartment was Jeanne Calment, age ninety.

Actuarial tables predicting the mathematical probabilities of Jeanne Calment’s life span were clearly on the lawyer’s side.

Thirty years later and $180,000 poorer, Raffray had still not moved into the apartment. On Tuesday, February 21, 1995, Jeanne Calment celebrated her 120th birthday. She was verifiably the oldest person in the world. Each year on her birthday she sends Raffray a card that jokingly says, “Sorry I am still alive.”

PRAY

This morning we come to Daniel 10, which is the introduction to Daniel’s last recorded vision that carries through Dan 12.

These last three chapters are one literary unit.

In this vision, an angel appears to Daniel and reveals to him the future for Israel from the Persian empire until the coming kingdom of God…the millennial kingdom.

In this revelation to Daniel, God reveals that Israel’s future is going to be dark, hard, and long...

The main point is the same throughout the last three chapters...

Staying with the prevalent theme of God’s sovereignty over all things, Daniel wrote to encourage faithfulness among God’s people knowing God has a plan!

Main Point of the Entire Vision (10-12): Stay Faithful Knowing God Secured The Future!

Three fold division of this final section

Preparation for the Vision (Daniel 10:1-11:1)

Details of the Vision (Daniel 11:2-12:3)

Final Instructions (Daniel 12:4-13)

v. 1— In the third year of Cyrus King of Persia…

Persia has been the dominant world power now for three years...(approximate date = 536 B.C.)

Daniel has lived long enough to see Jeremiah’s prophecy fulfilled of Israel’s restoration to their land and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

The rebuilding project is underway...

Why does Daniel use his Babylonian name in Daniel 10:1?

Apparently he wants his readers to know that he was indeed the same individual spoken of earlier...

The same Daniel that began the captivity of Babylon is the same Daniel who writes this text…

Why would he need to do that?

What Daniel sees and hears is extraordinary, it would be easy for his people to read this and conclude no way is that going to happen...

We’re good...God forgave us...we are right with God now...we’re rebuilding.

He wanted them to know it was true…

It was going to be a very difficult time for God’s people…one of great conflict…

So as we walk through Daniel 10, he is being prepared to hear and see something that is going to be extremely troublesome for him, and his people…

We need to understand what chapter 10 contributes to the Main Point to Stay Faithful Knowing God Secured The Future.

Key Idea of Chapter 10 — Know God is Always Working Behind the Scenes Through Spiritual Warfare.

God pulls back the curtain and gives Daniel (and us) a look into the future and what takes place in a realm invisible to the eyes!

There is a war raging that we do not see.

However, even though we cannot see it with our physical eyes, we are participants in it.

We can easily become a casualty of spiritual warfare if we do not remain vigilant and stay faithful!

”We must be prepared to handle what comes our way as a result of that spiritual war!

Let’s examine 3 means of preparation for Daniel that can help prepare us for spiritual warfare.

One means of preparation is what Daniel does to prepare himself...

The other two are ways God works behind the scenes to prepare Daniel...

We Can Prepare Ourselves Through Prayer and Humility

It has been obvious throughout this book that Daniel was a man of prayer…and he had a burden for his people.

Read Daniel 10:1-3; 11-12.

Daniel says he was mourning and fasting for three weeks…(literally 3 sets of 7 days)…

mourning here in the Hebrew is written with the force of a “continual mourning”; a state of mourning…

fasting seems to be a semi-fast with the absence of “tasty foods, even the meat and wine were forsaken...

more than likely he drank water as well as ate enough to give him the necessary strength…

Fasting is a personal matter between the individual and God.

It is voluntary...never mandated for the church...

It’s purpose is to demonstrate a sincerity of the individual to show dependence upon God by denying one of humanity’s strongest urges…satisfying hunger…

It was to always be associated with prayer that was earnestly seeking wisdom and direction from God to further His plan…

during this time he also ignored other conveniences too…the use of body ointments.

It was common practice among the Jews and other ancient peoples to soothe and refresh the skin and protect against the heat

What drove Daniel to mourning and fasting?

We don’t know for certain why he was mourning and fasting for three weeks but we do know enough about Daniel to form some conclusions with confidence.

He Prayed Out of Concern For His People

Ezra provides some historical context that helps us see a bit more clearly...Daniel would have been aware of these things...

Not many Israelites wanted to return to Jerusalem...

Those who had returned weren’t working very hard...so even after two years, they barely had the footings poured for the new temple...

They were already facing some opposition from people who didn’t want the city rebuilt.

Let’s think for a moment about the amount of Israelites who returned...

What we discover from Ezra 2 is that less than 50,000 had accepted the call to return and rebuild…

a once large nation of over 2 million people has been scattered across the world’s geography while their homeland lay desolate...

and now only a small remnant would return to rebuild it…

Let me put this into some perspective for us...

At the time of the Exodus from Egypt we estimate the number of Jewish people to be roughly 2 million…so let’s use that number…and Ezra tells us that less than 50000 returned…

so for the sake of easy math let’s round up and use 50000. That is 2.5% of God’s people who accepted the call to rebuild.

Let’s say a new governor is elected in Louisiana who believes he/she is to be worshipped instead of God, and with the backing of the Louisiana National Guard comes to Bossier and kicks us out of here, and destroys this building.

In the name of imminent domain, they take the entire campus for use by the State. Everything is demolished leaving no trace that Open Door Bible Church ever existed here. Furthermore, they do that to every church and house of worship in the entire Shreveport Bossier area.

Thankfully, it doesn’t take 70 years, but there is a major coup and that governor is ousted and one who is more favorable to Christianity is elected and allows God’s people to return to their places of worship, and even gives funds from the Governor’s office to rebuild our churches.

Now our estimated attendance average here right now is 120…if we take the same percentage of 2.5% that means that only 3 of us would return to this place to rebuild…

Would that cause us concern? Would that drive us to our knees in prayer?

Daniel was concerned for his people and their work in rebuilding so it drove him to pray.

He Prayed for An Understanding of God’s Plan

We can make this assumption with a high degree of certainty because of what has happened previously…

when he read Jeremiah he prayed that God would act now…

he wanted to see what was next in God’s plan so he prayed.

We can also make this assumption by what we read in Daniel 10:12 — he set his heart on understanding…

Daniel humbled himself and prayed for understanding and God answered that prayer…

God was moved by Daniel’s humility and answered his prayers in remarkable ways.

Implications

Are we concerned about understanding God’s plan for us individually and as a church?

Is there a humility and intensity about us that communicates we are totally dependent upon God?

Are we praying that God’s people would take hold of His vision and actively participate in His kingdom work?

Corrie ten Boom said,“We never know how God will answer our prayers, but we can expect that He will get us involved in His plan for the answer. If we are true intercessors, we must be ready to take part in God’s work on behalf of the people for whom we pray.”

Are we praying for God to show us specific steps we can take to ensure our present generation and the generation coming behind us can recognize the importance of listening to and obeying the truth of God?

Do we see prayer as important or essential?

I think everyone would agree prayer is important.

But there is a difference between it being important and essential.

Essential means there are things that will not happen without prayer...

Daniel believed prayer was essential.

He was convinced certain things would not happen if he was not on his knees in humble intercession before his God.

TRANSITION...Prepare Ourselves with Humility and Prayer.

God Prepares Us With Insight Into Spiritual Warfare!

Read Dan 10:4-9.

Spiritual Warfare Can Be Overwhelming

It is ten days after Passover...24th day of the first month.

Suddenly he looks up and sees a majestic figure described in detail.

We don’t know for sure who this person was...

some think it is Gabriel again...

some think it is an unnamed angel…

some believe it was a preincarnate appearance of Jesus Christ

The text doesn’t say...all we know is these individuals Daniel saw were supernatural beings and it overwhelmed him.

v 7 — Daniel saw, his companions heard and a great dread fell upon them.

v 8 — no strength was left in him, he turned pale,

v 15-16 — speechless, again strength left him

Spiritual Warfare Is An Ever-Present Reality.

Read Dan 10:13-20.

The text says that God sent this messenger to communicate to Daniel about the future, and that this messenger was detained for 21 days by demonic forces that were specifically assigned to the nation of Persia...

Don’t be discouraged if your prayers are not answered right away or in the time frame you wish it to be answered.

There are things that God only knows as to why the delay...just for Daniel’s prayers regarding Israel’s restoration there were many pieces that had to fit into place.

and it required intervention by the Archangel Michael before this messenger could be freed to deliver his message.

Why did God allow it to happen, and why did He allow His servant Daniel to learn about it?

v 19 gives as an answer to that...so Daniel would find peace and courage in the days ahead...even though Jerusalem was being rebuilt...it wasn’t going as he hoped...and there was more difficulty to come...

now, I want to pause for just a moment and provide a couple cautionary thoughts...

Don’t give Satan large amounts of focus.

We cannot spend large amounts of time to focus on Satan, and demonic forces, and trying to discern whether Satan is involved or not, and how he’s involved in various situations.

Don’t discount Satan’s working in this world.

Taking this stance would be characterized by a lack of caution...as if there really wasn’t a spiritual battle going on...

All the corruption and moral decay of our culture exists partly because of Satan and his involvement in this spiritual war.

God is essentially pulling back the curtain for both Daniel and us and helping us to understand the significance of the spiritual struggle that rages in the invisible realm between very powerful forces that has a direct influence on the events in our visible world.

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.

We don’t focus on Satan, but we need to know he is well organized and has a band of fallen angels who will do whatever he demands with a willingness to exalt him over God.

Scripture tells us that the world lies in the hands of the wicked one (1 John 5:19).

God’s messenger was on his way from heaven with a message for Daniel but had been prevented by the prince of Persia.

Michael would help him to have victory over this foe and then he was able to continue his journey.

Who is the prince of Persia, Michael?

The prince of Persia was one of Satan’s demons.

He has to be an angel because humans cannot resist a messenger of God…since he opposed God’s angel, we are safe to assume he is an evil angel, a demon

Persia must have been his special area of activity…so he is either a powerful angel assigned to Persia by Satan or possibly was Satan himself.

Since Persia was the world power of the day, it is reasonable to assume that Satan would have concentrated his efforts in the most influential area…that would also explain why Michael was needed...

God reveals angels are involved in the affairs of human governments and their leaders...

Michael is the Royal Champion of God’s People.

The messenger tells Daniel that Michael, one of the chief princes of God was sent to help.

Michael is mostly involved in protecting and fighting…he is referred to 3x in Daniel and each time it reveals a little more about him.

Daniel 10:13 — one of the chief princes

Daniel 10:21 — “your prince”

Daniel 12:1 — “the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people”

He is mentioned 2x in the New Testament by name and alluded to once

Revelation 12:7 — He is the leading warrior in the heavenly battle against Satan

Jude 1:9 — He is the archangel — meaning first, principal or chief…he is the only one given that title.

1 Thess 4:16 — believers will hear his voice at the rapture

In Daniel 10:20 we discover that this messenger needed to return to the front lines...will have to face the prince of Greece...a reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle...

Israel has a mighty angelic supporter in the heavenly realm…

When you see all these attacks against Israel...know that Michael is involved...Israel’s existence is guaranteed because...

They are specifically identified as God’s people.

No earthly power can withstand the power of Michael, her great prince.

Here is something else we need to know about this spiritual war.

God Is the One Who Declared War!

God declared war on Satan in the Garden of Eden...and even back there He proclaimed victory.

Genesis 3:15 NASB95

And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”

Some difficulty we face is a result of our own sin.

God disciplined Adam

God disciplined Eve

All humanity is guilty of sin in Adam

Some is the result of suffering from the hands of others.

Joseph being sold by his brothers.

Naomi

Stephen martyred

Some is the result of this war being raged between God and Satan.

Satan wants nothing more than to see God’s people fail

He will use whatever means necessary to destroy God’s people...especially their government and fellow humans.

Moral corruption in government and intolerance of Christians are no accidents…

they are there by design and order of Satan...

but just as much as there are evil angels influencing the governments of the world, there are good angels doing that too…

Our union with Christ makes us participants in this war and we are fully equipped to fight in that war!

We need to be alert to the invisible, spiritual warfare being waged that involves angels and believers…

Turn to Eph 6:10-18.

This war is real and God equips us to fight it.

Belt of Truth — Truth holds everything in place

Breastplate of Righteousness — Right living that protects the heart

Gospel “Shoes” — Always ready to share the peace of Christ

Shield of Faith — Believe what God says

Helmet of Salvation — Assured of salvation, think biblically

Sword of the Spirit — Engage the enemy

Prayer — Standing Strong On Your Knees!

God gave Daniel insight into the spiritual war because he prayed

This warfare is an ongoing struggle...don’t be surprised by the presence of evil, especially when it happens from world leaders...

Remember God is still sovereign even in the delays of answered prayers…

We need to trust God has a plan and He is working behind the scenes to accomplish that plan.

God Prepares Us With Strength and Courage in His Immutable Plan

Read Dan 10:19-11:1.

Three times Daniel falls to the ground out of fear and each time the angel provides strength for Daniel to hear the message.

Daniel was asked if he knew why the angel had come…rhetorical question…

It was asked to get Daniel to pay attention to what has already been said…

He would tell Daniel that the fight would resume and that struggle would involve all the decisions and transactions that would have an impact on Israel…

see Esther, Ezra and Nehemiah…

the prince of Greece would be fighting next...

He tells Daniel the purpose of his visit...

Daniel 10:21 — writing of truth…figurative language referring to God’s plan for Israel and the world is truth and it will happen...

Remember what we will read in Daniel 11 is a continuation of what the messenger says here in Daniel 10.

God has designated beforehand the history of Israel and the world and it will be unfolded according to the truth of God’s plan.

it is immutable…it will not change.

Isaiah 46:9–10 NASB95

“Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;

What we see here is the behind the scenes activity that took place in the Persian government…

Cyrus released the Jews (something Satan would not have wanted) without knowing that God and His angelic forces played a part in the decision…

God’s will was accomplished!

How did God expect this to affect Daniel, and how does He want it to affect us?

Lesson for Life — Walk Wisely Knowing The Immensity of the Spiritual Struggles We Face!

God doesn’t want us to be looking around, wondering if there’s a demon under our couch....

God does want us to be in a position where...

we’re not surprised when bad things happen...

and we walk wisely…

We cannot be Christians who act as if all there is to life is what we can see, and feel, and taste, and touch.

Explain…

What we need to understand is that God allows evil in world so he could send Jesus to rescue us, and then to take us and instruct us how to live in that evil world and to strengthen us to stand up against Satan...all for His glory!

Victory is already declared!

Let us live in that victory fully equipped to fight those spiritual battles.