A Great Conflict (Daniel 10)

Introduction

If you have a Bible, let me invite you to open it and turn with me to Daniel 10 this morning. Daniel 10. If you do not have a Bible, there is a Red Bible there in your seats and you can find Daniel 10 beginning on page# 888.  This morning I want to start us off thinking about conflict. Not just any conflict, but the kind of conflict that is the result and cause of wars. 

Consider that for the majority of us here, we have seen two wars with conflict between us here in the United States and the Middle East in our lives. There is the increasing conflict between Israel and both Gaza and Iran. But those are not all the even present conflicts. For tensions and conflict has been happening in Southeast Asia between Thailand and Cambodia. As conflicts like these arise and build towards warfare, much uncertainty arises, much fear sets in. 

Back in 2014 I personally got to see first hand the rising conflict in Turkey as a coup was building and would unfold roughly 6 months later. I got to witness first hand the Turkish military patrolling the streets in full combat and riot gear with heavy artillery. They were positioned within and around a busy district. And their presence and the rising tension left you just a bit on edge with uncertainty of what was to come. 

The reality though is that these types of conflicts have existed throughout human history. But these conflicts have deep roots in another conflict. A greater conflict that is happening behind the scenes in the spiritual world. A great conflict between the Lord and his army, and the spiritual forces of evil led by none other than the devil himself. It is this great conflict we want to talk about this morning from Daniel 10. 

Daniel 10 begins the final vision and part of Daniel. It is a vision that runs through the end of the book. The three chapters have a unique structure. In Daniel 10, we have the timing and events of the coming vision. In Daniel 11, we have the content of the vision itself. Then in Daniel 12 the conclusion of this final vision which includes the hope of resurrection. 

Daniel 10-12 then are meant to be read and understood together, especially in light of the guarantee of coming victory in this conflict. So we must not lose sight of this close connection. That said, this morning we want to slow down through Daniel 10 and focus on this great conflict and the reality of it. For in doing so, we can begin to make more sense of just how the MOST HIGH GOD and his heavenly hosts are waging war behind the scenes to bring about the purposes of the LORD. How they are working to sovereignly carry out all of human history. 

Let’s then hear this word of the LORD from Daniel 10. Read Daniel 10:1-21…

Main Idea: A cosmic battle continues to rage between the army of the LORD and his enemies, but as God’s people we are to take heart and not fear knowing that none will contend against our God and stand victorious.   

A Mournful Prayer

A Glorious Appearance

A Cosmic Conflict

1. A Mournful Prayer (Daniel 10:1-4)

Verse 1 gives us the setting and summary of the vision. For we read (Verse 1)…

The summary makes clear our main focus on this true word that was given, a word about a great conflict, and the understanding of this word and vision.

However, we also are given a timestamp for this word and vision that comes to Daniel here in Daniel 10. For it says in the beginning there, “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel.” As was stated last week in Daniel 9, and a few weeks ago in Daniel 6, it is well recorded that the first year of the reign of the Medes and Persians began in 539 BC. 

And now, it is 3 years later in 536 BC in the third year of Cyrus. Making this timestamp important for us to understand what has been happening concerning the Jews and the exile. For in the first year of Cyrus, a decree went out calling for the release of many Jews and their return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city, including the temple. A decree that can be found in the opening of Ezra-Nehemiah which go together. 

Despite this decree and the start of this process, something happens, Cyrus leaves and puts another in charge. Opposition to this rebuilding then begins to arise, as recorded in Ezra 4-6. And this opposition causes a start-stop pattern for the rebuild in Jerusalem. And this word then reaches Daniel who is among those still in Babylon, likely because of his much older age as he would have been in his 80’s and not made the journey back yet for this rebuild. 

However, despite his being still in Babylon, he is grieved for his people. He desires for God’s promises to be fulfilled and for the city and the temple to be restored. This then leads Daniel to a time of fasting and prayer as he seeks the LORD. Verses 2-3…

And on top of this three weeks of mournful prayer and abstaining from these delicacies and wine, this is taking place as noted in verse 4 during the first month. The first month of the year was Abib, the month set aside for the Sons of Israel to celebrate the Passover in remembering God’s previous deliverance of their people from slavery in Egypt. 

It is during this remembrance that Daniel is mournful in longing for the fullness of this new deliverance and restoration of God’s people. And so he seeks the LORD in prayer. A prayer that is answered by the giving of a word from the LORD in another vision. A word that is true and understood about a great conflict. 

Much is to be said about this great conflict in a moment. But let us pay close attention to the ongoing emphasis of prayer here in Daniel, along with understanding. 

Daniel has persistently been painted as a man of prayer. He prayed unto the LORD for understanding of the vision of Nebuchadnezzar back in chapter 2. In chapter 6, Daniel’s only fault found before his accusers was that he was a man of regular prayer and they set a trap while tricking the King. 

When uncertainty came, when mourning came, when affliction came, when hardship came, and when things were going as normal, Daniel was a man given to prayer. Prayer that sought the Lord to bring about his promises and for his continued faithfulness to be shown. 

And likewise, Daniel is persistently painted as one who has understanding. For he understood the visions of Nebuchadnezzar and interpreted them. Understanding was given to Daniel about the events to come in the last 3 chapters we have covered in Daniel in Daniel 7-9, and now here again in Daniel 10. 

It is one thing to hear the true word, it is another to understand it. And this understanding was helpful for Daniel to understand what was happening and what was soon to happen to guide him and the people of Israel to continue to faithfully trust the LORD through the midst of continued hardships. To guide them to act wisely and carefully. 

We would do well today to pay close attention to these traits of Daniel in being painted as a man of prayer and understanding, because they are greatly needed today among God’s people, among the church.  Sinclair Ferguson draws this out by writing, 

“In many churches and Christian organizations, personality is more highly prized than wisdom and understanding; weakness is resolved by new programs, not by faithful prayer; opposition is overthrown by growth in numbers rather than in depth and quality. The foundations are rarely examined because we are so engrossed in the business of creating visible activity(and often it is a “business” as well as “busy-ness”).” [1]

Sinclair is right. Prayer and understanding are largely neglected today in the Evangelical Church. We are tempted to overcome our weaknesses by adding something new and in our minds better rather than devoting ourselves to persistent prayer for our souls, the lost around us, and the church to mature and stand firm in one mind. We are tempted to prioritize dynamic leadership skills rather than character and a deep understanding of the Scriptures. An understanding of the true words of the God who speaks and the God who redeems. 

Let it be our prayer here at Land O’ Lakes Bible Church, that we would be a praying people who seek to deeply search the Scriptures and study them and come to an understanding of the Scriptures. And above all, may we be a church that continues to remain dependent on the LORD of glory. For it is the glory of the Lord that will strengthen and sustain us. 

2. A Glorious Appearance (Daniel 10:5-9)

Once more as Daniel prays unto the LORD, the LORD hears Daniel’s prayer and comes to him. He comes to give him a true word and understanding of what is going on in another vision. A vision that is more striking than previous visions. Not just because what is revealed in the vision, but by the one who appears to Daniel. Verses 5-6…

This man who appears to Daniel is described as one who is dressed like a priest with his linen cloth (Ex. 28:42; Lev 6:10). And yet as one greater than a priest with his face like lightening and eyes like flaming torches. This description of appearance is of one with power and glory. Glory that is very closely being connected to the glory of the LORD in his appearing to his people (Eek 1:13-14; Ex 19:16). 

And so, much debate could be had here about who this one was. Was it a pre-incarnate appearing of Jesus himself? Or one of the angels of the LORD? I’m deeply inclined myself to think that this is an appearing of the LORD Jesus. And particularly because of John’s use of this similar description in Revelation 1. If you compare the two, they are very close. 

And yet it matters not in the big picture if this was a pre-incarnate Jesus or another angel of the LORD, the appearance of this one is awe striking and terrifying. Even before this vision comes, those with Daniel ran off, trembling. And the appearance of this one and the vision left Daniel himself without strength.

It is a great reminder to Daniel of the glory of his God and his faithfulness to carry out all that he has promised. It is a reminder to Daniel of just how glorious this God is and capable he and his army are of pressing back the powers of darkness at hand. 

It is this vision and appearance of this man that brings hope in the midst of the present conflict. For Daniel is reminded that this glorious appearance comes from the same God whose word has been told. And so nothing, nothing will stop this word from being carried out, since none can oppose this glory.

Beloved, if we are to stand strong and firm in the midst of the ongoing conflict in the spiritual realm, we need a BIG GOD THEOLOGY. We need to understand the glory of our God in all his beauty and might. We need to understand that he indeed is the Sovereign Lord, that he is the Faithful God, that he is the Most High who sets up and removes kings according to his purpose, that he limits even the rulers of the evil one to carry out times of affliction, but even these are appointed and will stretch no further than their appointed limit. 

This is the Most High God in his glory, and we would do well to further seek to know this God and to love him and trust him. For it is this truth and understanding that will sustain us in the present conflict. 

3. A Cosmic Conflict (Daniel 10:10-21)

We now come to this great conflict of the vision. And while we will not get to the details of this conflict until next week in Daniel 11-12, we do see the curtains pulled back to see the roots of this ongoing conflict. 

For as Daniel is troubled by this vision that he is seeing, he is being strengthened by this appearing of the man in linen, this heavenly one. For as we see there in verses 10-11, that when Daniel was trembling, this one reminds Daniel that he is dearly loved, calling him to understand these words that are being spoken to him. That he need not tremble but stand. 

Further, in verse 12, Daniel is told he need not fear, that the words of his prayer have been heard, and that this one has come to him because of his prayers. Prayers that were seeking to understand and had a posture of humility before the LORD. 

But in verses 13-14, the curtain is finally pulled back for Daniel and us to understand what is happening regarding this continued opposition. For we read there (verses 13-14)…

The reason for delay in the coming of this word to Daniel is that a spiritual war was taking place. A war where this one in linen was engaged in warfare against the prince of the kingdom of Persia. Fighting against the rulers and principalities that Paul points us to in Ephesians 6 from our Scripture Reading earlier in the service. A war that continues to be fought and this one must return to as noted in verse 20 as this one must return to fight the next enemy in the prince of Greece in what will be unfolded in Daniel 11. 

As we see sin, opposition, and threat to God’s people, it is more deeply rooted than simply those who stand against us. It is rooted in the principalities that are at work in them from the spiritual forces of evil. These forces of evil seek to corrupt and oppose God’s people as much as possible. And yet, these spiritual forces of evil cannot contend against the Lord and his army of hosts. 

For though this messenger was delayed from coming to Daniel, that is all that was able to happen, delay. It was not as swift as Daniel would have liked, but the messenger came to strengthen Daniel while continuing to fight and press back against the spiritual forces of evil. In fact, this messenger had already been at work by working in the Median-Persian empire. Look with me ahead at Daniel 11:1… Another point that Darius and Cyrus here are possibly the same man, as the messenger is telling Daniel that it was he who confirmed and strengthened Darius to release the Jews, to send them back to Jerusalem. Which we see attributed to Cyrus in Ezra 1:1-4. 

And so, victory belongs to the LORD, a victory that will culminate in the hope of the resurrection that comes in Daniel 12:1-4. None can contend against him, none can stand victorious against him in this war. Though this great conflict rages, its end is sure, the Most High God will stand victorious. And it is this news that Daniel is to understand. He is to understand that this great conflict is at work behind the scenes of human history. That as affliction continues, these forces are at work, but being pressed back and with strained even as the messenger speaks with the help of Michael. And this is comforting news.

It is not just comforting news to Daniel, but to us today. For those who have humbled themselves before the Lord, there is this same great hope. For notice how Daniel who humbled himself before the Lord was on multiple accounts reminded that he was dearly loved by the Lord. First in verse 11, and again in verse 18.

In the same way, those who have humbled themselves before the Lord by coming to trust in his Messiah, King Jesus for their salvation, these too are greatly loved. They are loved not because they are righteous in and of themselves, but they are righteous because they are united to God’s beloved Son Jesus by faith. 

And because of this love, the LORD will seek to strengthen us and care for us, just as he did Daniel here in the midst of his mournful prayer. 

Throughout the giving of this vision, Daniel continually felt weak. He was trembling and unable to stand, yet the Lord strengthened him and called him to stand and not fear. He was unable to speak, and the Lord touches him and enables him to speak. 

The messenger tells Daniel in verse 19 tells Daniel to fear not and peace be with him, to be strong and of good courage by understanding what these things mean. 

When we understand the raging that goes on behind the scenes, no wonder we who belong to the LORD are opposed and opposed strongly. For it is not simply that there are many who are cruel. They are subjects to these spiritual forces of evil and serve their purposes. And so we should not be surprised by the extent of evil and hostility to God and his people. 

In fact, in understanding this truth, we should be led all the more to our knees to pray. To pray to the Most High God that his army would push back these spiritual forces of evil so that his glory may prevail, even over the hearts of those most prominently opposing the kingdom of God. 

And we should not fear, but be of good courage. For when we understand these things, we understand who stands on the right side of this great conflict. The Lord and those who stand with him. Those who have humbled themselves before this God and his ways. Those who have humbled themselves by trusting in Jesus for their salvation.

But what if you have not yet humbled yourself before this God? Thinking that you yourself are good, that you are fine without this Jesus. Friend, your pride remains, a pride that is a trait of the enemy of God. And unless you repent and humble yourself, your end will be with those who contend against the Lord, and end of torment for all eternity in being separated from God. A torment of weeping and gnashing of teeth. A torment that you wish to end, but will never cease. Your continued pride will lead to your great fall. 

Yet even now their is hope. Their is hope if you humble yourself by acknowledging your sin and coming to place your faith in Jesus and resting in him for your salvation. Plea…

Let’s pray…

Endnotes

[1]  Ferguson, Sinclair. Daniel: The Preacher’s Commentary. (Nashville, TN, Thomas Nelson, Inc, 1988) 193.