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The Pulpit Commentary: Daniel Chapter 10
I. ANGELS ARE EMPLOYED TO BRING TO MEN ASSURANCE OF THEIR ACCEPTANCE WITH GOD.
Angelic Ministry
Angelic Ministry
I. ANGELS HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED TO BRING TO MEN ASSURANCE OF OUR ACCEPTANCE WITH GOD. (, ).
I. ANGELS HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED TO BRING TO MEN ASSURANCE OF OUR ACCEPTANCE WITH GOD. (, ).
A- Sometimes the events in the world around us tempt us to despair.().
A- Sometimes the events in the world around us tempt us to despair.().
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.
1- Daniel had experienced such anguish over the events of his day that he described it as “Mourning.”
2- Daniel’s emotional distress that he had been fasting from rich food (meat, wine), and fragrant lotions for those three weeks.
3- Daniel’s actions reflect an attitude of unworthiness and need.
B- Sometimes God has sent angels to communicate God’s love and acceptance. (, )
B- Sometimes God has sent angels to communicate God’s love and acceptance. (, )
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.
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.”
1- God sent Daniel His message of love and acceptance through an amazing angelic messenger. ().
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.
2- The Angel was specifically sent to Daniel, no one else. ()
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.
3- The angelic messenger communicated God’s love to Daniel. (, )
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.
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.”
The Pulpit Commentary: Daniel Chapter 10
II. ANGELS ARE EMPLOYED TO INFORM THE HUMAN UNDERSTANDING.
II. ANGELS HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED TO AID IN UNDERSTANDING GOD’S REVELATIONS.().
II. ANGELS HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED TO AID IN UNDERSTANDING GOD’S REVELATIONS.().
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.”
A- The angel was sent in response to Daniel’s earnest prayers.
A- The angel was sent in response to Daniel’s earnest prayers.
The Pulpit Commentary: Daniel Chapter 10
III. ANGELS ARE EMPLOYED TO INCREASE OUR STRENGTH.
1- Daniel’s prayer was to seek understanding.
2- Daniel’s prayers were made in a humble spirit (shown by fasting).
3- The angel came in response to Daniel’s prayers.
B- Sometimes delays in the answers to prayer are related to spiritual warfare in the unseen realm. ().
B- Sometimes delays in the answers to prayer are related to spiritual warfare in the unseen realm. ().
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.
1- The angel was hindered by spiritual warfare from the “spirit prince of Persia.”
a- There is evidence that there are spiritual forces assigned to governments (; ; )
8 When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court.
26 Instead, they turned away to serve and worship gods they had not known before, gods that were not from the Lord.
21 In that day the Lord will punish the gods in the heavens and the proud rulers of the nations on earth.
b- Paul Warns of spiritual forces we can’t see. ()
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
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.
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.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.
20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
c- The key to winning the battle is consistent, fervent prayer. ().
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Note that increased prayer intensity from the church prompted Peter’s deliverance. ()
3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.)
4 Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover.
5 But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.
6 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate.
7 Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists.
8 Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered.
9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening.
10 They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him.
11 Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!”
III. ANGELS ARE SOMETIMES EMPLOYED TO INCREASE OUR STRENGTH. (, ).
III. ANGELS ARE SOMETIMES EMPLOYED TO INCREASE OUR STRENGTH. (, ).
A- Daniel found himself completely drained of strength and in need of divine intervention. ()
A- Daniel found himself completely drained of strength and in need of divine intervention. ()
The Pulpit Commentary: Daniel Chapter 10
IV. ANGELS ARE ENGAGED TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE CHURCH IN PALACES AND IN COUNCILS OF STATE
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.
B- The angel strengthened Daniel - all he had to do was admit his weakness. (, )
B- The angel strengthened Daniel - all he had to do was admit his weakness. (, )
10 Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees.
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.
IV. ANGELS ARE ENGAGED TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF GOD IN PALACES AND IN COUNCILS OF STATE. ().
IV. ANGELS ARE ENGAGED TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF GOD IN PALACES AND IN COUNCILS OF STATE. ().
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.
1 I have been standing beside Michael to support and strengthen him since the first year of the reign of Darius the Mede.)
A- As believers, we are never alone in the conflict for righteousness.
A- As believers, we are never alone in the conflict for righteousness.
1- God has angels who are fighting a behind-the-scenes warfare.
2- We have the Holy Spirit to empower us in the battle.
The Pulpit Commentary: Daniel Chapter 10
V. ANGELS HAVE OFTEN TO CONTEND WITH EVIL SPIRITS IN FULFILLING THE BEHESTS OF GOD.