Spiritual Warfare
Daniel 10:11 And he said to me, "O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you." While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. 12 Then he said to me, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come." 15 When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. 16 And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, "My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. 17 For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me." 18 Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, "O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!" So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, "Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me." 20 Then he said, "Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come. 21 But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince. (NKJV)

 

The time is 536 B.C. Daniel is about 84 years old. In this passage Daniel is treated to yet another vision from the Lord. Daniel is on the bank of the Tigris River, not far from his home in Babylon. 

The vision is that of “a certain man” (10:5) who has the appearance of the Lord Jesus, as described in Revelation 1:13-16. Some scholars believe this was a preincarnate visit of Jesus, while others believe the “man” was an angel. The description of the “man” leads this writer to believe that this is a preincarnate visit of Jesus. 

The power of the vision causes Daniel to fall to the ground, unconscious. Then Jesus touches Daniel, and Daniel awakens, trembling (v. 10). Addressing Daniel as “greatly beloved”, Jesus calls for Daniel to stand up and tells him that He has “been sent” to Daniel (v. 11a), perhaps by God the Father. 

Daniel was still “trembling” as he stood (v. 11b). Jesus seeks to comfort Daniel and tells him that He has heard Daniel’s prayers from the “first day” that he set his “heart” to “understand” and “humble” himself before the Lord (v. 12a). Jesus has come as an answer to Daniel’s prayers (v. 12b). 

Daniel’s prayer in the preceding chapter had already brought the angel Gabriel with an answer. Now Jesus, Himself, comes to give a more elaborate answer to Daniel’s prayer for him and his people, the Israelites. 

Jesus had been delayed in His coming because of spiritual warfare. He had to contend with the “prince”, Satan, for “twenty-one days” while he was influencing the “kings of Persia” (v. 13a). The angel Michael “came to help” (v. 13b). 

But now Jesus has come to “make you understand what will happen to your people in the “latter days”, the future (v. 14). Daniel was speechless, but when Jesus touched his lips he was able to speak (vv. 15-16a). Daniel says that “the vision” has drained him of his “strength”, that he has no “breath left in me” to talk to Jesus (vv. 16b-17). 

The Lord then “touched” Daniel and “spoke” strength into him (vv. 18-19). Jesus explained that he will tell Daniel “the Scripture of Truth”, God’s truth for the future, but then he must return to the spiritual warfare with the kings of Persia, and then later with the king of Greece (vv. 20-21a). Persia currently rules over Israel, but later Greece will conquer Persia and will rule over Israel. Jesus explains that only Michael is helping Him with the fight, at this time (v. 21b). 

This passage illustrates the spiritual warfare that is constantly being waged between the forces of Satan and the forces of God. Leaders of governments are being influenced by Satan, and the forces of God are fighting back. 

God is active in world affairs. It is part of His program on earth. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). 

Spiritual warfare is alive and well in governments today, including our own. It is up to us to put on the full armor of God and help in the fight. One way we can help is by electing Bible believing Christians to office. That is the duty of every Christian. 

Art Toombs Ministries 

Online Bible Commentary