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The Answer is On The Way

A few of my thoughts about Daniel 10, a most intriguing passage of Scripture!

Please consider reading the chapter prior to reading further.

In this marvelous chapter the angel sent by God reveals the realities of the spiritual realm in a way seen nowhere else in Scripture! We know that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, (Ephesians 6:10) but this encounter fleshes it out. The angels reveal the spiritual warfare being waged beyond the curtain of our consciousness. It reveals the importance of persistent prayer. The angels give a glimpse of how our prayers are, in many instances, processed. 

“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.” – Daniel 10:4-6 NLT

The description of this “man dressed in linen,” is similar to the description of the glorified Christ in Revelation 1:13-16 and identified by John as “one like the Son of Man. He was wearing a long robe…” This has led some to see him, in Daniel 10, as Christ in a pre-incarnate appearance (such as in Joshua 5:13-15). He is described almost identically to Christ (Revelation 1:13, 14) and Daniel’s reaction is similar to John’s (Revelation 1:17). 

Yet this glorious creature was unable to complete his task without the help of Michael one of the chief princes (v13). Therefore, I have concluded it is unlikely that this is a physical manifestation of Christ because Christ could have handled the spirit prince of Persia☺. Most likely, this was Gabriel, who interpreted other revelations for Daniel, (Daniel 8:16), and spoke similarly of Daniel’s being beloved (9:20-23). Because of his consistent godliness and prayers, Daniel is identified three times as “beloved” or  “very precious (pleasant) to God.”

Continuing with the passage…

“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 [beloved KJV], 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.” – Daniel 10:7-12 NLT

Like all angelic greetings, it begins with “Don’t be afraid.” So much for the false characterization of chubby cherubs with tiny little wings fluttering about in the clouds☺! The vision of this magnificent angel was so frightening that Daniel fell flat on his face! 

This also must have been a great encouragement to Daniel, as he learned how attentive God was to his humble prayer and fasting. When he started to pray, the Lord God of heaven heard his tenacious, on his hands and knees, prayer (10:12).  Daniel’s prayer was heard before the words even passed through his vocal cords, but it wasn’t until the twenty-first day that he experienced a breakthrough because of spiritual oppression. 

“If you pray through, God will come through and you will experience a supernatural breakthrough.” – The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, p. 164

“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.” – Daniel 10:13 NLT

Verse 13 provides a remarkable insight into the reality and might of the principalities and powers under the rule of Satan, “the prince and the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2 KJV). Although Satan is not omnipresent, he has a highly organized host of evil angels at his command. 

The demonic opposition was so strong that the help of the archangel, Michael, was solicited to penetrate the evil force assigned by Satan to oversee the kingdom of Persia (the dominant nation of the day). In Daniel 10:20, we learn about the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece who is another powerful principality in Satan’s hierarchy.  In 10:21 Michael is called, “your prince” implying that Yahweh has angels assigned to nations. “Your prince” refers to Israel’s spirit prince (mighty angel) overseeing God’s nation. This angel is Michael. 

I believe this reality is also true regarding every nation. That means there is probably at least one designated angel overseeing America, and every other country in the world. This might lend perspective on how we might pray for America, which I will cover in my next teaching.    

What if Daniel had quit praying through on day twenty? The answer is simple. Daniel would have forfeited the miracle the day before the day. I don’t know where you are on the timeline between praying through and breaking through. Maybe you are at day one; maybe you’re at day twenty. Either way, you can pray with a holy boldness and confidence, knowing that each day you pray you are closer to the answer. Don’t give up. Like Daniel, the answer is on the way!

“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.”- Daniel 10:14

This refers to the future plan of God for His people, Israel, and the rest of the world extending from Daniel’s time to that of the Antichrist. The conflict against satanic forces continues to this day, though the human adversary constantly changes. Time and again the people of God are bowed to the ground, yet they are not destroyed because God continues to support and sustain them through the strengthening ministry of his own angels. 

“14 Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” – Hebrews 1:14 NIV

Prayer Pains

“2 At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. 3 I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over.” – Daniel 10:2-3 NIV

Have you ever attempted to fast and pray? At certain times in my life, I have fasted for significant lengths of time. Daniel’s fast is what I call a partial fast because he did not withhold from all food, but ate only fruits and vegetables, as well as drink water. It was a ten-day fast (Daniel 1:12) that kick-started his precipitous climb to political power; it was a twenty-one-day fast that ended with an angelic encounter. 

Because fasting is harder than praying, when done in tandem it is a form of praying with pain. In fact, an empty stomach may be the most powerful prayer posture in Scripture☺! Even Jesus said that some miracles are not possible through prayer only. Some miracles are only accessible through prayer and fasting. 

Look to the following passages in the King James Version: Mark 9:29; and 1 Corinthians 7:5. 

I realize that some manuscripts in the Greek, do not include “fasting” but the King James Version includes fasting, and this is the text I prefer in this passage. However, other passages do stress the importance of prayer and fasting such as Daniel 9:3; and; and Psalm 35:13, as well as Acts 13:3 and 14:23 to name only a few.

While being a youth pastor in San Clemente, I would do extended times of fasting and prayer. An excellent resource on fasting and the different fasts can be found in the book, God’s Chosen Fast, by Arthur Wallis. 

Sometimes it takes the combination of prayer and fasting to loosen the bonds of demonic onslaught! I have found that prayer accompanied with fasting aids in experiencing a breakthrough, as well as the purging of my own mind, spirit, and self-centered desires. It not only breaks down the challenges I am facing, it also breaks down the calluses in my heart.

Will you take it up a notch or two in prayer?

Here are a few ways to do so:

  1. Read and digest Daniel 10.
  2. As you read the text, what enlivens you about the reality of the heavenly realm regarding your prayer life? What strikes you about the possibility of demonic hindrances to your prayers? What inspires you about the potential victory available to you as God’s heavenly army of angels are released? 
  3. Pray on your hands and knees for your family, friends, church, workplace, the State, and schools.   
  4. Ask El-Shaddai (God Almighty) to stretch our His mighty arm to protect, empower, and release His mighty angels to bring a righteous breakthrough for what you are praying for.
  5. Begin to pray with fasting (a partial fast) entreating Yahweh Nissi (the LORD our banner of victory) to march before you to bring the victory for the reputation of Christ. 

Hey gang if you are like me you need to up it regarding prayer… 

After all, the answer is on the way!

In the Name of Yahweh-Sabaoth (the Lord of angelic armies)!

Dale