This Means War!

This Means War!

“If once the curtain were pulled back and the spiritual world behind it came to view, it would expose to our spiritual vision a struggle so intense, so convulsive, sweeping everything within its range, that the fiercest battle ever fought on earth would seem, by comparison, a mere game. Not here, but up there—that is where the real conflict is waged. Our earthly struggle drones in its backlash.”

–Abraham Kuyper

1. We live in the midst of a great spiritual warfare!

It’s bigger, greater, more impactful than anything we’ve ever seen, or ever will see. Even as warfare seems to ramping up in Israel and Iran, it doesn’t even begin to compare to what has been going on behind the curtain in the spiritual realm.

Dan 10:1 (ESV) In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.

Dan 10:13 (ESV) The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia,

Dan 10:20-21 (ESV) Then he said, “Do you know why I have come to you? But now I will return to fight against the prince of Persia; and when I go out, behold, the prince of Greece will come. [21] But I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.

Dan 12:1 (ESV) “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.

Jud 1:9 (ESV) But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”

Rev 12:7-8 (ESV) Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, [8] but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.

• The word was uncovered to Daniel
• The word was true!
• It revealed a great conflict (revealed great warfare)
• This passage highlights that there appears to be angelic and demonic activity and warfare going on around us.
• Most scholars would agree that this passage also gives an indication that there are angels and demons involved in specific territories.
  • Prince of Persia (demon)
  • Prince of Greece (demon)
  • One of the chief princes: Michael (arch-angel), Prince of Israel?
  • These angels and demons are actively involved in spiritual warfare that has an impact on activity in the eartly realm.
  • Heb 1:13-14 (ESV) And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? [14] Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

2. We must be moved to prayer!

Dan 10:2-4 (ESV) In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three weeks. [3] I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks. [4] On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris)

Dan 10:12 (ESV) Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.

• We are not told why Daniel is mourning, fasting, and praying.
• It’s possible that he has received word about all the opposition to the rebuilding work going on in Jerusalem as recorded in Ezra and Nehemiah.
• The timing of Daniel’s prayer was the time of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
• It is in the midst of this intense time of mourning, fasting, and prayer that the Lord showed up in Daniel’s life.
• Daniel set his heart (devoted his heart, consecrated his heart, gave his heart to understand—the Lord, his word, his purposes.
• Daniel humbled himself before his God. He bowed himself down. He became less in his own eyes and the Lord became more in his eyes. Also has the meaning of affliction. A beating down of the pride that is so quick to try to conquer our hearts.
• As a result of a heart that is set upon the Lord, praying in line with the Lord’s will—the Lord responded. The Lord sent an angel to speak truth to Daniel, to encourage Daniel, to strengthen Daniel.

3. Spiritual warfare leaves a mark!

Dan 10:5-6 (ESV) I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. [6] His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.

Dan 10:7-9 (ESV) And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves. [8] So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength. [9] Then I heard the sound of his words, and as I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in deep sleep with my face to the ground.

Dan 10:10-12 (ESV) And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. [11] And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. [12] Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.

Dan 10:14-17 (ESV) and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” [15] When he had spoken to me according to these words, I turned my face toward the ground and was mute. [16] And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. [17] How can my lord’s servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”

• There is debate about who this figure is. We cannot say definitively, but I believe enough is described here to say there is a strong possibility of another appearance of Christ in the book of Daniel.
• Look at these comparisons that Scripture gives us:
• Ezk 1:26-28 (ESV) And above the expanse over their heads there was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like sapphire; and seated above the likeness of a throne was a likeness with a human appearance. [27] And upward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were gleaming metal, like the appearance of fire enclosed all around. And downward from what had the appearance of his waist I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him. [28] Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
• Rev 1:12-16 (ESV) Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, [13] and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. [14] The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, [15] his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. [16] In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

• The impact of the vision and the words:
• Daniel falls to the ground unconscious.
• Even when the angel initially touches him he only sets him up onto his hands and knees.
• His countenance is changed from vitality and majesty to a look of destruction and ruin.
• He feels as though all strength in his body has violently departed his body. He can’t restrain its departure.
• He feels as though he has had the breath completely knocked out of him.
• He’s speechless. He’s overwhelmed.

4. God uses his word to strengthen us and to equip us for the battle.

• Dan 10:18-19 (ESV) Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. [19] And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
• Fear not!
• Peace be with you!
• Be strong and of good courage (Be strong and yes, be strong!

5. Make no mistake—You have been enlisted in the spiritual warfare!

Which gate of hell are you striving to take???

• Mat 16:18 (ESV) And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
• Eph 6:10-20 (ESV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. [14] Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. [16] In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; [17] and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, [19] and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Life Group Discussion Guide

1. Why is it so important for us to understand that we are living in the midst of spiritual warfare?
2. Why is prayer a key part of fighting the spiritual battles we face?
3. How does our understanding of the spiritual warfare move us to pray?
4. Daniel was terrified, overwhelmed, physically drained, mute, breathless by what he experienced in the vision. This reveals the serious nature of the spiritual battle. Do we have the correct awareness of just how serious this spiritual conflict is? If not, why not? How do we gain the proper perspective of the spiritual fight?
5. How does God’s word encourage us and equip us for the spiritual battle?
6. Which gate of hell are you currently attacking?