Good evening Calvary Family.
Welcome to everyone here or watching online to the Holy Ground Café.’ Tonight, it’s my joy to take us through Daniel Chapter 10. While preparing for this I inadvertently came across
James 3:1 “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. “
No pressure there at all… But I am grateful for this opportunity to expand my comfort zone. I know that it’s only with God’s help that I can do this tonight. Chapter 10 mentions a few things that we don’t often think of or talk about: Spiritual warfare, unseen things, the spiritual realm, also called the “heavenly realm.” And let’s not forget about angels and demons and of course, the power of prayer.
Pastor Chuck Smith said: “We are all engaged in spiritual warfare and it’s important that we recognize that.” Tonight… before we dive into chapter 10, we are going to think and talk about these very real things, all anchored to Biblical scriptures. Buckle-up! The Spirit led me from place to place, thing to thing and from scripture to scripture. If you don’t have ADHD now, you might have it when we finish tonight.
But first… will you pray with me?
Father God,  
Thank You for granting us another day to walk with You. We’re here tonight because we love You Lord, and we want to know You better through Your Word. Holy Spirit, you are welcome here. Thank You for living in us, for speaking to us, for leading us. Please continue to do so tonight as we study. Thank You Lord for giving us a Pastor, who leads Your church here through the leading of Your Holy Spirit. We Pray for Pastor Kevin as he travels and for all those at the coming East Coast Pastor’s Conference. May they all return safely and on fire for You.
We pray for Your Church, we pray for the sick and suffering, for the widows and widowers. Lord please heal them, comfort those who mourn or grieve. Minister and provide for them all. We pray for the children. Help us to be good and Godly role models. Let them grow up in Your Love and Light. Keep them on the path that leads to You. God, Bless America, Israel and Turkey.
Help us Lord… to be better teachers, and better students, better leaders and better servants. We love you Lord because You first Loved us
In Jesus name,
Amen
Last week, Pastor Steve did a great job of teaching from Daniel chapter 9: Pastor Steve covered Daniel’s prayer and prayer life. And he explained Daniel’s vision of seventy weeks… each week being seven years long. We learned that God showed Daniel of a coming time related to the destruction and rebuilding of Jerusalem, the coming Great Tribulation, the Anti-Christ and the abomination of desolation.
Pastor Steve told us about the timeline clock, on it today, we are in the church age.
The clock is still stopped… for now. We are her waiting for the final 7 year week to begin at any moment. The Bible doesn’t tell us of any event that indicates when the church age will end, thus restarting the clock and igniting the great tribulation.
In places like Hosea 9:10, Jeremiah 24:1-10, and Micah 4:4 the bible refers to Israel as a “fig tree.” In Matthew 24, Jesus speaks of this “fig tree” and what’s to come.
 Mat 24:32-34
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 “So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! 34“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
In 1867 the Israelites were still scattered around the world. Israel did not exist as a nation. That same year Samuel Clemmons, better known as Mark twain visited Israel and said this about his visit: “There was hardly a tree or a shrub anywhere. Even the olive and the cactus, those fast friends of a worthless soil, had almost deserted the country.”
In 1867, Israel was a desolate and almost empty place. 81 years later, in 1948 Israel became a nation. The “fig tree” took root. Since then, God continues to bless Israel. From their dessert lands they now grow 97% of all the food they consume, and they export tons of produce around the world. In 2023 alone Israel exported produce and dairy foods totaling well over two billion dollars. Israel is a global leader in general and medical technology. The fig tree has surely blossomed. Summer is near!
The generation born when Israel became a nation is now 77 years old. If this is the generation that Matthew 24:34 says will still be alive when the tribulation comes, the time is at hand! Like the song says: “Soon and very soon… we are going to see the King”
Before our very eyes we see events in the Middle East lining up according to God’s prophecies. And now, with death of a Pope who seemed intent on changing Catholicism into the one world religion, we need to pay attention to who is chosen to replace him. Will the next pope finish what Pope Francis had begun? Could the next Pope be the false prophet who accompanies the anti-Christ? Brothers and sisters, this is an interesting time to be alive.
Israel is actively preparing for the building of the temple. They have begun the religious training; they are crafting essential vessels, preparing priestly garments and gathering materials for sacrificial offerings. The Rapture and the tribulation are imminent. Imminent means “about to happen.” Could the rapture be a sign that the tribulation is near? The Bible doesn’t say it will… and we’ll never know because at the rapture…. we’ll be gone! We won’t be here to see what happens after that. We need to be ready. In the parable of the wise and foolish virgins Matthew 25:1-13, we learn the importance of being ready at any time, keeping oil in our lamps. We are the lamps and the Holy Spirit that lives in us is that oil. The parable emphasizes the need for a sustained, active faith, not just a superficial profession.
Just saying “I am a Christian” is not enough! We must live like Christian by walking with Jesus! We must love like Jesus! We must forgive like Jesus and we must have faith and trust in God the Father like Jesus does!
Matthew 7:21-23
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
We must fight against the enemy and against the flesh to live lives that are pleasing to God! We must be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and answer God’s call as He Works in our lives! We don’t do God’s work. God does His work through us. We are His vessels and All Glory is God’s!
And that takes us to Daniel 10. Daniel chapters 10, 11 and 12 all speak of one vision that the Lord gave to Daniel: “The Vision of the Anointed One.” So tonight’s Bible study will be an introduction to the coming teachings by Pastor Ernie next Wednesday and brother Drew the following Wednesday… unless we’re raptured. In that case we can ask Daniel when we see him, or even better… we can hear it directly from Jesus.
Before we begin Daniel 10, I felt led to “set the table”… so to speak
I’ll begin by sharing a quote… not from Spurgeon, but from a retired pastor and biblical scholar William I Owens:
“For approximately two centuries the church has not openly discussed the subject of demonic powers. This hesitancy is probably due to the emerging “Age of Reason.” It almost seems that the church is afraid to admit that demons are real. Social pressure in an enlightened era has probably accounted for the reluctance on the part of the church to acknowledge the subject. In this writer’s opinion, Satan has been the personality behind the Church’s silence. The devil does not want to be exposed, and he will exert his entire force in active resistance against exposure”
William Owens went home to be with the Lord in 2005. I believe if he was alive today William would agree that in these last days, Satan is no longer hiding. What is the “Age of Reason he spoke of? Let’s go back to Thomas Paine, He was a revolutionist writer in the late 18th century. His most famous work was called “Common Sense” which helped inspire patriots during the American Revolution, this was a good thing. Later, Paine wrote something called “The Age of Reason” and this… was not a good thing.
Paine believed in Deism. Deism is a belief of heresy. Thomas Pain’s “The Age of Reason” helped define and spread his heretical beliefs. Deism acknowledges that a God created the universe, but they believe their God does not intervene in the universe. Deists do not believe in God’s prophets or in miracles and they do not believe in Jesus Christ. Pure heresy! Pain’s work helped spread the desire for a universal religion of nature… based on man’s reason, justice, mercy, and promoting human happiness, asserting that "My own mind is my own church”
Charles Spurgeon has a few things to say about this:
1."The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation."
2. "Men will allow God to be everywhere but on his throne."
3. "Without God, man is a hopeless, helpless, lost soul."
The age of reason is man today… still trying to build the Tower of Babble. It is Atheists, scientists and others think they are “too intelligent” to believe in God. They believe man has all the answers and that the Bible is no different than any other book! The Age of Reason is man’s attempt to free himself from accountability to God. If God isn’t real, then good and evil doesn’t exist! All bets are off and they’re free to run amok just like Sodom and Gomorrah. As you can see, while studying this chapter, the Holy Spirit took me down a few “rabbit holes” and tonight I am taking you all right along with me. But it all connects with Daniel 10
But while it’s important to recognize that spiritual warfare exists and can affect our lives, we must never lose sight of Jesus. And we cannot blame everything on Spiritual Warfare because we also battle with our own flesh.
Galatians 19-21
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like;
Now let’s jump to
Galatians 5:18-17
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
The law cannot save us and make us righteous. The law shows us our sins and condemns us. Only though God’s Grace and though our Faith in Jesus that we are made righteous and saved! Jesus is our Salvation in and above all things!
In the Bible we read of “Hidden realm” or “spiritual realms” or “heavenly places”
Ephesians 6:11-12
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 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.
There is a very real, unseen spiritual realm… where spirits battle. Angels and demons battle against one another. Satan and his demons fight in vain trying overcome God’s plans for us. And angels fight for us. The battle of good versus evil is very real. But fear not!  For we already know who wins! There are 3 Heavens: The first heaven is the earth’s atmosphere, where birds fly and clouds form. The second heaven encompasses outer space… the realm of stars, planets, and celestial bodies The third heaven is where God’s throne room is. This is the place Jesus spoke of when He said in
John 14:
2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 
Paul mentions the 3rd heaven, in
2Corinthians 12:2-4
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
I believe Paul is describing what happened in Acts 14:19 when Paul was stoned and left for dead in Lystra. Alongside our earthly realm and all 3 heavens is a realm that is unseen by these carnal bodies .
2Corinthians 10:3-5
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Carnal weapons, that is weapons of the flesh, have little value in spiritual warfare. But God gives us weapons of warfare that are Mighty through God. We must put on the Full Armor of God. Putting on the Full Armor of God is a daily, spiritual practice, not a onetime event!
We must make time every day to read and to study God’s Word… so we can understand the Truths of Scripture and how to apply it to our lives.
We must pray regularly… through prayer we breech the spirit realm and commune with God. Though prayer we draw strength and request God’s help with spiritual battles. We must try to live lives that reflect God’s character… by being truthful, righteous, peaceful and full of faith.
When Jesus was tempted by the enemy; He used the Word of God… Sword of the Spirit and defeated him.
Luke 4:3-4
 3 And the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
4 But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’ ”
Let me ask you. Have you ever found yourself despondent or depressed? Lacking motivation, just feeling useless or agitated for no reason? There might be spiritual forced behind that. Spiritual forces are behind many of the conflicts we have as individuals and as a society. Prayer is the deciding factor in a spiritual battle! While our bodies have mortal limitations, our prayers take on characteristics of the nature of the spirits: Prayers are not restricted by space, time or material obstacles. Through prayer, in the name of Jesus… we can take back the territory that Satan and his minions are trying to hold onto. God gives us this power to do so:
John 14:12-14
12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
We live among unseen spiritual battles every day. Never confuse the Holy Spirit with these lesser spirits. The Holy Spirit is an equal part of God Himself. God is 3 in one:  The Father, Son and… Holy Spirit. I ask you: When we receive divine assistance, help from above, when God answers prayers or shows us mercy: Is that the work of the Holy Spirit? Or is it the work of Jesus? Or is it the work of God the Father? The answer is Yes! All of the above!
We can and should pray to the Holy Spirit just like we pray to The Father and to Jesus, humbled… with reverence, trust, confidence and hope. I recently heard this said about prayer:
“Prayer is not like a spare tire that we keep in the trunk for emergencies. Prayer should be our steering wheel, leading us everywhere we go!”
It’s easier to pray than it is to listen, especially when we have to wait for an answer. But we must take the time; we must make time to listen for the Holy Spirit as it guides us.
Billy Graham said:
”The Holy Spirit is not an abstract force, an impersonal power or merely the influence of God at Work. The Holy Spirit is a Person. He has a mind, a will and emotions. He speaks, leads, teaches and comforts. He is the third Person of the Trinity, co-equal with the Father and the Son, fully divine, fully present. And actively engages in the life of every believer.”
I’ll add my two cents to this by saying the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are of One mind and One Will. They are Three and they are One. It’s difficult for us to comprehend this.
Ken Ham said it best during a debate:
“If I could fit the infinite God in my 3 pound brain, He would not be worthy of worshiping.”
 We cannot wrap our minds around the power, the majesty, the wisdom, the glory and the love that is God. God is so worthy! God’s Divine Presence encompasses the entire universe and beyond. God is the Creator, the all-powerful, everlasting Spirit. God is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Omnipresent; He is everywhere all at once. God is the only uncreated Being or Thing! God is the self-existent source of all things! God’s existence is not dependent on any prior cause or creator. God is the Alpha and the Omega: The Beginning and The End!
When we put out faith in Jesus, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit:
Ephesians 1:13-14
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
Jesus tells us in:
John 16:7-9
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me.
The Greek word for “Helper: is “Parakletos” meaning. “One who comes along side, One who speaks on behalf of another, One who strengthens. This describes a living, Divine Being who walks with us, speaks to us and empowers us. As followers of Christ, the same Holy Spirit that is in you, is in you too, and in you, you and me! What a beautiful and powerful bond that we share. All who place their faith in Jesus are connected by the same indwelling Holy Spirit!
The Bible mentions angels and fallen angels aka demons Angels are beings… spirits that God created who remain loyal and are obedient to God. There are different forms and classes of angels including seraphim, cherubim, one archangel, and a general category of angels serving as messengers… Like our friend, Ralph the Angel. These classes of angels are like military ranks. Different ranks have different jobs. Different ranks are different types of angels and have different amounts of power. Demons are angels that along with Satan rebelled against God and were cast from heaven down here to earth. They are not rock creatures like in the movie “Noah” with Russell Crow!  If you never saw it… don’t bother. It was awful. We can safely assume there are different forms or rank of demons too. Satan himself was a cherubim before inequity filled him and he was cast down from the heaven.
Revelation 12:7-9
7 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Peter warns us:
1Peter5:8-9
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Angels can assume a human form, whereas demons look for and need bodies to inhabit bodies. Demons can possess both human and animal bodies. Since Satan is a demon, Satan needs a body too, This can explain people like Judas Iscariot, Nero, Adolph Hitler, Saddam Hussein, and my 10th grade math teacher Mr. Corrado.
Satan is not omnipresent. Neither are angels and demons. They are all created beings. My mom used to tell me “I brought you into the world, and I can take you out” God had that right long before my mom ever did…. and on a much bigger scale. The Bible tells us that demons including Satan, are accountable to God.
Job 1:9-12
9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”
Here, Satan questions God’s confidence in Job’s faith and in a sense, asks God’s permission to test or attack Job’s possessions. And God allows Satan, but God wisely puts limits on him: “do not lay a hand on his person”
One final thing before we begin Daniel 10: The Archangel Michael is mentioned in this chapter. In the bible Michael is the only angel mentioned that is given the rank of Archangel, so Michael is the one and only Archangel. Michael is God’s mighty warrior. Michael fights spiritual battles but he has another special job of watching over Israel. Michael is not a God and should not be prayed to or worshipped. Neither should the Virgin Mary. I just felt the need to say that. If you’ve read the Old Testament, you can read time and again the troubles that idolatry caused the Israelites… again and again. I think God was pretty clear. And it was the first of the 10 Commandments:
Exodus 20:2-4
  “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,
 Idols are not limited to carved images. Technology, cell phones, addictions, lust and even video games can become idols. Bad habits, bad relationships anything that gets between us and God can become an idol or a sin. We should regularly ask ourselves what idols do we have and we should remove anything that stands between us and God. When we sin, that sin comes between us and God.
It was because of our sins that Jesus sins upon Himself that… for the only time in all eternity that God had to turn away from Jesus. God allowed our sin to come between Him and His only begotten Son… that is how much God loves us!
And so, Daniel 10 at last!
Dan 10:1
In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel, whose name was called Belteshazzar. The message was true, but the appointed time was long; and he understood the message, and had understanding of the vision.
 This tells us this is taking place about 534 BC… around 5 years after the fall of Babylon. Daniel is in his mid-80’s. Cyrus the Great has conquered Babylon and knowingly or not is fulfilling the prophecies written over 200 years before this by Isaiah in chapter 45 that mention Cyrus by name. At this time the first group of exiles had already returned to Jerusalem led by Ezra. But it was a very small group.
The Israelites were in Babylon 70 years and many of them had probably grown roots and perhaps were hesitant to return. Daniel did not return home. Some people believe Daniel remained in Babylon due to his age. Others believe Daniel remained because he felt that he could do more for God’s people by staying put. Daniel held a high position and he could help his people the most by staying put and influencing the King in their favor.
“The appointed time was long” This prophecy covers events hundreds and even thousands of years in Daniel’s future.  As Pastor Steve reminded us, Daniel’s prophecies are so accurate that it many naysayers try and say that this was written after these events took place and then inserted and credited to Daniel. How sad for those and all who don’t know and believe that the Bible is the full, inerrant Word of God.
 Dan 10:2
In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks.
 Why was Daniel in mourning? It could be because so few Jews had returned from Babylon so far. It could be because of the difficulties that Ezra faced in spearheading a religious revival. Both are reasonable things that were surely heavy on Daniel’s heart. But I think the answer also lies in what we know of Daniel’s prayer life. Daniel was a man of prayer and he had a history of hearing from God in dreams and visions. Perhaps Daniel was in mourning because weeks had passed, with no sign from God.
Dan 10:3
I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.
 Daniel wasn’t fasting. Fasting is eating no food at all, just drinking water. Daniel ate vegetables… maybe a few matzo. But he ate no meat or pleasant foods… no desserts, no cakes of figs or raisins. Daniel even let his personal hygiene go. The NLT says it this way:
“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.”
Back then they didn’t have running water and showers in their homes like we do. It wasn’t common practice to bathe every day. Actually, modern showers didn’t become common place things even in our households until the 1970’s. I guess that explains those smelly hippies at Woodstock In Daniel’s day… they didn’t have tv commercials about new deodorants that they could use “all over their body”…. Not gonna go there!
Back then they would visit public bathhouses and wash the best they could. And in between baths they’d still wash their face, hands and feet. But they used scented oils and fragrant lotions, perfumes. Pleasing smells to mask the lingering… unpleasant aromas. So here, Daniel was turning away from worldly pleasures and focusing on spiritual growth. Was Daniel trying to become more sensitive and trying to understand the spiritual warfare going on after seeing how it was affecting the world? I think he was. We communicate with God in the spiritual realm when we pray. And Daniel was no stranger to prayer.
 Dan 10:4
Now on the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was by the side of the great river, that is, the Tigris,
On our calendar it would be April 24th, 534 BC and he was by the Tigris River in Babylon.
 Dan 10:5-6 “I lifted my eyes and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose waist was girded with gold of Uphaz!”
 10:6 “His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like torches of fire, his arms and feet like burnished bronze in color, and the sound of his words like the voice of a multitude.”
Now there is dispute and different ideas of who this is. Most people say it has to be Jesus Christ because the description is so similar to the description of Jesus that we read in”
Revelation 1:13-15
13 “and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.”
14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;
15His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;
Now…. Like many others, I USED to doubt that this was Jesus only because of what happens here a little later. But I don’t want to get ahead of myself.
Dan 10:7
And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision; but a great terror fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves.
 It’s always a good feeling to know your friends have your back when something happens. Unfortunately for Daniel, these weren’t that kind of friends. Only Daniel saw the Vision. His friends didn’t see it, but great terror fell upon them and they split. Maybe they heard the roaring voice like many waters. But it doesn’t say that they heard anything. Maybe his friends sensed something going on in the spiritual realm? Here’s something else to think about:
Exodus 30:34-35
34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle
And:
2Corinthians 4:17
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight (w-e-i-g-h-t) of glory,
 This tells us that God’s Glory isn’t just a bright light or a misty cloud. It has presence; it has substance and mass, it takes up space, and it is heavy. God’s Glory is real, and like God, it is mighty and powerful. Perhaps Daniel’s friends were terrified and left because they suddenly felt a great, unseen weight, the weight of God’s Glory resting upon them.
 Dan 10:8
Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength.
 So here Daniel is suddenly exhausted. He had no strength left in him.  What took all of his strength? Maybe it was from bearing the weight of God’s Glory? (I’m just saying)
 Dan 10:9
Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.
When John sees Jesus in Revelation 1, we read:
Revelation 1:17
 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.
            Maybe being in God’s presence is just too much for our fragile, fallen human bodies.
David Guzik says: “As godly as Daniel was, he was undone by this vision of the glorious man. Daniel’s experience shows us that even the holiest of men fall short before God and even before His (God’s) closest associates.” I can sort of relate to this. Sometimes, when the ministry elders meet and I gather among these Godly men I look at them and listen and I start to feel out of place. But then I realize that I am looking at myself as the man I was. That man died 9 years ago when I surrendered to Jesus.
So back to Daniel… it’s pretty clear that this was Jesus that appeared to Daniel. And Jesus has spoken to Daniel.Now we’re coming to the parts that can trip us up.
Verse 10 begins:
Dan 10:10
Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands.
Let me ask you: Does it say “He” touched Daniel or “His” hand touched Daniel, which would indicate the same figure Daniel first mention was who touched him? No, it just says “suddenly a hand touched me” After a lot of reading and praying I now believe that here in verse 10 God is comforting Daniel through the touch of an unnamed angel. Of angels Hebrew 1:14 says:
14 Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?

 Dan 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.
 After being touched and hearing this, Daniel’s strength was restored and he stood, but he stood trembling. Wouldn’t any of us tremble being face to face with an angel? This is the second time that an angel of God told Daniel he was greatly beloved by God. The first time it was Gabriel that told Daniel in:
 Daniel 9:23
 At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved;
 Let me ask for a show of hands. How many of you would like to hear in a message from God like Daniel did… that you are greatly beloved? Bro… Read your Bible! Daniel didn’t have the New Testament. And the Works of Jesus on the Cross happened long after Daniel’s lifetime. But we have: John, Matthew, Mark and Luke telling us all about it!
We have the greatest Book ever written! And in this Book, the Word of God and His Sacrifice are proof above all proof that we too are greatly beloved by God.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
I never get tired of hearing that!
Spurgeon said:
“It did not do Daniel any harm to know that he was greatly beloved of God; or else he would not have received that information from heaven.”
Some people are always afraid that, if Christian people obtain full assurance, and receive a sweet sense of divine love, they will grow proud, and be carried away with conceit. Do not you have any such fear for other people, and especially do not be afraid of it for yourselves. I know of no greater blessing that can happen to any man and woman here, than to be assured by the Spirit of God that they are greatly beloved of the Lord.”
 Dan 10:12
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.
 “for from the first day”: God responded to Daniels prayer the moment he made his request known to God. And God sent an angel because of Daniel’s prayer. I’ll say it again… Prayer matters people! And how did Daniel pray? He humbled himself before God.
Daniel didn’t pray like the proud Pharisee in Luke 18.
Luke 18:11-12
11 “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’”
Daniel prayed like the humble tax collector
Luke 18:13
And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’
 And of the tax collector Jesus says:
John 18:14
“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
This next verse tells us about spiritual warfare in black and white:
 Dan 10:13
“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. 
Daniel Prayed for 3 weeks, that’s 21 days. This 1 angel battled Satan and his army for 21 days. This is why it tells us in:
1Thesolonians 5:17
 17 pray without ceasing,
I have to wonder, if Daniel stopped praying after the 10 days or even 20 days, would the angel still have come? The angel with no name (sounds like a Clint Eastwood Movie.) The angel with no name was on his way to deliver a message from God to Daniel when the enemy jumps him to try and stop the message from getting from God and to Daniel. And this has to be a powerful, spiritual being, to attack and detain one of God’s angels. Remember, As Pastor Kevin reminds us, in 2 Kings 19, 1 unnamed angel killed 185,000 men in one night. Now the title of Prince gives the idea of authority or a ruler. Let’s see? A demon of high rank, that wanted to keep God’s message away from Daniel.
Hmm, could it be….. Satan?
Luke 4:6
6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
Here in Luke, Satan tells Jesus that Satan was given authority of this world. In the Garden, God gave Adam dominion over the earth.
Genesis 1:26
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
 After the fall of man in Genesis 3, God curses the earth, and Adam and Eve and the serpent and God drives man out of paradise. Through the sin of flesh, man forfeited title to the earth over to Satan; at least until we reach the time and events in Revelation 5:5 when only Jesus can open the scroll containing the title to the earth,  and He does, taking it away from the evil one.
 Rev 5:5
But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
So… the devil is the prince of this fallen world (which explains a lot). And here in Daniel, the Prince of Persia is none other than Satan. The kings of Persia are most likely other demons under Satan’s rule. So Satan and his gang attack the angel with no name and this one angel fights Satan and his gang for 21 days. Finally God’s had enough and He sends the unnamed angel’s big brother to help him.
Archangel Michael shows up and continues the battle with Satan and his gang. Michael probably tells his little angel brother: “I got these guys…. you go deliver that message to Daniel.” This is a part where we can get tripped up. As I said, I used to read this part and say “It can’t be Jesus that Daniel saw in verses 5-9 because Satan is no match for Jesus.” You see, I remembered:
Jude 9
9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”
 Here Archangel Michael defeats Satan just by using “the name of the Lord.”  Jesus is Lord! Jesus doesn’t need any help to conquer the devil. I believe that Daniel did see Jesus, and what a Glorious sight it must have been. It brings to mind Acts 17, when God comforted and prepared Stephen for martyrdom by letting him see Jesus in heaven standing at the right hand of God
Acts 17:55
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”
Maybe God allowed Daniel to see Jesus to comfort and prepare him too.
So in verses 5-9, Daniel has a vision of Jesus and Jesus speaks to Daniel…
We don’t know what Jesus said. I think it was words of love and encouragement.
I don’t think it was the same message, the same vision that God gave angel without a name to bring to Daniel. Not even Satan and his legions can stop or even slow down Jesus! In verses 5-9 Daniel sees the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ. And then… in verse 10-an unnamed angel appears to comfort Daniel and deliver a message. Think about it. It’s just how I see it. You don’t have to agree with me. I’ll still love you if you’re wrong.
 Dan 10:14
“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.”
 This tells Daniel 2 things: 1. It concerns “his people” the nation of Israel. and 2. It tells of events that will happen to Israel in the distant future “many days yet to come.”
There are many near and far prophecies in the Bible. Prophecies that apply for the time they are told, but also tell of future events. This is sort of one of those, except it’s more like a far and very far prophecy. Here in Daniel, it is the year 534 BC which is about the middle of Cyrus the Great’s empire. The prophecy tells the future in great detail of 3 kings to come followed by a 4th king that will be greater than the other three. All but one of these kings will bring great sorrows to God’s chosen people and Daniel sees all of this this.
This prophecy continues to reach forward to 167 BC when Antiochus Epiphanes will enter the temple, erect an alter to Zeus and sacrifice a pig in the temple, claiming Zeus to be god. This would be the first abomination of desolation and a preview of the coming Anti-Christ.
Today, it is 2,559 years after Daniel received this vision. And this prophecy still reaches even further into our future. It tells of the coming Ant-Christ and the second and ultimate Abomination of Desolation. It tells of the final battle of Armageddon. And it tells of the defeat of the Anti-Christ.
It’s good to have something to look forward to…. It is.
Remember, we the church will not be here for the Great Tribulation.
And we will only witness Armageddon in sort of a drive-by. We will all follow on white horses and watch as Jesus triumphs over evil.
Revelation 19:14-15
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations.
 Just as God only had to speak to bring everything into existence, Jesus will only have to speak defeat to Satan and the armies that rise against King of King, Lord of Lords. This is why I laugh at people who share that photo of Jesus and Satan arm wrestling.  There is no contest. Jesus will reign forever. Daniel’s vision also speaks in great detail of how Israel will suffer during the tribulation. But Pastor Ernie and my Brother Drew will have much more to say about it all.
Dan 10:15
When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless.
 Daniel saw all the suffering and death. He saw all the horrors we read about in the Book of Revelation! The words of this message had a different kind of weight, not of God’s glory but the weight of truth. Did someone ever give you unpleasant news that just sapped all your strength and left you feeling floored? In the 1970’s and 80’s we had a saying about such things. We’d say “Man… that’s heavy!”
So here’s Daniel…. wiped out and on his face again.
 Dan 10:16
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.
 See? Daniel specifically mentions someone else, another spiritual being. We can’t be sure how many angels and types of angels were present… not that it matters. But being angels, maybe they didn’t realize the effect this vision would have on a human being. And in Daniel’s defense, remember, he hasn’t had a nice steak or even a hamburger in 3 weeks.
Romans 14:2
2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.
 Actually here Paul is speaking of being weak in faith. I just thought I’d drop it here for effect.
 Dan 10:17-18
“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.”
 Dan 10:18
Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.
 So Daniel is weak and short of breath… and he is touched by an angel who has taken on the appearance of a man. God touches Daniel once again through an angel. If the touch of an angel can strengthen us… what can the touch of a demon do? Could it fill us with doubt, fear or anger, weaken us to prevent us from doing the right thing? Fill us with apathy so we won’t help the needy and afflicted?
David Guzik says there are 3 kinds of spiritual experiences
1. Biblical spiritual experiences: Like the laying on of hands and prayer groups.
 To this… I added visions, and the appearance of angels.
 These bring Fruit of the Spirit
2. Non Biblical: Like Daniel losing strength and falling on his face.  Or like his friends running away in fear. We see no fruit here
3. Anti-Biblical: Things we should never do, like Spiritualism, Ouija board, tarot card…etc
I tell people who are into those dark things that the only Spirit they need to focus on and talk to is the Holy Spirit!
 Dan 10:19
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.”
 For a third time, an angel tells Daniel that he is greatly loved by God, and to be strong… and Daniel regained his strength again. So Daniel asks him to continue. I might have been like: Thank you. I am loved by God…that is so awesome!  There’s probably no better news than that… but just in case….what else do ya got?
 Dan 10:20
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.
The angel asks Daniel a question and immediately gives Daniel the answer. The angel was sent to tell Daniel about near and far events that will happen to the Hebrew people. The angel said “Look I have to get back to that spiritual battle over Persia. And after I win that one I’m gonna roll up my sleeves and join the next spiritual battle with the Grecian Empire.
 Dan 10:21
“But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince.
This message Daniel received is just one part of the greatest book ever written. The Scripture of Truth, The Word of God, The Sword of the Spirit: The Holy Bible. No one fights with and for the angel with no name, except the Archangel Michael. I don’t believe that the angel with no name was complaining here. There was no self-pity. I think he said it with pride. Like: “There is no battle for the Lord that Michael and I cannot win on our own”
On earth, compared to other nations Israel may seem small and weak. But in the spiritual realm, and in heaven, no nation, no people are better protected; none are stronger than God’s Chosen People. Before we pray I’d like to leave you with a Quote from Author “Daymond R Duck: He is the author one of the books I used in preparing this teaching… along with prayer and guidance by the Holy Spirit.
“People need to understand that people are pawns in an unseen, supernatural war. But they are more than the least important pieces on the chessboard. They are the trophy or the prize. The future of every person depends on which side they are on and who wins the war.”
Brothers and sisters, we know who wins. If anyone here or online has not picked a side, there’s a place for you on the winning team. Just see me or any of our staff after we pray. If you are online, just message us on Facebook or contact us on our website. Three words will change your life! There’s no shame admitting “I need Jesus.”
Lets pray:
Thank You Lord for being here with us. Thank you for this opportunity to look at thinks we don’t often think or speak of. Thank You for Your Word which guides us, leads us and nourishes our very souls. Thank You for Your Great Love that saved the world from sin and became the Way, the only Way for us to spend eternity with You.
Father, we lift up our dear sister, Eileen Rambo. Thank You Lord for calling Bob home to you. We know that Bob is no longer in pain. He is free of that broken body and completely healed. So we pray for Eileen. Comfort her and with Your Spirit and Your Word. Remind her how very much she is loved by you and by her church family here.
Father God I ask that You bind any spirits that are causing trouble, agitation, depression or whatever the matter is with all within the sound of my humble voice. Heavenly Father bind these spirits and cast them out in the name of Jesus…
Heavenly Father… Thank You. Thank You for Your Son Jesus. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit… the Helper. Thank You for Your Grace, Your Mercies and Your Love
We know that everything we have comes from you Father. And so we thank you for everything for without you, we have nothing
We pray this In the Mighty Name of Jesus
Amen
I heard an old Swedish proverb about the Bible:
“This Book can keep you from sin… but sin can keep you from this Book”
Good night and God Bless you all