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SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN THE HEAVENS
(Daniel
10)
…We as a
country are presently in a __war__ against terrorism. President Bush has
told us that we are taking the battle to them, rather than having to fight them
in our streets.
…The Bible reminds
us that this terrorist war is
__not__
the only war happening, for there is another war that is taking place in the
universe, in the heavens. This war involves forces far greater than mere human.
…Chapter
10 is the introduction to Daniel’s last vision. It is the longest and most
detailed, which tells us it is the most __important__ of the four. The
year is 535 BC, and Daniel is now in his eighties. Two years earlier the first
captives had made their way back to Jerusalem and had started to rebuild. The
builders had many who opposed them and the work __stopped__. Daniel is
greatly burdened by this. God gave him a “revelation” (v1) and he embarks on
a 21- day fast and prayer. This chapter teaches us about __prayer__ and
spiritual warfare in high places.
FOUR
OBSERVATIONS ABOUT ANGELIC WARFARE MOTIVATING US TO PUT ON THE
__FULL__
ARMOR OF GOD.
I. Daniel learned that there are
not only good angels, but __evil__
ones who work against the Lord and try to hinder God’s people.
A. Daniel
received this last vision. It was a terrible one revealing the great
__war__
and suffering that Israel would endure. This upset him so, that he fasted and
prayed to the Lord for understanding.
B. The
Lord sent an angel, who had the appearance of a “man” v.5 Daniel was so
overwhelmed with his
__splendor__
and magnificence that he fell near death. V.8
C. Gabriel
told Daniel that he was hindered from coming for
__three__
weeks, as he was opposed by a fallen angel, the “prince of Persia.” V 13
1.
This prince is
a fallen evil angel, who fell with Satan, and who was assigned by Satan to the
Persian
__nation__
and its leaders to hinder God’s people.
2.
The archangel,
Michael, must come and help him in this battle. V13
3.
This shows us
the power of
__prayer__,
as Daniel prays and his words are heard and an answer is prepared. Wow!
4.
Gabriel
strengthens Daniel twice (vv10, 18).
D.
Gabriel tells
Daniel that
__later__
another evil angel will come “the prince of Greece,” whom he will have “to fight
against.” V 20 This is another demon who promotes evil.
II. Satan uses evil angels to
influence the decisions made by national __leaders__.
1 Ki 22
A. This
is the story about the godly prophet Micaiah, and the 400 false prophets of king
Ahab.
B. King
Ahab was killed listening to his
__lying__
demonic prophets. Vv34-37.
III.
One day soon,
Satan and his angels will be thrown
__out__
of the heavens and will be confined to the earth. Revelation 12…this will be a
terrible time for he knows his time is very short.
A. In
this passage an actual battle is described, involving the same archangel
Michael. Vv7-11
B. Verse
9 is important for it identifies Satan. He is the devil, the ancient serpent.
C. Satan
is defeated and
__hurled__
down to earth. He is the accuser of the believer. (Job 1)
IV. The __key__
passage dealing with spiritual warfare is the concluding portion of Paul’s
letter to the Ephesians. (Eph 6:10-18)
…here we
are told as Christians to __arm__ ourselves with God’s armor and stand
against Satan’s power.
…we are
not told very much about the spirit world in the Bible, these passages are only
glimpses into the unseen world around us, but we are told what we need to know.
…So, put
on the belt of __truth__, the breastplate of righteousness, the
war-boots, the war shield of __Faith__, the helmet of salvation, and the
__sword__ of the Spirit. Then, __pray__ at all times.
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
1.
Don't be afraid of Satan or his host.
2.
Stand your ground in combat. Stand firm with God's armor on.
3. The
truth is, you probably have never been directly attacked by Satan, but you
probably have been by Satan's demons.
4. Use
God's Word to defeat Satanic attack. "It is written....."
5. A
defeated life is often related to a prayerless life.
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